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Post subject: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:15 am
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I thought all my prayers had been answered when the Acoustasonic 100 and 150 amps came out but thought I'd wait to hear peoples' experiences before taking the plunge (never had an acoustic amp before). Back in the mists of time I seem to remember Laney or Trace Elliot releasing 'hybrid' amps that had dedicated 'electric', 'acoustic' and 'mic' channels (all analogue rather than digital/modelling technology) - two proper amps in one combo. I had planned to use the acoustasonic for strat/tele as much as for fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar, but reviews so far have not been good. Does anyone know of an amp that will cover all bases (especially not colouring acoustic tone unless desired)? On paper, at least, the 100/150 should be perfect but there aren't too many owners/users say they live up to anywhere near the hype. I don't have a unit anywhere near I can try for myself, so any advice please? Would any of the new Mustangs fit the bill?


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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:38 am
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All Fender Acoustasonics are junk with poor parts support. Stay away from them. They are junk. Period.

"You get what you pay for...sometimes"


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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:37 am
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Restless Native wrote:
I thought all my prayers had been answered when the Acoustasonic 100 and 150 amps came out but thought I'd wait to hear peoples' experiences before taking the plunge (never had an acoustic amp before). I had planned to use the acoustasonic for strat/tele as much as for fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar, but reviews so far have not been good. Does anyone know of an amp that will cover all bases (especially not colouring acoustic tone unless desired)? On paper, at least, the 100/150 should be perfect but there aren't too many owners/users say they live up to anywhere near the hype. I don't have a unit anywhere near I can try for myself, so any advice please? Would any of the new Mustangs fit the bill?
Once again, Fender has taken a very good thing and, upon "updating" a series of amps, in this case the Acoustasonics, has managed to muck things up again. I own one of the original Fender Acoustasonic Junior amps, 40W x2, two channel, and I LOVE that amp! I have gigged out with it dozens of times, sometimes running it stand alone and other times, in larger venues, using the XLR out on the back to run the amp through the PA. The amp has always performed flawlessly.

So why did Fender feel the need to "upgrade" the Acoustasonic line? You've got me. I have to admit that I have heard almost NO good news about the newer versions of these amps. That said, you may be able to find one of the original Acoustasonic amps in used condition.

As far as using one of the Mustang amps instead of an Acoustasonic - no, not the way to go. Inexpensive, yes, good acoustic tones for what you want - not a chance. There are a number of other good acoustic amps available. I currently own the aforementioned Acoustasonic Jr, but I also own a Marshall acoustic amp (Marshall AS50D 50w 2x8 Acoustic Guitar Combo Amp), an Acoustic acoustic amp (Acoustic AG30 30W 1x8 Acoustic Guitar Combo Amp) and even a Crate Cimmaron acoustic amp (Crate CA15 Cimarron 1x8 12W Acoustic Combo Amp), small but efficient for very small venues.

There are lots of other possibilities out there, so don't be stuck on Fender.

Happy hunting!

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Rockin' since 1963


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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:08 pm
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I hate to speak against fender but the new Acoustasonics aren't great.

one of the best acoustic amps i have played is the Carvin one.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/AG100D

very good in my opinion, and USA made.

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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:05 am
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I wish all companies would stop using those horrible sounding piezo tweeters! :roll:

O.


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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:02 pm
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Orcatraz,why do you think piezo tweeters sound so bad? I have them in my P.A. speakers that i built and they sound good to me and i also have them in my 5.1 surround speakers that i built for my sony home theater in a box system and they sound much better then the original speakers that came with my sony blu-ray system.

In fact the sony speakers never had the high end that the piezo's can produce,i am not saying that piezo's are the best sounding tweeters out there but i can get them for 1.00 each at MCM electronics when they are on sale,your going to pay much more for other tweeters that can blow out much more often then the piezo's.

I also think that piezo tweeters sound good with acoustic guitars. I think many get confused with piezo pickups for acoustic/electric guitars and piezo tweeters,some people do not like the piezo pickup systems for acoustic guitars and others do like them with a fishman preamp system for example.


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Post subject: Re: Are Any Of These Good All-Rounders?
Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:58 am
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The Acoustasonic 150 is rather fine. The only issue with is that you may have to fiddle with it in order to get it just right for your chosen guitar. For instance, my Martin OM sounds "tinny" whenever I set it on pure amp, but it is beautifully amplified by the Acoustasonic when you set it on dreadnought. This particular Martin needs coloration; it'll sound lousy on a Fishman, a Peavey, a Marshall, and a Vox AGA -- the Acoustasonic is the only amp that'll allow the guitar to sound the way it sounds when it's mic'd.

The Epipiphone Masterbilt has incredible electronics, and it'll sound good on any of the aforementioned amps, and on just about any mode in the Acoustasonic. The phase button cuts out all feedback.

Electric guitars are a different story. On tweed, you can't take this amp past 12 o'clock without static and fizz overwhelming the experience. On blackface, it's pretty darn good. You're safe if you want to play your acoustics and your electric on Fender clean blackface (even 80s British is fine, though not my taste). For tweed modeling, I got a little Mustang II and it's a champ; for acoustic, the Acoustasonic beat all my comparison amps, hands down.


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