Good acoustic guitar/vocals amp for 200 people or less venues?

[Pickcity]

I am pondering getting another PA because I've almost always used them while doing acoustic performances, and my old PA is getting on in years. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good combo amp for acoustic/vocal performances of medium to small crowds, that won't take up so much space while set up at home. I am tired of keeping my PA set up at home all the time. Plus I would much rather load and unload only one amp and my mic stands.

It must have at least the 2 channels and be plenty loud enough to be heard over any crowd noise. I also want some reverb. I would like to spend less than $1k, or below $800, if possible. I have looked at the Marshall ASD100D, which I am sure is enough juice, for around $700-$800, and a few others...

Is it realistic to get what I'm looking for in this price range?

Any input from performers will be much appreciated. Sound is everything!

[Br1ck]

I'd get the best powered speaker I could afford and a small inexpensive mixer, then add a matching speaker later, then a bigger mixer later. Small gigs get the small setup.

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I'd get the best powered speaker I could afford and a small inexpensive mixer, then add a matching speaker later, then a bigger mixer later. Small gigs get the small setup.

Agreed, my duo switched to a single speaker high and behind 4 years ago and never found the need, even for large outdoor crowds, to upgrade. You can check out the pictures on our website. We are using a single Yamaha DBR-10 and a tiny Yamaha MG06x mixer.

[Murphy Slaw]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

Agreed, my duo switched to a single speaker high and behind 4 years ago and never found the need, even for large outdoor crowds, to upgrade. You can check out the pictures on our website. We are using a single Yamaha DBR-10 and a tiny Yamaha MG06x mixer.

What I found more intriguing was the GIANT clothespins......

[varmonter]

yea 200 people is large. i think amps tend to get
lost in big crowds . The aer 60 is a great amp
but only 60 watts .depending on the room
and how high above their heads the amp would
be ...it could work . but the addage 1 watt per person
holds true so a 200 watt acoustic amp is what
you need. I would go with the powered speaker
and a board. You can buy an amp later.
I am a fan of qsc k10. it's light enough .
If your young and strong the k12 is better.
just bulkier and heavier. I found the trade off
worth it so i sold my k12s and went k10.
i use a small 8 ch mackie board. fx12 i think.
Big fan of mackie boards but their is certainly
better boards out there.

[Wistah]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I'd get the best powered speaker I could afford and a small inexpensive mixer, then add a matching speaker later, then a bigger mixer later. Small gigs get the small setup.

This. QSC, JBL, EV on the speaker side, and many options on the mixer (I like the soundcraft notepad for analog or Behringer XR for digital)

[RustyAxe]

I wouldn't think of using a simple acoustic amp for a crowd of 200 ... that's a pretty big crowd. It MIGHT work in church if the audience is listening silently. I agree the way to go is with a decent mixer (great deals on used analog mixers these days) and a pair of powered speakers. And it's completely scalable.

[D41Fan]

You may want to look at the Fender Acoustic Pro amplifiers. 200 watts with dual reverb channels, portable and with a 12" woofer and its portable and looks great.

Dan

[kramster]

Originally Posted by Murphy Slaw

What I found more intriguing was the GIANT clothespins......

Good eye on that

[noledog]

* One of the nice things about the Loudbox series is their versatility in how they work for what I do in the many different venues I play inside and out; from an inside small a.) cafe-type to a b.) medium outside bistro/tiki bar to c.) large outside stage:

a.) I plug n play my D18/M80 direct into my Artist or Performer

b.) I plug my 000-18e Retro F1AP direct or thru my wireless system into one or two Performers in tandem.

c.) I plug my MIJ Takamine KC70/Cooltube wireless into one Performer and DI mix out into my Presonus Air10 raised on a pole according to the venue...if I need more, I can add the 2nd Performer, but I haven't found that to be necessary. I also use this setup when my reggae percussionist performs with me; he hits those skins like John Bonham!

** All three guitars handle high volume feedback well, however, the Tak has the least resonance and slightly edges the other two out when desiring a more edgy rock sound.

*** I agree with others that a powered speaker in addition to an onstage amp is an excellent choice for a soloist as it's worked for me as a full-timer doing 150 to 200 shows a year in a circuit of about 20 very different venues.

eric

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Murphy Slaw

What I found more intriguing was the GIANT clothespins......

Oh yeah, it can get windy! Did you notice they are made of clear plexiglass? BTW, hard to beat a DBR-10 for weight, only 23 lbs.

[Johnny.guitar]

Bose L1C & a small mixer. I'm pretty amazed at the digital options for size & sound quality/options.
Behringer xr12 / xr16 will give you a lot of versatility with effects, eq with rta(real time analyzer) basically it shows you all your frequencies in real time. Excellent noise gating etc that no small analog mixer can do

[Br1ck]

Can you get a Bose for under a grand?

[paulin]

Yeah, Bose or a Schertler acoustic amp, perhaps the Jam 400. Really enjoying my new Schertler Jam 100.

[Chriscom]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Can you get a Bose for under a grand?

Welp in a tax-free state, an L1 Compact is $999 but you're likely gonna need a mixer.

They have those annual 10-15% sales, and used right now on Reverb I see $599, $749 and $848.

Edit: I think 200 people would be pushing it for the Compact, tough I'm not the most experienced person here.