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Post subject: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:52 am
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hey everybody- I have a martin acoustic. for grins I tried it thru my twin reverb and allen accomplice, and I'm not thrilled with the sound. I am currently looking for an acoustic amp then it got me wondering.....

is there a box or interface that works with my existing setup? I see many acoustic processors, but not sure if that would work. I would prefer to have as much info up front, as I hate returning things.

if no such beast exists, I be buying a fender or fishman after the first of the year. thanks, and merry Christmas fellow forumites


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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:49 am
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Electric guitar amps are not built to reproduce acoustic guitar sound. These amps color sound for the need of the electric guitars.

More answer in acoustic guitar forum ?


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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:54 pm
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I recently asked this question and got an answer from a Grammy award guitarist. I was told that while an acoustic amp is optimized for full frequency, etc., the electric amp is not setup this way with choice of speakers and whatnot. Acoustics are not geared for distortion and such, as one example.

He did say I should be able to manage somewhat with the Mustang IV or solid state modeling amp should an acoustic preset or similar setting or tweak be available. He did not give a definite without trying it, however. I tried it with a Taylor, and it actually does a decent but not optimum job. :D I’m good to go with my option for a PA or interface.

So I can’t say which if any other solid state amps would do the job, but my guess is that, with acoustics, tube amps will almost always give an undesirable affect the way the valves perform that is not found with solid state. Reading how audio and tubes perform will explain this further if one should choose.

Others may have a similar or different experience to elaborate on a useful alternative. It’s pretty clear that tubes are in a different camp. There will always be some that will choose to play through the odd tube amp, but know that amps including tubed are not all equal.

If I were to say my modeling SS can reproduce the acoustic better than a tube amp, and still say the acoustic amp does the better or best of the bunch that might be a gauge to go by. IMHO

YMMV

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:27 pm
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phreddybee wrote:
.... is there a box or interface that works with my existing setup? ....


Sorry but ... no.
As has already been stated, an electric guitar amp is not the same species and there are no “adapter” boxes to fix the mismatch.

Most people forgo the expense of having an acoustic amp and just plug straight into the mixing board.
I prefer to have my own monitor and a greater degree of control over my own sound.
That means using an acoustic amp and sending a signal from the amp to the board, whether direct or a mic.
Usually direct since I have both post an pre direct outs and I almost invariably use post.
I love my amp to pieces but you'll never find one in a dozen years so I won't waste your time with those details.

I think when you go shopping for an amp you might want to keep a couple of things in mind.

- You usually need more power than you think you do if you truly want full range.
Mine is 200 watts and it's a little smaller than a DRRI.
It's not about the volume. It's about the quality of tone and despite what some will tell you, output power does make a difference.

- Most acoustic amps will make your sound a little nasally in the middle and a little too crisp on top.
I would look for at least a little bit of warmth and girth. There's only so much the tone controls on your guitar and the amp can do. Much of it is the amp itself. I have no empirical data to back this but I believe it is entirely possible this is where output power comes into play.

- Feedback resistance will absolutely be a much bigger issue once you get it up on stage than it seems like at home or in the store. Sound hole dams help but they don't eliminate. Some acoustic amps are better at rejecting feedback than others. The problem there is that it’s not commonly discussed in the sales pitch or ad copy. You’ll want to search out pro level reviews by acoustic specific reviewers and watch for mention of feedback resistance.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted.

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 11:28 am
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Bravo BMW-KTM, on the statement, "output power does make a difference."

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 4:08 pm
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What about going through a bass amp?

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 5:33 pm
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Thanks for the kind responses. On vacation this week, so i plan to check out a fishman loudbox artist or a fender acoustasonic 90. Other suggestions welcome as always.


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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:02 am
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Other suggestions, as requested:

Mesa Boogie Rosette 300
($1100)

BOSS Acoustic Singer Pro
($700)

AER Compact XL
($2500)

Acoustic A1000
($600)

Those prices (approximates) might seem high but as with most things, you get what you pay for.
The Acoustic A1000 is reasonably priced but their reliability is only about on par with FMICs these days.
So, you might get a good one but you might not.
The Boogie is likely as good in quality as the AER but not considered a 'reference' amp like the AER.
It is a great sounding amp, though ... and not because it's like other typical Boogies.
It's a good performer's amp. It's has some warmth while still being clear and fairly pure.
The AER is for a purist who wants the most accurate reproduction of the guitar being played.
The Boogie is the one I would be looking at if I was in the market right now.

The BOSS is likely the best choice for those looking for inexpensive bang/buck ratio.

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 12:08 pm
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That’s a great listing, Matt. Thanks.

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 10:03 pm
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Get them while they’re hot.
Above average acoustic amps don’t last long before they’re replaced with something ... less.
It’s a small market.
There is currently some choice but it may not last.
AER will remain.
They are the major player in that niche.
Boogie and BOSS could opt out at any time.
Seen it happen with other brands.

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:22 am
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You whippersnappers don't know how good you have it.

I remember when a DeArmond magnetic singlecoil pickup clamped into the soundhole and plugged into a Deluxe or Twin was state of the art.

With a vocal mic plugged into the amp's other channel.


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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:23 am
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You were just a randy gleam in your dad's eye the last time I was called a whippersnapper.

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Post subject: Re: acoustic guitar thru electric amp.
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:28 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
You whippersnappers don't know how good you have it.

I remember when a DeArmond magnetic singlecoil pickup clamped into the soundhole and plugged into a Deluxe or Twin was state of the art.

With a vocal mic plugged into the amp's other channel.


Glad to be a whippersnapper. I’m too young to remember those days. Oops! I told a fib. :roll:
So that’s what that thingamajig was that stratled my Framus soundhole. Thanks. Now I know.
:P
And you are so right, strayedstrater. That’s how it was, and sometimes is.

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