#1
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Convince the neophyte
Why would a Fishman Loudbox mini be a better acoustic amp than me just using my Marshall electric amp for gigging? Again, I k ow nothing about acoustic amplification.
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#2
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Since you are an audiophile:
The Fishman is made to be (relatively) flat response. Important for acoustic instruments. The Marshall (and virtually all electric guitar amps) are not flat response. That is key to getting a great electric tone.
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-Gordon 1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway 2006 Larrivee L03-R 2009 Larrivee LV03-R 2016 Irvin SJ cutaway 2020 Irvin SJ cutaway (build thread) K+K, Dazzo, Schatten/ToneDexter Notable Journey website Facebook page Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci |
#3
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Yes - the voicing is quite a bit different. The subtle nuances of an acoustic are much better reproduced by the design of the Mini.
If what you are looking for is a small acoustic amp, I'd tell you to consider this: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=528636 Two coaxial 8's in lieu of a single 6.5 and tweeter (I believe) in the Mini. I think the Ultrasound gives you more options for input/output and effects as well.
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#4
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If you like the way your acoustic sounds through your Marshall amp then that’s all that is important. However, if you’ve never heard your acoustic played through an acoustic amp it would be worth a listen. As Gordon pointed out there is indeed a difference in the sound of our instrument. I’m guessing that you have the Marshall because it may have sounded good with an electric guitar and you may have tried other amps along the way. Acoustic amps vary quite a bit just as electric amps do, so it is indeed worth your time and effort to listen to your guitar through as many different acoustic amps before you find the one that sounds best to you - good luck!
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Custom Breedlove 12 string guitar Breedlove Deschutes 6 string guitar Deering 12 string banjo Custom Emerald X20-12 guitar |
#5
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That's it for me. If you get the sound you want, play it. If not, the Fishman is a great amp.
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#6
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There was a topic on the AGF about adding a tweeter to an electric amps speakers to make it more acoustic friendly. It’s not a perfect solution but it is a cheap alternative.
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#7
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The search for tone never really ends.
Yours is out there... |
#8
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Electric guitar amps typically have a sharp drop off of volume over 5KHz - that's the 'shimmer' area of an acoustic guitar.
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#9
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I heard a fellow play through a princeton amp
vocals and guitar. My comment to my wife was .. I thought he was talented but he sounded like crap. I for one have never heard an acoustic through an electric amp that didnt sound like it was coming through a pie tin. Ymmv. Even a modest pa system usually sounds better. If its an effect your after that's different. But if you want your acoustic to sound like one than look elsewhere. Just my humble opinion . But like said above if you like it. than go for it. It's all subjective art. |
#10
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Quote:
Not sure I need to convince you of anything. Generally tone shaping for an electric is about pickups, pedals and amps. For acoustic guitars, it's about getting an authentic or accurate acoustic-like reproduction of the instrument. Electric amps (especially Marshall) are built to minimize bass, and overdrive easily to 'cut through' the mix (exceptions being Rivera and others like them which are tube driven amps generally used for jazz). By the way, Marshall build acoustic amps which pretty good, but they have no high frequency drivers and are a bit dull sounding compared to other makes. Acoustic amps are built for fidelity, and for clean play, and solid-projection-without-audience-electrocution (joke!). Many of the better acoustic amps sport at least an 8" woofer and some sort of high frequency driver, which is a much more pleasant sounding outcome for acoustic guitars. In fact, the 8" woofer seems to be the sweet spot. Acoustic amps tend to be more like keyboard amps, and are designed similar to a PA cabinet (sealed, tuned, ported). I sing through mine in small venues. I'd never do that through my electric amps! Also, many/most decent acoustic amps have a direct out (XLR and/or ¼") for mirroring the signal to the PA. They become onstage monitors in large venues, and can sometimes carry the room in a coffee shop (depending on how aggressively noisy the steam-wand and espresso grinders are). And acoustic amps generally weigh less than ½ what their electric counterparts weigh. I like Fishman, and Roland amps, but since UltraSound (my personal mid-line favorites) is nearly out of business since Dean Markley bought them, I personally prefer AER amps. |
#11
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Thanks for the advice guys!
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#12
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I'll add my +1 recommendation for that Ultrasound amp on the classifieds right now. I don't know the owner, but I own one of these amps and its a tremendous value for the money. I have no experience with the Fishman, but the 2 channel Ultrasound is the bees for getting authentic acoustic tone.
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#13
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I know nothing! But, Gerry Humphrey is going to be at the gig in March and I know both Bruce Sexauer and Jason Kostal have purchased his acoustic amps after meeting him at shows. Just sayin!
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PS. I love guitars! |
#14
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Imho, a good acoustic guitar amp has much more in common with a pa system than it does with an electric guitar amp.
I have an ultrasound acoustic amp, but I never use it, because when gigging there is always a pa. Maybe your situation is similar and you can skip the amp?
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#15
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Plugging an acoustic guitar with pickup into an electric guitar amp is the acoustic version of plugging an electric guitar straight in to a PA!
Everything wrong! That said, there is an 'old school' that likes a 50s DeArmond type soundhole pickup through a tube amp. Dirty grunge...electric Lightning Hopkins... Elmo...not sure if they did it because they liked it or needed to.... BluesKing777. |