Amps for nylon string guitars

antzoul2 · #1 11-13-2010, 01:14 PM

Hi,

Do you know of any amp that is specifically designed for nylon string guitars?

There is the AER classic, but it costs more than 1000$.

For around 300$ (used) what amp would you buy.

Maybe this topic was already covered, I am fairly new to this forum and I can't get through all the previous messages...).

Regards,
Antzoul

TXBart · #2 11-13-2010, 03:22 PM

I just bought a Behringer ACX-450 and am very pleased with it though I have no experience with amplified acoustics. It has some features that I may not use much; feedback limiter and multiple selectable and adjustable effects with on/off foot pedal.

I searched and asked this forum and compiled a list of 15 amps ranging from $70 to over $1600. I got down to the Behringer and a Roland AC-60. The Behringer was 1/3 the price of the Roland.

I play a Taylor NS-34CE through it. So far the major impact is accentuating my mistakes! I play about 50% fo the time without the amp.

Kindness · #3 11-15-2010, 06:52 AM

I have the Roland Microcube for my Yamaha SLG 100N and it really works well! Great sound, small and very portable, and not very expensive!

Acoustic Dano · #4 11-15-2010, 10:21 AM

Take a look at the AG-30, I did!

Turp · #5 11-15-2010, 09:29 PM

I bought my Shertler David because of reviews by instrumentalists including nylon players. It works great and, with a little effort, can be found pretty reasonable priced.

patrickgm60 · #6 11-15-2010, 10:56 PM

I'd look into Fender's Acoustasonic family; either used copies of the larger/older model or new "Juniors." I borrowed the older model a while back for a series of gigs where I needed a large monitor that I could control from my seat, with xlr to the board; that amp worked beautifully: lots of headroom and clean sound.

jackstrat · #7 11-16-2010, 08:43 AM

I have the Ultrasound AG-30 and the Loudbox 100.

They are not designed for Nylon guitars (specifically), but both work very well with Nylon guitars.

I can dial in the Loudbox 100 EQ and effects to produce a nice nylon sound, and I often front it with a fishman aura nylon box, but not always.

The Loudbox bi-amp, dual speaker setup also provides the fidelity I was looking for.

Jack

riorider · #8 11-16-2010, 09:04 AM

I have not tried either with nylon, but the ability to handle the nuances of various steel string acoustics by both amps I have makes me think strongly that they would do very well with a nylon string guitar.

I have a Rivera Sedona Lite (lotsa bucks) which is a fantastic amp - tube, warm, rich, deep - that's the one Doyle Dykes uses at his workshops. And I recently purchased the new Lunchbox Acoustic. 11lbs, 200w, amazing. I was just playing my baritone through it and it really sings - picking up (too many!) of the sounds my clumsy fingers make as well as projecting the tone very cleanly.

I also have a Behringer AT108 - the small 12lb acoustic, and it is also very good, but a bit noisier than the Lunchbox. But at 1/6 the price, it may be just the ticket.

From these examples my thinking would be that any full-range (acoustic, piano, percussion) amp would do well with your nylon guitars.

Best,

Phil

Acoustic Dano · #9 11-16-2010, 09:55 AM

Anyone use the Schertler DYN-G/M with their acoustic amps, and what were the results?

Dano

Eric.Hope · #10 11-16-2010, 03:21 PM

I play my La Patrie classical through a Fishman Loudbox 100, which is more in the $600 range new, but Fishman now has a new addition to their Loudbox line: The Loudbox Mini, which is right in your price range. Haven't played it yet, but if it sounds anything like its big brother, then it'll be a great piece. Might be just the ticket. Do check it out:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Amp?sku=430859

antzoul2 · #11 11-16-2010, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the information.
Is the AER classic the only existing amp that was specifically designed for nylon string guitars?

Justinian · #12 11-18-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antzoul2

Thanks for the information.
Is the AER classic the only existing amp that was specifically designed for nylon string guitars?

I would recommend Vox AGA70 or Fishman Loudbox Mini.

Voxguy · #13 11-18-2010, 04:26 PM

For around $300 you cannot beat the Utrasound. I have a Taylor nylon string and a Martin nylon string - it my go to amp for both for clean acoustic sound.

For sheer volume, range of tones and built in effects at around $300, the all tube Fender Super Champ XD is awesome.

vintageom · #14 11-18-2010, 04:56 PM

Reading the above commentary hits close to home.

I started amplifying recently and MAN O MAN do I ever have to work on stopping the squeaks and squeals.. Dang, I thought I was pretty good, but need to take it to another level to get rid of all of the noise.

No cheating when you have an under saddle pickup.

gnobuddy · #15 11-19-2010, 02:02 AM

I use an Acoustic AG-30 for steel-string guitar, nylon-string guitar, and vocals. Note that this is not the Ultrasound AG-30, but an Acoustic AG-30 (Acoustic is now a Guitar Center brand).

The AG-30 is on the heavy and bulky side (around 40 lbs IIRC), but it sounds *great*. Very, very neutral with the tone controls flat - it won't change the sound of your instrument unless you want it to.

At one time I used to work in the loudspeaker R&D department of a pro audio company, so I've been around some really good semi-professional monitor loudspeakers and developed a reasonably good ear for a good speaker. The AG-30 comes surprisingly close to sounding like a monitor speaker - the designers really did a nice job designing the enclosure (which sets much of the bass response), and the coaxial dome tweeter does a far, far better job than the more usual compression (horn) tweeters usually found in these sorts of amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voxguy

For sheer volume, range of tones and built in effects at around $300, the all tube Fender Super Champ XD is awesome.

I have one of these as well. It's not quite "all tube" - the front end is actually solid state, with DSP amp modelling, followed by a tube power amp.

I love this amp to bits for use with my electric guitars - take the time to experiment with the settings and you can get a wide variety of absolutely gorgeous tones out of it. It sounds great with everything I've played through it - Les Paul type guitars, Strat-type guitars, ES-335 type semi-hollow guitars, and guitars with P90 pickups. All sound great.

I have also used the Super Champ XD with my acoustic-electric guitars as well (there is a clean voice and a jazz voice, both of which are usable with acoustic guitars). It sounds pretty good.

However, for acoustic guitars, I actually prefer the solid-state AG-30. The Fender Super Champ XD is a bit bass-light, doesn't have quite enough gain for a typical low-output piezo pickup, and doesn't have as much flexibility when it comes to EQ - and my acoustic electrics seem to sound best with a fair bit of equalization applied.

The Acoustic AG-30, on the other hand, sounds lovely with both my steel-string and nylon-string acoustic-electric guitars. It also sounds lovely with my wife's vocals. Add a tasteful pinch of reverb, and it goes from lovely to gorgeous. A REALLY nice amp, and a heck of a steal at the asking price!

I have no connection with Guitar Center, Acoustic Corp, or any musical instrument vendor or manufacturer, by the way. I'm just a very satisfied owner passing on my opinion in case it helps someone else out.

-Gnobuddy