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Aug 7, 2005 20:23:43 GMT
Post by jonny b on Aug 7, 2005 20:23:43 GMT
hi all just embarking on nervewrackingly setting ou to play solo gtr/vcl gigs - & I need an amp/amps - any suggestions? to be awkward therell be me and my vocals, an acoustic - fingerpicking and some strumming blues, folk and... a steel bodied reso whuch currently has no pick up. I have a decent mike. looked at a few, but of the acoustic gtr amps designed to take gtr & vcls - what are they like with resos or do i need a different one? havent as yet taken my reso into a shop and miked it up to see what it sounds like - seemed a bit over the top! all comments greatly appreciated
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Aug 8, 2005 8:37:51 GMT
Post by roger on Aug 8, 2005 8:37:51 GMT
Jonny, I asked the same question on this site a few weeks ago and the advice I was given was, if the venues are small a Roland AC 60 amp is the best bet. It has two channels, guitar and mike, reverb and chorus built in, it is small and light comes with a padded case reccomended retail price is £369.00 but if you shop around you can get a deal, I paid £299.00 at Sound Control in Brum and I am really pleased with it. Cannot tell you what a reso would sound like miked up but my old Takamine sounds great, hope this helps. Regards Roger.
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Aug 8, 2005 9:55:23 GMT
Post by LouisianaGrey on Aug 8, 2005 9:55:23 GMT
It might be worth looking at the new Fishman Loudbox Performer, which seems to be getting rave reviews on the US sites. I don't like the sound of the AC60 myself, it always sounds a bit "electric" to me, but of course a lot of that depends on the guitar as well.
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Aug 8, 2005 20:04:49 GMT
Post by jonny b on Aug 8, 2005 20:04:49 GMT
thanks for the advice - its the reso aspect that's important I think - is there an amp that reproduces fingerpickin guitar and reso/slide - does such an animal exist or do I need to excpand my horizons? thanks pete, I will look a the fishman amp, hadnt heard o fit til I read your reply. thats the beauty of the forum! ps the new bridge you made for my johnson has made a world of difference, cheers for the help.
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Aug 9, 2005 7:12:13 GMT
Post by LouisianaGrey on Aug 9, 2005 7:12:13 GMT
There's also the AER, of course, which sounds great for acoustic guitar. I had been told that it's not so good for reso, but I've since heard Tom Doughty play dobro through his and it sounded good to me - like the Fishman it's at the dearer end of the market.
I'm glad the bridge worked out OK.
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Aug 9, 2005 20:46:37 GMT
Post by blueshome on Aug 9, 2005 20:46:37 GMT
Personally, I bought a small PA rather than an amp, the sound is far better through a mike with my reso's than any amps I have tried (Marshall, Ashdown,AER) in various settings. These amps are primarily designed for guitars with pickups not to play through a mic. If you are not playing with a band I wouldn't recommend a pickup and amp. (Having said that, some people don't mind the sound!)
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Aug 10, 2005 17:45:56 GMT
Post by Michael Messer on Aug 10, 2005 17:45:56 GMT
Hi Johnny,
I agree with Blueshome that you would be better off with a small PA system. Some of the new compact systems are really good. They are more suited to vocals and acoustic guitar microphones than an acoustic guitar amp is. These amps really are designed for plugging in acoustic guitars and keyboards. The other advantage is the better spread of sound with a pair of small PA speakers on stands. I do not plug my resophonic guitars in, I prefer to use a Shure SM57 microphone and set the EQ to get the right sound. I would advise a Shure SM58 for your voice and with that set-up you can't go wrong. This will give you a great acoustic sound for doing gigs in pubs & small venues, but be aware that with a microphone you won't get the same power as with a plugged in acoustic. But what you will get is a better tone and much more control over your volume and tone on stage. With a plugged in resophonic guitar all you can do to change the tone is to play with a different touch, but with a microphone you can move in and out for volume and left & right for tone.
Most people these days plug their resophonic guitars in with Highlander & McIntire pickups. I have pickups fitted in all my guitars, but I only use them when I am playing with a full rhythm section. For al acoustic solo, duo & trio shows I just use mics.
That's the way I do it!
Shine On, Michael.
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Aug 11, 2005 23:20:31 GMT
Post by jonny b on Aug 11, 2005 23:20:31 GMT
thanks all - very interesting & given me some serious different ways to tackle it. Finally - any of the compact PA systems anyone particularly recommends?
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Aug 16, 2005 8:43:36 GMT
Post by Mairena Red on Aug 16, 2005 8:43:36 GMT
Hi Jonny B,
There's a review of the Fishman Loudbox Performer in this month's edition of Guitarist magazine (issue 266 with Buddy Guy on the cover) if you're still thinking of going down that route.
All the best,
Joe (aka Mairena Red)
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Aug 16, 2005 21:53:33 GMT
Post by jonny b on Aug 16, 2005 21:53:33 GMT
thanks - tho when i looked at the price of the fishman loudbox it put me off a bit - it costs more than my reso!! but i will read the review and try it somewhere [don't think there's going to be one x/stock anywhere here in the SW]. however - any other feedback re good small PAs will be appreciated - I have absolutely no knowledge in this area. cheers all
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