Acoustic is BACK!!!!

[butchblack]

Does anyone know what the THD is on the 200 combo? I had a model 220 head back in the 80's that was rated at 10% THD. I couldn't run it past 5 on the volume without it farting badly

 

[pedro]

Pedro...I know that Bass Gear magazine WILL be getting one of the first units to do an extensive review - the first anywhere. We'll definitely do the 'back story' and get the answers to your questions. Many of the 'come backs' of famous brands were in name only. Not Acoustic USA - they are about as much of a 'real deal' as you can get from a 40 year product revival.

Again I hope my questions don't appear to be criticisms. But its an absolutely fascinating business story. Can they really attract the interest of young players who are used to tweeters and high end sizzle or do they change the sound of the Acoustics to suite the modern players. Are the majority of younger players interested in hauling a 120+lbs of folded horn cabinet when most appear to be into a modular light weight set ups. (Yea I know there are still plenty that buy the SVT's but Ampeg hasn't been gone for 30 yrs.)

It seems to me that if they change the amp they stand to loose the older guys who have fond memories of the 360 but if they don't they loose the younger crowd. Whatever happens (and believe me I wish them success) it'll be fascinating.

 

[thesteve]

I can tell you pedro that I consider myself a young guy (24), and if it wasn't for transportation limitations (both my cars are compacts), I'd definitely be playing through an Acoustic 215BX (the early 1980s follow-up to the 406). I tried one out a few years back and would've bought it (the seller was asking $100) except that it wouldn't even fit through the door of my car.

I've been fascinated with the 360/361 and with other big Acoustic designs ever since I bought my Acoustic 150 back in 2004. Unfortunately a combination of transportation and finances has prevented me thus far from exploring those tonal options.

 

[pedro]

I can tell you pedro that I consider myself a young guy (24), and if it wasn't for transportation limitations (both my cars are compacts), I'd definitely be playing through an Acoustic 215BX (the early 1980s follow-up to the 406). I tried one out a few years back and would've bought it (the seller was asking $100) except that it wouldn't even fit through the door of my car.

I've been fascinated with the 360/361 and with other big Acoustic designs ever since I bought my Acoustic 150 back in 2004. Unfortunately a combination of transportation and finances has prevented me thus far from exploring those tonal options.

I'm sure there are some young guys like yourself that would be interested. But my observation is that most young guys are into a very different sound, let alone the weight, etc. This is going to be very interesting to see. Hopefully there will enough guys like you to make it a success.

 

[mini455]

The reissue of Acoustic is mainly for older CATS who played the earlier line and know reissued SVTs & Acoustic are the most MISSED and sought after PROVEN BASS AMPS MADE!!!!!!!! The look is VERY IMPORTANT, if it looked different I wouldnt have noticed it, but the BLUE accents and black tolex and dark black grill and LOGOs do the trick for me and im sure MANY others!!!!!! Ive never owned a new one , couldnt afford it, but im a grown man to the 3rd power now and I want a BRAND NEW 360, 370, SVT REISSUE, ive got mint originals but not new, so im sure theres a lot of excitement buzzing out there from us OLD TIMERS!!!! Theyll be enough buzz to attract the NEW Generation of players but I dont think theyll gravitate towards the LARGER AMPS OF HISTORY (BRAND NEW) that we 70s & 80s players cherish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...ITS ABOUT TIME.....ACOUSTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!... mini455

 

[pipe_godzend]

im totaly in to im 23 and i have serious GAS and i will quench some with these acoustic models im excited and hell i dont even have a car ill just have to tie it on my back or something

 

[manutabora]

I'm a young guy too (20) and although the mere fact that Jaco played a 360 provides enough excitement that I would want to have one, I'm broke and, like the other guy, I have a small car. So I'll have to stick with my smallish rig for now

 

[thesteve]

I'm sure there are some young guys like yourself that would be interested. But my observation is that most young guys are into a very different sound, let alone the weight, etc. This is going to be very interesting to see. Hopefully there will enough guys like you to make it a success.

I do have to say that because of my current vehicular situation I am also very attracted to "light". I'd love to trade my Avatar B410 (about 95-100lbs) in for an Avatar B410Neo (about 65lbs)...

for some reason I have this memory in my head that the new Acoustic USA line will feature Neodymium speakers to reduce the weight of the cabs...

 

[rcubed]

Even though I bought a vintage 370 not too long ago I've been GASing for the B200H. But I think I'm going to wait for the 360 reissue.

 

[nun lover]

would an svt-cl be too much for that sealed 410?

 

[pedro]

As far as small cars go believe it or not I was able to fit my 370/301 rig into a Honda Accord. So you guys who are interested but concerned might want to tuck that little fact under your cap as we await the 360 reissue.

 

[Easy8]

I played several 360/371 rigs in the '70s, so I was GASsed to find a 200H with 4x10 and 1x15 at a local GC last night.

Only 200watts and the tone was underwhelming.

I'll wait on the 360/371 re-issue, thanks.

 

[appler]

Taken from the description of the B115:

"The B115 features a rock-solid, tuned and ported design with heavy internal bracing, caster sockets and professional spring-loaded touring handles with rubber grips."

Whereas the description of the 410 makes it a point to mention the sealed cab design. I'd assume the port is on the back since it's not visible from the front, maybe with a similar design to something like an ampeg ba-115 (borrowed one for a rehearsal once and it had a circular port on the rear). I haven't had a chance to look at the back of one of these Acoustic cabs yet, so the description might be mistaken too, that's not impossible. I know there were some misprints in the first version of the instruction manuals where they mistakenly refer to the B200 combo as a "practice amp", when that was obviously just left over from the B20 manual. Who knows.

Thanks. I've seen the website. I asked where the port is because I don't remember seeing one when I tried the B200H amp and B115 cabinet briefly at Guitar Center a few weeks ago. Are you sure it's ported at all?

 

[ishouldbeking]

Thanks. I've seen the website. I asked where the port is because I don't remember seeing one when I tried the B200H amp and B115 cabinet briefly at Guitar Center a few weeks ago. Are you sure it's ported at all?

nope, not sure at all. i just knew that i had read they were ported. it could very well be a misprint, but for the time being i'll take the word of the promo material until i can verify at the source. i'm gonna try to swing by GC in the next couple of weeks and check for myself... now i'm all curious!

 

[The Owl]

Color this Owl VERY impressed and one happy Acoustic convert.

The cab is a custom made one, 1 X 12" ported, Carvin speaker (handles 200W 4 Ohm, perfect match for the head)

 

[bottomend!]

I played several 360/371 rigs in the '70s, so I was GASsed to find a 200H with 4x10 and 1x15 at a local GC last night.

Only 200watts and the tone was underwhelming.

I'll wait on the 360/371 re-issue, thanks.

Can you describe what was underwhelming about it?

 

[pedro]

When you think about the 360 was only 200 watts.

 

[Easy8]

Just seemed kinda flat and lifeless. Not much punch or sparkle.
Had to turn it up past halfway to get loud enough. Seems like the 4x10 + 1x15 should have have had more oomph.

I think a lot of the 360's tone was from the massive folded 18 cab.

I didn't think it sounded bad by any means and wouldn't feel bad about gigging one.

They look great and the price is very reasonable.

And to be fair, hardly anything sounds good to me in a GC showroom.

 

[Lia_G]

I never played the originals, but I'm interested. I think there will be a market. Lots of us play genres of music that don't need or want the ultra-modern sizzle. Country, blues, and southern rock for me, for example. I'm playing a Carvin B1500 into one or two Carvin BR115 cabs right now, for example, and loving the tone. And that's obviously not a lightweight setup, although the last setup I had (Genz Benz NeoPak, Shuttle, and Neox cabinets) was definitely lightweight.

So I guess count me in with the folks who haven't played the originals but are interested in the new stuff. I might not be if I hadn't been so impressed with the 200 watt 115 combo I tried out at GC.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[pedro]

I never played the originals, but I'm interested. I think there will be a market. Lots of us play genres of music that don't need or want the ultra-modern sizzle. Country, blues, and southern rock for me, for example. I'm playing a Carvin B1500 into one or two Carvin BR115 cabs right now, for example, and loving the tone. And that's obviously not a lightweight setup, although the last setup I had (Genz Benz NeoPak, Shuttle, and Neox cabinets) was definitely lightweight.

So I guess count me in with the folks who haven't played the originals but are interested in the new stuff. I might not be if I hadn't been so impressed with the 200 watt 115 combo I tried out at GC.

Cheers,
Liam

Interesting. Liam you're aware that the original 360/361 cab tipped the scales at 120lbs or so IIRC?