Acoustic 150 Amp

SolidBass · #1 03-21-2011, 02:56 PM

I went down to my local music shop that I frequent regularly and told the sales person that I was looking for a cheap loud bass amp. He showed me this old Acoustic amp and matching 2x15 cab that they had just gotten in. They told me its 100 bucks and I thought it sounded like a good deal so I left my name and number with them when its ready for sale.

I know the Coolness factor with the old Acoustic amps. Just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this amp and could offer me some insight as to its volume and value.

BigOldHarry · #2 03-21-2011, 02:59 PM

100 bucks for a 2x15 setup is worth it no matter how bad it is. And with Acoustic, it might be decent, but it might be quite bad... But for $100?? Heck, even *I* would buy it.

jackcheez · #3 03-21-2011, 03:53 PM

I had one of those way back when. Don't expect it to sound very good. It wasn't one of their better amps.

gbarchus · #4 03-21-2011, 09:43 PM

I owned one briefly in the '70s. Just don't overdrive it. It's one of the amps that gave SS a bad name.

Lync · #5 03-21-2011, 09:50 PM

The funny thing is that what gave SS a bad name back then is cool to some now.

teemuk · #6 03-21-2011, 11:55 PM

Acoustic Control wasn't giving SS amps bad rep, quite the opposite. The 150 - note the guitar model - is one of their models that even today is complemented by many, though ironically it wasn't in such status in the haydays of Acoustic Control Corp. and most "pro" users were actually using something else but that model. I don't know about the Bass 150 but I have an impression that it wasn't nearly as successful unit design wise.

But, time has pretty much ran past these things. They practically defined the solid-state bass amp in the 1970's but what they pioneered back then is today pretty much the standard. For $100 with inclusion of a cab it's practically a steal and I would jump in to deal without hesitation, but if the prices would be comparable to most other used amps and cabs then I would deeply consider.

**garmenteros** · #7 03-22-2011, 12:07 AM

I have one for sale and they usually go in the 250 give or take area. For 100$ with a matching 2 15 its a steal. They are good amps. If you like modern sounding hi fi amps pass on it though. This is a vintage sounding low end kind of rig like all vintage acoustics I've played (currently own a 370 and it rocks) I used the 150 as a backup to my mesa400+ and it served its purpose quite well running my powerhouse 1000 cab. They can get quite loud but I agree on what others say that watch when you overdrive it. Are there better amps out there, yeah. If you dig vintage tone and are on a budget you can't go wrong... Keep in mind this isn't going to be the most versatile sounding head out there... but I sold my mesa400+ in favor of the acoustics and prefer it to the other modern amps I've had (gk 1001rb II, mesa bb750)...

bottomend! · #8 03-22-2011, 01:21 AM

Wrong wrong wrong...

This is an amazing sounding head and paired with a good Acoustic cab you will be pleasantly astonished at what you'll hear. It'll be louder than you ever imagined a 100 watt amp can be too. If it's old and the capacitors are worn out you may have just gotten lucky because these things break up and sound AMAZING on guitar. I have tracks to prove it if you need evidence. It's surprising versatile tonally as well with just a bass, treble and bright switch.

Right right right...

ScottTunes · #9 03-22-2011, 04:32 AM

I liked the 150B I had a couple of years ago. Definitely louder than you'd think a SS head would/should be. But it was freshly serviced, and all parts were up to spec. Put through a TL type 2x15 cab, it was a very nice clean amp. Not the modern, and/or *sterile* clean. But a nicely voiced amp. Amp AND matching cab for $100? It's a no-brainer! Enjoy!

domdec314 · #10 03-22-2011, 03:59 PM

Just so there's no confusion, the setup he is looking at is the 150 guitar head and the 106 2x15 bass cabinet. It's not the 150 bass head, but I've heard the guitar head works well as a bass amp as there's little difference in the schematics from their guitar and bass heads at the time.

http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/b.../GuitarHead150 (Looks to be the 1974 model)
http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/b...BassCabinet106

SolidBass · #11 03-23-2011, 12:41 PM

Thanks for all of your input. I think for 100 dollars, I'll jump on it and sell if I decide its not for me. Kinda curious about how the reverb and trem will sound for guitar though. The waiting is the hardest part as Tom Petty would say.

KramerBassFan · #12 03-23-2011, 12:54 PM

Get a red Gibson and you'll sound like Robby Kreiger

YouTube - The Doors - Roadhouse Blues w/Lyrics

BigOldHarry · #13 03-23-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lync

The funny thing is that what gave SS a bad name back then is cool to some now.

yup. everything that is old and crappy is good, everything new is bad. *VERY* silly.

:r ollno:

arthur31686 · #14 03-23-2011, 01:33 PM

My acoustic 150 sounds great for what it is. It has gone through many shows and falls and still keeps trucking. It now has become my official "practice" amp. Its great for the usual asking price. It also sounds great with guitar.

Getting the amp and matching cab for 100 is such a ridiculous deal. I would buy that in a snap just so I could have another 150. They're small and light enough to be the perfect backup amp on tour.

Never know when something wacky could happen to my V4B (Not expecting anything...but **** happens).