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  #1  
Old 11-22-2014, 06:53 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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Default 3 amp comparision and opinions ?

I'm noodling around the idea of getting a practice/home amp for my acoustic guitars with pickups in them. I think I have narrowed things down to a short list of three, which all fit in the same price range.

1) http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/AG100D
This really has MORE features than I need, with three channels and 100w. Gets good reviews and can be had on the used market for $250-$300

2)Ultrasound AG-30 ( or DS4 ). The price between the two is rather a lot, and I don't NEED all the channels an inputs of the DS4, but it was recommended. Is the AG-30, with only one speaker a down grade in tone ? The AG-30 can be had very cheaply on the used market. I haven't found the DS4 used, yet.

3) Fishman Loudbox Mini. These look to be going for about $250 used. I have read good reviews on this amp as well.
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  #2  
Old 11-23-2014, 01:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnW63 View Post
I'm noodling around the idea of getting a practice/home amp for my acoustic guitars with pickups in them. I think I have narrowed things down to a short list of three, which all fit in the same price range.

1) http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/AG100D
This really has MORE features than I need, with three channels and 100w. Gets good reviews and can be had on the used market for $250-$300

2)Ultrasound AG-30 ( or DS4 ). The price between the two is rather a lot, and I don't NEED all the channels an inputs of the DS4, but it was recommended. Is the AG-30, with only one speaker a down grade in tone ? The AG-30 can be had very cheaply on the used market. I haven't found the DS4 used, yet.

3) Fishman Loudbox Mini. These look to be going for about $250 used. I have read good reviews on this amp as well.
Hi JohnW...
Actually the AG-15 is as good as the AG-30 (I have owned both and still own and use an AG-15, and AG-15M). I actually prefer the AG-15 to the AG-30. There is no sacrifice in tone, and the AG-15 has 3 way tone plus presence whereas the AG-30 only has 2 way tone and a 'scoop' switch (scoops the midrange).

The tone of the AG-15 (and AG-15M which is the two channel version of the AG-15) or AG-30 is the same as the AG-50 (I own 2 of those). Less volume due to the single speaker, but not weak nor anemic in the least. I think the AG-15 series are the best kept secrets in the small amp world.

They can be a bit hard to track down since they are between production phases (Nov 2014).

Check with Shoreline music (sponsors), and if they don't have any you might check with Django Books dot com.



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Old 11-23-2014, 12:13 PM
curbucci curbucci is offline
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Larry - In regards to the AG15M Direct XLR output - does the volume control affect the output going to the board?
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  #4  
Old 11-23-2014, 02:20 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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Larry,

Those AG-15 are dirt cheap used. I see one for 50 bucks at a music store "near" me. I'm not sure I could drive there and back for what they might charge to ship. The AG-30 is about6 110 bucks but would need to be shipped from Kansas.

My concern about this little amp is the speaker size. Ultrasound doesn't list the sizes on some of their amps. I was thinking the bigger the better for full range and a good low end.
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Old 11-23-2014, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnW63 View Post
Larry,

Those AG-15 are dirt cheap used. I see one for 50 bucks at a music store "near" me. I'm not sure I could drive there and back for what they might charge to ship. The AG-30 is about6 110 bucks but would need to be shipped from Kansas.

My concern about this little amp is the speaker size. Ultrasound doesn't list the sizes on some of their amps. I was thinking the bigger the better for full range and a good low end.
Hi John...

All the AG-15, AG-30, AG-50, DSX (stack) use the same 8" coaxial speaker.

The AG-15, AG-30 each have a single 8" coax, the AG-50 uses a pair, the DSX with the extension cabinet used 4.

I think the Pro 250 (10" + 4" + super tweeter) and CP-100 (8" + super tweeter) were the only ones which did not use the 8" coaxial design.

It's a robust sounding speaker, solid power which does not sound thin when pushed, and the 8" size is optimum for acoustic guitar, and the coaxial driver is very good at defining high end without becoming thin or buzzy.

Here is a picture of my AG-15M speaker...






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  #6  
Old 11-23-2014, 10:16 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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Cool.

I'll call the music shop and verify the condition of the AG-15 before I drive out.
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  #7  
Old 11-23-2014, 11:52 PM
jomaynor jomaynor is offline
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I wouldn't touch an Ultrasound with a 10 ft pole.

Not unless you buy used, with the notion that it is disposable whenever something goes wrong with the electronics. See akagilligan's recent thread regarding the interminable wait that he is being subjected to for replacing a new defective unit.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=355501


Too many well-run companies like Fishman around - companies that stand by their products when service is needed - to even consider rolling the dice with Ultrasound, and the way that this brand is currently being (mis)managed.
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Old 11-24-2014, 10:13 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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While I will keep that thread in mind, as I search, I can't let ONE persons really poor results jade all the other positive reviews.

Here is the deal...

Ultrasound AG-15 in driving distance for 50 bucks

Fishman Loudbox Mini....$200-$250 plus shipping. Lots of them in the GC used section to choose from. While they could be just really popular and so lots of them end up at a GC by shear numbers, it does make me wonder why so many have found their way back. Besides, I don't need the second , vocal, channel.

I could stock pile 4 of the AG-15 for one Fishman.
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  #9  
Old 11-25-2014, 02:50 AM
SamuelOdwyer SamuelOdwyer is offline
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yep...i think the AG-15 should fit more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar View Post
Hi JohnW...
Actually the AG-15 is as good as the AG-30 (I have owned both and still own and use an AG-15, and AG-15M). I actually prefer the AG-15 to the AG-30. There is no sacrifice in tone, and the AG-15 has 3 way tone plus presence whereas the AG-30 only has 2 way tone and a 'scoop' switch (scoops the midrange).

The tone of the AG-15 (and AG-15M which is the two channel version of the AG-15) or AG-30 is the same as the AG-50 (I own 2 of those). Less volume due to the single speaker, but not weak nor anemic in the least. I think the AG-15 series are the best kept secrets in the small amp world.

They can be a bit hard to track down since they are between production phases (Nov 2014).

Check with Shoreline music (sponsors), and if they don't have any you might check with Django Books dot com.



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  #10  
Old 11-25-2014, 04:58 PM
gmfgtr gmfgtr is offline
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The AG15 is a lot of bang for the buck. Great tone, good volume for 15 watts. Superb speaker. Got to agree with the guys on this one.
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  #11  
Old 11-26-2014, 10:45 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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And YOU would certainly know !
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  #12  
Old 11-29-2014, 12:04 AM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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I picked up the UltraSound AG-15 at a Guitar Center about a hour away. In the store, with a Taylor 400 series, I wasn't sure about the tone. Was there enough low end ? Maybe it was being in a GC on Black Friday and multiple people in even the acoustic room. This is a small GC and only has one room. No low end and high end rooms. At any rate, I figured for 50 bucks, I could always return in in 30 days to another store, and see what they had hanging around.

Once I got it home, I found there is plenty of low end, for my 12 string and even sounded good with my archtop. It's very small, but it packs plenty of volume ! As long as it works as designed, I think it will be money well spent.
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  #13  
Old 11-29-2014, 09:59 AM
curbucci curbucci is offline
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Sweet. I just picked up an AG15 myself last Wed. Sounds great with my nylon guitar. Not lacking in sound at all. Maybe loudness but I am hoping it'll turn out for some live applications by micing the AG15. I perform solo guitar. The venues I play here in my area have a PA with sound persons at most. Running guitar - Baggs Para DI/Hall of fame reverb (fx loop) - AG15 input.

The weight is perfect when having to have to walk sometimes 1 - 2 blocks from parking spot to the venue.
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  #14  
Old 11-29-2014, 11:53 AM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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It is smaller than I expected and not heavy at all. The height and depth is the same as a letter sized piece of paper. Meaning a paper will cover the sides. The top needs a little longer piece of paper. The front would be covered by less than 1 and a half sheets.
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  #15  
Old 11-29-2014, 02:18 PM
Cue Zephyr Cue Zephyr is offline
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Owning a Roland AC60 myself, I would pick the LoudBox Mini. I have no experience with the Carvin.
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