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Acoustic 260 Micro. My review
- Thread starter Matt R.
- Start date
You most likely would get a lower f3 or better low end response with one 10 because if there were two, each would only have half the airspace. Also, the Acoustic 10 looks like some product of Eminence, and is likely more substantial than the Ampeg 10's.
I personally think the 1x10 is a better design, and the 2x10 is a faux selling point that seems to be working.
I tried out both yesterday and took home the acoustic. I generally run direct anyway, and use my amp on stage as a monitor. The tone out of this thing is incredible, the volume is shocking given the size, plus it's portable. At $299, there was every reason to buy it.
Seen one right next to the Ampeg mini stack.
"I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Bass Stack on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object."
They both sounded GREAT for thier size. Impressive
"I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Bass Stack on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object."
They both sounded GREAT for thier size. Impressive
What’s in the bottom half of that cab?
Is there a vent down there… or is it blocked off from the top half?
Is there a vent down there… or is it blocked off from the top half?
I tried the Acoustic at the local Guitar Center and ended up buying the Ampeg sight/unseen online.
I think both of them sound very good. Luckily, I like the sound of the Ampeg just a little better but the Acoustic's sound was not an issue for me at all. Seeing how they are both sort of novelty amps, I guess I preferred the look of the Ampeg when it came right down to it (even though I actually owned an Acoustic stack that it's modeled after about 20yrs ago). For some reason, I just couldn't get past the fact that the Acoustic didn't have that second speaker. Seems like wasted space to me and I think that was ultimately the deal breaker. Point taken about the Acoustics more efficient speaker aside, had they put in the second one and charged another $50 I might have went for it. Might seem silly to some of you but I'm kind of quirky like that...it is what it is. I have to admit that the Ampeg doesn't really seem like it is worth $300 more than the Acoustic but I had the extra cash so I went for it and honestly have no regrets.
The one and only thing I don't like about the Ampeg is the loud fan. I don't recall the Acoustic being as loud. However, when you are playing at even a moderate volume you can't hear the fan anyway, so it's kind of irrelevant.
If cash is tight or it's all about value and that one 10" speaker is not an issue, then I think the Acoustic is the smarter, more practical choice. However, if you're a freak like me
, think the Ampeg is cooler 
and don't mind paying $300 more for an extra 10" speaker 
, then you know what you have to do.
I think both of them sound very good. Luckily, I like the sound of the Ampeg just a little better but the Acoustic's sound was not an issue for me at all. Seeing how they are both sort of novelty amps, I guess I preferred the look of the Ampeg when it came right down to it (even though I actually owned an Acoustic stack that it's modeled after about 20yrs ago). For some reason, I just couldn't get past the fact that the Acoustic didn't have that second speaker. Seems like wasted space to me and I think that was ultimately the deal breaker. Point taken about the Acoustics more efficient speaker aside, had they put in the second one and charged another $50 I might have went for it. Might seem silly to some of you but I'm kind of quirky like that...it is what it is. I have to admit that the Ampeg doesn't really seem like it is worth $300 more than the Acoustic but I had the extra cash so I went for it and honestly have no regrets.
The one and only thing I don't like about the Ampeg is the loud fan. I don't recall the Acoustic being as loud. However, when you are playing at even a moderate volume you can't hear the fan anyway, so it's kind of irrelevant.
If cash is tight or it's all about value and that one 10" speaker is not an issue, then I think the Acoustic is the smarter, more practical choice. However, if you're a freak like me
, think the Ampeg is cooler and don't mind paying $300 more for an extra 10" speaker , then you know what you have to do.In fairness to the Acoustic, I believe the lack of second 10 was a wilful choice to add a giant ort to create low end. I usually gig with a Kustom Groove 210c that is a 600 watt 2x10combo with an extremely deep cab. That depth provides a lot of bottom. Same concept with the Acoustic.
I didn't see as much bottom end in the Ampeg, but definitely more power and a bit more defined tone. In the looks department I thought the Ampeg won hands own. But, the looks and slightly better tone weren't worth the extra $300 to me.
I didn't see as much bottom end in the Ampeg, but definitely more power and a bit more defined tone. In the looks department I thought the Ampeg won hands own. But, the looks and slightly better tone weren't worth the extra $300 to me.
I've tried both the Ampeg and Acoustic. I am not a gigging musician and I find the tone and sound from the Acoustic (w/ its 1x10 speaker) to be more substantial and define with a nice old school Jaco vibe than the Ampeg. Plus, you get to keep an extra $300 bones to maybe purchase a Tech 21 VT pedal
It is interesting how some prefer the looks of the Ampeg.
I actually prefer the looks of the Acoustic! I have liked the looks of those ever since the 70's (yeah, I wanted one back then too!)
I actually prefer the looks of the Acoustic! I have liked the looks of those ever since the 70's (yeah, I wanted one back then too!)
I know that the head puts out 100 watts with a 4-ohm load, but can someone tell me if the matching cab is 4-ohms?
EDIT: never mind. I found in another thread that the Acoustic cab is 4-ohms.
EDIT: never mind. I found in another thread that the Acoustic cab is 4-ohms.
I tried both the Acoustic and the Ampeg at GC.
My bass is a frankenjazz with a single Lace transSensor at the neck position. it's a relatively low-output, but accurate pickup similar to the alumitones.
The Bass was tuned BEAD with a hipshot detuner to drop it to low A
The Acoustic seemed louder in comparison and handled all the low notes rather evenly even down to low A without farting out (even with the volume and bass knobs cranked) The Ampeg simply could not do this. Not saying the Ampeg sucked by any means, It performed about as well as I expected based on my experience with other 2x10 compact rigs. The Acoustic just outperformed it in a rather astonishing way, for about half the price.
My bass is a frankenjazz with a single Lace transSensor at the neck position. it's a relatively low-output, but accurate pickup similar to the alumitones.
The Bass was tuned BEAD with a hipshot detuner to drop it to low A
The Acoustic seemed louder in comparison and handled all the low notes rather evenly even down to low A without farting out (even with the volume and bass knobs cranked) The Ampeg simply could not do this. Not saying the Ampeg sucked by any means, It performed about as well as I expected based on my experience with other 2x10 compact rigs. The Acoustic just outperformed it in a rather astonishing way, for about half the price.
This was one of the best musical purchases that I've made in 40 years of playing. I got my Acoustic 260 for $159.00, when Guitar Center was moving them out to make room for the new MKII version.
This thing fits in my Mini Cooper like it was made to be there, and is a delight to move.
I've played a SWR Workingman's 15 for about 19 years. Always 15 inch speakers. I go way back to Ampeg B15's.
I plugged in my Hofner, and the sound was great, and plenty loud for my purposes. My Jack Casady bass loves it. The controls suit my simple brain and I can easily control the sound of the amp. The bottom shelf ported cabinet does wonderful things to the tone and is an essential part of the specialness of this mini stack. It's got that old Acoustic amp tone from the 70's.
When I think of how I used to carry the B15 around, and compare it to this, it boggles the mind. Progress is a good thing, as is this little rig.
This thing fits in my Mini Cooper like it was made to be there, and is a delight to move.
I've played a SWR Workingman's 15 for about 19 years. Always 15 inch speakers. I go way back to Ampeg B15's.
I plugged in my Hofner, and the sound was great, and plenty loud for my purposes. My Jack Casady bass loves it. The controls suit my simple brain and I can easily control the sound of the amp. The bottom shelf ported cabinet does wonderful things to the tone and is an essential part of the specialness of this mini stack. It's got that old Acoustic amp tone from the 70's.
When I think of how I used to carry the B15 around, and compare it to this, it boggles the mind. Progress is a good thing, as is this little rig.
I think it would be cooler if they moved the driver to the middle (yes, behind the blue strip) and "sandwich" it with a pair of good ports, which, according to my (admittedly still-developing) knowledge, is where most of the sound comes out anyway.
As for the review, thanks! I might give it a shot the next time I visit GC.
hello im new here just registerd i just bought a 260 mk2 today and had a couple ?s can i hook a 2-10 or 4-12 or 1-15 etc. cab up to it and not hurt it and its says 4ohms minimum load so what ohms are safe to run with this head.i just noticed it seems like the head is too much for the single 10 so think bigger speaker less distort and better sound otherwise i love it i play a sr300 4string if that matters thanks for all your help in advance im not new to playing bass but never learned alot about amps ive always played threw combos before.
Since the head is 4 ohms minimum there is no reason you cannot unplug it from the 260 bottom and plug it into any other bottom as long as that other bottom is no lower than 4 ohms.you can also plug the head into an 8 ohm bottom that is daisy chained to another 8 ohm bottom though some would say that 100 watts is barely enough to drive two cabinets. HTH.
