Members u6crash Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Well, I've never had one of these before. Once upon a time I had a nice big PA system and I always just mic'd my guitar or used the active under saddle pickup in my acoustic. Now my setup has changed. I've gone to having no PA system and no preamp on my guitar. All I have is a Dean Markley soundhole pickup. I have my first "gig" in several years coming up on December 6. I'm not getting paid for this or anything and it's a small private affair, but it sounds like there will be enough people there that I'd like to be amplified. I've posted links to two different models that I'm considering. Laney LA65C Carvin AG100D The Laney is 65 watts, two 8" speakers, and has two channels: one for guitar, one for a mic. The Carvin is on sale now, but still a hundred dollars more after shipping. It claims to handle bass and keyboard which may be a plus for the future, but I have no illusions that it will be the end all solution. If anything I could see using it as a recording amp for a bass in the future instead of a DI box. It has a 12" speaker, 100 watts, and three channels instead of two. In a pinch I would probably use this thing for a number of other applications. If money weren't an object I'd probably just buy another PA and get an acoustic preamp/DI box, but hey, times are tight, right? The Carvin is at the high end of my budget for now. Depending on how this show goes, I might try to do this more often. Anyway, if any of you has experience with either one of these or suggestions for alternative means of amplification, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 check out the Genz Benz Shenandoah line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members u6crash Posted November 24, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 The smallest amp on the Genz Benz line that I found was about $580, and that's more than I really want to spend right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Not sure how big you want or your budget, but check out the Crate line. The CA10 and CA15 deliver a nice sound across all ranges, though they are only 10 and 15 amp units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Guy in my band has the Carvin, nice amp, although I do prefer my Genz Benz. Both are about the same price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NotDead Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Keyboard, bass, and many acoustic guitar amps are just flat EQ'd PA systems with a speaker. That's just carvin bolstering fact. As for an amp, I'd say go for OLD, GOOD, CLEAN, solid state electric guitar amps.Vox made a solid state AC30, fender made solid state princeton choruses, and rolands's Jazz chorus is still legendary. Due to the transition of fender to rivera and the implementation of PCBs in the tube amplifiers, as well as the "love 'em or hate 'em" red knobs, an 80's princeton chorus can be had in some cases for as little as 100 bucks, and would make a phenomenal acoustic guitar amplifier. On any of these, I recommend always an outboard EQ, danelectro's fish and chips being the standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NotDead Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Here's a fender ultra chorus, $275 shipped.http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2148990 Pretty good choice, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pinchegordo Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 Here's a fender ultra chorus, $275 shipped.http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2148990Pretty good choice, IMO. My dad used to play through an Fender M-80 chorus.I thought it sounded pretty damn nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frets99 Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Not sure how big you want or your budget, but check out the Crate line. The CA10 and CA15 deliver a nice sound across all ranges, though they are only 10 and 15 amp units. I agree. They sound great. They also have a Ca 30 30 watt amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 24, 2008 Members Share Posted November 24, 2008 The Carvin'll do the job (and many others, as well). Crate makes great acoustic amps, but I'd suggest, at the least, that you get the 60-watter...you'll likely find a lot of times that less wattage'll just not get the job done, if you want a really clean tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members u6crash Posted November 25, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 25, 2008 I'm not sure about going with an electric amp unless it has two channels with independent volume controls. I want to be running a mic through this thing and would really prefer to have an XLR input instead of switching down to a 1/4" mic plug. I've been looking at the Crate amps as well, and this might be an option. Some reviews I'm reading put the 60watt Crate up above the Acoustasonic 30 which costs more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NotDead Posted November 25, 2008 Members Share Posted November 25, 2008 I'm not sure about going with an electric amp unless it has two channels with independent volume controls. I want to be running a mic through this thing and would really prefer to have an XLR input instead of switching down to a 1/4" mic plug. The ultrachorus has two channels which can run independently(i believe, if not, it has multiple inputs, and you may use multiple ouboard EQs to dial in volume), as does a roland JC120. You can get an XLR->1/4" adapter. Nobody will notice the difference, trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JRUBICON Posted November 26, 2008 Members Share Posted November 26, 2008 http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/msg/934212213.htmlI don't know where sheridan is but here is a great deal on a Ultrasound AG50DS-2 in the Milwaukee area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members texas twelve Posted November 26, 2008 Members Share Posted November 26, 2008 I strongly suggest that you read the reviews of the Carvin AG100. It has had some major performance issues. If they are solved, it's a great bass/acoustic/and vocal amp. If not, it's as predictable as the weather. I have had the Fender Acoustasonic and I now have the Ultrasound 50. Of all of them I like the Ultrasound the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pk1fan Posted November 26, 2008 Members Share Posted November 26, 2008 This is what I have http://earthshakingmusic.com/AM100.html and it is in your price range . Lots of choices out there , can you go and try some amps out at a dealer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members u6crash Posted November 27, 2008 Author Members Share Posted November 27, 2008 Well, I ended up making an offer on a Crate 60w Gunnison Acoustic Amp. The Seller has 18hr left to accept or decline my offer, which wasn't much less than they were already selling it for. I had an eBay coupon that would bring the price down to a little over $300 after shipping so it seemed like the best all around value for now. I like the fact that it has line outs and some built in effects and the Crate reviews I've read have all been very positive. I think I'll end up going with the Crate even if my offer isn't accepted, but thanks for the link to the Ultrasound. Milwaukee is a little far for me though. I'm also planning to install the Dean Markley La Jolla active/passive combo pickup in my guitar. Seems like they are being blown out around fifty bucks and I think it will be a step above from my wooden soundhole pickup. Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. I'll let you all know when I have a new amp to play with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VintageToneGuy Posted November 27, 2008 Members Share Posted November 27, 2008 I had to sell mine, but I highly recommend that you check into a Marshall AS50R or AS50D (the R being the older amp with spring reverb and analog chorus). You can get a used one for around $250 and they sound great. Next would be the Ultrasound. Very good amp but I just don't care for the digital effects though they sound decent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members happy hours Posted November 27, 2008 Members Share Posted November 27, 2008 yep,see if you can get a used marshall.you'll be very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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