What amp do you use?
- Thread starter tonewood
- Start date
Zoom and some others now make "stomp" boxes for acoustic guitars that are run through "non"-acoustic amps. Might be an option for you.
Here are a few of them: http://www.activemusician.com/Acoustic-Guitar-Effects--c1378
If you try any of these, please give is a review!!! :!:
Here are a few of them: http://www.activemusician.com/Acoustic-Guitar-Effects--c1378
If you try any of these, please give is a review!!! :!:
tonewood said:
Most electric guitar amps are voiced to bring out some of the e. guitar's midrange voicings. They were not designed to handle the extra highs and lows of the acoustic guitar.
On the other hand, some of the old Fender tube amps sound really good with an acoustic-electric. Such as the Super Reverb, Twin Reverb, and Pro Reverb. I'm not taking the reissues, but the originals. Yes, they cost a pretty penny. But if you already have one, then it is worth a shot to try it for your acoustic.
I would pickup a copy of Acoustic Guitar magazine, and see what is in there. See what the pros are using. Not all are simply pluging into the house P.A. Some are actually using amps on stage.
Some good ones are: Trace Elliot, Benz, Crate, to name a few.
Good luck.
Metalman
6L6
Senior Member
As a baseline, I gig with either my '06 Guild D-55, '71 Martin D-35, or '98 Collings D-1. All are equipped with the Fishman Matrix active pup which I really like.
For the past year and a half I have relied totally on my Fender Acoustasonic JR DSP amp for gigging and I LOVE it.
This amp has lots of built in features/effects, but when effects are called for (Chorus, Reverb, Delay, Tremolo) I still prefer to use my BOSS stompboxes. It's just easier for me to stomp on a preset pedal vs having to look over and spin the dials in a darkened room.
SO...
I run my guitar cord into the pedal board and then straight into the guitar channel of the amp. It gives a great tone and has WAY more power than I can use even in the typical restaurant venues I often play.
As a bonus, the Mic channel sounds INCREDIBLE! It will make you sound like a MUCH better singer than you really are!
And, the tilt-back legs are GREAT for getting your sound to the back of the room.
Finally, it's the same size and weight as a Fender Deluxe Reverb (about 42 lbs. The same amp cover will fit both perfectly) and that means it's really easy to carry around.
Check one out before you buy anything else!
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 2213200010
For the past year and a half I have relied totally on my Fender Acoustasonic JR DSP amp for gigging and I LOVE it.
This amp has lots of built in features/effects, but when effects are called for (Chorus, Reverb, Delay, Tremolo) I still prefer to use my BOSS stompboxes. It's just easier for me to stomp on a preset pedal vs having to look over and spin the dials in a darkened room.
SO...
I run my guitar cord into the pedal board and then straight into the guitar channel of the amp. It gives a great tone and has WAY more power than I can use even in the typical restaurant venues I often play.
As a bonus, the Mic channel sounds INCREDIBLE! It will make you sound like a MUCH better singer than you really are!
And, the tilt-back legs are GREAT for getting your sound to the back of the room.
Finally, it's the same size and weight as a Fender Deluxe Reverb (about 42 lbs. The same amp cover will fit both perfectly) and that means it's really easy to carry around.
Check one out before you buy anything else!
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 2213200010
plaidseason
Senior Member
Unless you have specific unique goal in mind (such as a Beatles AC30 sound), I'd stick with a dedicated acoustic amp for acoustic guitar or at least a combo amp that's intended to be used with an acoustic. Acoustic amps are closer to PAs and keyboard in that they are designed to reproduce a wider range of sound more acurately, whereas lets a Fender Champ is meant to sound like . . . well, a Fender Champ. And even a stomp box will not remove the coloring of an electric guitar amp (excepting the aforementioned combo amps).
Fortunately/unfortunately there are a lot of options available today. I'm quite fond of my Crate CA125D, which I've had for years, but if I were shopping around today, I'd be sure to look at the Fishman Loudbox models, as well as the Ultrasound models. I'd also take a look at Genz-Benz, and SWR. I'd of course check out the newer Crate models as wall, as I'm still quite happy with mine. There are many other brands, some lower priced and some much higher priced; you'll just need to try them out and see what you like.
-Chris
Fortunately/unfortunately there are a lot of options available today. I'm quite fond of my Crate CA125D, which I've had for years, but if I were shopping around today, I'd be sure to look at the Fishman Loudbox models, as well as the Ultrasound models. I'd also take a look at Genz-Benz, and SWR. I'd of course check out the newer Crate models as wall, as I'm still quite happy with mine. There are many other brands, some lower priced and some much higher priced; you'll just need to try them out and see what you like.
-Chris
Acoustic amps have notch filters (sine wave?) specifically to deal with acoustic feed back. I rarely use an amp but when I do it's almost always with a microphone.
I bought a Fender along with my T 5 & after a couple days went back to
the shop & tried an Ultrasound, I liked it better, it seemed more 'Acoustic" & reproduced the percussive sounds, like fingernails nails clicking the top better. They made me the swap & I paid about $35.00 difference. The salesman who sold me the amp disagreed & thought the Fender the better amp.
I got a fair deal on a Trace at the guitar show a while back & have been using it exclusively since. It has an EQ that's handy sometimes.
[img:450:338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid217/p41864589eeba7f1c2d58f2171d80a37b/ec57b3ec.jpg[/img] [img:450:338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p0dae095bd99b6ab16d7c03b2b3f6b22a/ecbee272.jpg[/img]
Mr. Magic Takamine
Member
Hello tonewood,
I use the acoustic amp "Marshall AS 50". It ist not too expensive and sounds really good. If you want to spend more money, look at AER or Shertler. A very good sounding amp ist the "Marshall AS 100". The AS 100 have four chanels and a phantom-power for microphones.
I also tested the Laney LC30 and the Roland AC60... good amps, too!
Best regards - Dietmar
I use the acoustic amp "Marshall AS 50". It ist not too expensive and sounds really good. If you want to spend more money, look at AER or Shertler. A very good sounding amp ist the "Marshall AS 100". The AS 100 have four chanels and a phantom-power for microphones.
I also tested the Laney LC30 and the Roland AC60... good amps, too!
Best regards - Dietmar
drowlins
Member
I use a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. with a Fishman Matrix pre amp. I also love the mic channel- in a small venue it beats lugging around a PA system.
plaidseason
Senior Member
I like the idea of the tub amps, particularly for the "warmth" they provide, but I would still argue that you need a higher wattage to produce an "accurate" acoustic guitar sound than you do for an electric. At least 60 watts and preferably over 100 watts.
plaidseason
Senior Member
Well thanks for the very kind words.
That "tub" was definitely a typo.
With regard to electric guitars, even in this day and age, I'd still say there's no contest between a quality tube amp and its solid-state counterpart, the tube is always better, warmer, smoother . . . just better.
With acoustics, I think a tube could certainly offer the same positive effects, but I'd still argue you need the greater headroom provided by a 60+, (better) 100+ watt amp.
That "tub" was definitely a typo.
With regard to electric guitars, even in this day and age, I'd still say there's no contest between a quality tube amp and its solid-state counterpart, the tube is always better, warmer, smoother . . . just better.
With acoustics, I think a tube could certainly offer the same positive effects, but I'd still argue you need the greater headroom provided by a 60+, (better) 100+ watt amp.
I'm with Chris, I use a Crate CA125D too, it works real well with my D-25 and DV-52, both have passive LR Baggs under-saddle pu's, and one thing I like about it is it has a little switch for passive and active pickups, so I don't necessarily have to pre-amp my acoustics. (although I prefer to when gigging because I have a Fishman belt pack that also has volume & eq on it.)
Frankly, the reason I got it is because some kid was selling it real cheap and it was almost new. Its nice to have the 125 watt though because it's set up for guitar and vocal, and you can run an audio track at the same time if you want.
I also have a couple of buddies with Fender Acoustasonics, and if I were buying new I'd have to take a real close look at those.
For some reason, my partner always finds these great deals at Guitar Center, last week he went in there and found 2 Crate amps, black with blue buttons, 65W, closeout price, $169.00, he bought 'em both.
Frankly, the reason I got it is because some kid was selling it real cheap and it was almost new. Its nice to have the 125 watt though because it's set up for guitar and vocal, and you can run an audio track at the same time if you want.
I also have a couple of buddies with Fender Acoustasonics, and if I were buying new I'd have to take a real close look at those.
For some reason, my partner always finds these great deals at Guitar Center, last week he went in there and found 2 Crate amps, black with blue buttons, 65W, closeout price, $169.00, he bought 'em both.
Steelpickin'
Senior Member
Guitar> LR Baggs Gig Pro preamp> Fender Twin
....Works for me!
....Works for me!
Tonewood, I am using a Vox AD60VTX Valvetronix with a 12" neodymium NeoDog speaker in it. It uses a tube to create the tube amp sound and then has a massive amount of other pedals and special effects, including acoustic pedal. I went to guitar center and spent about two weeks of spare time auditioning the other amps. This was the one that had the right combination of acoustic sound when needed or other modeled amp sounds. It has presets using many of the pedals, special effects and different amps so that you can use that preset or then change any preset to custom it to your tastes or make your own up. I had it for about a year now and no regrets. Still learning all the different ins and outs to it. Great acoustic sound to it. 8)
Another factor to consider is what type of guitar you are trying to amplify, and what kind of pickup is in that geetar.
My Yamaha nylon stringed has a combination under the saddle pickup and gooseneck mic. I use mostly the under the saddle, and it sounds good in almost any amp, with volume to spare. Feedback is rarely an issue. This is what these pickups were designed for.
Now, when I dial in a bit of the mic to get a little bit of warmth, I venture into the land of feedback, so my sound options are limited, as far as how loud I can get. But it still sounds good, like I said, with any amp.
Maybe it's just the nature of the nylon strings, that makes it compatible with any situation, almost.
My F-30R is fitted with a Fishman Rare Earth Blend, and even with the magnetic pickup, combined with the gooseneck mic (like the Yamaha), it takes a bit of effort to get a good sound in almost any amp. I leave the blender dial in the middle, between the mag and the mic, and it takes a bit of tweaking to get a good sound; natural, and pleasing to my ears. I do get the sound I want, it is still the best sound, but it takes a bit of knob turning to get there.
A lot of guys just leave the setting in the magnetic pickup position, and just plug in. That sounds fine for some, you get lots of volume before feedback, but then it sounds like an electric guitar, and a not so very good one.
I gave up on an exclusive under the saddle pickup long ago. Although, they are very practical in most live situations.
Heck, if that is all that I am going to play in, then I would simply get a Line 6 Variac acoustic. A lot of options on that baby - they modeled an assortment of acoustic guitars, one of which was the Guild D-40 - and virtually no feedback problems.
Back to the acoustic; it is best to start with a good source, then tweak from there. Not the other way around. A good friend said to me concerning this: "You can't polish a turd!"
Metalman
My Yamaha nylon stringed has a combination under the saddle pickup and gooseneck mic. I use mostly the under the saddle, and it sounds good in almost any amp, with volume to spare. Feedback is rarely an issue. This is what these pickups were designed for.
Now, when I dial in a bit of the mic to get a little bit of warmth, I venture into the land of feedback, so my sound options are limited, as far as how loud I can get. But it still sounds good, like I said, with any amp.
Maybe it's just the nature of the nylon strings, that makes it compatible with any situation, almost.
My F-30R is fitted with a Fishman Rare Earth Blend, and even with the magnetic pickup, combined with the gooseneck mic (like the Yamaha), it takes a bit of effort to get a good sound in almost any amp. I leave the blender dial in the middle, between the mag and the mic, and it takes a bit of tweaking to get a good sound; natural, and pleasing to my ears. I do get the sound I want, it is still the best sound, but it takes a bit of knob turning to get there.
A lot of guys just leave the setting in the magnetic pickup position, and just plug in. That sounds fine for some, you get lots of volume before feedback, but then it sounds like an electric guitar, and a not so very good one.
I gave up on an exclusive under the saddle pickup long ago. Although, they are very practical in most live situations.
Heck, if that is all that I am going to play in, then I would simply get a Line 6 Variac acoustic. A lot of options on that baby - they modeled an assortment of acoustic guitars, one of which was the Guild D-40 - and virtually no feedback problems.
Back to the acoustic; it is best to start with a good source, then tweak from there. Not the other way around. A good friend said to me concerning this: "You can't polish a turd!"
Metalman
For $2,000.00 you can get one of those Bose Tower systems for acoustic performances, zero feedback, really sweet.
Bluegrass acts never plug in (Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Alison Krause and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder...) they just crowd around a single mic. They amplify their instrumental breaks and vocal parts by virtue of their proximity to the mic.
If I could afford their mic$ and $ound $y$tem, I'll bet it would sound real nice.
Does anyone have experience in using the proximity mics and what kind of shekels a guy might have to part with to get a good one?
Bluegrass acts never plug in (Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Alison Krause and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder...) they just crowd around a single mic. They amplify their instrumental breaks and vocal parts by virtue of their proximity to the mic.
If I could afford their mic$ and $ound $y$tem, I'll bet it would sound real nice.
Does anyone have experience in using the proximity mics and what kind of shekels a guy might have to part with to get a good one?
plaidseason
Senior Member
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play into Shure SM57s!
It all depends on what your needs are. What kind of music are you playing? Is there a band involved? How loud do you need to be? What kind of rooms are you playing? And just as important, what's your budget.
I've been playing semi-professionally for 15+ years and I still can't justify spending a whole slew of cash on a Bose system or even an AER (which I've heard are stellar).
My setup involves Fishman Matrix undersaddle pickups to a Yamaha Magicstomp (which is my effects box for reverbs, echos, delays, etc.), through a Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum, to my Crate CA125D. All together, the Pro-EQ, Magicstomp and Amp cost me around 550 bucks. Now that's not bad. And, if anything blows up, I can pretty easily replace it.
So anyway . . . back to those questions. What are the specific needs of the user?
-Chris
It all depends on what your needs are. What kind of music are you playing? Is there a band involved? How loud do you need to be? What kind of rooms are you playing? And just as important, what's your budget.
I've been playing semi-professionally for 15+ years and I still can't justify spending a whole slew of cash on a Bose system or even an AER (which I've heard are stellar).
My setup involves Fishman Matrix undersaddle pickups to a Yamaha Magicstomp (which is my effects box for reverbs, echos, delays, etc.), through a Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum, to my Crate CA125D. All together, the Pro-EQ, Magicstomp and Amp cost me around 550 bucks. Now that's not bad. And, if anything blows up, I can pretty easily replace it.
So anyway . . . back to those questions. What are the specific needs of the user?
-Chris
you read my mind, I was going to say "Welch & Rawlings " too. Saw them a couple times now. Sat in the front row at one concert, watched them play up close and they did my new favorite song in the world "Dear Someone".
She's homely as the day is long, but she sure has a pretty voice. Check out "Down From The Mountain", too, I have the cd and the DVD of that concert. Awesome stuff at the Ryman (and all done with mics)
She's homely as the day is long, but she sure has a pretty voice. Check out "Down From The Mountain", too, I have the cd and the DVD of that concert. Awesome stuff at the Ryman (and all done with mics)
jciampa
Member
Has anyone experienced using some of the old Guild acoustic amps? I remember a solid state model (called a Tamarack, I believe, with a little green tree for an emblem) that was American made and looked interesting.
Just curious.
Just curious.