Recommened Amps

rstora01 · #1 May 7th, 2007

Hello
I have a Martin acoustic electric with a fishman preamp pickup and I was looking for a small practise amp. I ordered a pignose amp but I am sending back it sounded terrible.

Can someone recommend something with a good clean sound? thanks

Stratrat · #2 May 7th, 2007

For an acoustic/electric, you're going to want an acoustic amp. What kind of budget are you looking at?

Dewy · #3 May 7th, 2007

What size of a show are you playing?
Why do you even need an amp for it?
What kind of pre-amp if any does the guitar have built in?

A lot of questions... and to be honest, I've played guitar in a lot of places... never used an amp on an acoustic. Most of the time I plug into or mic into the P.A. system for shows, play "acoustically" for practice. Are you sure you need an amp?

*edit
On reviewing your post I'm assuming only a live or practice scenario's... neglected recording. Most of that can be done through modeling devices or computer software and played back through your computer speakers. I've also patched my Electric through the stereo via my V-Amp 2 which is considered a pre-amp.

I guess I let my opinion of Acoustic amps run amuck here... I hail from an age when acoustic sets were done from tailgates at beaches... not amplified chorused and artificially warmed.

rstora01 · #4 May 7th, 2007

money is not that much of an issue I wanted something small for an apartment. I want to be neighbor friendly. I played it at the guitar center on a $700 fender ascoutic amp. that sounded wonderful. But that amp was much bigger (size, power etc.) than I wanted. I'll probably just need to take it some place and try out several models.

Stratrat · #5 May 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstora01

...I'll probably just need to take it some place and try out several models.

You just gave yourself the best advice you could possibly get.

There's no better way to figure out what you want than by 'hands-on' experience.

allthumbs · #6 May 7th, 2007

Wendler amps are about the best acoustic amp out there IMO. At 1200 bucks they should be. 30 watt amps seem to be the low end. I did see a twenty but, it really wasn't any smaller than the 30. So why can't you just play at low volume? It is not like the louder you play, the better the amp will sound. The whole idea is to have plenty of headroom so the amp doesn't distort the natural tone of the guitar.

P-90 · #7 May 8th, 2007

A slightly unorthodox idea just occurred to me... Epiphone makes a little 5 watt, class A tube amp, which comes as either a top or as a unit with an 8" speaker. I've always found the sound of tubes with acoustic instruments or voice to be very pleasant, and the price ($120-$150) is very reasonable. Loud they aren't, but in a neighbor-friendly apartment, it should be enough. It might be worth letting one warm up while you're making the rounds of the solid state units in the shop.

scott58 · #8 May 8th, 2007

Like Dewy say plug into a PA also. He turned me on to Phonic Power pod 620 i now own and this thing is incredable. Much better then the acoustic amps some of my friends own (I think they're a bit jealous now Dewy!). Best way is to plug into as many things as you can before you decide your ear will tell you what you like.

Dewy · #9 May 8th, 2007

The Fishman should sound good, all you need is a good flat response amp, one that amplifies and reproduces full range well.

Most guitar amps are very midrange heavy and make poor acoustic amps. A small P.A. would be too much in an apartment, but a good Modeler like the V-Amp2 and your home Stereo would do very nicely.

That unfortunately would limit your ability to play along with songs on the radio.

rstora01 · #10 May 8th, 2007

I bought a Roland AC-60 amp today. It's perfect for me compact/portable (includes a carry case) with several features chorus, reverb/delay anit-feed back. Sounds very good so far.
Thanks for everyones advise.

Rick

seppi65 · #11 May 9th, 2007

Nice amp rstora01!

I can't remember where I read it (it may have been here) but bass amps can also make very good acoustic guitar amplifiers. They have a lower-end range than electric guitar amps, but to get the same level of sound at that range they are much higher wattage. Also, most bass amps won't distort or clip even when played loud. Anyway, glad you've found a good amp you're happy with.

Stratrat · #12 May 9th, 2007

Congrats, Rick - that amp should do you quite well.