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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | My lovely wife I & went to our first guitar show/swap meet today.
Out of the blue she says, "I would like to buy you an amp and I like the looks of this one".
Okay.....cool.
Huber Breese will match the price and they have one in stock.
Any other suggestions for about $300?
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Looking back...I should have taken her to the boat show! :)
Brad. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Talk her into spending a little more and buy an Acoustisonic Jr. Personal opinion. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | If you have less than $500 to spend then buy used. In terms of new acoustic amps there is nothing worth having for $300. The cheaper Fender acoustic amps are junk, another personal opinion. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Check my add on SELL/TRADE for a Genz Benz Shenandoah 100. For not a lot more money you would be getting an amp that is far superior to the Fender. Only about a day or so before eBay... |
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March 2004
Posts: 16
Location: High Point, NC. | A while back, I started a "thread" (Miles, I love that term hope you don't mind me using it) called Plugging in...up.in which I asked if there was an amp out there that would do both acoustic or electric. The concesus (^$@#&%@ spelling) was that there was not , but a couple came close. The reason I asked that was due to a Fender Acoustsonic Jr. being demoed to me at a local guitar shop. My friend that works there pulled down a Fender A/E...(I didn't touch it, I promise) and I had him sit with his back to me and play through the amp. I have to admit I was blown away. Amp list for around $600. and they get $420+tax.It's a great amp but I wasn't ready to spend that kind of money. He also demoed a couple of other acoustic amps some cheaper, some not. When I get ready to shell that out ,I will visit the Marshall dealer in the next town before I make up my feeble mind. Happy shopping. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | for what it's worth, the Marshall acoustic amps are junk also, if anything they're worse than the Fenders. Of the cheaper Acoustic amps Roland are about the best I've heard. Bottom line, if you are serious about your sound and need a good acoustic amp then go for a specialist brand, and be prepared to spend the same kind of money you'd spend on a decent guitar. Check out Daedalus, Ashdown, SWR, AER, Ultrasound, Genz-Benz, Fishman.
If I look at the gear I take on the road, the single biggest expense is not instruments, it's sound equipment. An expensive guitar through cheap gear is a false economy. Conversley a great amp/PA can make an adequate guitar sound a lot better. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | "If I look at the gear I take on the road, the single biggest expense is not instruments, it's sound equipment. An expensive guitar through cheap gear is a false economy. Conversley a great amp/PA can make an adequate guitar sound a lot better."
Well said! A pretty guitar through a crappy amp or sound system is like gold jewelry on a pig. |
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January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | MF has em for $249 right now |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | And don't forget that if MF has them for $249 you should be able to walk into any Guitar Center and ask for the same price and walk out with it.
Following leads on good used is a great way to get a value - if you trust them and know a good tech or repairman. |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | Why not a small PA?
I agree that under $500.00 you can't find much...
But... Under $500.00 you can get a quality small PA and provide sound for "most" small venues.
My 2cents.
Woz |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Isn't the frequency response / output of a PA and an acoustic amplifier pretty much the same? Rather than an acoustic amp invest in a small PA and keep more options open.
I do remember several strings on trying to narrow down which PA - so lotsa luck!
At our church they have moved to mic'ing the electric guitar amp to spare the PA from the punishment. There are a couple of blown monitors already. We are learning! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by MWoody:
Isn't the frequency response / output of a PA and an acoustic amplifier pretty much the same?
Er.......No, not at all. The frequency resposnse of a good (that means EXPENSIVE) acoustic amp will be, depending on the size of the enclosure & efficiency of the speakers maybe 100Hz to 16Kh. A good full-range PA should be around 60Hz to at least 18Khz and a Bi or tri-amped concert system can get as low as 25Hz. As far as output goes most acoustic amps are around 50 to 200watts, while most adequate PA Systems have power ratings of at least several hundred watts and concert systems are into several thousand. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I just got back from playing the Fender 30 and the
G-B side by side. For my purposes, the Fender will do me fine. I don't "gig" and the furthest it will get from my living room is my backyard. I am greatful for all the (ahem) input from the board members. I don't doubt the expertise.
Besides, my wife picked that one out of the blue as a surprise. That counts for something.
And Paul, I loved the "gold jewelry on a pig" line. I will use that one along with my favorite, "You can fuck up a anvil if you try hard enough".
Brad |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Slipkid,
Crate's CA 60 D is a nice affordable small venue amp., but if I were able, I'd buy Paul's Genz Benz 100. I agree with the comments made, that a quality guitar played through a crappy amp will equal a crappy sound. I have the CA60, it sounds great, but it is far too "hollow" for anything other than an intimate setting. For about the same money, a used Genz Benz w/ 100 watts/DSP effects, and a 12 inch driver, I think is a better buy.
Perhaps you don't gig right now, but who know's what the future will hold! One last thing, I've heard from several sources that the Fender Accoustonics (30/Jr.) have a history of having technical difficulties/problems. Just something to consider.
Hey, I know, I'll sell you my CA60, add a few bucks, and buy Paul's Genz Benz!
Norse(for what it's worth)man1 |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Pauls G-B is already sold. Ya snooze...ya loose.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Brad |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Slipkid
Follow your instincts and play the amp your wife buys you. It gives you two things, an amp and marital peace and enjoyment. You say you aren't familiar with acoustic amps, so wring out the Fender and try all settings one thing you will find is you can hear how it sounds and you will soon become an expert on amp sounds. I predict you will find some settings that will satisfy your desire to amplify, especially at home. If you get really attached to amplified sound and are tempted to join a band, then you will be ready for the expensive amps that the board members who play in venues other than the living room reccommend.
Bailey |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Baily,
That about sums it up. Thanks for the good advise.
Brad |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 21
| For any one using both electric and acoustic thru the same amp, I use an AER (the smaller 40 watt). It sounds beautifull with the new adamas cvt, and just as nice with my 41 L7. Lots of comments on both. I think I just lucked out when I bought this amp, as I didnt know much except they are known to be nice. Unbelievably easy to carry around and big nice clean sound! About 750 though. The xlr out into the house system at church works great once I figured out how to use the master vs gain on the individual channels. Has a nice built in reverb also
Later
Kyle |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | AER gear is superb. A point to watch using the XLR out on AER amps is that they are pre-EQ & effects. If you want to have more control of your out-front sound from your amp you need to use the post-eq/fx unbalanced line out (and a direct-box if you're going into a balanced input) |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 23
Location: Perth Amboy, NJ | I had an opportunity try a Carvin acoustic amp. Sounded great, and they are a bargain if you find oneon eBay. Here's a link:
http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=AG100D&CID=GA |
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Fender Acoustamatic(?) 30
