Members PsychoGypsy Posted September 15, 2008 Members Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hey Basically I need something that can handle vocals and acoustic guitar. If I go with an acoustic amp, I'll get the SWR California Blonde. Originally, this was my plan, but after playing a couple shows with a Samson Expedition PA unit, I'm starting to think that anything without two speakers isn't really enough. What do you guys think is the best setup for a live acoustic guitar/vocal? A good amp with mic and guitar inputs, like the California Blonde... or a small PA system, sort of like the Samson? My price range just needs to be comparable to the California Blonde. My guitar uses a Fishman Rare Earth humbucking pickup, if that makes any difference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted September 15, 2008 Members Share Posted September 15, 2008 If you can afford the Blonde, you can afford a 4- or 6-channel Carvin PA...people who've never used Carvin don't like 'em, because other folks who've never used 'em say crap about 'em...folks who earn their living w/ Carvin PA gear (in my case, over 35 years) swear by 'em! I'd go w/ this 6-channel set-up...you may get a playing partner or two down the line! https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=SYS2 Not as sexy as a huge PA rig, but much easier to haul around and set-up. And, for acoustic guitar and voice, there's nothing better than Carvin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boxorox Posted September 15, 2008 Members Share Posted September 15, 2008 The guitar player in my band uses a CaliBlonde. We also often use his PA, which is a Carvin. A point in choice may be adaptability. The California is a great solid, powerful amp, and you can do a lot with it. I have often thought that with a small mixer in the second channel, it would be more than adequate to cover a lot of our jobs. However, if it's pole mounted, as is often necessary, the control panel is out of your reach. If you plan to gig with others sometime in the future, I'd go with a decent PA. Speakers up, controls within reach. As stated, I have had experience with Carvins, and they are good. They have been very accessible for any customer service problems, and that counts for a lot. No complaints. I'm also fond of Peaveys and Yamahas. Point being, what do you see yourself doing in a couple of years? If you'll be a solo or playing with/behind another band, the Blonde is a good choice. If playing solo and/or using sidemen, a PA may give you more flexibility in the long run. What kind of venues will you be playing? If you have to get the speak off the ground to cover a joint, a PA may be the best choice. So, my opinion, solo=California Blonde, ensemble=PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members min7b5 Posted September 15, 2008 Members Share Posted September 15, 2008 Get a PA:thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted September 16, 2008 Members Share Posted September 16, 2008 Go with acoustic amp. Better portability, ease of use and sound great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldnewbie Posted September 16, 2008 Members Share Posted September 16, 2008 Go with acoustic amp. Better portability, ease of use and sound great. Well which should a solo performer get, an amp or PA? :poke: I'm only asking b/c I have the same question as the OP. The Carvin that TAH mentioned does look pretty nice. When should one make the decision to move up from an amp to a PA? I'm sure it all has to do with room size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jake7 Posted September 17, 2008 Members Share Posted September 17, 2008 I have both, but I'll use my PA alone, or my amp with the PA, but not the amp alone.A PA has much more versatility, not least of which is speaker placement options, factor in channels,dedicated channel strips and stereo panning capability and I'm more inclined to go with the PA and use the amp as a monitor.I have a 500 watt per channel alto powered mixer, 2 passive JBL Eons, 2 alto 12'' speakers with horns, and a 250watt gen 1 loudbox.That pretty much covers all situations....smaller venues I can use one channel front of house and the other channel split as a monitor, with the 12's.Bigger venues I can use the 15's and use my loudbox as a monitor.Outdoors I can use the loubox as the bulk of my guitar sound, run an xlr out of it's D.I. out into a PA channel for dispertion,without cranking it as the amp is doing the volume work somewhat, and put my vocals through the PA without driving the guitar so hard through it that it's into clipping and muddying up my vox. So far so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted September 17, 2008 Members Share Posted September 17, 2008 Well which should a solo performer get, an amp or PA? :poke: I'm only asking b/c I have the same question as the OP. The Carvin that TAH mentioned does look pretty nice. When should one make the decision to move up from an amp to a PA? I'm sure it all has to do with room size. If you can only afford one, get a PA...anything an acoustic amp is good for, the PA mixer and one cab'll also do! The only time I use my acoustic amp by itself is when I'm playing solo at a nursing home, a VERY small cafe (under 25 in audience) or busking. Anything bigger requires a PA for optimum sound, and that's important...I don't work cheaply, so I feel I owe the venue/patron the very highest quality sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted September 17, 2008 Members Share Posted September 17, 2008 For me, the decision between acoustic/vocals amp or P.A. was all about portability. I live in the city and don't have a car, so I needed something that was an all-in-one unit that I could throw in a taxi or even cart onto the subway and then just throw into the corner of my room when I was done. My Carvin AG100D is just the ticket for that. But if you know you'll need something more powerful and you are pretty sure you can handle having a couple additional pieces of equipment, a P.A. is a better solution for you. Ellen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldnewbie Posted September 17, 2008 Members Share Posted September 17, 2008 Thanks for the responses, that helped my decision making immensely. PA it will be. Hopefully that helped clear things up for the OP too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PsychoGypsy Posted September 17, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 17, 2008 Wow, thanks so much for all the responses!Since I can only afford one, I'll probably go with the PA! I love the Cali blond but don't like not being able to play in stereo.Anybody know anything about the Fender Passport? It has portability goin for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Anybody know anything about the Fender Passport? It has portability goin for it... Sound and flexibility of the Fender stuff is subpar, IMO. Look elsewhere. The Carvins TAH mentioned is a great value. Ellen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DonK Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 After hearing the Fishman SoloAmp today at my local store (I was Taylor shopping:)) I don't think I could ever consider a traditional rig again for vocals and acoustic guitar. That thing was indescribably awesome-sounding, though it's close to a $1,000 (my store sells it for less than Sweetwater, below): http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SoloAmp/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Oldskool Texas Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Anybody know anything about the Fender Passport? It has portability goin for it... Unfortunately, that's all it has going for it. Every one I've ever heard or played through had an emaciated sound - very bright, as if it had no bass response at all, and no sonic depth to speak of. Maybe they've improved over the years, but I'd keep looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aboutjack Posted November 27, 2008 Members Share Posted November 27, 2008 A great option coming up early in 2009 is the new BagAmp sound solumn. More info has just been released on the BagAmp web page, including a preview of the complete Q1 2009 product line: http://www.bagamp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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