Those Acoustic amps - now and then?

[isteen]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

Have any of you been so lucky to have tried both the old generation of Acoustic amps - and have compared them to the new version of the brand?

I would love to get hold of one of the old ones, but I have a feeling that If I get one of the new products I could get seriously disappionted with the sound.

Any words on this?

[Dan Dare]

I used to borrow an old Acoustic rig from a friend. It was enormous, with a large horn loaded cab that contained the power amp and a box with the preamp in it that sat on top. I had a Ford Transit at the time, so I could cart it around. Massive sound -and the throw from it was impressive. Standing next to it, it sounded reasonably loud but not excessive, while people in the front rows were shouting at me to turn down. It had 'Led Zeppelin' stencilled on the side of the cab, which was worth brownie points. Wouldn't like to try to carry about it now, at my advanced age.

Not tried the new stuff. Didn't know it was available.  I assume someone has bought the rights to the name. I'd be interested to try it.

[BassmanPaul]

The old Acoustic brand produced by Acoustic Control Corporation was bought out by the Guitar Centre chain of music stores in the USA. The new versions are made in China and bear little resemblance to the original units. Some folk quite like them others not so much. You'll likely find more about this on an American forum such as Talk Bass. 

[Chimike]

Absolutely spot on !

Old Acoustic stuff, up to 1980/81, is where the Magic is.

Pity you're so far away.

[gafbass02]

I had an acoustic 270 head back in the 90s. I liked it for its volume at the time, but it somewhat lacked any finesse if I recall. A bit ‘barky’. Cool though. 

[Pea Turgh]

I had a B120 head in the 90’s but found it lacking.  Unfortunately my young uneducated self didn’t understand the weak link was the Crate cab it was paired with.

Edited April 19, 2021 by Pea Turgh

[BoomTing]

On 19/04/2021 at 09:36, Pea Turgh said:

I had a B120 head in the 90’s but found it lacking.  Unfortunately my young uneducated self didn’t understand the weak link was the Crate cab it was paired with.

They seemed to have been the choice of Amps for bassists in Reggae bands We shared gigs with in the 80s - 90s. Sounded great with big cabs

[BassmanPaul]

Many of the heads were designed around 2Ω cabs and didn't perform so well into higher cabinet impedances.

[joeystrange]

On 19/04/2021 at 09:36, Pea Turgh said:

I had a B120 head in the 90’s but found it lacking.  Unfortunately my young uneducated self didn’t understand the weak link was the Crate cab it was paired with.

I believe Jerry Only from the Misfits uses these. He owns a load of them and will buy any that come up for sale.

Having only ever heard him use them I can’t comment on what they’re like as his sound is… very unique.