Acoustic 220? or POD X3

[Lemming16]

That is the question. Right know i have an Aria Pro II TSB-550 MIJ Bass, with a 50 Watts, 10", Yorkville XM50c Amp.

So, (I know they're totally different things) the thing is that apart from recording, i also need enough volume to play on a very small to small venue where it fits 30 to 50 persons.

So, i dont know if i should spend $350 bucks on a POD X3, so i can get a very wide selection of guitar/bass amp, cabs, effects emulations and a recording interfase, but stick to my relatively low volume amp, and hope that i can be heard.

Or i can get for $250, a vintage Acoustic 220 head (170 watt) with a 15" peavey speaker cab. The problem is that i dont know if im gonna be able to get a wide variety of tones (like with the POD X3) the are gonna be a lot of songs, so i require overdrive, clean, punchy and distorted sound. I would really love to get that "Juicebox" tone from the Strokes ( [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuefoDRzd_E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuefoDRzd_E[/url] ), or the tone that the bassist from Greenday use. (Even though i dont like Greenday)

What do you think i should do?

Sometimes i think i could get all those tones with the acoustic 220 and a overdrive/distortion pedal, but im not sure...

P.S: I already have a Zoom g7.1ut that i can use for recording, but it doesnt have any bass amps simulations.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Lemming16

[Mr. Foxen]

The acoustic 220 has a lot of style, and probably louder than its 'watt' rating might suggest, but probably not going to have the flex of modern gear. You will get old dudes come and talk at you about it though, and they can be very useful to talk to.

[Lemming16]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1037299' date='Nov 25 2010, 08:09 PM']The acoustic 220 has a lot of style, and probably louder than its 'watt' rating might suggest, but probably not going to have the flex of modern gear. You will get old dudes come and talk at you about it though, and they can be very useful to talk to.[/quote]


Thanks, but after watching a lot of videos of the Pod X3, i realized something... the POD X3 its awesome, BUT!!!, it has soooo much things I DONT need!!. I mean, all i want is that kind of sound (not the same, but kinda), i mentioned before... that like overdriven/punchy sound that is so hard to describe with words, you can hear it perfectly here:

On the intro: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuefoDRzd_E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuefoDRzd_E[/url]

Also the first bass line in here [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NucicclOd9E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NucicclOd9E[/url]

I'm not sure, but i think all im looking for is an overdrive.

[Mr. Foxen]

Those sort of sounds should be doable with a Sansamp, either BDDI or VT. I can't imagine the 220 would be upset with a sansamp into it.

[bumnote]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1037299' date='Nov 26 2010, 02:09 AM']The acoustic 220 has a lot of style, and probably louder than its 'watt' rating might suggest, but probably not going to have the flex of modern gear. You will get old dudes come and talk at you about it though, and they can be very useful to talk to.[/quote]


Ok I will own up as a 220 owner and an old dude to boot

I love acoustic amps, but like everything its a personal choice.

First although they are very reliable, they are built like tanks, make sure everything works before you buy. That goes particularly for the graphic equalisers.
They sound great [to me] and are pretty loud, certainly I have used one regularly to gig with and untill the arrival of a 370 was my no 1 choice.

It will work with various effects but whether it will give you the sound your looking for, only your technique, fingers and ears will decide.

Im not a huge fan of the pods because even though it will replicate say an acoustic 360, by the time you have played it through a normal bass amp, you loose some of whatever made that sound in the first place. Maybe through a pa or in the studio its different.

Personally I would examine your problem in a different way.

Does your existing amp give you the volume you want. If you have enough volume, examine various add on boxes to see what sound you can achieve.

If its not loud enough, theres no point in spending money on a pod if you cant be heard, In which case I would work out how much you can afford, and try as much stuff as you can within your price range including the Acoustic and see which you like best.

Be prepared though that whatever you want in life, Cars, Houses, Basses and Amps are always just that little bit more than you have, or you can afford

Good Luck

Edited November 26, 2010 by bumnote

[Delberthot]

totally agree. There isn't going to be any point buying an effects thingy if no one can hear you.

get yourself a decent amp that will allow you to be heard with a sound you like first then add on things

[Lemming16]

Thanks everyone for your answers, i decided to go for the amp, and a Ibanez PD7 pedal, those 3 things are cheaper than the POD X3.

[bumnote]

[quote name='Lemming16' post='1038268' date='Nov 26 2010, 08:53 PM']Thanks everyone for your answers, i decided to go for the amp, and a Ibanez PD7 pedal, those 3 things are cheaper than the POD X3.[/quote]

Good Luck dont forget tocheck the amp works properly and check those graphics

[4-string-thing]

The 220 (and indeed, any Acoustic amp) is a great amp!

To my ears a Fender P through an Acoustic is the best bass sound ever.... However, it only really has the one sound and you may find it a bit limiting.

Its only rated at 170w into 2 ohms, but in reality it sounds a lot louder than that, especially if you use one of the matching Acoustic cabs. Its certainly loud enough for most gigs.

Bumnote is right, they are well made, I've been using mine for 30 years and it's never let me down!