Best Acoustic Amp under $500

[Fret-O'File]

I was and still am considering a battery powered amp like the Roland AC-33 but now that I've read about supplying power with and inverter and a deep cell marine battery, it opens up my choices for amps. I've never played an acoustic guitar plugged in and the ones I've heard always sounded horrible to me. I just ordered the K&K Meridian Pro and now need to choose an amp. It will be used for busking and possible small coffee house gigs. What do you all recommend under $500 as the best acoustic guitar amp?

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Carvin AG200 ($425) or AG300 ($510). End of list!

[Steve DeRosa]

+1 on the Carvin AG300...

[Fret-O'File]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

+1 on the Carvin AG300...

Thanks Ed & Steve.
Have either of you compared the Carvins to the Ultrasound DS4?

[ricdoug]

Carvin AG100, Carvin AG200 or Carvin AG300. In addition to working great with a variety of acoustic electric instruments the AG200 and AG300 have the best sounding mic'd vocals I've heard from any acoustic amp at any price. Ric

[Fret-O'File]

Originally Posted by ricdoug

Carvin AG100, Carvin AG200 or Carvin AG300. In addition to working great with a variety of acoustic electric instruments the AG200 and AG300 have the best sounding mic'd vocals I've heard from any acoustic amp at any price. Ric

Thanks Ric! If you were strictly a finger-style player with no vocals would you still prefer the Carvin over other acoustic guitar amps?

[ricdoug]

Carvin AG 300 for fingerstyle. It will articulate your fingerpicking and you'll hear all the overtones and undertones from your instrument. It sounds just like your instrument. No coloration. Ric

[ricdoug]

To answer you question, Kurt, yes. On another note, Carvin manufactures their gear right here in San Diego's North County in Poway, California. Made in the U.S.A.. Ric

[Br1ck]

I'll jump on the Carvin bandwagon. Pretty much all has been said.

[Fret-O'File]

Originally Posted by ricdoug

To answer you question, Kurt, yes. On another note, Carvin manufactures their gear right here in San Diego's North County in Poway, California. Made in the U.S.A.. Ric

Thanks so much for the recommendations!
Back in the late 80's and early 90s I played a Carvin Ultra V for years, I actually still have it, I also had the X100B head but that didn't stick around too long. That's when they were catalog/mail order direct. I haven't given them much thought until I hear from you guys how good the acoustic amps are.
I think the AG200 would have plenty of power for what I need. I'll see if i can find a used one somewhere. Has anyone had one for quite a while to attest for it's durability?

[dannyg1]

I'd say either the Fishman Loudbox Artist or Schertler Jam 100/Acus one for six. Both of these have different character but I doubt you'll find a better reproduction of clean, pure acoustic sound and vocals than the Schertler or better weight and sound carving control than the Loudbox Artist. In the $500 bracket, these two amps are authoritatively the two best choices out there.

Haven't tried the Marshall AS50 and AS100 and never played the Ultrasounds or Carvins either.

[ljguitar]

Hi Kurt

For my style and ears, it's still the UltraSound DS-4 (AG-50). Very natural sounding.

I rate amps in two categories:

• Sounds like my rig playing through an amp
• Sounds like my rig only louder

The UltraSound are the latter. So are AER, Rivera, and Humphrey - and the other three cost somewhere north of $1500-2500. The DS-4 is still about $400 shipped.

I have played all but the latest iteration of Carvins (of those listed here) and none of them match the natural sound of the UltraSounds for quality. The amazing thing about the UltraSound amps is the price. Twenty-six pounds of very solid quality and tone.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by Fret-O'File

I was and still am considering a battery powered amp like the Roland AC-33 but now that I've read about supplying power with and inverter and a deep cell marine battery, it opens up my choices for amps. I've never played an acoustic guitar plugged in and the ones I've heard always sounded horrible to me. I just ordered the K&K Meridian Pro and now need to choose an amp. It will be used for busking and possible small coffee house gigs. What do you all recommend under $500 as the best acoustic guitar amp?

Good suggestions so far. About 15 years ago, I bought two Ultrasound AG50 powered speakers (just like the current Ultrasound DS4 but with no preamps, controls, etc., other than volume). I had pole mount receptacles added to the bottom of each and used them (on sticks) as a mini-PA with a separate preamp, eq and effects. Sounded very good and dispersed well too. I don't know if Ultrasound/Dean Markley is still making the powered extension speaker any more, but what I'm getting at is the following:

1) Speakers on stick project better than speakers on the ground;

2) A single powered speaker on a stick with a separate and simple preamp/eq front end can easily match or outperform an integrated acoustic amp.

[ricdoug]

A local Optometrist recently picked up a Carvin AG100 for $100 used. I replaced the $10 tweeter. It sounds great. Ric

Originally Posted by Fret-O'File

Thanks so much for the recommendations!
Back in the late 80's and early 90s I played a Carvin Ultra V for years, I actually still have it, I also had the X100B head but that didn't stick around too long. That's when they were catalog/mail order direct. I haven't given them much thought until I hear from you guys how good the acoustic amps are.
I think the AG200 would have plenty of power for what I need. I'll see if i can find a used one somewhere. Has anyone had one for quite a while to attest for it's durability?

[Fret-O'File]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Kurt

For my style and ears, it's still the UltraSound DS-4 (AG-50). Very natural sounding.

I rate amps in two categories:

• Sounds like my rig playing through an amp
• Sounds like my rig only louder

The UltraSound are the latter. So are AER, Rivera, and Humphrey - and the other three cost somewhere north of $1500-2500. The DS-4 is still about $400 shipped.

I have played all but the latest iteration of Carvins (of those listed here) and none of them match the natural sound of the UltraSounds for quality. The amazing thing about the UltraSound amps is the price. Twenty-six pounds of very solid quality and tone.

Thank you Larry, I've read all your reviews on the Ultrasound and it's on the top of my list!