New to acoustic guitar amplification

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mellotron

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I was wondering if I should install pickups on my current Norman B18, or if I'd get a better sound if I just bought an acousto-electric--this one:

Also do I have to get an amp specifically for acoustic guitar. What would happen if I plugged it into a keyboard amp? Would something blow up? Do they have any amps that can function as both acoustic guitar and keyboard amps?
 
There are very many options open to you. There are some nice passive pups that baggs and fishman make. Theres a bunch of others like K&K, Sun(something), or the option of another guitar. Takamine makes some nice axes but I don't think for 350 that's one of 'em. Haven't heard it though, I just picked up a used 341(500)after some set up and a new saddle it rox.
 
You can't go by a picture for acoustic guitar. You need to see it and play it. Go to a music store and try some out. While there, check on acoustic amps and clip-on mic's for acoustic guitar.

Charlie
 
I'm tired. Use the search button, and use muttley and my names. There is a TON of information on the subject on this site.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Keyboard amps work quite well for amplification of acoustic guitar. Don't worry, it's not likely that you can do any harm to the amp, maybe crack a speaker if you run the amp wide open and really pound on the guitar, otherwise you shouldn't have any problem. The combination of speaker and horn (pretty standard in keyboard amps) works well to bring out the acoustic ring, while still giving a full body sound at the same time.
 
Dani Pace said:
maybe crack a speaker if you run the amp wide open and really pound on the guitar
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Not unless there is something seriously wrong with your amp.


Seriously, these things are not delicate. You would be very hard pressed to damage most amps, short of plugging the output of a power amp or connecting a patch cord directly to the wall outlet. Though it is kind of fun to hook up an old worn out woofer to the electrical service - for about 30 seconds, until the speaker blows. Just don't try it with any speaker you care about.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
As Light and Dani pointed out, you are not likely to damage a keyboard amp with a guitar.
Back in the days of the Fender Rhodes, when the first dedicated keyboard amps were being made, there was no such thing as an acoustic guitar amp. Keyboard amps and small PA's were used for acoustic guitars by everybody. A keyboard amp and an acoustic guitar amp are very similar. Should work very well. For simplicity's sake, you might try a magnetic sound hole pickup like a Rare Earth, No new holes in your guitar, Don't like it? No problem. Sell it. No harm done.

You can test out the Rare Earth with the cable running out of the sound hole, and if you decide you like it, then you mount the input jack in the end pin hole. It can be a little tricky, and you may wish to have a tech with specialized tools do the mounting. There's a newer version which is a blender, and has a built in mic. I've never used it, but it is pretty pricey, more than some of the axes you are looking at. The standard magnetic version is made in single coil and double coil versions, and I would choose the double coil version, unless you like a 50-60hz hum. Good luck-Richie
 
The only advantage an acoustic amp has is built in efx, most keyboard amps are pretty straight forward. If you don't use any efx or prefer to use external efx (stomp boxes or processors) then a keyboard amp works fine for acoustic guitar. By the way, I didn't mean to imply any likelyhood of damaging a speaker by running an acoustic guitar through a keyboard amp. Keyboard amps are designed to handle a wide range of sounds and most are pretty tough. One of my fovorite reasons for using a keyboard amp for acoustic guitar is the low distortion levels, I like super clean sounds for amplified acoustic guitar.
 
Dani Pace said:
One of my fovorite reasons for using a keyboard amp for acoustic guitar is the low distortion levels, I like super clean sounds for amplified acoustic guitar.
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Which is exactly what a good acoustic guitar amp is made to do.

Just a suggestion.....you can get the Traynor AM150T from affordableaudio.com for about $500 bucks. Made in Canada, not China. Good stuff, built like a tank, great sound. Yes I've actually sat next to it and played it with my own guitar. And the guy who is affordableaudio is very knowledgeable and will give you good service. He is an auth'd Traynor dealer.

Sorry, I just really like the made-in-Canada Traynor gear. And I'm looking for something for my Ovation.....
 
mellotron said:
Thanks. I'm probably going to go the pickup route since it'll be cheaper.

Unless...how about this Washburn?
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I have a 12 string that uses that same preamp/tuner and it sounds pretty good. It is especially great to have a tuner on board with a 12 string-only odd thing is-the tuner is actually made to accomodate 7 string guitars and you tune to the number rather that the note.
There is a good range of EQ available with Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence as well as a Master Volume. The ouputs include a High and a Low impedence jack for plugging into a PA also.:)
 
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