Amp comparison advice-sorry!

[TWar]

I have a Takamine EF261SAN from 1990s with stainless steel frets. Been using Marshall as50D for years but getting back to gigging mainly church buildings (CofE with massive roof and tons reverb) and school halls around 50-150 people Marshall is being pushed too hard and sound quality less than clear. I’m looking for an amp upgrade with the following criteria:

Can use as monitor with PA plus small-medium venues 100 people village church.
Triple EQ plus filter for feedback adjustment at least.
Excellent vocal sound as well as acoustic (sm58s) (ruled out AER on this from reviews).
No effects needed but effects loop ideal.
Sounds good for recording also
DI out
Ideally 3 Channels for guitar, mic and cello/2nd mic.
All in single amp not interested in lugging stands/full PA around.
Ships to UK

I’ve got eye on Acus One forstrings 8 and schertler Jam (quite a bit more expensive than Arcus in UK for similar feature set). Not tried any but will order 2 or 3 and keep 1.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

Tim

[rmp]

Budget?

A Fishman Loud Box Artist would be my standard answer.
https://www.fishman.com/portfolio/loudbox-artist/

[Goat Mick]

The most versatile setup I have that will work for small to medium size rooms is a Bose S1 Pro with an EAE Gigmix.

[TWar]

Originally Posted by rmp

Budget?

A Fishman Loud Box Artist would be my standard answer.
https://www.fishman.com/portfolio/loudbox-artist/

Thanks guys. Budget around £1000. Fishman looks good but would value 3 channels ideally. Thanks

[davidd]

I've played a bunch of acoustic amps (Fishman, Boss, Fender, Roland etc.) and for me none of them come close to the tone I get going through the effect loop return of my Val King 210 18 watt 6v6 tube amp. I use a NUX Stageman Floor pre-amp and have an ab/y box so I can use my pedal board for either an electric going through the preamp of the amp or my acoustic going through the return. Every acoustic amp sounds thin and tinny in comparison to my ears. I also have an Alto TS312 and even that doesn't sound close to being as nice as my amp. Maybe my ears are shot...

[Methos1979]

If I read your input requirements correctly you're looking for 5 inputs. An all-in-one system in a single cabinet is going to be hard to find new for your price limit. You could easily achieve it with a small mixer and a powered speaker like a QSC k8, k10 or k12 but you'd likely still need/want a pole to put it up on.

The EAE D6-58 is pretty much exactly what you describe in terms of inputs, EQ and tone shaping abilities and power/great sound in a single box but those are $1,299 new (US) and I don't know about shipping. I have one and it's great. Also look into the EV30M which has a lot of inputs and features but again, just up over the $1k US and I don't know about shipping to the UK.

[TWar]

Originally Posted by davidd

I've played a bunch of acoustic amps (Fishman, Boss, Fender, Roland etc.) and for me none of them come close to the tone I get going through the effect loop return of my Val King 210 18 watt 6v6 tube amp. I use a NUX Stageman Floor pre-amp and have an ab/y box so I can use my pedal board for either an electric going through the preamp of the amp or my acoustic going through the return. Every acoustic amp sounds thin and tinny in comparison to my ears. I also have an Alto TS312 and even that doesn't sound close to being as nice as my amp. Maybe my ears are shot...

What I’m realising on this site is that perhaps in contrast to electric (can’t beat my American original tele through a Princeton reverb) there are so many ways to get a good acoustic sound. It is really interesting hearing everyone’s perspective.

[seannx]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

If I read your input requirements correctly you're looking for 5 inputs. An all-in-one system in a single cabinet is going to be hard to find new for your price limit. You could easily achieve it with a small mixer and a powered speaker like a QSC k8, k10 or k12 but you'd likely still need/want a pole to put it up on.

The EAE D6-58 is pretty much exactly what you describe in terms of inputs, EQ and tone shaping abilities and power/great sound in a single box but those are $1,299 new (US) and I don't know about shipping. I have one and it's great. Also look into the EV30M which has a lot of inputs and features but again, just up over the $1k US and I don't know about shipping to the UK.

Based on advice here, I bought the EAE D6-8 MKII 80W. I’m not sure if it would be loud enough for the OP, but it has the same mixer, battery power, and features as it’s big brother. The sound is excellent, and it’s $300 less. If I need more volume in the future I’ll add a powered speaker.

[loco gringo]

My Acus One For Strings 8 is excellent. Have never tried a Schertler Jam, but I hear good things about them, too.

[TWar]

Originally Posted by seannx

Based on advice here, I bought the EAE D6-8 MKII 80W. I’m not sure if it would be loud enough for the OP, but it has the same mixer, battery power, and features as it’s big brother. The sound is excellent, and it’s $300 less. If I need more volume in the future I’ll add a powered speaker.

Thanks both, I did see these, and would stretch the budget a bit if needed. I’m not a massive fan of the digital interface but as you say options are limited at this price. I think I would need the 120w big brother of the two. I don’t think my intro was clear apologies. I need 3 channels in total, one for guitar, one for mic and another for my wife for vocals mainly.

What is the vocal sound like on the EAE D6-58?
My guitar is quite bright, how are the mids and lows?
Has anyone A-B the EAE with the Acus one forstrings 8??

Cheers

[seannx]

Originally Posted by TWar

Thanks both, I did see these, and would stretch the budget a bit if needed. I’m not a massive fan of the digital interface but as you say options are limited at this price. I think I would need the 120w big brother of the two. I don’t think my intro was clear apologies. I need 3 channels in total, one for guitar, one for mic and another for my wife for vocals mainly.

What is the vocal sound like on the EAE D6-58?
My guitar is quite bright, how are the mids and lows?
Has anyone A-B the EAE with the Acus one forstrings 8??

Cheers

Vocal sound using an average mic was excellent, my Taylor 12 fret sounded great, too, with everything set pretty much flat. After reading negative comments about the Taylor pickup in general, was pleasantly surprised. My RainSong sounded excellent, too, although the pickup is much hotter, and I needed to turn the input gain down. Plenty of bass, and nice full sound.
Overall it was the best combined vocal and natural amplified acoustic sound I’ve ever heard. Will probably be selling my Bose acoustic singer pro.

[davidd]

Originally Posted by TWar

What I’m realising on this site is that perhaps in contrast to electric (can’t beat my American original tele through a Princeton reverb) there are so many ways to get a good acoustic sound. It is really interesting hearing everyone’s perspective.

That's my rig... a Tele through my 1969 PR. 12 watts can be very loud! Someone had already cut the baffle for a 12" and I'm glad they did because I wouldn't have had the nerve. An efficient 12" speaker changes them from a bedroom amp that needs to be mic'd for live situations to a gigging amp that is great for small venues. I can't get too much past 3 without being told to lower the volume.

[Jinder]

I’d try seeking out a used AER Domino, they’re a fantastic amp. The newer ones have four channels and the older ones three, and they’re a powerful amp with great dispersion and projection. Crisp and clear with an immense amount of headroom.

If you can live with two channels, I cannot recommend the AER Compact 60 Mk4 highly enough. I take mine everywhere and use it as my main guitar and vocal amp for shows with no house rig, and as a guitar monitor/DI for big shows. Absolutely stellar bit of kit, the best gear investment I’ve ever made. I’ve owned an AS50D previously and the Compact 60 is considerably louder, far more hi-fi and projects massively better.

[Chriscom]

I wonder if the HK Move 8 might be worth a look. Has enough legit inputs (2 combo, 1 instrument jack, 1 aux-in/bluetooth.). Probably loud enough at 123 db peak. I don't think any of us stateside have heard it, it's more easily obtainable in Europe.

https://hkaudio.com/products/move-8/

I checked the Anderton's site in London and I don't see it listed there--but I do see all the usual Evolves. As several of us have said, it's a pity the Everse 8 has only two legit inputs, it might have also fit the bill. But the 30m is there, stretch goal for the OP.

The EAE D6-58 does sound just about perfect. I'm not sure how easily you can get it in the UK.

And yes, there's a wonderful variety of quality options now.

[L20A]

Twar,
it may be difficult to find the right Amp/PA for what you need and stay under $1,000.00.
The biggest problem will be available channels.

I went with a 2 channel Line Array system and added a small mixer to fit my needs.

You stated that you didn't want to have to use a stand/pole but you should still consider something like the Fishman Tower system.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...e-audio-system

You can add their mixer that attaches to the system and be right at $1,000.00.
This is a great sounding system that would fill all your needs.