Beginner question - acoustic vs. electric

Tony · September 5th, 2003, 03:22 PM

Hello! I see that there are amps specifically for acoustic guitars (acoustic/electric). How do these differ from your regular old amp for an electric guitar? Can an acoustic/electric be played through an everyday amp? Thanks!! 8)

Ben Harmless · September 5th, 2003, 03:48 PM

Generally speaking, acoustic amps are designed to reproduce exactly what they hear from the guitar over all frequencies. While they have preamps of their own, much of the signal shaping usually comes from the preamp in the guitar itself.

Electric amps are designed primarily to shape the signal themselves, and are concentrated in the mid frequencies, reproducing the very-highs, and very-lows with a little less efficiancy than other amps.

That's sort of a nutshell explaination. Others may elaborate.

Bill Ashton · September 6th, 2003, 07:39 AM

Back in the late 90's, I was jonsing for an acoustic amp to use with my Gibson J-35. All I had around the house at that time was my old early-60's something Guild 66-J (tube, about 20 watts RMS, 12" speaker) and it just didn't cut it.

I tried several acoustic amps, and all sounded great, but I fell in love with a Laney VC-30...first for its looks, then for its sound...really worked well with my acoustic.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a local player of some fame, Eric Lillequist (back up for Johnathan Edwards and Tom Rush) using the same thing.

I think you really have to try 'em out, then get the one that does it for you.

September 5th, 2003, 03:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tony Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sacratomato Posts: 830	Beginner question - acoustic vs. electric Hello! I see that there are amps specifically for acoustic guitars (acoustic/electric). How do these differ from your regular old amp for an electric guitar? Can an acoustic/electric be played through an everyday amp? Thanks!! 8)

September 5th, 2003, 03:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,125 6 Photos	Generally speaking, acoustic amps are designed to reproduce exactly what they hear from the guitar over all frequencies. While they have preamps of their own, much of the signal shaping usually comes from the preamp in the guitar itself. Electric amps are designed primarily to shape the signal themselves, and are concentrated in the mid frequencies, reproducing the very-highs, and very-lows with a little less efficiancy than other amps. That's sort of a nutshell explaination. Others may elaborate. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

September 6th, 2003, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bill Ashton Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 474	It depends... Back in the late 90's, I was jonsing for an acoustic amp to use with my Gibson J-35. All I had around the house at that time was my old early-60's something Guild 66-J (tube, about 20 watts RMS, 12" speaker) and it just didn't cut it. I tried several acoustic amps, and all sounded great, but I fell in love with a Laney VC-30...first for its looks, then for its sound...really worked well with my acoustic. Imagine my surprise when I saw a local player of some fame, Eric Lillequist (back up for Johnathan Edwards and Tom Rush) using the same thing. I think you really have to try 'em out, then get the one that does it for you.