What acoustic amp solution for me?
caution: wall of text
I've read the archives, searched online ... and it's getting near decision time so it's time to ask the internet peanut gallery for advice.
Please, tell me like you think it is. I'm new to acoustic amps and such, and my skin is plenty thick ... I might like my mandolins varnished, but I prefer opinions unvarnished.
My situation and needs:
Primary Uses:
=Instruments=
Mandolin with K+K twin [Breedlove OF]
Acoustic with K+K [future install]
Microphone on either of above and ukulele, fiddle, hand percussion.
-Playing around home with my looper, also sending and receiving signal from my recorder/multitracker.
-Minor amplification for playing with electric buddies [most often with children sleeping, no windows rattling - most often with my buddy with 15 or 30w champ].
-Use as stage monitor when sitting in with my buddy's acoustic duo, send signal to PA.
-Perhaps some day I'll gig out with it, but nothing planned ... not sure I'm the guy to play solo shows, at least for the next year or so. Thus, not a big consideration as if I'm in a band then a PA much beyond what I need would be the plan.
Frankly, small and simple would be good - though being able to run an out to a board and to recorder is important. Wouldn't mind running the looper through an effects loop - though I assume I could run it before the amp just as well too [right?].
Mostly, I'll be using it in our main living room where I normally play - which makes me lean away from a small PA as that would be more infrastructure to haul out [uglier to have sit out]. It is worth noting that this is a 20x25 room, with arched ceilings going up to 16 feet or so - not a tiny room to fill, though I have a toddler and very close neighbors ... it's not getting that loud at home, though a big room to fill.
Obviously, I'm going to try my mandolin through these [and likely bring my recorder in to play various other things] to try them out ... but opinions are good. This is my first acoustic amp I'm buying - I'll fess up to being naive about all this, and needing in advice .... my ears are not educated beyond what sounds good to me [a fine judge, but future bandmates may not agree nor perhaps my future self].
Most likely options or local deals [suggestions welcome]:
Roland AC-60. Seems like the ideal solution, as it has lots of ways to plug it to different things. Perhaps more wattage than I would need, but much smaller might only be useful at home. Locally available new for 400, most tempting.
Roland AC-33. Not available to try locally. Less plugs than AC-60, though probably all that are needed. Battery power is a nice idea, perhaps useful in the future - though I'm concerned this would be too small, or missing something the AC-60 has. Also important to note is that it's only marginally cheaper than the AC-60, maybe 50-75 bucks. If I wouldn't need the AC-60 ... tempting, but I'm concerned about volume.
Yamaha Stagepas 300 [used]. Locally available for 475, perhaps I can offer less in cash as the CL ad is a couple weeks old. I've been steered this way at a local music store [not sure if being sold something is good, though] and have read it suggested by people I listen to here and elsewhere.
I am concerned the mixer is simple [lacks feedback control like AC60, or tone shaping], no tuner out, etc - and is somewhat painting oneself into a corner as it can only handle so large of a room and wouldn't appear ideal as a monitor. Useful the twice a year I have multiple people over and want everyone amplified ... but with only two mics to my name, acoustic and mando with plugs .... seems like more inputs than I need and less controls than I want.
Ultrasound CP-100 amp. Locally available for 500. I like that it can handle two xlr's if that's how I want to go ... nice ports in and out like the Roland. Far louder than I need, but not huge or obnoxious. Seems like vastly overkill as someone new to this.
Genz-Benz Shen Jr. - around $500, though price not available online [lists for around 6]. Can test out ... a well reviewed brand, seems well designed like the Ultrasound and often more raved about. Seems a little `big ampy' and overkill for what I'm looking for, though would be the ticket in a more amplified setup.
Anything is available online.
AER 60 or such ... just don't have the cash right now, unless you want to sell me one for near $500. Thanks for the suggestion
There are fishman loudbox mini's available to test - I will, not sure if I'm totally sold though .... if I'm going that route, then perhaps a simple Ultrasound 30w amp gotten online would do as good or better [though no mic input].
----- Anyway ... that's where I'm at. None of these are at the same place - no A/B possible, and a good half hour wasted driving between [I'd like to focus on a couple to test drive].
I'm leaning away from the Stagepas ... while it prices out around the others, I feel like it's got an `upper limit' on how useful it is, only has limited inputs, and is not really a `nice around the living room' sort of device. I have no current band/duo .... and feel like $500 is something I could afford if needed in the future.
While my test drive next week will be informative, I'm leaning towards one of the Rolands. If the AC33 truly was enough volume ... I'm tempted as it's small and can hide easiest in the living room, is incredibly portable. That said ... I'd hate to have it max out [or limit/clip] in my living room.
Thus, I'm most aimed at the AC-60. As that's the one I want, I don't have a lot of experience .... I'd bet that I find it pleasing when I test drive, as I'm unsure how informed a judge I will be.
Well, that's my rambly rant.
I'd love any and all advice you got, you don't have to ramble as badly as I do.
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Originally Posted by Markus
Regardless- best of luck.
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