Take the mystery and guess-work out of your acoustic guitar amp by following my 3 steps to dialing in your amp’s EQ!
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In this video, I’ll show you a simple, 3-step process to making sure you have a good tone on your acoustic guitar amp. I’ll cover the gain, issues with clipping, how to set your EQ, and how to manage your effects pedals. I’ll also cover how to stop feedback on your acoustic guitar.
Acoustic guitar amps can be a little intimidating for acoustic players. Because we’re not used to playing with amps, they can seem a little alien at first! Fortunately, it’s not as bad as you think!
In addition to learning how to nail your acoustic guitar amp EQ, I’ll share with you my 5 favorite acoustic guitar amps and what they can do for your guitar journey!
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
- Acoustic Life YouTube channel
- TAC Guitar Instagram Page
- Get show notes emailed directly to your inbox.
- Listen to audio-only below or in iTunes
Fishman Loudbox Pro – Like it!
Me too
Had mine 6 months and it’s fantastic
Finally I understand it. Thank 6ou
My first Acoustic Tuesday show. Love that clip of the 94 year old – that joy was terrific to watch. I also appreciate your examples of finger-picking – I’m envious.
Quilter MicroPro Mach II (8″)
I have an Acoustic AG15, because it is small, ineffective, and allows me to experiment. Haven’t played plugged in very often.
Fishman Loudbox Mini and Postive Grid Spark amp
Fishman Artist. I really liked the sound when hearing others who had the mini, but wanted more output to use for open mike and possibly small gigs. It sounds great both with my D35, that has a passive pickup, and OM28 with an active piezo. I am now also using it with my Acoustasonic Strat — having the eq is critical, because the pickups on the Strat are boomy in the low ranges.
I have a fender acoustic 100. I like two channels, one for mic and one for guitar. Has lots of effects but I haven’t figured out how to use them yet.
Great show Tony. Very glad you explained gain, etc. I’m a newbie to acoustic/electric and straight electric. I have Takamine G- series (parlour style) with p/u and a LP jr. (couldn’t resist as it was 10 yrs old, unplayed, and $80 Can). Anyway I bought the hype (and I’m glad I did) and bought a Spark 40. I like it and am learning about amplification, tones, etc. It’s all good fun. Thanks for AT Tony.
I have played through several acoustic amps through the years. My favorite was the Genz-Benz Shennandoah Jr. Acoustic amp that does have the built in effects. Then, upon a recommendation, I bought a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. non-DSP amp that really gave me more much and headroom. That Fender amp is now my “go-to” amp. Yes, those two amps were not hard on the pocketbook at all. I think I only paid around $250 for the Genz-Benz and about $350 for the Fender. I don’t think Fender is making that non-DSP amp anymore and I found one in mint condition. In my guitar fantasy, I really would like to try playing through an AER. After hearing Tommy E play through his, it really has a great sound. Both my Yamaha FG-180 red label and my Gibson SG-200 both sound great through the Fender. A long time listener/watcher of your videos Tony. Also, a retired music teacher.
Thanks for the suggestions on acoustic guitar amps and setups. As a guitarist and vocalist, I prefer to play over a PA rather than a dedicated acoustic guitar amp. I use a TC Helicon Play Acoustic pedal and dial in their “Body Rez” equalization for the guitar which I think sounds very natural. I run both the guitar (Martin DC28e) and the mike (Shure SM58) through the pedal (which affords me access to vocal harmonies) hooked up to a PA. For small gigs or just knocking around I use a Bose S1 Pro which has great sound from a really small package. Works for me I guess, but is there any advantage to a dedicated acoustic guitar amp over what I’m doing?
I am using the knew spark amp https://www.positivegrid.com/spark/ Really enjoy your course
Tony,
Nice show today. As a beginner, I have been somewhat intimidated by my Fishman Loudbox Mini. Thanks for taking the time to explain all of its functions.
Very informative. Shopping for an acoustic amp. Great timing! Thanks for doing this.
Hey Tony.
I’m an Acoustic Tuesday fan ever since episode 75’sh. Thanks greatly for your encouragement every Tuesday during these covid discouraging times. I miss Noah. How is he doing? He was kinda your left speaker to your stereo system.
I Have a Fishman Loudbox Pro. Love it. Tried many others before settling in on the Fishman. I believe it cost somewhere around $800.
I have a Fender Frontman 10 G amp
Did I Miss IT ? You said that you were going to talk about Feedback on Acoustic Guitar!
OMG! What an inspirational show. Loaded with great info and feel- good stuff it makes me happy and want to play all day. I now have better knowledge to use my acoustic amp more accurately but I can now add inspiring thoughts of the featured individuals that were on the show. This was stellar!
Tony,
Thank you for your take on setting up an acoustic amp. Mine is a LoudBox Mini which I got as a demo unit off Reverb. Nice amp. I don’t use it as much as I should, but it is a great amp. Mine is set Gain, Mid, Hi @ 10:00, Low @ 12:00, Reverb & Chorus @ 11:00. Note that I typically play a 12 string Maple Jumbo through it. So maybe that’s why I’ve got the Hi cut some. It’s bright without boosting it.
Very helpful, thank you
Great show today! I have been toying with the idea of getting a small inexpensive amp for my acoustic guitar. You had a show once talking about the basics and a bit of a guide for buying one. How can I access that? My guitar was a gift from my wife a long time ago. A lovely Guild D75. BIG sentimental attachment which is why I don’t want to get another guitar but would like to maybe adapt this guitar in a way that won’t compromise the guitar. How can I find out more of the pros/cons of the different methods and amps? Thanks so much Tony for all you do and a belated congrats to you and your wife daddy!
Thanks,
Mike Brooks
Park Ridge, Illinois
fishman Loud box
Fender AcoustiSonic Jr. I like it pretty well, but never got out of it what it is capable of. I’ excited to try what you talked about today. THANKS!
I just bought a Dean Markley acoustic pickup to be used with my Fender Champion 100 amp. I have not used it yet as I mainly play an electric guitar. Thanks for the tips. Also enjoyed the 94 year old, I am only a young 70 and look forward to many more years of playing.
Please consider showing exactly how you dial in your amp. In other words, show what the sounds are like before you dial it in and then dial it in so we can hear the changes. The topic was helpful but it was a little light on real substance. I don’t mean to offend in any way, I just want to add some constructive feedback.
Spark 40 from Positive Grid – Recommended from a friend who is a fabulous guitar player (Jo-El of 2Country4Nashville) . Have not dug into it yet, but looking forward to the application that works with it on my tablet/phone.