New Amp Day!!! Acoustic B100 combo

jpaoletti · #1 11-06-2011, 06:54 PM

Just picked up The Acoustic B100 combo as a Christmas present for my daughter. Any other owners please share your thoughts on this amp. Favorite settings etc. Not sure what to expect to get out of this amp. Can it keep up with a drummer?
Thanks,
Jason

CityEscape · #2 11-06-2011, 08:36 PM

I've used it a couple times with a drummer and 2 guitarists. It was loud enough for that.

Gearhead17 · #3 11-06-2011, 09:39 PM

It really depends on the band situation, loud drummer, several guitar players and so on.... I would not count on the B100 to cut it in a band.

I would feel a lot better using this in a band situation Gallien-Krueger MB115 1x15 200W Ultralight Bass Combo Amp: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Still, it's a great gift especially for Christmas. If $200 was your budget, you could return it and grab something used off craigslist.org

CityEscape · #4 11-06-2011, 10:12 PM

I probably should have mentioned that my experience has only been in a practice situation, indoors.

SurferJoe46 · #5 11-06-2011, 10:55 PM

It'll do fine - and later on you can jump up to more power and bigger drivers. One step at a time.

And if someone bought me a USED combo amp for Xmas, I'd be insulted.

will33 · #6 11-07-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

And if someone bought me a USED combo amp for Xmas, I'd be insulted.

Not necessarily---

http://www.crafted.dk/ampheaven/pics...dio%20bass.jpg

http://noahvale.freeshell.org/fliptop.jpg

Gearhead17 · #7 11-07-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

And if someone bought me a USED combo amp for Xmas, I'd be insulted.

What? Are you 10 years old? If it works and sounds cool, what is the big deal? Plus, if it craps out you can always make your parents fix it and possibly get something else!

SurferJoe46 · #8 11-07-2011, 10:51 AM

Nope - I buy new and I've never cheap'd out and given anybody anything used as a gift.

How crass! What type of parent would re-gift or give a kid something used? Don't even bring up 'funk' - it don't play here.

Drjrider · #9 11-07-2011, 09:06 PM

I bought a new B100 for $180 from GC as my first amp two years ago (BTW, I'm an "older kid" - playing bass is my midlife crisis). It is a great amp for practice and small venues, but I have since added a B200H/B115 acoustic combo to play out a little better. It's not a big or high end amp, but I think it's a great amp for the enthusiast that wants a reliable, good sounding amp that won't break the bank or your back carting it around. If I need a little more, I can always add the B410 cabinet (or something equivalent) to get the full power out of the amp.

dukeisdog · #10 11-07-2011, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Nope - I buy new and I've never cheap'd out and given anybody anything used as a gift.

How crass! What type of parent would re-gift or give a kid something used? Don't even bring up 'funk' - it don't play here.

In the same situation as the OP's daughter, I'd rather get a really nice used combo that will hang with a band then a new lower end combo.

Just my .02.

And I don't think it's exactly 'cheaping out', you can get a lot more for $180 on the used market.

SurferJoe46 · #11 11-08-2011, 07:23 AM

But as a gift?

OK - buy used for yourself - but giving used gear as a present is like getting used socks and used underwear.

Even receiving new socks and underwear is a disappointment --- even if the used underwear is autographed --- by Bill Clinton.

father of fires · #12 11-08-2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

But as a gift?

OK - buy used for yourself - but giving used gear as a present is like getting used socks and used underwear.

Even receiving new socks and underwear is a disappointment --- even if the used underwear is autographed --- by Bill Clinton.

Apparently we all have as much money as the aristocrats in your avatar.

father of fires · #13 11-08-2011, 08:03 AM

The B100 is a fine amp. It'll do great. It has a lot of eq control so make sure you spend the time with her to show her how to use each knob.

tdub0199 · #14 11-08-2011, 08:05 AM

OP The amp should do just fine....

father of fires · #15 11-08-2011, 08:10 AM

It'll keep up with a quiet drummer for practice but she may need something bigger for anything more than a coffee house gig.

SurferJoe46 · #16 11-08-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

Apparently we all have as much money as the aristocrats in your avatar.

I do OK - not really wealthy - but OK and I'm retired so I'm not sucking money outta anyone's pockets either. I am a spender-member of society from all the investments I made when I was younger.

In my world, a present is supposed to be new - not even recycled.

Alternately - if gentler social norms would prevail (not talking about the marketing of XMa$$ here) - gifts of any description would be appreciated.

I think it's the packaging and the appropriateness of the situation.

Take someone shopping at The Salvation Army for a 'certain-antique' piece of furniture - OK. Buy someone a used article of clothing for a costume or a special occasion (wedding dresses and bridesmaids one-time outfits come to mind) and I can see that just fine.

Go yard sale-ing' or garage sale hopping and that's fine and dandy - fun even.

Opening a gift that's wrapped and finding a used something-or-other is crass.

jpaoletti · #17 11-08-2011, 07:20 PM

Thanks guys. Im happy with my purchase. She's only 12 so I should have a while before I have to worry about gigging. For jamming with dad and friends it will do just fine.

lfmn16 · #18 11-09-2011, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

How crass! What type of parent would re-gift or give a kid something used? Don't even bring up 'funk' - it don't play here.

Re-gifting is giving something that was given to you; it has nothing to do with new or used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Nope - I buy new and I've never cheap'd out and given anybody anything used as a gift.

If you spend $300 on a new amp, or $300 on a better used amp, you are spending the same amount of money. How is that cheaping out?

I guess you'd rather have a bright shiney new guitar from Sears than a used Squire.

Lonesomedave · #19 11-09-2011, 05:00 AM

jpaoletti:

i think you made an absolutely ideal choice for a 12 year old girl.

when my son was 11 we decided to spend our money on the bass and not on the amp, so we got him a fender geddy lee bass and a rumble 15 amp.

not a big mistake, and he has since augmented it with a roland cube, but if i had it to do over, would get him the acoustic B100 (or even the B200)

i think they are simply great sounding amps and are certainly as portable as any other 100 combos around.

i know some people disparage them and say they are not as good as the old 60's & 70's acoustics, and are made in china korea etc, but i think they are great for kids of all ages. the sound is fantastic.

you can always upgrade later if you feel the need, but for her i think you made the right choice...she will love it.

SurferJoe46 · #20 11-09-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

Re-gifting is giving something that was given to you; it has nothing to do with new or used.

If you spend $300 on a new amp, or $300 on a better used amp, you are spending the same amount of money. How is that cheaping out?

I guess you'd rather have a bright shiney new guitar from Sears than a used Squire.

Once something is owned, it is used. Period.

'Better' and 'used' are an oxymoron. Used is never better; it is used. If you want something better-bigger then buy it.

I buy all my instruments new unless I actually build them. My Squiers, My Fenders, My Ibanezzezzess - even my cables and picks: all new.

I WILL buy some used gear to assemble a guitar once in a while (I do) - or even a rack tuner (I did) - I even asked for some previously-installed, new take-off strings since they are not available from Fender in the States - but the big stuff is always new.

Lately I even bought a couple of used gig bags to ship some basses, but they aren't the instrument itself so I can make an exception there.

Once upon a time I bought and soon after gave up a pawn shop Les Paul even though I loved it - it was used and I couldn't generate a good feeling for it once having been someone else's - ergo: it had to go.

If I want another Les Paul - I'll buy it new or build my own.

Pieces and parts? Maybe I'll buy them --- but they better be clean, shiny and not have any 'mojo'.

Toothbrushes, socks, shoes, underwear, toilet paper - all new. My opinions are mine. I'm selfish that way, but that's the way I live.

If someone wants to buy used oats, then that's their decision. I like my steaks undigested and I never chew gum from under theater seats either.

Back on topic: The Acoustic B-100 has a great tone and voice - coloring the output just enough to bring on that old school feeling: warm and clear at the same time.

All the Acoustic gear has that voice to it and I like it or I wouldn't have bought as much of it as I have.

It isn't the cost - it's what you get from that which satisfies yourself, for the money you spend.