Thoughts on the Fender Acoustic Jr & Go?

[tadol]

My friend bought a new Fender amp, and it made me look at the Fender Amp site for the first time. I see an amp that seems interesting - the Fender Acoustic Jr, and its battery powered version, the Go -

Im intrigued by what looks like a pretty well designed unit - I like the integrated kickstand, 2 channels with combo XLR jacks and DI output of individual or mixed, a limited but decent looking set of effects - and maybe, a battery power option?

Trouble is, not in stock locally to give a try - and I can only find minimal “promo” reviews of it. Anyone here have one, or have any extended experience with one?

[rmp]

Hi Tadol

I have the non-battery version.

I also have a Fishman Loudbox Artist,

The Fender Ac Jr is a decent sounding unit.

The Effects are very usable, and I think a bit better than what you get on the Loudbox

While the loudbox has more power, sound to sound, the Fender holds it's own quite well. and it's lightweight and easy to move. (15lbs)

There's also a built in looper, but to make it practical, you need to purchase the foot switch.

I spent a few years as an accompanist for the music director at our parish, who played piano. I used both for that, depending on what I felt like I wanted to lug around for that day. The fender is lighter than the fishman, and it did a great job, and this is a huge mid 1800s cathedral style building.

[poopsidoo]

Originally Posted by tadol

My friend bought a new Fender amp, and it made me look at the Fender Amp site for the first time. I see an amp that seems interesting - the Fender Acoustic Jr, and its battery powered version, the Go -



Im intrigued by what looks like a pretty well designed unit - I like the integrated kickstand, 2 channels with combo XLR jacks and DI output of individual or mixed, a limited but decent looking set of effects - and maybe, a battery power option?



Trouble is, not in stock locally to give a try - and I can only find minimal “promo” reviews of it. Anyone here have one, or have any extended experience with one?

I have one with battery and love it. I busk alot and I use this with my guitar and mic and can play anywhere. I usually set the control flat and use some reverb. I got a foot switch and have just started using the looper. But a fine amp of you want a battery amp!

[tadol]

Originally Posted by poopsidoo

I have one with battery and love it. I busk alot and I use this with my guitar and mic and can play anywhere. I usually set the control flat and use some reverb. I got a foot switch and have just started using the looper. But a fine amp of you want a battery amp!

Thats great! You find it has enough volume? And have you done a real time test running on battery? I may have to see if Guitar Center can order one in so I can give it a listen - weight and size look great, and a one-box carry for a gig seems ideal -

[Gals]

I recently was looking for a battery powered amp as well.

Loved the sound of the Fishman Loudbox mini charge - but too many complains of the battery turning dead after a year or so, and very complicated to replace.

Checked the Roland AC33, very nice sound but not loud enough,

Just before I've ordered the Fender Junior Go (also sounded great) someone gave me a tip for the Bose S1 Pro. After hearing it with an acoustic guitar & vocals (So loud and clear!) - I've decided to go with the Bose.
As a newer model (Pro+) was just announced so I'll wait till it can be ordered on my local dealer next week.

I think (at least the older Bose S1 Pro model that I've checked) is soooo clear, reproduces classic guitar sound just great, and much more versatile (IMOO) than buying a dedicated guitar amp for just a little more money.

I'll be going for the Bose S1 Pro+,
Good luck,
G.

[tadol]

Thats an interesting opinion - I have 2 Bose S1s, and find them very nice, but the curve on the volume controls is awkward, and too easy to go from not quite enough to high-feedback. And they also have no effects, so I’d have to bring other parts and accessories, and (maybe) batteries, to get the same kind of rig. I regularly use them as monitors, and fill. The Fender setup is intriguing as it looks like I could use it as a full feature amp, with all effects and such in one box, (although I’m not sure how large a space it could fill) for either my guitar or guitar&mic, while also being able to use it as a personal monitor in other venues, being able to run to a mixer from the DI(s) -

I appreciate the thought - I really need to hear and try one of these!

[Gals]

Originally Posted by tadol

Thats an interesting opinion - I have 2 Bose S1s, and find them very nice, but the curve on the volume controls is awkward, and too easy to go from not quite enough to high-feedback. And they also have no effects, so I’d have to bring other parts and accessories, and (maybe) batteries, to get the same kind of rig. I regularly use them as monitors, and fill. The Fender setup is intriguing as it looks like I could use it as a full feature amp, with all effects and such in one box, (although I’m not sure how large a space it could fill) for either my guitar or guitar&mic, while also being able to use it as a personal monitor in other venues, being able to run to a mixer from the DI(s) -

I appreciate the thought - I really need to hear and try one of these!

You made some good points here.

For sure if could afford both - I would have.
As I can pick only one — I'll probably go with the Bose,
but from the Fender"s testing I"ve made on the shop last week I can easily say -
the acoustic junior go is one superb amp that sounds great with my guitar - best solution for me as well if there weren"t other tasks that were waiting for my next amp (kid's parties and so on....)

Please update here with any news,
Good luck
G.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by tadol

Thats an interesting opinion - I have 2 Bose S1s, and find them very nice, but the curve on the volume controls is awkward, and too easy to go from not quite enough to high-feedback. And they also have no effects, so I’d have to bring other parts and accessories, and (maybe) batteries, to get the same kind of rig. I regularly use them as monitors, and fill. The Fender setup is intriguing as it looks like I could use it as a full feature amp, with all effects and such in one box, (although I’m not sure how large a space it could fill) for either my guitar or guitar&mic, while also being able to use it as a personal monitor in other venues, being able to run to a mixer from the DI(s) -

I appreciate the thought - I really need to hear and try one of these!

to each his own I suppose

I use 2 s1's on a pole with a 12ch mixer. for that, they rock. I can get plenty of coverage.

A bose s1 with the guitar direct just doesn't really work as well for me as the loudbox of the acoustasonic jr. The S1 is just a bit too sterile for me.

If I *had* to do it, like the time I had to do a wedding ceremony on a beach and in an apple orchard, that was ok. but not what I'd consider ideal.

[meb]

The S1 has no Master Volume control and neither does the Fender Jr Go.
That is the Achilles heel of both imo. I have the S1 and use it rarely, but keep
it because it sounds better than most combo amps on vocals. I consider
the S1 as a combo amp....not a PA speaker. The Fender would be much
more appealing to me if it had a Master Volume....so I have not considered it.
Has anyone actually compared the 2 sound?

[Random1643]

Tadol, what did you wind up doing? Did you buy the Fender amp?

[tadol]

Originally Posted by Random1643

Tadol, what did you wind up doing? Did you buy the Fender amp?

I found one on Reverb, and am waiting for it to be delivered - As soon as I get a chance to play it out and see if my thoughts about how it could work are correct, I’ll report back -

[Random1643]

Thanks, tadol. Here's my experience. I started using the GO Amp last fall for outdoor gigs with no on-site power, and then again this season May-present. About 45 gigs so far this season; I used the GO on a bit less than half of em. (When I'm able to plug in am using a Fishman SA220 "Fish Stick.")

A little background & some thoughts about the amp:

• I gig solo. Guitar, 5-string banjo, tenor uke + vocal. All instruments are set up to plug & play. I use an SM-57 for the vocal. 3-4 hrs performance per gig. I use pedals = TU-3 tuner, Fishman Plat Pro + a couple more.
• To my ear, at the gig the GO amp sound quality and projection is adequate for my purposes. It's not great, but cleanly translates an acoustic-electric instrument and my voice @ a volume that covers small-to-medium outdoor gigs. The amp is compatible with piezo pickups as well as Fishman humbuckers voiced for acoustic amplification; it's def an "acoustic amp." I've used @ artisan/farmer markets, music on the patio, etc kind of things.
• so far, I keep both channel volumes @ or below 1pm. Above this setting, the sound is more boomy and diffused.
• I set the GO Amp on top of a media table about 4' off the ground. I've never used the kickstand.
• With 100w, an 8" speaker & a tweeter it's clearly not a line array system; still you get some dispersion. I play a few fairly large markets and can cover a pretty big swath @ decent volume and clarity; but not the entire market.
• Here's the manual https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/O...N_ES_FR_PT.pdf
• I have a baritone-tenor vocal range. By tweaking the Low and Mid EQ the amp conveys my full vocal range.
• Amp effects. IMO, and these are all just my opinions, most of the effects that come with the amp are crap. I only use a little reverb; it's cool that you can dial-in your preferred Effects Level. I don't use the Looper.
• The phase button has come in handy. You can adjust the EQ to successfully manage some feedback; the EQ controls are responsive
• @ 17 lbs the amp's portability is amazing. It's easy to set up/take down my gig rig when I use the GO
• Rechargeable battery. On the plus side, I've had zero issues playing for 4 hrs with the volume on both channels set between noon and 1pm. On the negative side, the GO amp battery does not reliably hold a charge between gigs. I can come home from a gig, plug in the amp to recharge the battery, reach full charge, and then the following morning need to plug in for another 45 or so minutes to again reach full charge. Because the battery is factory installed and sealed into the amp, I can't just buy an extra battery to pop in there. Due to this defect, Fender has already replaced one Go amp for me, and is willing to replace another whenever they have avail in inventory *and* I have time between gigs. IMO the manufacturers that have the battery as a separate unit are smart. My work-around with the GO is to keep it plugged in for the hour before I leave for each gig.
• I've never used this little system for an indoor gig.
• In summary, the GO amp does an adequate job @ outdoor gigs with no on-site elec power, but has issues retaining a charge. My Fishman SA220 is always preferred, bringing more volume, clarity, dispersion than the GO.
• I am keeping an eye on other battery-powered amp options for the 2024 season

[SalFromChatham]

I owned two Fender Acoustic Jrs. Not the go, though…

I think they are a great comp to the Loudbox mini, and I prefer them to such. They have usable effects, and if you get the footswitch, a usable looper. I think I bought mine from an online shop known for selling “bstock” cheap, but these were new.

[tadol]

Well mine came today, and I spent about an hour with 3 different guitars, and for its size (and price) I’m pretty pleased so far - decent sound, effects are adequate (although I’m a bit spoiled by my TRex acoustic) and I love the size and weight of it! The kickstand is great too. I haven’t been able to turn it up (kinda late) and I have already ordered the foot switch so I can really see if the looper & tuner are worthwhile, but gotta wait for that to come in, and I really need to see if using it as a personal monitor and running XLRs to the mixer when I’m playing with friends who are fully electric will work out. But initially, I am not at all disappointed! Well - except for the bright white leds on the effects selector - I def need to make a little shade so they aren’t so bright, and reflects the light over onto the labels so they’re see-able in the dark, otherwise the led is so bright, you get blinded looking down at it -

[tadol]

Well - a quick follow up - after leaving the amp plugged in overnite, I thought I’d check the battery operation. And it doesn’t - the leds all light up, but no sound from the amp. Plug in, everything works great, unplug, no sound. So I have a terrible feeling it’s going back - although I hope the foot pedal gets here before then so I can see how that works with the looper and tuner -