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Old 04-17-2014, 09:47 AM
AXEL276 AXEL276 is offline
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Default Need amp advice....

Hi all, new guy here. I have been following the forum for several months, good stuff!
I will most likely be making a decision on an acoustic guitar amp within the next week or so. I've read many reviews here and on other forums. My budget is $500 - $600. I have no problem buying used.
I play in a working party/rock/dance band. We play a mix and some of the tunes require acoustic guitar. Although I own a Martin GPCPA4, I will be using my Godin XTSA with its piezo pickup into the acoustic amp. The amp will be a stage monitor and will have to have an XLR out to the PA. I would like the amp to have multi channels, effects loop, XLR out, effects, sound good with vocals, have enough power to be heard in the mix. I may use it for other application other than mentioned.
I've narrowed it down to;
Fishman Loud box Artist
Marshall AS50 or 100D
Fender Acoustasonic 60
Roland AC60 or 90
Carvin AG200
I know here are others but they are out of my budget. What's the consensus? I’m leaning towards the Fishman Artist. I also like the CArvin but there aren’t a lot of reviews available. Looks good on paper.
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Old 04-17-2014, 09:54 AM
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Methos1979 Methos1979 is offline
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Of those listed I like the Fishman's the best.

Also keep an eye out for use Genz Benz acoustic amps. They fall in your price range (used) and are very similar to the Fishman's in quality. My last amp was a Genz Benz and it was great. I'm using the Fishman SA220 now.
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Old 04-17-2014, 10:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AXEL276 View Post
  • Fishman Loud box Artist
  • Marshall AS50 or 100D
  • Fender Acoustasonic 60
  • Roland AC60 or 90
  • Carvin AG200
Hi AXEL...

Any you list will do the job as would the UltraSound AG-50 (DS-4) which sells for $390 from Django Books (as of Ap 2014) which is another comparable option.

Building from your list, the AG-300 Carvin is more like a mini-PA and very flexible. It has a 12" driver plus the 6.5" midrange, and it hadles bass better. The AG-200 only uses 6.5 drivers, and those not only don't handle bass as well, they don't project as well into a room.

I've heard several Carvin acoustic players using the AG-300 as mini-PA for guitar and other instruments (including harmonica, vocals, fiddle, mandolin) and they sounded really good.

Not as refined as some of the others listed, but surely good enough and with the 3rd channel more flexible/expandable. And able to cut through the mix.



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Old 04-17-2014, 10:39 AM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar View Post
Building from your list, the AG-300 Carvin is more like a mini-PA and very flexible. It has a 12" driver plus the 6.5" midrange, and it handles bass better. The AG-200 only uses 6.5 drivers, and those not only don't handle bass as well, they don't project as well into a room...I've heard several Carvin acoustic players using the AG-300 as mini-PA for guitar and other instruments...and they sounded really good...Not as refined as some of the others listed, but surely good enough and with the 3rd channel more flexible/expandable. And able to cut through the mix...
As an owner of the MB12 dedicated bass-amp version (same speaker configuration), +1 on the Carvin...
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Old 04-17-2014, 10:47 AM
6L6 6L6 is offline
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If you're willing to carry about 6 more lbs, get the Fishman Loudbox Performer. I absolutely love mine and you will too.

My acoustics are all equipped with K&K Pure Mini pups.
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Old 04-17-2014, 10:48 AM
winstondog1 winstondog1 is offline
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I just bought a Carvin AG300. I use a Bose Compact on most of my gigs, but I wanted something to use on my outdoor gigs. I used the Carvin this past weekend at an outdoor winery event, the sound was first rate. With 250 watts the sound was displaced well but not overbearing for folks sitting close. At 30 lbs it easy to carry, plus it can sit on a speaker stand (I placed it on an amp stand) At $500 you can't go wrong -
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Old 04-17-2014, 11:59 AM
j3ffr0 j3ffr0 is offline
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I compared the Artist to all those mentioned except the Carvin, and the Artist was the clear winner for me.
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Old 04-17-2014, 12:17 PM
BilliBob BilliBob is offline
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Avoid the Marshall.
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Old 04-17-2014, 12:25 PM
Cocovian Cocovian is offline
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I do own the roland ac 60 and although I love it I wouldn't recommend it to you based on your needs since I don't think is loud enough , maybe the ac90

In your case I would go for the fishman
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Old 04-17-2014, 04:17 PM
franchelB franchelB is offline
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I'd recommend the Roland AC-60 or 90.
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Old 04-17-2014, 05:28 PM
GRIMland GRIMland is offline
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I was in the same boat looking for a robust acoustic amp, and read many reviews.

My vote goes for the Carvin AG line (100D, 200, 300). I bought the 300 a while back and love it, great sound, very versatile - can be used for pretty much any instrument.
There's not many reviews out on the AG200/300 yet because they just released about 6 weeks ago, though they did just add a new video demoing the amps, and they are actively adding extension speakers for both.

It wasn't until I watched the video that I found out two inputs per channel can be used at the same time, making 6 inputs available at once.
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Last edited by GRIMland; 04-17-2014 at 10:06 PM.
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Old 04-18-2014, 06:37 AM
AXEL276 AXEL276 is offline
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Thanks all for the replies, good info. I will look into the Carvins and there is a local guy selling a Loud box Performer for a good price.
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Old 04-18-2014, 06:49 AM
woodenstrings woodenstrings is offline
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Loudbox performer is a great amp.. would have quality sound and all the power you want !
If its an older Performer with a metal grill, than its built like a tank in a good way..
Outputs on loudbox are extremely versatile if ever needed
Curious what you wind up with..

Last edited by woodenstrings; 04-18-2014 at 06:58 AM.
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Old 04-18-2014, 10:20 AM
GRIMland GRIMland is offline
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Looking at pictures online, I've noticed some Fishmans (Artist/Performer) have 24v phantom and some have 48v phantom. Their website states 24v on both. Musicians Friend shows 48v on Artist. All the condensers I own require 48v and aren't happy with much less than 36v. Something to consider if you use phantom powered mics
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Old 04-18-2014, 11:12 AM
dcn100 dcn100 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6L6 View Post
If you're willing to carry about 6 more lbs, get the Fishman Loudbox Performer. I absolutely love mine and you will too...
I heartily echo this recommendation. I just bought a Loudbox Performer last week, and it is incredible. I had an Artist for one day, and I found it started to break up at volume. But... it was a floor demo, which could have something to do with it. I returned it and got a new Performer. Holy cow, I can't imagine a better amplified acoustic sound. I have an ES equipped Taylor, and I run balanced cable into the amp, with some pedals in the effects loop. Just outstanding. One thing that seems to make the tone even nicer - I have a Guyatone chorus in the loop, dialed to a barely present setting. That seems to just mellow the tone ever so slightly, and almost act as a touch of compression. When you hit the tuner in the effects loop (a Boss, which mutes the signal when activiated), it mutes the entire amp signal, just as if it were in front of the amp, not in the loop, which was a great suprise. The onboard feedback supressor will be nice if you have a mic based pickup like the Lyric. I also have an acoutic with that pickup, and it also sounds great through the amp. I don't use the on board effects.
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