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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 10, 2022 9:20:30 GMT
I was considering buying an AER amp from a forum member but after consultation with the other half was told we couldn't afford it! I can only obey, albeit reluctantly. My only forays into acoustic amps were with the old Trace Acoustic TA100 and TA200 models dating back to the 90s. Great amps and fantastic Alesis onboard effects but never that impressed with the very small and slightly flimsy controls on the front panel. So, had a look around at what else was available out there and was impressed with Marshall's ASD 50. However, I stumbled across a NUX acoustic amp (Stageman 50) which seemed to have nothing but good things said about it and was just about within budget if I shopped around. This is it: www.nuxefx.com/stageman-ac50.html It's made in China but other than amps like AER I think that 99% are also probably made in China! I was wondering if anyone has tried these amps? The features on the amp seem remarkably good and with the optional foot pedal you can access reverb and chorus as well as a built in drum machine and a looper! Watched a few Utube reviews and it does appear to sound remarkably good and extremely versatile too. If nobody has stumbled across these amps, which I suspect will be the case, any advice on decent quality new or used acoustic amps would be much appreciated. Guy
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Post by jangarrack on Mar 10, 2022 11:08:17 GMT
I had a Marshall AS50R, which I believe was the model prior to the ASD50. It suited me very well and I thought was quite a lot of amp for the money compared to everything else I looked at. It was quite large, but that wasn't a problem for me as I didn't have to carry it about, and I found it worked well with different types of acoustic pickups. I also liked the controls etc being on the front panel as opposed to other amps having them on top, but appreciate that may not be so convenient if the amp is place on the floor.
I don't know anything about NUX acoustic amps, but they look attractive and appear to be good value.
Jeff
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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 10, 2022 11:22:19 GMT
I had a Marshall AS50R, which I believe was the model prior to the ASD50. It suited me very well and I thought was quite a lot of amp for the money compared to everything else I looked at. It was quite large, but that wasn't a problem for me as I didn't have to carry it about, and I found it worked well with different types of acoustic pickups. I also liked the controls etc being on the front panel as opposed to other amps having them on top, but appreciate that may not be so convenient if the amp is place on the floor. I don't know anything about NUX acoustic amps, but they look attractive and appear to be good value. Jeff Thanks Jeff, that's really helpful and reinforces my view that whatever Marshall do they do well. I like the fact that the ASD50 has 2 x 8" speakers, has the potential to offers slightly more low end than 5" or 6" drivers. I think the Trace Elliots had 5" drivers. Yes, I agree, front facing controls are really helpful particularly if you angle the front of the amp which I tend to do. Nice to have a positive view from someone that has actually owned a Marshall acoustic amp!
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Post by jangarrack on Mar 10, 2022 12:02:34 GMT
I had a Marshall AS50R, which I believe was the model prior to the ASD50. It suited me very well and I thought was quite a lot of amp for the money compared to everything else I looked at. It was quite large, but that wasn't a problem for me as I didn't have to carry it about, and I found it worked well with different types of acoustic pickups. I also liked the controls etc being on the front panel as opposed to other amps having them on top, but appreciate that may not be so convenient if the amp is place on the floor. I don't know anything about NUX acoustic amps, but they look attractive and appear to be good value. Jeff Thanks Jeff, that's really helpful and reinforces my view that whatever Marshall do they do well. I like the fact that the ASD50 has 2 x 8" speakers, has the potential to offers slightly more low end than 5" or 6" drivers. I think the Trace Elliots had 5" drivers. Yes, I agree, front facing controls are really helpful particularly if you angle the front of the amp which I tend to do. Nice to have a positive view from someone that has actually owned a Marshall acoustic amp! I also meant to say that I found some acoustic amps I tried had such clarity that they highlighted all the shortcomings of my playing whereas the Marshall seemed to achieve a good sound while being a lot more forgiving. That's probably down to my inexperience of getting the EQ and settings right as I very rarely use an amp, but I just found the Marshall was easy for me to get good sound. I hope that helps. Jeff
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 10, 2022 12:06:26 GMT
Pity about the AER (which would hold value and sound better than much of the competition - Tanglewood may still do their "copy" of the AER, which sounds great) but this might be of interest to you - www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/SubZero-60W-Acoustic-Guitar-Amp/NE7SubZero is a house brand for Gear4Music. My mate Glyn has one and it is certainly amazing value for money, good spec and gives a reasonable sound on guitar and vocal. The NUX one looks great and has more flexible eq than the Subzero, but not having heard the NUX it's hard to comment sensibly. Much depends on what you want to use it for really ... Keith
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 10, 2022 12:11:03 GMT
I have a Marshall AS50D too. It's the digital version of the AS50R (R is, I think, Reverb) which is the older model of the amp. It's absolutely brilliant for small gigs. Heavy, though. I find it's best used on a stand slightly angled upwards. I've used it in a room without particularly good acoustics that's maybe 25 metres on a side and it's just fine. In fact, I've also used it with a small mixer plugged into the vocal channel to provide amplification for 3 acts. Really robust and easy to use. I prefer the sound quality of other amps I have, but it's pretty good.
I do like the look of that Nux, though. Particularly the battery powered one. I have a truly awful battery operated pa that I really ought not to use. That could be an option... hmmm.
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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 10, 2022 13:21:27 GMT
Thanks Jeff, that's really helpful and reinforces my view that whatever Marshall do they do well. I like the fact that the ASD50 has 2 x 8" speakers, has the potential to offers slightly more low end than 5" or 6" drivers. I think the Trace Elliots had 5" drivers. Yes, I agree, front facing controls are really helpful particularly if you angle the front of the amp which I tend to do. Nice to have a positive view from someone that has actually owned a Marshall acoustic amp! I also meant to say that I found some acoustic amps I tried had such clarity that they highlighted all the shortcomings of my playing whereas the Marshall seemed to achieve a good sound while being a lot more forgiving. That's probably down to my inexperience of getting the EQ and settings right as I very rarely use an amp, but I just found the Marshall was easy for me to get good sound. I hope that helps. Jeff It does help Jeff and I totally understand what you mean. I have played through many acoustic amps but only owned the aforementioned Trace Elliots and I have found that some are a little bit toppy for my taste and require serious EQ'ing. I was told the Marshall was a little mellower than some and your comments confirm this!! Thank you. Guy
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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 10, 2022 13:32:47 GMT
Pity about the AER (which would hold value and sound better than much of the competition - Tanglewood may still do their "copy" of the AER, which sounds great) but this might be of interest to you - www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/SubZero-60W-Acoustic-Guitar-Amp/NE7SubZero is a house brand for Gear4Music. My mate Glyn has one and it is certainly amazing value for money, good spec and gives a reasonable sound on guitar and vocal. The NUX one looks great and has more flexible eq than the Subzero, but not having heard the NUX it's hard to comment sensibly. Much depends on what you want to use it for really ... Keith Yes, I would have loved to buy the AER and, as you say, a MUCH better investment. I did see the Tanglewood and wondered if this was a good buy and fantastic to know that they sound great. That is in my price range and so worth a look. I might even be able to find one locally to try. The SubZero is just ridiculous value for money and frankly I would have probably written it off on price alone. However, the layout and is virtually the same as the NUX but with slightly larger speakers and it has a 3-year warranty which is nothing short of amazing, so by the looks a much better deal than the NUX which is twice the price. I will check a couple of online videos out this afternoon, likewise the Tanglewood. Really appreciate the input Keith......thank you!
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Post by papadon on Mar 26, 2022 7:19:50 GMT
I've only owned two acoustic amps in my 50+ years of picking so I'm certainly no expert. The first was an early Fishman Pro that featured three separate amps for bass, mid and treble and sounded great but came in at only a few pounds less than my Twin Reverb. The other is my recent Marshall AS50D. I don't know a thing about the technology of these amps but after all this time I do know what sounds good and this amp certainly does that. Another option that I've found to be exceptional for reasonable bucks is the Katana on the acoustic setting. It's shortcoming is the electric guitar speaker that lacks the tweeter for good acoustic tone but run line out into a PA can be quite good.
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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 27, 2022 12:04:14 GMT
I agree totally @papdon the Marshall acoustic amps are excellent and especially the AS50D. I have now bought an Acus and have just reviewed it on the Review page.
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Post by grayn on Mar 29, 2022 6:34:26 GMT
You could look for Acus amps. I have owned the Acus Forstrings 5T. IMO the best sounding acoustic amps, beating even the much praised AER. They are small but loud enough for gigs. Maybe a preowned one would come in your price range.
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Post by surfguy13 on Mar 29, 2022 7:18:46 GMT
You could look for Acus amps. I have owned the Acus Forstrings 5T. IMO the best sounding acoustic amps, beating even the much praised AER. They are small but loud enough for gigs. Maybe a preowned one would come in your price range. Great advice as I did end up with an Acus!! As my budget increased I started looking at other options and Acus seemed to offer amazing value for money relative to anything else on the market. I was poised to buy the Acus 5T and then realised it didn't have phantom power so went for the 6T which is just amazing. I did a short review in the Reviews section if you're interested.
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