Acoustic amps (duo BS)

paisleywookiee

paisleywookiee

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Against my better judgement, I'm doing an acoustic duo with a friend. Mostly covers, some originals (hopefully). I literally have never done anything like this; previous to my band disintegrating because of The Plague, it was the usual electric.

What are people using for amplification for this kind of thing? Small (i.e. coffee shop) venues, no provided PA.

I know a couple of the guys I've worked with at my shop have used the larger Fishmans, and one uses a Bose. I'm quite cynical the former can cut the mustard, even the bigger ones. But I seriously don't want to blow the coin on the latter.
 
paisleywookiee said:
Against my better judgement, I'm doing an acoustic duo with a friend. Mostly covers, some originals (hopefully). I literally have never done anything like this; previous to my band disintegrating because of The Plague, it was the usual electric.

What are people using for amplification for this kind of thing? Small (i.e. coffee shop) venues, no provided PA.

I know a couple of the guys I've worked with at my shop have used the larger Fishmans, and one uses a Bose. I'm quite cynical the former can cut the mustard, even the bigger ones. But I seriously don't want to blow the coin on the latter.
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What do you already own? If I had to solve this today, I would use the Fender FR-10 I already own and run the guitar through an acoustic IR to make it sound more like a mic than piezo. Running the IR on a small modeler type device would allow you to add a touch of delay or reverb and a more EQ than the FR-10 if needed. I could use a Tonex one or an old Atomic device for this, or even my Sonicake pocket master. It doesn't take much, and no one will care about the tone.
 
Chocol8 said:
What do you already own? If I had to solve this today, I would use the Fender FR-10 I already own and run the guitar through an acoustic IR to make it sound more like a mic than piezo. Running the IR on a small modeler type device would allow you to add a touch of delay or reverb and a more EQ than the FR-10 if needed. I could use a Tonex one or an old Atomic device for this, or even my Sonicake pocket master. It doesn't take much, and no one will care about the tone.
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I've got an LFR112 that I used with my FM9, and now AM4. I'm wondering if I can use the AM4 with the tube preamp model, and an acoustic IR. That's a very interesting idea.
I don't even have a pickup on my acoustic yet; another thing I've got to do.
 
Can you use the AM4 with the amp block disabled? That's what I would do, but a clean flatish amp can work as well. Just avoid the mid-scooped blackface fender clean, and it should be fine.

Pickup or a mic, but I think pickups are easier and the IR can close the sound gap enough for this type of thing.
 
Chocol8 said:
Can you use the AM4 with the amp block disabled? That's what I would do, but a clean flatish amp can work as well. Just avoid the mid-scooped blackface fender clean, and it should be fine.

Pickup or a mic, but I think pickups are easier and the IR can close the sound gap enough for this type of thing.
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The tube preamp is in the amp blocks. That's what I use for my peizo guitar's.
 
Have you checked out the Fender Acoustasonic series? Mine has 2 channels; 1 x 1/4" for guitar and 1x XLR for the vocals. I'd imagine they are one of the cheaper yet highly functional options available on the used market, & perfect for coffee shop sized gigs.
 
Martin D-28 and a 2mm pick :)

In all seriousness, I'd maybe consider snagging a used Mexican-made Fender Acoustisonic instead of a pickup, installing pickup, finding the right IR, blah blah blah.

I imagine it would sound pretty good, if not perfect through whatever sound reinforcement you decide to go with (Laney; small PA) with minimal need to dial stuff in on the AM4/hunt for IR. Looks like they can be had for sub-$600 used, and if this flops you could probably sell it for not much loss?
 
itchyfingers said:
Have you checked out the Fender Acoustasonic series? Mine has 2 channels; 1 x 1/4" for guitar and 1x XLR for the vocals. I'd imagine they are one of the cheaper yet highly functional options available on the used market, & perfect for coffee shop sized gigs.
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I don’t think these would be functionally much different than the Fishmans, but I’ll read the reviews.

Boudoir Guitar said:
Martin D-28 and a 2mm pick :)

In all seriousness, I'd maybe consider snagging a used Mexican-made Fender Acoustisonic instead of a pickup, installing pickup, finding the right IR, blah blah blah.

I imagine it would sound pretty good, if not perfect through whatever sound reinforcement you decide to go with (Laney; small PA) with minimal need to dial stuff in on the AM4/hunt for IR. Looks like they can be had for sub-$600 used, and if this flops you could probably sell it for not much loss?
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Or an LTD TL-6, which I’ve definitely thought about.
 
I'd invest in one of the tower setups ie Bose, EV, or some powered speakers like QSC. An outboard preamp pedal for acoustic can help carve the sound, add compression and stuff like that. I never feel like any of those acoustic amps really have the range and headroom needed for playing gigs.
 
Fishbulb said:
I'd invest in one of the tower setups ie Bose, EV, or some powered speakers like QSC. An outboard preamp pedal for acoustic can help carve the sound, add compression and stuff like that. I never feel like any of those acoustic amps really have the range and headroom needed for playing gigs.
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I somewhat agree, but I am sensing a lack of enthusiasm which to me suggests keeping the investment minimal until after this thing takes off and he decides it's something he wants to stick with long-term. You don't want to buy a Bose tower for a couple of coffee shop gigs only to decide you hate playing acoustic coffee shop gigs.
 
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Chocol8 said:
I somewhat agree, but I am sensing a lack of enthusiasm which to me suggests keeping the investment minimal until after this thing takes off and he decides it's something he wants to stick with long-term. You don't want to buy a Bose tower for a couple of coffee shop gigs only to decide you hate playing acoustic coffee shop gigs.
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Yup. This is a means to get out and play again, but not my first choice. I want to do a band again, but it's tough finding a drummer that doesn't sniff glue, and a singer that's not insane or shite. Or both.
 
paisleywookiee said:
Yup. This is a means to get out and play again, but not my first choice. I want to do a band again, but it's tough finding a drummer that doesn't sniff glue, and a singer that's not insane or shite. Or both.
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