Your Recommendation: Versatile Acoustic Amp Needed

[Charmed Life Picks]

Howdy. I'm rejoining my church band, and eventually, down the road, will need to invest in a new acoustic amp. Right now I'm using an old Kustom Sienna series that I actually really like, but looking to upgrade sooner of later.

If possible, I'd like to buy used, so it would need to be something mostly likely made in quantity from a major manufacturer.

I know AERs are very, very good, but I suspect they may be out of my league right now.

Budget: $300-500, used
Inputs: Minimum two (three would be splendid)
Line Out: Gotta have at least one for monitors
Features: Nothing fancy, just basic tone controls

Here's the other thing. I'm looking for an amp through which I can run both a mandolin with a JJB pickup (eventually I'll be stepping up to a K&K Mandolin Twin) as well as an acoustic guitar with a B-Band in it. If possible, I would also like to run an electric guitar through this same amp, if this is doable, most likely a Fender Mexi-Strat or Mexi-Tele.

If necessary, I can run the guitar or mando through the house PA.

Thanks in advance for you feedback and info.

Charmed Life

[twbranch]

Carvin AG300

[RockerDuck]

Fender Mustang 3 should do it. Light, loud and has a di out.

[Steely Glen]

There's a Genz Benz Shenandoah 100 in the classifieds that meets and exceeds everything you want. I'm not the seller, by the way...

[Tutash]

motion sound kp200s with a decent eq will handle the acoustic. A SansAmp can handle the electrics through the same amp. This is my current setup and I love it.

[kaos]

Originally Posted by RockerDuck

Fender Mustang 3 should do it. Light, loud and has a di out.

Isn't that an electric guitar amplifier?

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by twbranch

Carvin AG300

Huge +1. Or AG200, if you want to save a little cash, and you don't think you'll need the larger drivers. Carvin's AG amps are great.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

There's a Genz Benz Shenandoah 100 in the classifieds that meets and exceeds everything you want. I'm not the seller, by the way...

I hear the Genz Benz are nice. Thanks! I believe John Hiatt runs that rig.

CL

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

Huge +1. Or AG200, if you want to save a little cash, and you don't think you'll need the larger drivers. Carvin's AG amps are great.

Thanks to both re the Carvin amp model. I didn't even know they made acoustic amps.

Thanks!

CL

[martingitdave]

The Carvin looks like a good solution. They seem to be popular. The fact that you can use the 1/4" and 1/8" and XLR inputs on all three channels simultaneously is pretty fantastic. Plus 250 watts with an external speaker is impressive. It seems like a mini PA. Not sure about the portability. Alternatively, you could look for a used Fishman SA220.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

The Carvin looks like a good solution. ...snip... It seems like a mini PA. Not sure about the portability. ...snip...

Sounds like a PA too! I have never heard a mic sound so good through an amp. Never. Portability on the AG200 is outstanding.

[pmarino]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

Sounds like a PA too! I have never heard a mic sound so good through an amp. Never. Portability on the AG200 is outstanding.

Anyone know if the Carvin AG200 is available in the UK? It looks like a great amp, but I can't seem to locate them here.

[ricdoug]

Carvin AG200/Carvin AG300. Made in the USA right here in San Diego (Poway), California. 3 inputs and you can even play a bass guitar into them. They are a true P.A. system with acoustic instrument features built in. I was just there on Friday getting a diaphram to repair a titanium high frequency driver. They carry a large inventory of replacement parts and have outstanding customer service. Ric

[lschwart]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

There's a Genz Benz Shenandoah 100 in the classifieds that meets and exceeds everything you want. I'm not the seller, by the way...

This is a very good option.

Louis

[RockerDuck]

Originally Posted by kaos

Isn't that an electric guitar amplifier?

The op said he wanted to play electric guitar through the same amp. Many acoustic players I've seen over my 45 yrs of playing used Fender amps, some still do. But his price range won't buy a Twin.