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August 2005
Posts: 17
Location: Knoxville, TN | I'm gonna get my 1624 Country Artist out of mothballs and I would like recommendations for a small practice amp that will accentuate the nylon string sound.
Thanks for the help. |
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July 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | A used Fender Acoustasonic Jr. will give you lots of bang for the buck; you should be able to find a used one for @ $200-250. Nice reverb and chorus on the older ones, newer ones have all the DSP effects built in (delay, etc.)
We use two in worship, can run a line out of the back to the PA, but they're also small enough to move around at home (2 8" speakers). |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I also like my Acoustisonic Jr. |
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July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | Been using the new Crate 15 watt model $150. Love the sound. Has two inputs so I can actually accompany myself at small venues. Powerful sound. The next step up is about $220-$230 and adds DSP effects. I haven't tried them, though. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Trace Acoustic. |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Has anyone here had any experience with those Behringer ACX1000 acoustic amps? GC sells them new for $299, but wondering if there a "you get what'cha pay for" kinda thing or if they're half way decent.
Jeff |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| I have no opinion on the Behringer not having played on one but I do second.. and third the Fender Acoustasonic recommendation, I have one of the jumbo's w/dsp and it does everything I need it to and then some... I got mine used in vgc for $400, I have also played on the California and Strawberry Blondes which are also very nice.
God Bless,
Glenn |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Funny you should ask about an amp for nylon strings. That's exactly what I was looking for. Really, If money is no object, you should pony up the big bicks for a Trace or Genz-Benz. Man!! They are nice!! These gutars do somethig that no other classical can do outside of a studio: Drive an amp to full output. I can get pretty good distortion out of a 15w fender practice amp at moderate volume with the OP24 in my 1763.
What I really wanted was "texture". and that very realistic sound. I often play at low volume where if it were not for the delay/reverb, I wouldn't know the amp was on. I got a once in a life time deal on my Acoustisonic JR DSP model, and I love the effects (they're so much fun!!), but I would say scoop up an older one without DSP cheap, and buy a nice outboard effects processor instead. Why you ask? two reasons 1) for about the difference in cost of the old one vs. the DSP model, you can a bunch of outboard effects and 2) There is no way to "bypass" the effects loop totally, and it always makes "a little" noise. Even on the unused channel. Not enough to be noticed while playing "clean", but I'm an audiophile. I have a noise gate on my 3 channel 500W system for watching TV. The only thing I hate more than hiss is 60hz buzz on amplifiers. These have a 3-5db noise floor, but they don't hum though.
Otherwise, this is a great little amp with plenty of power for small room or stage support like Mike said. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | The little guitar store down the street had a used Fender Acoustosonic Jr. for about $250. Looked just like the new one next to it for much more. I agree that would be the way to go if you could.
I have a 30 watt Epiphone that fills my needs. It has an XLR input, which sounds great with my Collectors' and has way more volume than I can use in the house.
I have seen and tried the Behringers at GC. I also have a 60 watt Behringer Blue Devil at home with more volume and features than I need. There's a bit of noise on mine and it's slow to switch between the clean and distortion (or "Heaven and Hell") channels, but otherwise it works great. I can't hear any noise on the Behringers at GC because they have so many humidifiers going in there.
I'd also check out the new Crate acoustics. They seem to have put a lot of thought into them, but I haven't tried the sound.
Last on this long list of mostly worthless advice is to try to get at least 30 Watts on an acoustic amp. The acoustic amps don't feedback as much, but they also don't seem to have as much volume (or as many features) as a combo amp of the same wattage. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| The big Behringer is a very, very good amp for the money, but the sound doesn't start to fill out til you crank it a fair way up. Not one for anyone who has neighbours within 100 yards. A couple of the effects are Boss class, and the tube emulator sounds good with nylon.
The little Fenders are fantastic. Simple as that.
There are lots of good ones around these days, I don't think there are any really bad ones, but I figure you can't go wrong with the Fender. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | tnroundback,
Welcome to the OFC you'll find lots of good advice on this forum. Most of the members have forgotten more than I know,(plus some of them own way to many guitars). :D
I purchased a crate 15 watt acoustic amp at the Guitar Center off of North Peters Road. You must know where that is since we live fairly close. We'll have to got together sometime, (maybe I could learn a little from you).
Bottom line is what do you want and how much are you willing to pay. The Fender Acoustasonic is a really nice Amp. Happy Hunting.
P.S. I'd love to try your Country Artist.
Oh No GAS. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | welcome tnroundback,
I agree with Cliff on Trace Acoustic amps. The TA50r is very nice if you are looking for small. A friend in CT was selling his minty TA100concert for $600+shipping.
Fishman no longer produces their Acoustic Performer Pro, but they still support it with excellent service. This one on eBay looks real good and might go for a low price because of the summer lag.
AER makes excellent acoustic amps. They start out small, but they are not cheap. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 17
Location: Knoxville, TN | Stopped by the GC yesterday and tried the Crate CA-15. It was a nice little amp and should fill the bill for my purposes. All I need is permission from She Who Must Be Obeyed. There were no Acoustasonic Jr.s to be found.
Now, who is gonna make me practice? |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Noah, you made a run on this one about 2 months ago. You gonna bid on it again? If not, maybe I will look into it (or let you grab it for later trading :D with me!) |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | Good choice!!
I really love the depth and warmth I get out of it.
For the money, it was a must have... I just had to do my standard... " Honey, say Happy Birthday to me..."
They just don't get it..... ;) |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by stephent28:
Noah, you made a run on this one about 2 months ago. You gonna bid on it again? If not, maybe I will look into it (or let you grab it for later trading :D with me!) The Fishman? Look into it... Go for it!
They pop up on eBay, but I don't recall this Seller.
Even if you find one with a blown driver, Fishman Service will replace/upgrade both drivers with associated circuit mods, and ship it back to you for a couple hundred bucks.
The Trace? The Concert version replaces the bottom two 5" drivers with a 12" Celestion. Even works nice for clean electric*. It's a little larger then the Fishman. The Seller is the original owner. He had pop-out casters and a top handle professionally installed so he could roll it around.
Both have xlr w/phantom power, effects loop, line outs, etc.
Me?... we have run out of room. Lady Noah's hobby and home run business requires dedicated space. It's time to downsize anyway. Do I really need two of this and two of that? Does a 50 year old guy playing at home need 4x12 cabinets or powerful amps? Letting go of some of the O's will be eased by my preference towards 12-fret necks... the others are not being played. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | Try this out for a small practice amp. Stick the suction cup below the bridge. Doesnt need batteries or power and you get pure unadulterated unplugged tone baby!
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Hey...I got one of those things at home and I'm bored just enough to try it! |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Hey...I got one of those things at home and I'm bored just enough to try it! . ."
Boy, it's a good thing he didn't post a pic of a vacuum cleaner! ;) |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | Or a Llama. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | good point. |
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September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | It would be safer to plug a guitar into a vacuum cleaner than a llama!
Paul |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Did someone say llama?
http://www.dailyllama.com/ |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I like the acoustic Crate amps. For the money they are hard to beat. The CA15 should be perfect for practice and even for a small venue gig. I have a CA125D that I bought used on eBay and it makes all my Ovations sound marvelous. |
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Amp Recommendation