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Best Acoustic Amp

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Earthbound Misfit
Posted 2005-12-01 2:31 AM (#127626)
Subject: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123

Location: Braman, OK
Hi All ~ I'll be bargain hunting soon for an amp to go with my newly-acquired Adamas 1597 (it's due to arrive in a few days), and I'd like the sage opinions of the esteemed members of the OFC.
I'm looking for something that will complement the guitar's finer qualities acoustically with another channel for mic. It needn't be too big, as I'm only playing nightclub-sized venues.
So whaddya say -- any suggestions?
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Earthbound Misfit
Posted 2005-12-01 3:07 AM (#127627 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123

Location: Braman, OK
Okay, newbie in the forum... did a search and found lots of posts, lots of good advice. I'll check back with y'all if I have a FRESH question...
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Omaha
Posted 2005-12-01 3:32 AM (#127628 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126

Location: Omaha, NE
Marshall AS50.
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Beal
Posted 2005-12-01 9:14 AM (#127629 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
Get that Ampeg that Al has in his basement.
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fillhixx
Posted 2005-12-01 11:41 AM (#127630 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp



Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4809

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Almost any decent small bass amp gives full frequency response to everything an acoustic guitar produces. IMO.

'course, I'm a bass player when I get paid
:rolleyes:
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BigBearCarolina
Posted 2005-12-01 2:06 PM (#127631 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 59

Location: North Carolina
Yorkville AM100

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?cat=33&type=71&id=92
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an4340
Posted 2005-12-01 2:36 PM (#127632 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389

Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands
If your looking for a combo,
And a large night club, say a 25 by 50 or more space, a Fender Cyber-Twin 130 Watts.

25 by 25 space
Aoustisonic Jr DSP
2 40 Watt channels

Small
Acoustisonic 30 DSP
1 30 watt speaker

Genz Benz are supposed to be good, but I have no experience with them.
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Earthbound Misfit
Posted 2005-12-02 12:06 AM (#127633 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123

Location: Braman, OK
Cool, thanks folks. Did I mention that I need to be heard over a drummer (classic rock format)? I'm leaning toward something like 300 watts... not a head, but a good little combo with at least 2 channels, maybe 3 channels to accomodate a small keyboard.
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Earthbound Misfit
Posted 2005-12-02 12:26 AM (#127634 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123

Location: Braman, OK
... Although this is intriguing:
http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?sectioncode=6&storycode=10748
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Tony Calman
Posted 2005-12-02 1:18 AM (#127635 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp



Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619

Location: SoCal
Think it can be easier figuring out which guitar than the amp...and so many ways to produce the right sound. Some have even recommended a PA system.

Really enjoy my Genz-Benz Shenabdiah 100 (Kaman product, approx $700), yet the Bose (approx $2,000 +), yet the little Peavey Backstage (approx $55) that I bought for my niece.

And, once you've found the right one...cost, size, and weight.

There are some excellent posts in archive.
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an4340
Posted 2005-12-02 8:40 AM (#127636 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389

Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands
Lugging around a combo larger than the cyber twin would give you, or should I say me, a hernia.
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Styll
Posted 2005-12-02 12:56 PM (#127637 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382

Location: USA
I have used a Marshall Valvestate...
The baby blonde...

I currently run through a pa(no amp)...srm 450's

Compliments all the time...

Its really up to you...but all of these have been great.

http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul
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Northcountry
Posted 2005-12-02 1:16 PM (#127638 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Your going to have so many good opinions because Acoustic Amps have become much better than they once were.
I own a nice medium sized Peavey Ecoustic. Take a look in the members section photo gallery under northcountry. This thing has some of the best anti-feedback electronics around. But then again many companies have this technology built in also.
This one has three channels one with an array of acoustic guitar effects and a second channel that is great for a second instrument that you might have your own pedal effects fora The third channel is a vocal channel that has a 1/4 plug and/or a standard Mic cable connector as well.
This thing really cranks if you need it with the 100watts I personally have never needed this thing turned up past 5. LAst time I was set up for practice in a big room I found I could really mess with the acoustic sound buy using a mic on the amp the amp and running through the board on an instrumnet mic right in front of the guitar at the same time. You get a nice blend of affects as well as the raw untouched acoustic sound. And sometimes it is nice to hear that hint of pick or finger work as they work the strings, it is much more natural. Mine ran about $500 if you look around and don't buy the first one you find. Well worth the money. Peavey has a pretty good reputation for durability when it comes to amps & speakers. This is important when giging! YOu drop that beherringer and it don't work ya know? then what's it worth? sure ain't worth the $100 you saved.

Randy
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dragonboy
Posted 2005-12-02 1:40 PM (#127639 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 111

Location: Southern California
While I don't have an acoustic amp (yet), I've got to agree 100% w/Randy about Peavey's reliability... I've had a Peavey Reknown for 23 years, and it still works great. Gigged with it heavily back in the day, and the stage apes weren't always kind. Some people knock Peavey, but I swear by them.
;)
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BrianT
Posted 2005-12-02 1:49 PM (#127640 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338

Location: SE Michigan
I have a Marshall AS50R, which is a nice little amp, but one thing I am starting to learn is that soon as you start to push these things hard with both vocals and guitar, they fall apart (soundwise). It holds up pretty well doing guitar alone, but when both the vocal and guitar channel get going (at a moderatly high level) it starts to distort and the speakers fart out. Now I am sure that there are some really nice models out there that have more power and such. But once you start to shell out $600-800 plus for an acoustic amp, you are not very far from the price of a decent small PA.

Playing the AS50R with guitar alone, it really does a nice job. I've even used it playing with drums and a bass and it rocked nicely. It's when you try to add the vocal channel and push it a bit that things go south.

One other observation, how often have you seen someone actually gigging with one of these little dual channel boxes? (putting both the mic and the guitar through). Almost without exception everyone I see gigging is using a PA. So anyway I am saving and up and shopping for a PA system.
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Northcountry
Posted 2005-12-02 2:26 PM (#127641 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Yep agree about the vocals. Great way to practice and the Guitars sound fantastic but on stage a small 4 or 6 channel board and powered speaker set up will solve a lot of problems. You really neeed to go with a small PA THere are a bunch of them nowadays. Cheap too! If the board is small enough you can build a nice little set up where you can set the board and you effects and all the things you need to control right in one spot.
Peaveys are tough no doubt. I know I've seen me drop them off the back of the truck ramp and they still work the next weekend!

Randy
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Earthbound Misfit
Posted 2005-12-02 5:07 PM (#127642 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123

Location: Braman, OK
Thanks mucho, guys.
I like what Northcountry is saying about the durability aspect. I also see the point about saving for a lightweight PA, which I'll prolly do. But in the meantime, I'm needing a decent combo for the practice thing. I s'pose 150 watts could be heard over the drummer...
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Northcountry
Posted 2005-12-02 6:25 PM (#127643 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Man the choices are endless. Buy a Guitar & Bass buyers guide magazine, this will at least give you a good overview of what you may be looking for.
Your gonna end up with a huge amp you won't want after you hook up with a nice little PA system.

Randy
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dragonboy
Posted 2005-12-02 6:54 PM (#127644 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 111

Location: Southern California
150 watts should be more than enough. If the rooms you're playing are small, the drummer has to keep it laid back anyway. I'd seriously look at the small P.A., though. If you're going to end up there anyway, why spend money twice?

It's a stretch, but here's yet another idea: if your drummer has or gets an electronic set (Roland and Yamaha both offer good electronic sets that are hard to tell apart, sound-wise, from acoustic sets), you'd sound better in a small room because you can totally control the sound... and then a P.A. would be the only way to go, as he'd have to go through some sort of amplification as well.

Regardless of the drum thing, though, if you're thinking you are going to end up going the P.A. route eventually, just do it now. You'll save money in the long run, which you can pocket, or you can use to buy yet more toys! :D
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Northcountry
Posted 2005-12-02 9:21 PM (#127645 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Hey Good luck anyone with a Ric 4001 is good people in my book!
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dragonboy
Posted 2005-12-03 12:19 AM (#127646 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 111

Location: Southern California
Don't know 'bout your part of the world, but out here 4001's kind of dropped off the radar for awhile. Everyone had one, then it seemed no one did. I figure there are a lot of these stuffed in closets and under beds all across the country... but lately, I've been noticing a comeback. Glad to see them being dusted off!
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JeffreyD
Posted 2005-12-03 8:09 AM (#127647 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777

Location: East Wenatchee, WA
I use my Barbetta 23C. Not cheap, but five channels , Bi-Amped with 15" and a horn. Clean, clear guitar and vocals.

I am presently using it as our church PA (just started up a new fellowship) and it handles the 100 plus person room wonderfully. I put it behind two acoustic guitars, two microphones and a keyboard, and have very little feedback, so don't even need a monitor.

If you guys haven't checked these puppies out, you should....it may not be the Bose L1, but they are mighty sweet for about 1/3 the price.
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BigBearCarolina
Posted 2005-12-04 1:44 PM (#127648 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 59

Location: North Carolina
The AM100 I suggested comes in a 150 version.
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Northcountry
Posted 2005-12-04 2:56 PM (#127649 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487

Hey there MadDog I sure wish they did not make a comeback Perhaps I could buy more of them. cheap! Ric has taken a bit of a hit though, I agree! There are just so many great custom basses for $1,200 - the sky the limit and everyone wants 5 or 6 strings now. So a Rickenbacker is a bass a lot of the youger guys would want but the alure to be different have a bass that many will think it is an exotic $4,000 bass is too great! Rickenbacker will always have that great, great sound and the thin necks and great classic looks.... so as one of the last truly hand made American Guitar manufacturers (like Ovation) Rickenbacker will keep selling. I just recently sold my 4080 doubleneck to one of the guy's on the Rickenbacker site for $4,000 and a nice fretless in trade as well in less than an hour.
So they are still alive and well as far as I know.


Randy
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Styll
Posted 2005-12-09 5:34 PM (#127650 - in reply to #127626)
Subject: Re: Best Acoustic Amp


Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382

Location: USA
Mackie 450 srms...

mackie has recieved a bad rap lately,,,but this is one of the best systems I have played through.

One of the clubs I play hires me back just for the system...although id like to think its a because of what I do as well... lol...


http://www.myspace.com/styllheartandsoul
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