Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 50

Thread: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

  1. #1
    Registered User Pick&Grin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Davenport, Iowa
    Posts
    299

    Default Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Hey all,

    Looking at buying a Fishman Loudbox Mini. Been using a Crate CA30DG for a few years, but plugged into my friend's Mini and the sound was great! Before I take the plunge, are there any other comparable amps you'd suggest I consider? I play a wide range of music, from old time and Celtic to bluegrass and rock. Usually play small-to-midsize venues

    Thanks, as always!
    Collings MT-O Sunburst (2014)
    Kentucky KM630 (early 1990s Korean) w/ K&K Twin Internal
    Vega K-Style Mandolin Banjo (1917)
    Vega N-Style 17-Fret Tenor Banjo (1922)
    Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo w/ Resonator

  2. #2

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    This is one of those times I'd say, if you like the mini, buy the mini. Just like mandolins, higher up the food chain starts costing money.

    I am very happy with my Carvin AG 500. Alas, they called it quits a year or so ago.nif you find a used one, buy it. Three way cabinet makes it more like a powered speaker and I can play bass, guitar, Uke,mandolin and sing through it.

    The main knock I have on a mini is a not so good vocal tone. Otherwise not much would be better at that cost.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  3. The following members say thank you to Br1ck for this post:


  4. #3
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    3,651

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I also really like my Carvin AG300 sound. I did have a technical problem that appears to have been fixed. The features I like best on my Carvin are:

    1. Can mount it up on a speaker pole
    2. 3 inputs
    3. High impedance select on 2 inputs - don't need a preamp
    4. Three-way cabinet - essentially a powered PA speaker with a lot more functions
    5. Can play a bass through it
    6. 250 W with an extension speaker, 200 W without
    7. ~35 lbs
    8. Only about $600
    9. Sounds great!

  5. The following members say thank you to Mandobart for this post:


  6. #4
    Registered Muser dang's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    1,185

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I recently saw they had a battery powered version of the Fishman, the Loudbox Mini Charge.

    https://www.fishman.com/charge/

    Anyone actually seen one of these? Not trying to hijack your thread but thought it might be something to consider.
    I should be pickin' rather than postin'

  7. The following members say thank you to dang for this post:


  8. #5
    Registered User Pick&Grin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Davenport, Iowa
    Posts
    299

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    The Carvin sounds great guys. Sadly, a bit above my price point, at this time; I'll keep it in mind for future, tho!
    Yes, I saw that charge. Great idea and also wonder how it pans out.
    Collings MT-O Sunburst (2014)
    Kentucky KM630 (early 1990s Korean) w/ K&K Twin Internal
    Vega K-Style Mandolin Banjo (1917)
    Vega N-Style 17-Fret Tenor Banjo (1922)
    Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo w/ Resonator

  9. #6

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I tried 3 different amps and the LB sounded better. I started with the mini but for rock thing with full band I returned it for the LB artist. The mini just wasn’t loud enough to keep up with the guys I’m playing with.

  10. The following members say thank you to Loubrava for this post:


  11. #7
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Forest Grove, Oregon
    Posts
    2,771

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Marshall AS50?
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
    Arrow Jazzbo
    Arrow G
    Clark 2 point
    Gibson F5L
    Gibson A-4
    Ratliff CountryBoy A

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bill McCall For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,500

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    If you like the Carvin keep your eye out for a used one, they are not making them anymore.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  14. The following members say thank you to pops1 for this post:


  15. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Conneaut Lake, PA
    Posts
    4,147

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I like my big brother to the mini, the Fishman Loudbox Artist. Best sounding acoustic amp I have ever used. Light and compact as well.

    Hasn’t Carvin ceased production of all their amps?

    Music Go Round has an AG100D right now for 249. Little brother to Mandobart’s AG300, only 100 Watts, but pretty much same features.
    Don

    2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
    2011 Weber Bitterroot A
    1974 Martin Style A

  16. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to multidon For This Useful Post:


  17. #10
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,102

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    My Laney LA 65D sounded great with everything but my Rigel. Perfect features, sounds great. Love my Loudbox 100; great sound and features. One question is your use of effects. Do you need an fx loop? The mini does not offer you one.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

  18. The following members say thank you to Dave Greenspoon for this post:


  19. #11
    Registered User Pick&Grin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Davenport, Iowa
    Posts
    299

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Greenspoon View Post
    Do you need an fx loop? The mini does not offer you one.
    Good question, Dave! As of now, I don't think I need one, but maybe that's just out of ignorance . In addition to my old time playing, I'm in an indie band and it may be useful for that. Again, I'm really ignorant here, but could I plug into pedals and then from there into the mini?
    Collings MT-O Sunburst (2014)
    Kentucky KM630 (early 1990s Korean) w/ K&K Twin Internal
    Vega K-Style Mandolin Banjo (1917)
    Vega N-Style 17-Fret Tenor Banjo (1922)
    Deering Goodtime 2 5-String Banjo w/ Resonator

  20. #12

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    consider a Bose L1 Compact system. I know it's a little more money (around 1000), but you can use it for a wide range of applications from solo gigs to acoustic ensembles. It has been fantastic for our trio. You would have something that would be very flexible for a wide variety of uses. And vocals and instruments sound great.

  21. The following members say thank you to Marc Katz for this post:


  22. #13
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Capitol of MI
    Posts
    2,795

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Plus one for the Fishman Artist. I started with a Mini but the tone, volume and controls on the Artist are superior, and they don’t cost that much more, maybe $100.
    Living’ in the Mitten

  23. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Steve Ostrander For This Useful Post:


  24. #14
    bass player gone mando
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Brooklyn and Rhinebeck NY
    Posts
    458

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Quote Originally Posted by multidon View Post
    I like my big brother to the mini, the Fishman Loudbox Artist. Best sounding acoustic amp I have ever used. Light and compact as well.

    Hasn’t Carvin ceased production of all their amps?

    Music Go Round has an AG100D right now for 249. Little brother to Mandobart’s AG300, only 100 Watts, but pretty much same features.
    I join in recommending the Fishman Loudbox Artist. Workhorse acoustic amp, amazing set of features, great DI out so you can use it by itself or to feed the PA. I've used it not just for mandolin but for upright bass, and for mics of course as well. Probably used it for at least 50 gigs now and never anything less than the right tool for the job.
    Collings MT O
    Collings MF5 0
    Weber Gallatin Mandola
    Weber Bitterroot Mandola
    Weber Sage Octave

  25. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to chuck3 For This Useful Post:


  26. #15
    Gibson F5L Gibson A5L
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    2,523
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I use a Loudbox Mini for small venues. It also works as a single monitor when I am playing into a larger PA.The weight is what sold me. It really would not be sufficient for a room of any medium size by itself. The Artist model as recommended above would be more of up to the task of larger rooms. The cost with amp cover will be around 600.00$. That's in the neighborhood of 2/3 again the price of the Mini model but worth the wattage increase from 60 to 120 watts. Not to mention all the other bells and whistles. The Roland AC 60 also deserves a look see. I have used one once and was struck by it's tome and volume. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

  27. The following members say thank you to UsuallyPickin for this post:


  28. #16

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I use a fender acoustasonic sfxII 160, brown tolex version

    56 lbs! This is the real drawback. Really! I use a dolly for more than a parking lots distance.

    Ive always preferred an amp thats a bit too big , bigger speakers and cab, for fuller rounder bassier sound, rather than small. Cabs mean weight, but typically bigger sound.
    Reasonably featured, but only one xlr. Have to balance vocal and instrument channels via gain, then master volume.

    Depends on the environment, a lot. Outdoors seems to suck away sound.

    These are pretty affordable used, due to the new sexy revised molded curvy wood eames- chair style cab and gossamer speaker cloth version. Guts are identical.

    I also have a roland cube 80 x too. Neat little jazz guitar amp, and mando. Roland voice is like the old jazz chorus amp. Very very nice warm clean channel.

    Easier to schlepp, smaller closed back cab, 25 lbs, roughly, one input, fairly natural voice for amplified acoustics, great sound, superb effects and foot control options and loud too. Also cheap used.



    The fender is like a mini PA, for one player.
    Great room filling sound, clear, full, even enough for a not too heavy drummer.
    Decent effects.
    I use mine with my rigel, and a baggs di. This amp takes away the shrill boxy piezo sound. This is why I chose it. Ditto the roland.
    The fender has a Foot pedal control over effects and a mute. Mute is nice.
    Last edited by stevedenver; Apr-04-2018 at 8:24am.

  29. The following members say thank you to stevedenver for this post:


  30. #17

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    There's a Loudbox Mini posted in the Classifieds today

    I've had a regular Loudbox, which I liked a lot.

    You might also look at Roland amps; they have a variety of sizes, wattage, features, etc. I have the smallest, an AC33 I think, which is also battery powered and worked great when I played outside at a farmers market with no power available.

  31. The following members say thank you to Jim Mullins for this post:


  32. #18
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Capitol of MI
    Posts
    2,795

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I didn't realize the Loudbox Artist was that much more than the Mini. I bought both of mine used.
    Living’ in the Mitten

  33. #19
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,096

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I have had a Roland AC-60 for a while.. not made by a company thaat also makes the piezoelectric pickups, but it does have an input switch,
    on the instrument channel for piezo/magnetic.. Mic channel has 48v phantom power..
    powersupply transformer makes it compact but heavy.

    Padded gig bag , included, is a good thing ..

    back panel has an efx loop and can DI to the house board to be your monitor,

    & 1,1/2" pole socket to be a PA speaker- though the knobs being on the top
    would be a bit hard to reach then,

    it can be power amp & speakers for a submixer for more channels, Or preamp for a bigger basic amp..

    & top end for a powered subwoofer.. etc..



    ...
    Last edited by mandroid; Apr-04-2018 at 3:15pm.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  34. The following members say thank you to mandroid for this post:


  35. #20

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    I have had a Roland AC-60 for a while.. not made by a company thaat also makes the piezoelectric pickups, but it does have an input switch,
    on the instrument channel for piezo/magnetic.. Mic channel has 48v phantom power..
    powersupply transformer makes it compact but heavy.

    Padded gig bag , included, is a good thing ..

    back panel has an efx loop and can DI to the house board to be your monitor,

    & 1,1/2" pole socket to be a PA speaker- though the knobs being on the top
    would be a bit hard to reach then,

    it can be power amp & speakers for a submixer for more channels, Or preamp for a bigger basic amp..

    & top end for a powered subwoofer.. etc..



    ...
    This is what I use for small gigs. I've utilized it with a mixer and two condenser mic's to power a full bluegrass band for an outdoor gig. Furthermore, this one now comes with rechargeable battery power.

    I use a Bose L1 for larger gigs. Simply the best!

  36. The following members say thank you to Patrick Sylvest for this post:


  37. #21
    Registered User Steve Lavelle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Silicon Valley
    Posts
    331

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I've been using powered PA speakers with a Radial Tonebone pz preamp. At Christmas, I upgraded to a Presonus Air10. I also have a Behringer B210D that I used for awhile, but found it wouldn't work when I played with a drummer. Presonus has much more headroom, and a very clean sound.
    Steve Lavelle
    '93 Flatiron Performer F
    Customized Eastwood Mandocaster (8str)

  38. The following members say thank you to Steve Lavelle for this post:


  39. #22

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Quote Originally Posted by Skunkwood View Post
    I've been using powered PA speakers with a Radial Tonebone pz preamp. At Christmas, I upgraded to a Presonus Air10. I also have a Behringer B210D that I used for awhile, but found it wouldn't work when I played with a drummer. Presonus has much more headroom, and a very clean sound.
    Presonus products are First Rate! Excellent choice! A Great Louisiana, USA company to patronize!

  40. The following members say thank you to Patrick Sylvest for this post:


  41. #23
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,096

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Took my recently bought, Roland Mobile AC to an electric (guitars) jam , yesterday evening ,

    it sat on the table top next to me ..

    worked well.. I got there and back on my bicycle..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  42. The following members say thank you to mandroid for this post:


  43. #24
    Registered User Tomando's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Long Beach Ca
    Posts
    96

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    I tried my Loudbox mini at a very noisy bar, it was not happy when cranked up to max. Otherwise fine though. I went for the sa330, aka the “Fishstick”. Granted, more $$, but much nicer sound quality. Very portable too. Good luck with your choice!

  44. The following members say thank you to Tomando for this post:


  45. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Southampton UK
    Posts
    198

    Default Re: Favorite Acoustic Amps?

    Best amp I’ve ever owned is an Acus One 8. Preferred it far more than an AER compact 60.

    Robbing e

  46. The following members say thank you to ukrobbiej for this post:


Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •