Practice Amp: Tonewood, Yamaha THR, Roland Cube?

[Warrenaines]

Looking for a small modeling amp for practice/experimentation.

What I'm looking for:

• Sound quality - especially for effects, recognizing you can't get everything in a small modeling amp, especially a small one. Authentic pure acoustic sound quality is also important to the extent I plug in external audio or use apps to practice with, but not necessarily looking for the best pure acoustic amp unless it can also do other things.

• Multiple effects

• Specific IOS app or other aid (maybe existing apps are enough?)

A few that generally come to mind are:

Yamaha THR (5A?) Seem to be very positive reviews generally. The THR5A is targeted to acoustic, but seems like some here like one of the THR 10 models. Also has amp specific app to isolate (or mute) guitar parts in songs, transpose songs, slow down etc., haven't heard much about how well app actually works.

Tonewood Amp Definitely the most unique option. While I think the design itself is genius, perhaps pros and cons for my purposes. Wouldnt be thrilled about attaching to guitar even though reports say it's safe (at a minimum wouldnt be more convenient for me unless it fits safely in a case while attached). Of course if the sound coming through the soundhole makes it sound better than other options, that's a huge plus. App seems to be well received.

Roland Cube Street These seem to be very highly regarded in the more traditional amp category, though not sure how the effects compare to the THR or Tonewood. Also obviously other Roland options in the Cube line or designed for acoustics.

Fishman Loudbox Mini Also seems very highly regarded, but perhaps not best for my purposes

[ricdoug]

Carvin AG200 or Carvin AG300. Built in multi mixer and great digital effects. Versatile for a wide variety of acoustic electric instruments. Made in the United States. Useful for practice or the stage. Ric

http://carvinaudio.com/collections/a...products/ag200

http://carvinaudio.com/collections/a...products/ag300

[Warrenaines]

Thanks for the replies

[otavio]

I really like my Thr10c for guitar.
And for acoustic(mainly piezzo) and bass it goes very well.

Thr10c it´s the best all purpose small amp i´ever heard.
Nice sounding amp and very good audio recording thru usb

[fazool]

Fender Acoustasonic-15. great little amp with nice tone controls, dual inputs and built in chorus.

I run an aux into the mic input so I can add a backing track.

[Warrenaines]

Thanks again for the input. For those recommending the Fishman Loudbox mini, I'm aware they're highly regarded for acoustic amps but a little unsure if even the mini is quite right for my purposes. I'm sure they're great for true acoustic sound/traditional amp, just don't know much about effects etc. that some others may have. 60W is a lot more than I need, but I'm fine paying for it if it sounds great on low volume and has features I'm looking for.

[Irish Pennant]

Originally Posted by Warrenaines

Thanks again for the input. For those recommending the Fishman Loudbox mini, I'm aware they're highly regarded for acoustic amps but a little unsure if even the mini is quite right for my purposes. I'm sure they're great for true acoustic sound/traditional amp, just don't know much about effects etc. that some others may have. 60W is a lot more than I need, but I'm fine paying for it if it sounds great on low volume and has features I'm looking for.

The Loudbox Mini is a fine amp, it does not have much for coloring effects. IMO, that's what pedals are for. It does have reverb and chorus. You can always get a Zoom A3 pedal for coloring effects for any of the amps that you're looking at.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Irish Pennant

The Loudbox Mini is a fine amp, it does not have much for coloring effects. IMO, that's what pedals are for. It does have reverb and chorus. You can always get a Zoom A3 pedal for coloring effects for any of the amps that you're looking at.

Thanks, I guess this comes down to questions of modeling amp vs amp + pedal(s) for personal use (not professionally performing or recording). If the latter, whether (1) Fishman loudbox mini is best, and (2) whether in this use multipurpose pedal is close enough to pedal board (and if so, whether Zoon A3 is best). Probably no consensus, just like some people swear by 1 or 2 relatively inexpensive guitars and others use 5+ very expensive guitars for tonal variety

[Res Ipsa]

The Boss Katana amps, though not technically Roland "others", have a dedicated acoustic pre-amp section. Mine (Katana 100 1x12) sounds fantastic with my acoustic guitars, and it comes with a wide variety of Boss effects (compressor, reverb, chorus, parametric equalizer, etc.). A swiss army knife for me, one amp for acoustic and electric guitars. Sounds great at bedroom levels. IMHO these are wonderful pieces of equipment that acoustic players are just beginning to notice.

[Warrenaines]

Played the Loudbox Mini recently and really liked the sound and was pleasantly surprised with the reverb and chorus. No headphone out is a negative but looks like I can work around that. Need to get out and try some others.

[Puerto Player]

Just remember that the Tonewood doesn't work on any guitar that doesn't have a perfectly flat back. It's been a problem for several of my guitars.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Puerto Player

Just remember that the Tonewood doesn't work on any guitar that doesn't have a perfectly flat back. It's been a problem for several of my guitars.

Thanks, I'm intrigued by the Tonewood but leaning against it as I keep my guitars in cases and seems there could be issues closing the case with the Tonewood (or taking it on and off daily). Seems like a lot of people like it though.

To your point, aren't most flat top guitars not actually flat on top or back?

[Fret-O'File]

Originally Posted by Warrenaines

Thanks, I'm intrigued by the Tonewood but leaning against it as I keep my guitars in cases and seems there could be issues closing the case with the Tonewood (or taking it on and off daily). Seems like a lot of people like it though.

To your point, aren't most flat top guitars not actually flat on top or back?

I keep my guitars in cases and it pops off so easily it's not an issue. Even removing it five times a day wouldn't be an issue.

[Marty C]

If your purpose is practice and experiment at low volumes and need effects, why not try a processor with headphone out. TC Helicon Play Acoustic Or the Zoom A3 both have excellent effects. Then you can plug these into any sound system you want to. Even a small Bluetooth player using the headphone out of the processor and aux in of the speaker.

Otherwise, to me, amps sound different at low volumes versus high volumes.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Marty C

If your purpose is practice and experiment at low volumes and need effects, why not try a processor with headphone out. TC Helicon Play Acoustic Or the Zoom A3 both have excellent effects. Then you can plug these into any sound system you want to. Even a small Bluetooth player using the headphone out of the processor and aux in of the speaker.

Otherwise, to me, amps sound different at low volumes versus high volumes.

Thanks, agree that larger amps sound different (worse) at low volumes, not sure about practice amps. Any thoughts on the sound quality when just using something like the Zoom A3 into headphones (or stereo or speaker) compared using an amp with headhpones output? Reviews say some of the THR models sound very good with headphones, and can also function as a decent speaker using the Aux in, haven't tried any of the THRs yet.

Also, any thoughts on other products to consider? Seems like some here prefer one of the Zoom G3 models to the A3 even for acoustic.