Electric Sounds from an Acoustic Amp?

[tjmangum]

I'm an acoustic guitar kind of a guy, but I've got a cheap electric (one of the better Epiphone Les Pauls) I like to play around with from time to time, but I sense I'm not getting the "electric sound" from my main acoustic amp, which is a SWR California Blond.
Is there an easy fix without getting a dedicated electric amp? I've got a Baggs Para Acoustic DI box and a Fishman Aurora Spectrum Preamp, plus I've got a Fishman Loudbox 100 amp too that seems to have a bit more "umphh" . Any suggestions? Is there a pedal or something that would help? I guess I'm probably looking for a John Fogerty CCR sound. What would be an inexpensive electric amp that might get me closer to this sound?
Thanks,
Terry

 

[griehund]

Ive got a Gretsch 6129 jet and a Kustom 65 acoustic amp. The only thing that gets me close to an electric sound is a blues overdrive pedal and mellow hall reverb. Trying to build a champ with the tech guys to fill the void.

 

[willdj]

probably not going to be able to get a very electric sound from an acoustic amp unfortunately
check out the Vox Pathfinder 15R, i swear by them as practice/home amps

 

[dapmdave]

Try going to the back of the amp and turning the HF driver down. But it's probably not going to work, for the same reason that playing your acoustic through an electric guitar amp is less than satisfying. If it were me, I'd try some of the simulator pedals that are out there, preferably by borrowing a few.

Dave

 

[tjmangum]

probably not going to be able to get a very electric sound from an acoustic amp unfortunately
check out the Vox Pathfinder 15R, i swear by them as practice/home amps

Looks like this might be the ticket. It's on my Amazon "Wish List"!
Thanks,
Terry

 

[Ian]

I've got a VOx pathfinder 15 and a Fender champ 600 that I use with my Gretsch and Tele. The champ is a lot warmer and has loads more character, also sounds very impressive when you give it some welly :lol: My vote would be for the champ. (both around the same $'s second hand here)

Cheers, Ian

 

[Dano]

I occasionally gig with my Starfire II, T5, and acoustics using only a Genz Benz Shenandoah 100 acoustic amp -- two channels & a 12" speaker. It has both 1/4" & XLR ins on each channel. For electric sounds I use a SansAmp Para Driver DI, setup close to the "Champ" settings in the manual or a Hughes & Kettner Tubeman II preamp -- set so it's clean, but on the edge of breakup. These have preamps and speaker simulators built in -- to simulate that frequency roll-off that you get with a real electric guitar amp (the acoustic amps are more full-range). You can put a distortion pedal in front of the SansAmp if you need it; the Tubeman II has 3 channels, so no extra pedal needed.

I've had very good luck with this setup -- but really do prefer a "real" electric guitar amp in most settings...

Hope that helps!

 

[fearless]

You could always try a digital multi-FX modeller like a Boss GT or Line 6 POD HD300. They have modelling simulations of electric amps. Best plugged into FX loop if your amp has one, but could also sound fine through the front.
A lot of people turn their noses up at anything digital but I think they are OK, especially the later ones which are more "organic" sounding.