Guest J-Doug Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Hi guys, I'm trying to get back into playing out. For now I'm going to go to open mikes (to work up my act and courage) so I assume I don't need an amp. But I'd like to put together an acoustic based combo (upright bass, harmonica/singer and maybe open backed banjo) to do traditional blues (20s/30s) and I think I'll need an amp in this setting. I'm also mulling over trying some coffee house gigs too if somebody will have me. So I don't think I'll need anything that loud (no drums). Any recommendations? How many watts? BTW, I have a Fishman Matrix Infinity in my J-100Xtra that I'll be taking out to shows. I have tried the Fishman Loudbox Mini with the J-100 and liked it but there is a Trace Elliot dealer here too. I'm pretty lucky there is a lot of choices around here in acoustic amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Phil Jones Bass Cub 100 - totally transparent sounding amp and also works as a DI should you need that. It's incredibly portable, lightweight and comes with a nice padded gigbag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 For that type of outfit... I'd go for a small inexpensive PA. The super cheapie from MF is $200 for a four mike input mixer and a cupla half decent speakers. That's better than what a lotta coffee houses in the 60s had for your type of operation. I bought my guitar amps since '65 so I could run a mike and a guitar and have separate controls. The latest was a little acoustic 30 watter or so from Kustom for around $150 - which still works nicely for the purpose of solo guitar and vocal in a small venue or even to do guitar solo work in a venue of 100 or more people. But the PA makes a lot more sense to me. You're not doing wild rock; you need to blend vocals and instruments... it's a lot easier with a PA. And you still can use it solo. You'll also need at least a mike stand or two and a mike or two and figure putting speakers at least to head level - chest level if you buy the guitar amp. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 For that type of band I would use 2 SA220's from Fishman It would give you 4 channels and you can connect them together and they would serve as monitors as well as PA great for a small venue.Easy to trans port 25 lbs each comes with a wheeled carrying case too. About $600-800 street price ea. Jmho your mileage may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Can't go wrong here http://www.kraftmusic.com/yamaha-stagepas-300-portable-pa-system-complete-audio-bundle.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Yeah, the Fishmans "pole" amps are good and nice and light, if a little weak on the bottom of the sound. But that's gonna approach $2,000 by the time you get mikes and mike stands. Technically you could get a small mixer to front-end just one of them too, although the bass likely will be weak. Or for a little more bottom, the cheaper similar Bose system with a front end of a small mixer. Again you're into the $2,000 range complete. It's all a matter of cash and return on investment. A PA of some sort still is the best way to go IMHO. Ol' Fred isn't too far off with his suggestion, for weight and power, although I prefer something bigger than an 8-inch speaker. But then when I was playing for money a lot, the 8-inch speakers were horrid, and ditto even the 10s. They'll still have a bit of difficulty keeping up with a slap-fiddle's low end, but... Yeah, that's a pretty darned good deal right there too, and a good brand. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I don't know how old J-Doug is, but if he is as old as me there is not much use carrying all that stuff around to play an acoustic guitar? After lugging it all up a few stairs, I would give it away to first person with a smiley face. I know they are a bit xxxy but have a look at a very portable AER Compact 60 or a Genz Benz or a lunchbox thingy amp before committing to lugging all that. Phew - I feel tired looking at it. I went through a phase where I had to have an acoustic amp as everybody was talking about them, and they are good, but with my Fishman Aura Spectrum set and eq'd correctly, guess what after all that expense and fiddling: my guitars sound GREAT through the Spectrum in my old neglected tube amp. Gritty sound, not pure acousticy though. BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Marshall AS100D As you can see, all these recommmendations most likely will just confuse you than enlighten .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest J-Doug Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 As you can see, all these recommmendations most likely will just confuse you than enlighten .. Yes I am confused but it's a good kind of confused. :) I'll take all of your suggestions and mull them over. Thank you for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I'm a big fan of AERs, the Alpha 40 and Compact 60. Great, clear sound that isn't at all brittle, DI out for PAs and they're nice and portable. I had the loan of a Vox AGA60 last time I toured with an acoustic, pretty good sound given how much cheaper it was than the AER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Morton Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Bose L1 Compact. Incredibly versatile. I use that for small gigs, The model 2 for medium gigs and the model 2 with a PA for large venues. Ifor acoustic/ vocals the Bose is amazing. JM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Bose L1 Compact. Incredibly versatile. I use that for small gigs, The model 2 for medium gigs and the model 2 with a PA for large venues. Ifor acoustic/ vocals the Bose is amazing. JM Question is... do you want something for a solo or a combo ? Lots of good choices to cover just about any situation with a broad range of prices. I don't play out but for what I do the stuff you see in my signature is more than adequate to cover anything from a very small room or entertain my neighbors down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Jeremy... I've been looking at that Bose for the local museum that needs a small PA for its programs that occasionally will have one to four pickers/singers. But with the budget... and cost of the director's insistence on at least one good wireless mike... the potential of needing more bottom if a bass is used... I dunno. They tell me it's better for the low-mid than the comparable Fishman unit that's lighter and less expensive, but if one needs a small unpowered mixer and/or loses some music because of a slap fiddle as the OP suggests would be used... I dunno. OTOH, costs, weight, overall sound for an audience all are dependent on the OP's needs and budget. For the museum I'm looking at an inexpensive PA and arguing with the director about wireless. <grin> m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solving Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Loudbox Mini works for me Preferences§1234567890-=BackspaceTabqwertyuiop[]Returncapslockasdfghjkl;'\shift`zxcvbnm,./shiftEnglishDeutschEspañolFrançaisItalianoPortuguêsРусскийalt altPreferences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Jeremy... I've been looking at that Bose for the local museum that needs a small PA for its programs that occasionally will have one to four pickers/singers. But with the budget... and cost of the director's insistence on at least one good wireless mike... the potential of needing more bottom if a bass is used... I dunno. They tell me it's better for the low-mid than the comparable Fishman unit that's lighter and less expensive, but if one needs a small unpowered mixer and/or loses some music because of a slap fiddle as the OP suggests would be used... I dunno. OTOH, costs, weight, overall sound for an audience all are dependent on the OP's needs and budget. For the museum I'm looking at an inexpensive PA and arguing with the director about wireless. <grin> m I'm sure that you've seen it, but mentioning the fact that it would be used for a museum, it crossed my mind you might want to be recording. The Fender Passport Pro 500 can record directly to a thumb drive. I haven't personally tried one, I've used Danville's 300, nice little thing but doesn't have the USB out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest J-Doug Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Based on your comments (and I appreciate them all!) I think I'm thinking too far ahead about the combo thing. That's not coming together for about another 6-9 months (if at all!). Two questions based on my musical priorities: 1. Do I need an amp for open mikes? 2. Do I need an amp for solo gigs? 3. Do I need an amp for a (guitar, upright bass, harmonica/singer) combo? And if so, what amp (or not) is best for all or some or none...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol fred Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Based on your comments (and I appreciate them all!) I think I'm thinking too far ahead about the combo thing. That's not coming together for about another 6-9 months (if at all!). Two questions based on my musical priorities: 1. Do I need an amp for open mikes? 2. Do I need an amp for solo gigs? 3. Do I need an amp for a (guitar, upright bass, harmonica/singer) combo? And if so, what amp (or not) is best for all or some or none...? !. no 2 yes and no 3 Marshall AS50D 2 chan chorus an reverb for both (need the footswitch) more than powerful enough for small clubs/coffeeshops 1/4 price of the Bose unit 300 less than the yamaha but you also need mic's , stands, cables. Now your back to the price of the Yamaha which comes with all of that and more, Decisions, Decisions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Morton Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 A small economical PA and you are covered for everything. Stand up bass player should go through his own rig. JM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Lemme try this... I have a big old tube jobbie purchased in the early '70s to handle anything that needed "loud." 120 watts. Two separate circuits for amp/guitar. It seemed like a good idea 40 years ago. Right now it's a table. Some 8 years ago I got the little inexpensive - heck, just plain cheap - Kustom 30-watt acoustic amp. Separate inputs and basic controls for a mike and guitar. 10-inch speaker. Then a decent multi-effect pedal. That's my "go to" inevitably. It's on a luggage carrier set of wheels, all in one except for a mike and mike stand. If it's a solo... depending on what kind in a small venue, no problem. Heck, I've used it for instrumental only in a 500-600 seat theater and nobody had problems hearing it. But that was "jazz" rather than rock. Then I got a small PA. Ain't used it yet but with a better 2-wheel cart it should be pretty easy to haul. Mike stand and depending on venue speaker stands... mikes... I figure I have under $500 for a rig that would handle a cupla guitars and voices for about any style. Acoustic or 175 will run through it decently too along with two guitars. Great sound? Nope, but decent enough for a small venue where better vocal quality than the one-10 Kustom amp is desired. I figure those two are bottom-price options but with a bit of messing with 'em, they'll handle anything I'm likely to need that doesn't have a house PA better than anything I could haul with a roadie and 20-foot straight truck. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 anyone use one of those fishman solo set ups ? or the equivalent ? i've asked santa for one for a while now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 anyone use one of those fishman solo set ups ? or the equivalent ? i've asked santa for one for a while now BBG, i hsve to let you in on something. Santa is an alcoholic deviant too busy chaasing Snow White and her sister. You might be waiting a while mate if you go down that path .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjl200 Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I use a SA220 for small chapel settings . Just guitar and mic works good and sounds good , at least no complaints Bought NIB for less then $700 on Ebay from a dealer. Using "best offer". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 One of the guys wrote about them a year or two ago as being "better" for the solo guy than the Bose. OTOH, according to Sweetwater who dropped the price again on the lower-end Bose system, the Bose has a bit more bottom. I think it's a bit heavier, but apparently they've also tried to get a wheeled carry version as per the Fishman. Frankly either would appear to be a good choice for a solo picker/singer, especially AE guitar. OTOH, I guess discussion of the lesser bass on the Fishman... I dunno. Basically they're in the same price range; both appear to be good quality. If somebody got me either for Christmas I'd be a very, very happy camper. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 I have the Fishstick - bottom end is fine on both my Martins, and the Gibsons, but there's not much EQ ability. Limited to two inputs. Works Ok - got it used for $600 - plenty of volume for a small to medium size room. Have never used it outdoors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest J-Doug Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The SA-220 and the L-1 seem intriguing. I'll look more into them. Thanks for the suggestions. Anyone have experience with Trace Elliot acoustic amps? They seem pricey but they get good reviews. Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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