SWR Strawberry Blond vs Acoustic 260MKII

[iriegnome]

I just picked up a Micro Acoustic 260 MKII... I would like some other opinions please. I have a SWR Strawberry blond and it works well. I hate the Leson tweeter. Can't stand them. But anyway, the Blond is doing pretty well for my acoustic gigs, but I am hoping the Acoustic will be just a bit better due to not having that horn. Now, I am a very long time SWR fan (since 1988) and an Acoustic fan since I started playing (it was my first amp in 1981).. So I am ok with both. I would just like to hear other opinions about the two amps. I play a 4 string fretless for my acoustic gigs. Flat wound strings and Grateful Dead kind of music..

[RickenBoogie]

You own both amps? Then your opinion is the only one that matters.

[iriegnome]

I have not gotten the Acoustic in yet. I was hoping to get some thoughts before it arrived..

[Pimpernel Smith]

It all depends on your musical partners, the setting and what you like.

I played nothing but Ampeg B15s for years, then went to a SWR 15 inch Workingman model. Now I play a Hofner, with flats, or a Jack Casady bass with Dean Markley Blue Steel round wounds, through the Acoustic 260. I love the tone and the portability. I don't need a lot of volume. Mine blends very well with an acoustic guitar or 2, a mandolin and a group of singers. Plenty of volume for my purposes, sounds best from at least 10 feet away from it. As always, the room size matters.

[nysbob]

Can't you just cut the tweeter line on the amp you have and be happy? Or stuff its throat with something?

I must confess to being pretty underwhelmed by the current acoustic offerings.

[iriegnome]

If I cut the tweeter (there is a switch) then I don't get enough of the clean clear highs. My SWR seems muddy. No matter what bass I put through it. This is what I am looking for the amp (either) to do. I will more than likely be playing my Fender Precision Special with Flats on it. I will have 3 guitards (Acoustic), maybe some keys and 2 drummer/percussionists on djembe's and shakers and things. On most of our acoustic gigs we will have PA support and the new 260 MKII has a DI out, the SWR only has 1/4 out. But on gig's where I don't have PA support, I need to be able to turn it up loud enough to be heard over 3 guitars (no keys) and 2 drummers...

[chadds]

This Acoustic and the ones from your 1980s experience are two different animals.

It seems your string choice is limiting what the amp can do with or particularly without the tweeter.

[iriegnome]

That I realize. My old 360 was not made in china. I am looking forward to hearing the difference between the two and seeing how they respond. I am also going to hook up my double bass to it to see how that will work out. I am hoping to use that sucker on stage sometime soon.