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Post by bonzo on Mar 30, 2018 10:01:43 GMT
Hi everyone, some advice please. Leaving aside for the moment the pros and cons of amplifying a resonator guitar, I do have pickups on some of my guitars. These have come already installed on guitars I have bought used. They include a highlander on a tricone, a lace slimline on a lightning, under saddle I believe on an MM blues,and a lace lipstick on a republic. They all sound pretty awful through my electric guitar amps and I see no point in using modelling to change the sound. My acoustic amp is a Yamaha thr5a which is fine for my acoustics but not so good for the reso's. I've just got a fishman aura Jerry Douglas from one of our forum friends, and can definitely see its potential for creating a clean mic'd sound. I should point out that none of this is leading up to performing in public! I would just like to be able to hear myself play, with the reso's sounding as natural as possible. So I'm thinking of a new acoustic amp and have zeroed in on the Marshall AS50D as a way to go. It seems to fit the bill, even having settings for different types of pickups. Could even mic the guitar through the amp? I'd just like to run the idea past you all, get your take on things. To recap if I may, I'm looking at being able to hear myself as I play, with a reasonable reproduction of the reso's sound. Have I embarked on the search for the Holy Grail?! Look forward to hearing back from you all. Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 30, 2018 10:22:52 GMT
Hi John
It depends on your budget, but putting that aside, you cannot buy better than a Bose L1 compact PA system.
If you are looking for something much cheaper and really only for home use, have a look at the Yamaha THR5A.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 10:23:40 GMT
I disagree about using modelling. I use a couple of modellers linked up and they sound pretty good with mag pick-ups. The aura is a modeller anyways. Unless you mic it, my opinion is that a mag pick-up with modellers is the next best thing to a 'resophonic' sound. TT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 10:27:47 GMT
My main issue with the aura is that I can never remember which setting works best for individual guitars. Some sound great until you hit a certain note, which sounds horrible. Then its a case of searching though each setting, playing different notes on each guitar - just doesn't work for me at gigs. This is what I currently use, and I like it. TT
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Post by bonzo on Mar 30, 2018 10:46:10 GMT
Thanks for your quick replies guys. ImI already using the Yamaha and don't seem to be able to defeat it's effects and just get a pure sound. I understand what you're saying Deuce, I have the same behringer as you! The reason I'm keen on the Aura is that it's supposed to reproduce an uncoloured mic sound with the ability to blend with pickups, and a volume control. It really is just for home use and my aim is to keep things as simple as possible. Perhaps I should persevere with what I have already, I just wanted to know that what i was after was at least possible! Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by bonzo on Mar 30, 2018 12:33:22 GMT
Michael have you bestowed Easter blessings on me from affar?! I went back to the Yamaha and gave it a really good tweaking, and low and behold I've now got a sound I'm happy with at a volume the missus is happyish with! And Deuce I will now have something to build on when I try modeling out! Result! Pass the rum! Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2018 13:15:16 GMT
I use my aura for recording - sounds great with a tubescreamer (with an electric). TT
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 30, 2018 13:27:59 GMT
Easter blessings all round! Shine On Michael
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Post by slide496 on Mar 30, 2018 13:39:02 GMT
Checking out the Yamaha THR5A
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Post by creolian on Mar 30, 2018 15:00:53 GMT
I ve never heard anything that really reproduces the sound of any acoustic instrument without a bit of its own coloring... Some sound very good in their own way while being horrible from a fidelity standpoint. IMO, it's just a matter of finding something you like. Two fingers of bourbon with an ice cube works for me.
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Post by tigercubt20 on Mar 31, 2018 23:46:58 GMT
i have both the tr5a, and the marshall a50 acoustic. in my opinion the yamaha is a toy. one input. the marshall is superb, acomplete acoustic combo, vocals guitar, look up a utube review. edit.... some thoughts, what works for me, may not work for another. my personal opinion is as follows. i own both the tr5a and the Marshall acoustic combo. my four acoustic reso guitars are all fitted with a pickup. at home they are loud enough, sometimes too loud. that plugging in would be pointless, unless i want to produce a different type of sound. the tr5a will not reproduce an acoustic sound. its not unpleasant, just different. it can run from a wall wart, or batteries. it has one jack input, plus an input for an mp3 device. it comes with some free downloadable software, which for me is useless. there are easier ways to interface with a pc. and much more powerfull open source software. i suppose i could use the tr5a in the shed, but the guitars are plenty loud enough without. the tr5a is a fun object that could be used for busking, not my thing.
the marshall a50 acoustic combo, is about 270 english pounds, given the exchange rate thats probably around 4 dollars. the tr5a is about 170 pounds. prices may vary, other devices are available. the marshall isnt huge or particularly heavy, at least not compared to my partners bass combo, she plays in a shadows tribute band, i dont play the electrick guitar oh ive tried oh how ive tried, it just doesnt work for me. the marshall produces a pleasant sound, not absolutely a true acoustic sound, but be honest. theres no such thing as an objective true acoustic sound. everybodys ears are different, and everybodys brain/mind interprets sound in subtly different ways.
the marshall has enough inputs and effects to suit a player/singer in anything up to a medium sized room. with a suitable acoustic pedal like the zoom a3 you could add a second vocal mike. you could add a second guitar, plus other instruments. to the a50 without a pedal..there are a number of amplifier solutions besides the marshall. its down to price, portability, features, etc. but above all sound. the marshall suits my ears. it wouldnt be suitable for the albert hall, but the chances of that are remote. besides i couldnt face the embarressment. i am only a hobbyist player.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 1, 2018 9:43:34 GMT
Hi Tigercubt20,
John is asking for recommendations for an amp to use at home in his living room and around the house, just to amplify his guitars a little. The Marshall is a great amp, but knowing John, I don't think he needs anything more than something very small. I think even a Pignose would do the job.
Shine On Michael
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Post by slide496 on Apr 1, 2018 10:45:58 GMT
I'm looking forward to testing the THR5A, but if the concern is small, controls, options and larger in appearance I use a 15 watt Behringer Ultracoustic AT108 with 8" bugera speaker, you can play that at very low volumes and its very lightweight - I live in close quarters with others in a NYC coop so I don't want to bother the neighbors. It's portable, with headphone, instrument and mic inputs, grounded plug and cheap as well. Here's a sample of the sound - ladder braced parlor - I don't play it on more than 3-4 on volume and same with the low,med,high controls. I also works well with my 12 string which has on board amp.
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 1, 2018 11:21:38 GMT
I'm using a Roland Micro Cube GX in gleamin' red which has a super clean setting and wide range eq on it which might do the trick.
Not tried it with a reso though - I'm waiting for the Sixtus pickup to become available again......
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Post by jono1uk on Apr 1, 2018 12:18:30 GMT
i am seriously considering buying one of these Yamaha amps on Wednesday for the MM with the SIXTUS pickup. John will you please share the settings you found that work with the reso?
Jon
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