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#1
03-28-2008, 09:52 AM
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$500ish amps
Ultrasound AG-50DS4
Fishman Loudbox 100 Genz Benz Shenandoah 60 Hartke AC150 I'd been secretly researching amps until the other night when the Mrs. asked if I could borrow an amp for a violinist whose coming in May to do a couple shows here in town and needs one for his instrument and his voice.  "Well, you know I've been wanting an amp for myself..." So I'm going to take my Larrivee parlor with the new K&K mini to GC and listen to the Fishman, and I think I've seen a dusty old Ultrasound in the local acoustic music store, but the Benz and the Harke will go unplayed. Because I have cats, the later two (with the metal grills) are actually kind of appealing. Anyone care to comment on them?
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#2
03-28-2008, 11:12 AM
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I've played a Taylor GSe thru a Fishman loudbox 100 and wasn't entirely impressed with the plugged in tone. It could've been the ES, but I'm definitely more pleased with my Ultrasound AG50DS2 and the only way I'd ever get rid of it would be if I were finding a Pendulum SPS-1 on the cheap! I have played thru other Genz Benz amps and didn't find it too incredibly appealing to me. But as always, play thru each amp as much as you can and you'll probably find your ideal plugged in tone. Also, I have a cover for my AG50DS2 that I think I picked up off guitar adoptions and that has kept my amp looking very good for a couple years now.
__________________
Ira Duncan Ps. 150: 4 -- Praise the Lord with strings! www.myspace.com/iralovesguitars The Family The Les Paul I built My live rig: Mogami Gold TRS Rane AP13 Ultrasound AG-50DS2, Fishman Loudbox Boss RC-50 PP2+
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#3
03-28-2008, 05:42 PM
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Wow - I learned a thing or two
I guess maybe I'm a bit snobbish. I see all the new acoustic amp manufacturers like Fishman with their cool new ideas and I think, "Wow, they must really be onto something"!
So I took my little Larrivee parlor with it's K&K mini and pure preamp down to the GC and spent some time with four amps. Here's my surprising (to me) write-up: Fishman Loudbox Performer: I must say, I wanted to like this one the most. To me, it looks really cool. But that's not what happened. Frankly, I never did get a good sound out of it. It always sounded drum-tight, pinched and feedback-ready. It fed-back a lot! No warmth. This was my first mid-price amp and I was thinking "well, maybe my little guitar just isn't going to be a good candidate for amping". But I did move on... Roland AC 60: I have a tiny bit of experience with this one. A friend has one to amp his Larrivee jumbo. So I kind of liked the idea of getting one too. But no go. Again, I couldn't get a nice tone going. It was very "dark" and muted. It didn't feedback, but it just didn't inspire at all. So I moved on again... Marshall AS100D: I was against this from the start. A Marshal acoustic amp? Isn't Marshal all about head bangers? I was wrong. This was very easy to plug in and get good sound quickly. No feedback. The effects were the best of the set. But I did recognize that the sound was maybe a little colored. I don't know if it was too warm - but I can see how others might. And then finally... Fender Acoustasonic SFX II: Ooops... Play baby play. I just wanted to sit there and jam. Smooth, effortless sound pressure with no feedback. Great clarity with good warmth and dynamics. The effects are not as good the Marshall, but they're OK. Anyway, there it is. I didn't have time to drive over to the other store for some time on an Ultrasound or Genz Benz, but I look forward to it.
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#4
03-28-2008, 06:20 PM
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Try the Behringer (ACX450, etc.) acoustic amps (under $300). Very nice amps, compare favorably with amps twice the price....
__________________
"Flamenco Chuck" http://www.FlamencoChuck.com Me, ca. 1980: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL7wL5m1xIg Jerez Bulerias: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVxUe5hA_yw
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#5
03-29-2008, 01:04 PM
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I just picked up an Ultrasound AG-50DS4 from a fellow AGFer for $350, in perfect shape, and am very happy with it! Great sound, light weight, easy to use, and when I need more decibels, I can always plug it into to other equipment. I like it better for my purposes than anything else I've tried, and that's been a lot. (Especially good at that price!)
cotten
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#6
03-30-2008, 08:03 AM
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Quote:
I've tried the Fishman, the Roland, the Marshall, and the Fender. Ultrasound is simply the best of those amps as far as tone and transparency. I've not had any volume issues because like Cotten, when I want more juice I am usually at church or in a larger setting where I can go from the amp to the house. Also, in those settings I'll often break out my Ultrasound DI Plus direct box. Same tone and transparency as the amp but in a 3lb size. It has everything the amps have as far as control and featues except no EFX. Just an efx loop. This little box actually has more headroom than their amps. You're going to be imressed with how well these amps are built and how good your guitar will sound through it. I play both an ES and non-Es Taylor through both my amp and DI Plus. They do a great job.
__________________
I have a photographic memory...but I'm out of film. Nelson 2002 514ce 2003 414ce Ltd 2014 150e 2010 Fender Strat 2017 Les Paul Custom
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#9
03-31-2008, 06:17 PM
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SWR Strawberry Blonde...
http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4460400010 Have you considered this? I recently purchased one and I really think it sounds great. These can also be had for about $500. Just a thought.
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#10
03-31-2008, 08:04 PM
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I have an SWR California Blonde II, a big brother to the Strawberry Blonde. Both are great amps and have a very unique, and IMHO, had an "older" amp sound. Some even say that the tweeter may be a bit harsh. What I really like about an SWR is the ability to dial-in a desireable tone. I have 5 different guitars with 3 different preamps, including a classical guitar with a built-in tube pre. I also have with two mando's that I mic through this amp. Is it the most natural sounding amp? Probably not. But I think it is one of the most versatile amps.
Both the SWR Straberry Blond and the Cali Blonde deserve a look. Good luck in your search.
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#11
03-31-2008, 08:36 PM
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I have the Genz Benz Shen 60. I give it a thumbs up for sound. It has several effects, chorus, reverb sounds, halls, delays, chourus. I like the headphone feature.
There are 2 channels. But you cant seperate the effects for each channel. 
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#12
04-01-2008, 09:17 AM
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I have been playing electric rhythm guitar in a classic rock band for quite a while now. I just booked my first solo acoustic gig for May. Most of my amplification gear is for electric, so I'm wondering if I should pick up one of the above recommended amps to use with my Taylor 414ce, or can I get by with my Yamaha EMX880 pa head, a chorus pedal, and My Carvin speakers? It's an outdoor covered patio area, seating about 50-75 people.
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#13
04-01-2008, 04:01 PM
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Quote:
__________________
I have a photographic memory...but I'm out of film. Nelson 2002 514ce 2003 414ce Ltd 2014 150e 2010 Fender Strat 2017 Les Paul Custom
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#14
04-01-2008, 04:54 PM
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Quote:
cotten
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#15
04-02-2008, 07:07 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I agree, the less I have to haul, the better for this old back. Do you think one of the Carvins on a stand will be sufficient? Each cabinet has a 15" woofer and a horn tweeter.
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