Do I need an Acoustic Guitar Amp for home?

[CarlE]

If you don't gig, then you don't "need" one. But I think there is an added dimension to playing through an amp - there is just More of everything! The sound is so much more full and loud, plus you can add some subtle (or not so subtle) effects, like reverb, delay, chorus, compression, eq, etc. There are times when I just want to sit down and play unamplified, but the are other times when I want to plug in and turn it up!

[TedBPhx]

I bought an acoustic amp so I could play with a looper.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by DownUpDave

Come on guys you need to “represent”. This is the Acoustic Amplification sub forum............of course he needs an amp.

Geez what happened to all the enablers that us to hang out here

And when you factor in the old adage "He who dies with the most toys wins" there should be no question

[CASD57]

Originally Posted by Warren01

As the title says, do I need one for home playing. I have a Yamaha THR10 that has an acoustic setting and was playing around with it last night and it was fun! Made me wonder if I should pick up (see what I did there) an inexpensive acoustic amp. What say you all?

If you plan on playing out.,.gigging or play with others...jam then yes, you'll need it for those occasions but for more reasons then that, you need to know how it sounds..how to adjust when using a amp, things are different live and everything sounds different.
If you only play at home all an amp is good for is making people mad lol.

[Caddy]

I only play at home these days(actually for the past twenty years). I used to gig solo acoustic back in the late 80’s and 90’s and just used a single mic for both guitar and voice. Didn’t even own an amp for acoustic and had no guitars that plugged in.

Since retiring 14 years ago I have accumulated a few A/E guitars, only because that was the only way those models were available. Just wanting to hear how they sounded plugged in I bought a Yamaha THR-5A (the acoustic version). It also runs on batteries and has effects. Works very well especially for home or small gatherings. I still very rarely plug in as I prefer the sound of acoustics unamplified and not having to deal with chords, etc. But I am glad to have it.

[cliff_the_stiff]

I like having it for looping, as others have stated, I also like plugging a music device so I can play guitar with my favorite band.
One of my favorite tunes to play lately is “Going to California” with Led Zeppelin 4.
There’s a special version (the cover appears as a negative of the original) that has the song recorded without vocals, just guitar and mandolin.
When Im playing, it feels like Im playing next to John Paul Jones in my house.

[Br1ck]

Originally Posted by Mandobart

What you really need is a good acoustic guitar that doesn't need an amp. But.....you can get a decent acoustic amp for a few hundred bucks, and a *good* acoustic guitar will likely cost more.

I have a very nice gigworthy amp, a Carvin AG300. I also have a couple nice acoustic guitars, some really good mandolins, some great custom instruments and a real good Martin HD-28. I have installed pickups in almost all my instruments. I never plug them in at home.

I have a Carvin AG 300 too. You"ll have to scare up one used. I've used it for bass, uke, guitar, and vocals. Also rarely plug in at home.

[mjh42]

Originally Posted by CarlE

, but the are other times when I want to plug in and turn it up!

3 of my instruments are only acoustic, one plugs in. Played tonight with the Godin.......played some nice tunes I've been working on, played a little with the reverb settings on mxr m300 reverb pedal....made a little noise......

Maybe tomorrow I'll plug back in.....maybe I'll pull out one of the acoustics....maybe the resonator.....well see......

Nice to have options....

[Br1ck]

The more I think about this, the more I think you'd be better served with a basic recording setup. With an interface that is also a digital mixer and a mic, you can record baking tracks, just play through the system using headphones, etc. You can get a looper too if you want.

Later get a powered monitor if you must have noise.

My Carvin is the only affordable acoustic amp that had a real good vocal sound.
Yes you can spend over a grand on any of the many good array systems.

[jimmy bookout]

Originally Posted by Warren01

As the title says, do I need one for home playing. I have a Yamaha THR10 that has an acoustic setting and was playing around with it last night and it was fun! Made me wonder if I should pick up (see what I did there) an inexpensive acoustic amp. What say you all?

Of course you do, big dope

PS. And you "need" another guitar...
PSS. Actually, you "need" several new guitars...
PSSS. Just trying to help

[Tahitijack]

When I was learning to play i bought a small acoustic amp just for fun because it has several on board effects. I found the benefit of using it as I practiced because it amplified my mistakes. It improved my left hand finger positioning and my right hand fingerstyle playing. The little subtitles easy to miss were front and center and I worked harder to clean them up. Worked for me.

[leew3]

Originally Posted by KevWind

And when you factor in the old adage "He who dies with the most toys wins" there should be no question

nailed it. Because it's fun! (this from the owner of lots of PA gear and a huge bass amp with a 15" speaker that I use to play at home too...because it's fun!)

[EZYPIKINS]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

From one gear collector to a potential other, gear comes and goes. What would it hurt? But then you're gonna need a mic, a mic cable, and a mic stand too.

You mean you don't already own these things? Mic, cable, and stand?
I've been trying to decide if I need something other than my PA, and PA speakers that sound sooooo good. Haven't found one yet that can compare to 15" JBL's.
I get the ease of setup. Hard for me to go from my stage mentality. To solo performance, coffee shop type situations. With limited space.
I am realizing I could get more gigs (when things open up). If I don't need 15 feet square of space for one guy.
And todays music, mostly being heard on little cell phone speakers or ear buds. The average citizen today don't know, or can't remember the difference of a quality PA vs little Acoustic combo amp.
At home, I'll continue to use my PA for sure. Played nothing but on a PA for as long as I've been playing acoustic on stage. Since early 80's.
But opening up to the idea of something more portable, for gigging.
More than what it may make my guitar sound like. I'm most concerned about quality of vocal reproduction. I didn't like the 12" speakers.

[westview]

Yes, you need an acoustic guitar amp for home.
Why? For the reasons already shared in this thread.

Next, we'll tell you the different amps you should consider.
This will be followed by PA system options.

[Don W]

I generally play unplugged at home but there are times after working on a song for a long time that I want to hear it slightly amplified kind of like it would sound recorded. My Larrivee with K&K and a loudbox mini does the trick.