Need amp advice

[Turner Burner]

Hello mando people,

It's been months since I've been on here. My last post was very successful, so I decided to try again.

(Btw, in my last post from March, I was looking for a new acoustic F style and someone from here referred me to a 1983 Washburn M6, Japanese made F style on ebay. I bought it that same day and have been delighted with it since - thanks!)

So now I want to replace my amp and rig; I'm going to hang on to my Fender FM62SE for a few more months, and may replace it with a new MK electric. But that is not the issue here today.

For amplification for the electric mando I currently use a crate amp with digital amp modelers/ effects. I want to replace all of the components and go with a better amp and Boss pedals.

The amp critiera that I have is: no built-in digital effects preffered, and an output jack, preferably an XLR type, to run to my mixer/ PA. I need between 50-100 watts, and would prefer to spend under $300 (used gear is fine as long as it works).

I'm not decided on an acoustic amp or electric guitar amp yet. I've been looking at UltraSound, Kustom, and Dean Markley.

Any suggestions? What do people use here? Thanks,

Turner Burner
Sarasota, Florida

"out of the river all ugly and green
came the biggest ole alligator that I ever seen"

[Gail Hester]

I use an SWR California Blonde, 120-Watt combo amplifier, no digital effects, clean and loud, lots of features. I run an acoustic guitar through one channel and my mandolin with a Schertler pickup (and other stuff) into the XLR equipped channel. I’ve been very happy with the SWR but there are other great acoustic and tube amps that others use with mandolin so I’m sure you’ll get more good advice on other options.

SWR California Blonde Features
- 2 Independent channels
- Mono & Stereo Inputs
- Master Volume Control
- Foot-switchable Spring Reverb with Master Reverb Control
- Stereo Headphone Jack
- Discrete Solid-State front end
- Side Chain Effects Loops
- Blend Controls for each channel
- Balanced Line Out
- Tuner Output
- Tilt Stand for easy angling
- Top Handle
- Chrome protective corners
- Bottom Slot Port
- Blonde Tolex Covering
- Vibration free speaker grill
- Tweeter Attenuator Control (available on S/N 4000 and greater)

Chuck

[mikeomando]

I would work backward to the sound you are looking for. I have a Crate 15 watt practice amp and a Roland Jazz Chorus-60. If the Crate is loud enough, turn off the effects and try a few pedals through it. I gave up on pedals - too much noise in the chain - and use a Line 6 Pod. It'll model lots of amps and works pretty well through the Crate. Are you looking for an amplified acoustic sound or more of an electric played electric sound? XLR is cool but you can always convert from the regular 1/4" input or output to XLR and vice-versa with some more doodads. I think the sound comes first, and you'll have to decide on the sound you are looking for first. Then bring the axe and check out a few amps. I've bought a few mandos and emandos without playing them first, but I can't see doing that with something like an amp, even with 48 hour approval.

[steve in tampa]

I use a Roland KC 300 keyboard amp. 100 watt, 12"speaker with a horn, no on board effects, just bass and treble. Very clean sound. It has 4 inputs, and a line out for running to the main P.A. Not too heavy, and is great for small solo gigs. a vocal mic sounds good through it.

I have a pedal board with different effects, and the one I like the most is the Aphex Acoustic Exciter.

[mandroid]

I'm looking at Galaxy audio, Core PA5X140,Quite Small, not too heavy, phantom supply and able to run another cabinet.
200-18k 5" internal speaker.[galaxy's small driver is 100w rms,140w peak, by the way.]
For now, I got an ETEK Notemix,a small PA powered mixer, and a couple EV_Sx80 speakers,and stands, But the suitcase with the cables in it make any attempt at small and light, a pyrric effort.


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[Asha]

I use a 30 watt Ultrasound acoustic amp without reverb or chorus effects that I am very pleased with. Very clean transparent sound. It's coming from my mandolin internal pickup (McIntyre) through an LR Baggs DI preamp. In some ways I do wish though that I had gotten the 50 watt Ultrasound with the digital effects on board. A little reverb would be nice now and then.

[mandoJeremy]

Not that my opinion counts for much but I do prefer an Ashdown or Trace Elliot amp. #They are the ONLY amps that I have ever tried that gave me the perfect sound I was looking for. #I prefer the Ashdown over the Trace but only the Acoustic Radiator 2. #Dealer cost on them is around $800.00 so they aren't cheap but they do have dual inputs with phantom on one which I need.

[Igor The Cat]

buy an ultrasound 50 watt acoustic

[steve in tampa]

The new Roland AC-60 is excellent. Tried in the music store and it is on par with the Trace Elliot. Unbelievable sound for a such a small unit.