Fender Acoustasonic

[Oster]

This is sort of a 'companion question' to my last re: contact transducers. Knowing that the best way to broadcast the sound of an acoustic guitar live is (more often than not) mic-ing, I'm nonetheless going to have a go with a pickup/amp solution for some situations. There is a Fender Acoustasonic amplifier in my local used store going for just under $400-. I already have some great little tube amps that have terrific clean tones - A Champ and an Ampeg Jet (12" speaker) among them. My question is: Are 'Acoustic' amps (like the Acoustasonic) worth it? Do they offer anything substantially different from any other good amp? Do they magically 'de-piezo' electro-acoustics and give them a warmer, fuller sound? How do they respond to soundhole pickups? For the record, I can't really afford the Acoustasonic -unless it is truly a necessity. Any plugged-in unplugged-ers out there with experience in these matters?

[asatbender]

i have an acoustasonic jr. the amp it self is not better that any other acoustic amp, but acoustic amps in general are better designed to handle acoustic instruments. the fender line was the best to me in that price range.i didn't get to try the swr amps.

trace elliott had the best sound but a good deal more money for lower wattage less features.

acoustic amps usually have a tweeter & 8 or 10' speakers designed for hi-fi sound. guitar amps have a more mid range sound & to me make an acoutic sound brittle & thin

of course this is just what my ears hear

[PaulR]

In general, they seem to be a lot like keyboard amps in that they have a wide sound spectrum. They will ususally have a notch filter feature for being able to dial out some of the feedback issues that hollow boxes can generate. I use a Yorkvill AM100 after having been through a number of different amps. A good acoustic amp will not color your sound--just make it louder. YMMV.

[studio1087]

How loud do you need to be?

I have a 30 watt Epiphone Acoustic Regent

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/58210

Only $179.00 new.

I like the regent because it has a speaker line out. I run the amp with 12" floor monitor attatched and together they sound very spacious.

I have a Martin OM 16 GT and a D-15 both with K&K Pure Western Passive rigs.

The acoustasonic JR has the same power but a big cabinet - lots of bottom compared to my high end tinker toy. (Hence the affordable monitor to help fill the room.)

It makes a nice practice PA for vocals and everything - lots of fun at home too.

[rosett]

i have an acoustisonic jr. first, you should know that i play a mandolin through it. on the plus side, it sounds pretty good, and the feedback control is quite effective. on the down side, it just isn't loud enough for me (i have to compete with loud drums, loud monitors, steel guitar,etc). also, it's just not that road-worthy. all the knob shafts are plastic, and mounted to a board inside-not bolted to the face. i have a padded cover that it travels in, but iv'e still had to replace 4 pots in the past 3 years. i'm currently saving up for a better amp.
good luck

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by studio1087

How loud do you need to be?

I have a 30 watt Epiphone Acoustic Regent

It makes a nice practice PA for vocals and everything - lots of fun at home too.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! I got this amp several years ago, used for 100 bucks, and I just love it. I didn't know they were selling it again. In fact, have you seen the Electar 30? It's the same amp!!!, of course, it's made also by Gibson...

To answer one of your questions, I do believe that acoustic amps are worthwhile, if you're serious about your acoustic work; i.e, keeping your acoustic sound acoustic.
Now that I also play electric, I've experimented with my acoustic guitar and electric amps, and even though sometimes I've gotten interesting tones, the acoustic amp is the only one that can reproduce that unplugged sound. Also, I like the fact that I can use the same amp for vocals when playing solo, which is most of the time.

I've tried the acoustasonic and it's a nice amp, though way more than I really need.

[Bob McLeod]

I was recently in the market for an acoustic amp and tried quite a few. I settled on the Ultrsound 50D. Very quiet amp, good features and about the same price as an Acoustisonic Jr.

Comes with direct out , headphone and external speaker jacks plus a good number of usable on-board effects.

Bob

[Methos]

I went looking for acoustic amps a few years back. I listened to the Fender Acoustisonics (yuck), SWR's (unimpressed), Trace Elliots (okay, but pricey). On a tip from a friend I checked out the Genz Benz Shenendoah series. WOW! I picked up the 85 watt model. Two channels (each with XLR and 1/4" mic inputs), Alesis onboard digital effects, three band eq on each channel, 12" speaker and 3" compression bullet tweeter, rugged cab design with tilt back handle on bottom or hole for pa stand, multiple output jacks but mostly just a great sound. I use the cab for small acoustic gigs. You can plug in two intruments and two mics. Incredible. The new model is a 100 watt version and they make a larger 200 model. They also made a small 35 watt or so version with less inputs. Highly recommended.

Click here to check out their website:

http://www.genzbenz.com/shen-jr_series.htm

Methos