Acoustic Amp

[seagullplayer]

Finally I get to talk about an amp!

My local dealer I really like has a used (very good shape):

Genz Benz Shenandoah 100

We are being asked to play out more and more (wife and I), and I have been toying with the idea of buying an amp we could use a vocal mic and guitar on. Most of the places are small, some have a sound system some don't. Right now I try to arrive VERY early to get things set up. This might really cut down on that, and I would know I have what I need before I get there.

The reviews I have read on it are all good. And my dealer really likes them. Anyone have any dealings with this brand?

[refin]

Never had one,but I've read nothing but good stuff about their products,unsolicited reviews.

[SAguitar]

I have been studying those lately, too. They look like a good design, but I have no personal experience with any of their equipement yet. I have been told to take a good hard look at the Ultrasonic amps by some guys who are true discerning tone freaks, but haven't heard one of them yet, either. Another one I am really looking for is the Fishman Loudbox. There are a lot of choices out there, eh? :cool:

[seagullplayer]

I have been studying those lately, too. They look like a good design, but I have no personal experience with any of their equipement yet. I have been told to take a good hard look at the Ultrasonic amps by some guys who are true discerning tone freaks, but haven't heard one of them yet, either. Another one I am really looking for is the Fishman Loudbox. There are a lot of choices out there, eh? :cool:

The Ultrasonic's are a great amp, maybe the best. I was at a Worship Guitar Workshop, and the guy leading it was using one. They are very nice. One of the big reasons I was looking at this amp was $. I think I can get a pretty good deal from the shop owner. I called yesterday and he is on vacation in Florida this week. I also found out about a Crate that a friend of mine traded in. A "CA60", that may make for a very good deal. Guess I'll see what next week brings.

Thanks

[kewlpack]

I was trying to find a good acoustic amp for awhile (when I had my Ovation S771). I tried several brands and models... in the end I actually liked the Crate series better than the rest.

YMMV.

[RainCaster]

I have a Crate CA60- I do not recommend them. They sound great in small rooms, but become very colored when trying to fill a normal sized sanctuary. Both my DI box and my Vox 120 stack are better sounding in our 300 seat rated sanctuary.

[beatlenut]

I've got the Genz Benz Shenandoah 100 and think it is wonderful. The only drawback is the effects. Not too good or tweakable, BUT I really don't think an acoustic needs much. The amp on it's own or with a touch of reverb and delay is hard to beat. Also a nice feature that it has the hole in the bottom so you can mount it on a speaker stand.

Great amp for the $. I got mine mint used also. One of my better buys.

[seagullplayer]

Thanks for the input guys. Raincaster, that is good info, that's about the size of our Church! But we do have a PA I can pipe into. It is really the smaller locations that I have trouble at. Last week we played at a small Church that seats about 75-100. You never know what a place like that might or might not have. They had a nice PA, and we got there over an hour early, but the power went out in the Church, and I spent my time fixing that with the Pastor. I didn't have any time to debug, so we went without. God helped us and everything worked out fine. Praise God!
But it put me to thinking.
The Shenandoah 100 would be my first choice, it's larger. And I know they sound very good. But sometimes it's all about the money...

[beatlenut]

The Shenandoah 100 would be my first choice, it's larger. And I know they sound very good. But sometimes it's all about the money...

I did find a mint used one with the nice cover for $475 shipped. Still a lot of money, but much cheaper than the new price. Deals can be found.

[RainCaster]

The Crate CA60D has lots of nice effects (room echoes, reverbs, chorus...), but it only has two little speakers. BTW, it is NOT a 60 watt amp- it has two 30W channels. This can be very nice for small venues, since the 2nd channel also has a mic input. (hi/low) Mr.s RC and I have used it that way on several occasions indoors and out- it can be a nice option to have. Personally, I would have rather had a single beefier channel. Right now, it is on loan to a budding bass player in our church. I don't miss it.

The speaker will sonically couple to the floor in a bad way, so it needs a stand or folding chair. The lo-Z out (XLR) is nice, and relatively clean. If you connect your guitar to the house mixer, this will make a nice stage monitor at a fair price. Remember though, you only have 30W to deal with, and they are SS watts- not tube watts, so distortion sets in very early.

[seagullplayer]

The Crate CA60D has lots of nice effects (room echoes, reverbs, chorus...), but it only has two little speakers. BTW, it is NOT a 60 watt amp- it has two 30W channels.


That in the end was the deal breaker.

He offered my a pretty good deal on the Crate, but I went for the Shenandoah 100. It was more $, but I think it will be well worth it down the road. I hated to see the Ovation go, but I had not played it for a long time. Can't afford dust collectors. I'll review the amp in a few weeks.

Thanks again for the input!