Nice sounding - lightweight accoustice amp

[rcase1957]

Hey Gang,

I want to buy a nice sounding, light weight, acoustic amp, with an XLR out jack on it. Any recommendation? My acoustic amp (SWR Cali Blonde) weighs a ton. I need sometime that weighs less.

Thanks
Rcase57

[fotofantom]

Fishman Loudbox Mini.

[jonfields45]

I've tried a few, Lunchbox Acoustic, AER Alpha, and Bugera AC-60. All were defeated after the honeymoon wore off by my Yamaha DBR-10 (23 lbs) powered PA speaker (with no EQ or effects it sounded better). Make sure you listen carefully against the SWR and be prepared to return them.

[Pecx]

Definitely the new Fender Acoustic 100 (17,5 lbs) or the PA option with the Yamaha DBR10.

[varmonter]

AER compact 60

[GibbyPrague]

If cost is not a major limitation you cant beat the AER Compact 60.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by rcase1957

Hey Gang,

I want to buy a nice sounding, light weight, acoustic amp, with an XLR out jack on it. Any recommendation? My acoustic amp (SWR Cali Blonde) weighs a ton. I need sometime that weighs less.

Thanks
Rcase57

You already have a nice amp. If you want to use this as an opportunity to improve your tone, it would seem that you need a lighter weight PA solution.

Your amp weighs 51 lbs. So, just about anything on the market will be lighter than that. Since you have a reasonably expensive amp, I presume you don't want a cheap alternative.

PA Options in the 25-40 lbs range:

Line 6 L2t: This is probably the best option on the market for a PA speaker/acoustic amp. I haven't played through anything better.

Otherwise, you'll need a processor (TC Play Acoustic for example) or a mixer, and any 8" to 10" PA speaker. Some speakers have DSP and a mixer (Line 6 L2t) and may work for you without an outboard mixer. If you go this route, you might consider the new (25 lb) QSC K8.2, for instance.

Amp Options in the 25 lb to 35 lb range:

Carvin AG200 or Carvin AG300
Shertler Jam, David or Unico
Fishman Loudbox
ARE COmpact 60

Other Considerations in the 30 lb to 40 lb range:

If it's just the weight, and not the bulk that you want to eschew, consider a smaller line array like:

Bose L1 Compact
JBL Eon One Pro
LD Maui 5
HK Nano 608i, etc.

Most of these don't require you to lift anything heavy onto a pole.

[rokdog49]

Man, I wished I still had my Cali Blonde. I'd buy me a cart and wheel that sucker around.

[lkingston]

I love my Henriksen Bud. Tiny size, huge sound.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

[Hurricane Ramon]

.

Hello Rcase57 :
Is this the model amp you have ?



I understand where your coming from . I sold a tube Marshall 60 watt w/12"X2 Celestians and got a Cavin 60 watt tube 12"X1 .
I have used it for 21 years , it was a lot lighter than my Marshall . Very clean input stage clarity I love on the lo input .
I've lightened up my load . Still use and will continue to use that Carvin when I need to cause I blow Jazz/Jump Blues Harp too through it .

I got this and it's suits my needs quite well :

Mackie Freeplay - the wifi is really nifty . 150 watts RMS THD.05% , divided into 75 watts for the 8" driver & 75 split for the X2 hi freq. drivers . Great FX too TRS/XLRX2 Stereo Aux/Wifi


I in no way implicate it is as good as your Blonde , cause it's not as good as my Carvin 60 watt tube or my SS Polytone Mini Brute w95 watt @1.%THD but this thing is O.K in my books
and has so far done well for my acoustic electric steel 6 string that has an XLR out . Others & YMMV ?

Mounted on the speaker stand it really excels in getting out over a mix . Not shabby on the floor beside you either with it's tilted speaker stand that becomes the battery compartment lid -
It's totally portable too with a D cell battery pack or the lithium rechargeable . The Blues Harp into the TRS does OK for Jazz - the raunch and the squawk isn't bad when I use my FX on it from
my T.C.Helicon VL3 X - it's pretty close ... well close enough for this old musician . Just it alone with guitar - that'sit the vocal and guitar come out really good with it's on board FX - I add
a little more beef with the VL3X for the vocal and guitars .

I'm saving for another one I like it that much . I'm careful though - I did go through two units that had to go back . The third is working fine 7 months . I have a two year warranty from the seller -
I'm good . If it last's another 6 months that will tell me it's stable . By then they ought to be really less expensive . I shelled out for the bundle w/bag/lithium battery/battery speaker slant stand /sturdy
telescoping spkr stand for a tad more than $500.00

There all over the place for $300.00 with out the other stuff .

The way they sit is like an ordinary speaker - flat on the floor facing at a right angle . Some hate their black out look that I have to agree looks like a boom box , but a big one . It's hefty , but way
lighter than the Carvin .

1. X-former failed in 48 hours
2. Wifi failed in 2 weeks

EZ :

HR

.

[Methos1979]

I've owned the Fishman Loudbox Mini and Artist amps - both are lightweight and sound great. I currently own a Carvin AG-200 which I really like.

If they weren't so expensive I'd likely test drive the AER Compact 60/3. The new Fenders with the wood cabinets I hear good things about as well.

[RockerDuck]

I have a loudbox mini and a Zoom A3. I found this video interesting.
https://youtu.be/Dr51Qj_4B04

[Rubsoul]

I like my Cali Blonde SWR... but also have the little sister Strawberry Blonde. Can't go wrong with a SWR..

[LookerBob]

I just ordered a Fishman Loudbox Artist... I'll report back when it arrives. Hard to decide... would've liked to try that new Fender Acoustic 200 and A/B a few, but I live in the sticks, so ain't gonna happen.

[LookerBob]

Got my Loudbox Artist this weekend - it does really well, and isn't super heavy (25lbs, I think?), or super big. Compared it to a Roland AC90, and I think the Loudbox is as good/better on sound. Definitely benefits from getting up off the ground, though.