Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 3:53 am

Don: I find that acoustic guitars with piezo pickups sound best plugged straight into the PA system. My questions is, what are your thoughts on amplifiers for acoustic instruments. Do you have any recommendations?

sneakers · Post by **sneakers** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:31 am

I love my Marshall AS50R acoustic amp. That amp sounds great with any acoustic guitar. It also doubles as a nice little PA, with reverb. As far as going direct, the Ovation line probably sounds the best. I have tried my Adamas 12 string into the AS50R. It's just incredible!

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 1:42 pm

A couple of years ago I was visiting Rick Turner at his shop. While there a customer with a very nice Olson guitar was auditioning his new RT piezo pickup in it (I don't recall what amplification he was using) and it sounded incredible. Maybe he can give you some advise also.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 4:01 pm

Good suggestion Jeffrey. A preliminary look reveals two contenders that are affordable, the Roland AC-60 at about $500 US and the Fender Acoustic Junior at about $435 US. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with these models.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 4:57 pm

Our rhythm guitarist has used an Ovation plugged straight into the PA system "forever". However, he recently purchased a PreSonus BlueTube preamp to use as a DI into the PA, and the difference is quite pleasant!

The "brittleness" and "coldness" that we had become accustomed to just disappeared and the sound got "warm" and "organic" yet remained crystal clear!

This is an alternate approach to getting a dedicated acoustic amp and having to deal with the potential headaches micing that amp just might entail.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:06 am

Just to follow up on the initial questions I have asked here, I have recently compared the Fender Acoustic Jr. with the Yorkville AM-100.

To be frank, the Fender has a horrible sound when compared to the Yorkville. It is comparatively muddier at the bass end and very harsh at the treble end. The features, particularly one to reduce feedback, are comparatively poor relative the Yorkville.

Yorkville has done it again. A great sound from this inexpensive acoustic amplifier with great features and effects that you can use. Has anyone else tried the AM-100?

I suspect that the Fender Acoustisonic 30 and its older brother the Fender Acoustisonic Jr. are destined for a major revamp if not discontinuation.

learning_curve · Post by **learning_curve** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:49 am

I am fairly New to Rickenbackers. But I have been, and still am an Acoustic Guitar Musician. I too use the Ovation Adamas guitars and I have had a hard time getting a good sized Amp to transport when I do not have a good PA system to use? I bought an Ecoustic 112 from Peavey! They have a few amps with the 112 denotation so be sure it is the "Ecoustic". This one has 3 channels, Two instruments and a Vocal channel! 100w (lows & mids)& 25w (to the highs), Coaxial 12" speaker, two 5 band EQ's with Chorus, Phaser, Rev, Delay, Rotating Speaker, And a real good Anti-feedback system! It even has a foot switch option I have not tried yet? These Adamas's I have sound like three guitars playing when I use it and the vocal channel is even good in the practice room. I suppose the Vocals could be tweaked (mic's) to use on stage if you wanted? Nice chorusing effects in this one. And it's a Peavey it'll take a beating! Randy

philco · Post by **philco** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 4:34 pm

I hear the new hempcone speakers make anything sound good.

And I don't have a hard time believing it, but you might want to keep some munchies stashed in the bottom of your amp cab.