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ACOUSTIC 370 head...

P

Pandafist

May 6, 2008
512
8
Portland, OR
#1
I just found one for CHEAP on craigslist.
I've heard good things. Should i get it?
the deal ALSO comes with the acoustic 220 head AND the acoustic inverted 18" for $600
I'm getting it regardless, for resale if nothing else.
I need a LOUD amp though.
to better understand my situation, please see the thread : THE LOUDEST SPEAKER IN THE WORLD...
it will explain everything, but a quick summation;
I currently play on an AMPEG 350H. and it's WAY under-powered.
Is a 370 going to even make difference?
I've heard that Ampeg over-rates their heads, and acoustic UNDER-rated. TRUTH?
thanks
 
#2
I don't think it's necessarily the best solution to your problems, but that head & cab will throw out some lows. The problem is, unless you're playing on the stages where you can consistently get 10' or more in front of it, you probably won't hear it that well.

That rig was designed for the era before bass was in the PA. I had one back in the day, and pretty much immediately had to go to multiple amps in order to hear what I was playing.

The 370 head might have a little more gas than what you're using, but is not significantly different IMO.
 
#6
That old 18" is loud, but is basically useless today because of it's weight and sound producing capabilities. It basically "throws" the sound farther, meaning that it hasn't developped once it reached your ears if you're not far away from it. And I doubt it has much resale value, if any. That hing weights a ton and is a bitch to carry around.

And even if Acoustic underates their heads, this is old SS technology: it has it's place, but if you're looking for max sensibility, well... Better is to be had in a smaller package nowadays. And you can even get NEW Acoustics nowadays (they have recently resumed production). Picking up a used 700 RBII would be cheaper and probably better for your needs (800 RB would also be awesome).
 
#8
I went from an SVT to a 370 around 1977 and was very happy with the 370. That being said, there are probably $600 used amps out there today that are cleaner, punchier and just as loud. If the retro factor adds to the appeal I'd say go for it. If not, shop around.
 
#10
Pandafist said:
yeah, but what about by-amping the 370 and 220?
i have lots of different sized cabs to work with here.

like i said before, the 301 (inverted 18" cab) is really just a bonus in the deal.
pardon the pun, but it carries no weight in this decision :)
Click to expand...

I dont think you would have to bi-amp the 370 to get loud. As has been said already these cabs arent the that useful by todays standards, but the amp, if you can purchase it alone ,will do the job. I had one and ran it into GK cab and you would not want to be near it! If you can get it cheap, it will crush a room IMHO, but is a bulky heavy amp to move! That being said, i miss mine, vintage gear is cool!
 
#11
In the 80s I had an acoustic folded horn 18" cab with a Cerwyn vega speaker. A real key to getting good sound out of a 1x18 cab is to have an 18" speaker that has a frequency response beyond 500hz. Some 18s are all mud and some have good mid response. Then with that acoustic 18 cabinet I also had a crossover and I ran the high end into a 1x15 cabinet. With a bass head on top the rig was 7 feet tall. It threw out lows and mids and highs. It was an impressive rig. The only reason I still don't use it is it was too heavy to haul around.

If you ever have a chance to get acoustic bass amp stuff I say do it. They make good stuff.
 
#14
Pandafist said:
i know. it's the 370 head i'm more concerned with.
the cab is just a bonus in the deal.
i've got other cabs to give me the highs and mids i need.
Click to expand...

If the head is in good shape it'll be a serviceable amp. I don't think Acoustic underrated their power output. It's a 200 watt solid state head.

Many modern amps will blow it away. I'd much rather use a GK, for example.

Check to find out at what impedance that 200 watts is delivered to. If it's 4 ohms or 2 ohms it will make a difference.

I owned a big Acoustic rig back when they were new. They were loud when used with the folded horn cabinet. Didn't sound very good but it was loud.

You'll have no trouble re-selling it though. Lots of guys are into that vintage look.
 
#15
I'm gonna have to buy this. The resale on these is better than people are giving credit for. Check ebay.
if nothing else, i'm buying this stuff to turn around. $600 for two heads and a cab, all vintage Acoustic, is a steal.
I really also just want to hear these folded 18" cabs. I've heard about them for years, and here's a (profitable) chance to own one for a sec.
 
#16
I'm gonna have to buy this. The resale on these is better than people are giving credit for. Check ebay.
if nothing else, i'm buying this stuff to turn around. $600 for two heads and a cab, all vintage Acoustic, is a steal.
I really also just want to hear these folded 18" cabs. I've heard about them for years, and here's a (profitable) chance to own one for a sec.
Click to expand...

Your call, but be aware that after fees, shipping, packing, etc. I doubt you'll make that much money flipping the heads alone on eGay. That 370 is in the "tube amp" league when it comes to weight and bulk.

Unless you actually charge the customer the cost of shipping, wich will probably border on 80-100 $...
 
#17
BillyRay said:
Your call, but be aware that after fees, shipping, packing, etc. I doubt you'll make that much money flipping the heads alone on eGay. That 370 is in the "tube amp" league when it comes to weight and bulk.

Unless you actually charge the customer the cost of shipping, wich will probably border on 80-100 $...
Click to expand...

+1 This is definitely an amp you want to sell locally if possible. Even more so for the cab.
 
#20
Invalid Link Removed

I say go for it.

My acoustic 300 is plenty loud through the 18" & 2x15"

and like you said, you can buy it, try it and sell it if you don't like the sound or it lacks volume.

these amps do have mega street cred. and you should have no porblem keeping what you like and selling the rest.

another bonus is that they are servicable. that's big when you are buying vintage or solid state gear.

I love my GK 800rib but when it died, it died for good. :spit:
 

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