Acoustic head...

amplover · #1 07-18-2011, 12:51 PM

I am pretty infatuated with the old Acoustic Control amps and I really want one. I do alot of messing about with both bass and guitar and I figured that this would be the best place to post some questions about the different models of heads they put out over the years because there are several different models i am looking at that I can't seem to make a decision on.

The first one is a model 120 head and it has a 5 band EQ on it and Ive never heard of it. If anybody has some info on it, i would love to hear about it.

The other is a model 450 head.

I would be using these to play guitar and bass through with either a Peavey 2x15 or a marshall 1960B 4x12.

Please help me out with any info!

Rabbit371 · #2 07-18-2011, 01:39 PM

This site is a wealth of information about old Acoustic amps.
unofficial acoustic control corp forum Forums

If you want one, Craigslist and eBay are good places to search daily.

lfh · #3 07-18-2011, 02:54 PM

120

450

Oren Hudson · #4 07-18-2011, 04:22 PM

Both are great amps, but if it were me, I'd go with the 450. I have one and love it.

bottomend! · #5 07-18-2011, 06:52 PM

The 450 is a terrific all around head for both guitar and bass. No frills... but also no worries. It's built like a veritable tank and a tad bit prettier than one.

Mated to an Acoustic bass cab from the same era it'll hold it's own against a band with a couple of twin reverb sized amps no problem. Used as a preamp alone for recording, it will surprise you with the fidelity and tone shaping capabilities.

As a guitar amp, I look at it like having a hammer in your tool box- not the latest in tool science and technology, but you wont get very far into the job without having one...

rad69cam · #6 07-18-2011, 11:28 PM

The 120 is a 4th Generation model. I'd go with the 450, which is older. It seems as ACC progressed and just before Wagner bought them out, quality was compromised. I used the 450 with a 301 and a 406 2x15 cab, no complaints. Check my gear list and see what I mean.

amplover · #7 07-18-2011, 11:53 PM

Thanks everybody! I may buy both and pair them. They both cost the same price (dirt cheap steal of a deal) and I think they would go good together for some mean low distortion for the guitar and perfect all around EQ for bass. Thanks again!

amplover · #8 07-25-2011, 09:22 PM

I wish I had one of these bad boys already. Work isn't paying me much these days... may have to trade up for one...

ZiggyDude · #9 07-26-2011, 05:53 AM

I have a collection of Acoustic stuff. The 450 was a guitar and bass head. 170 watts at 4 or 8 ohms. It has an effects loop which helps some folks. The head has just a hint of "Grit" to it.

The 120 is a bass head. About 100 watts. It is the little brother of the more famed 220 and 320 heads. I have driven 2 15" speakers with a 120 but that is about as far as you will go. It would be a great head for a single 15 or 2x10. The 120 was used a lot in the combo amps.

Mated to the 450 head was the 405 cab. This had 4 12" speakers and two horns. It was also designed for guitar or bass. I have played bass through mine and it did EQ fairly well. You can turn the horns up or down in volume. The cab is heavy as hoot though - but loud - especially for guitar! Together the rig would be called a "455".

I have a 455 but don't use it - for sale or trade. I normally use a 370 or 320 head on top of a 406-wide or a 301. Smaller gigs I take a 402 cab. Less rumble but very light.

- Ziggy -

Fender4Me · #10 07-26-2011, 06:36 AM

I have what is basically the 120 head in a 1-15 combo (126) and it is my favorite amp. It is a very strong 100 watts . They are built like a tank . Deep, ballsy tone with some nice grit if you push it. Mine works exceptionally well with my Spector Euro.

Billy K · #11 07-26-2011, 07:05 AM

I have a 154 in my garage since 1984.I never used it I have no idea what it would sell for .the volume,bass treble, ect labels are worn off I got it that way.It went through a guitar repair shop in san rafeal to have a power cord put on.Is this junk? disirerable ? Give it to a kid? i dont know squat about it I gather you guys know Acoustic equipment

JimmyM · #12 07-26-2011, 10:57 AM

It's desirable to someone.

durtykansan · #13 09-07-2011, 09:54 AM

ZiggyDude - would you possibly know any info about the two horns in the 405 cab? I'm trying to do a restore of a 405 and the horns are far from not original....thought I could somewhat easily find reproduction replacements or something that would work. But no luck. It's just sitting, taking up space until I can catch a break. I've been to every Acoustic fan site and bulletin board on the net. It's a very mysterious cabinet. Would be cool if it was functional. I thought it would be worth asking. As you can see, I'm getting desperate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZiggyDude

I have a collection of Acoustic stuff. The 450 was a guitar and bass head. 170 watts at 4 or 8 ohms. It has an effects loop which helps some folks. The head has just a hint of "Grit" to it.

The 120 is a bass head. About 100 watts. It is the little brother of the more famed 220 and 320 heads. I have driven 2 15" speakers with a 120 but that is about as far as you will go. It would be a great head for a single 15 or 2x10. The 120 was used a lot in the combo amps.

Mated to the 450 head was the 405 cab. This had 4 12" speakers and two horns. It was also designed for guitar or bass. I have played bass through mine and it did EQ fairly well. You can turn the horns up or down in volume. The cab is heavy as hoot though - but loud - especially for guitar! Together the rig would be called a "455".

I have a 455 but don't use it - for sale or trade. I normally use a 370 or 320 head on top of a 406-wide or a 301. Smaller gigs I take a 402 cab. Less rumble but very light.

- Ziggy -

beebassdude · #14 09-07-2011, 11:48 AM

i just got a 370 and a 220, both are awesome heads and loud as all hell. both do 2 ohms too which is pretty cool. ive been pretty impressed with both of them as far as 70s solid state heads go, plus theyre relatively cheap compared to newer versions and tube heads.

**garmenteros** · #15 09-07-2011, 02:07 PM

I have a 370 and it is an awesome amp. Plenty of power and low end. Its the second one I own and I opened it and cleaned it up just today and its pretty much dead mint inside. I had another 370 I sold but that one was beat. This ones going for the long run with me. I had a 150b that I sold to a friend and I agree, ungodly loud for its 100 rated watts.

mpdd · #16 09-07-2011, 07:35 PM

there is a combination b2 at my local store, thinking very seriously about it

amplover · #17 12-31-2011, 03:19 AM

I really want one of these! I hate lugging my marshall around. It's big, fat, weighs too much, and I'm afraid of busting the tubes in it. I would be perfectly content with an acousic model that I could play BOTH guitar and bass with. That would be terrific. I am also broke as hell in school and need to sell my JCM 900 to pay my bill. I think an acoustic would be well worth it.