Acoustic is BACK!!!!

[pedro]

For some reason bottomend I thought you had stash of old 360's etc. and therefore I was wondering how the new GC stuff stacked up. But I think I have you confused with someone else the Acoustic forum.

P.S. I got take exception tho to the notion that r&b/funk/soul is dated or over done.

 

[ishouldbeking]

I need to hit a GC and try out the new acoustic stuff. I like the look of it alright, and the price and overall design seem pretty cool.

When i was last at GC a dude had entrenched himself in front of all of the acoustic gear and it was clear he was testing each and every piece of gear. This was the hollywood store -- which has to be the single loudest/most annoying store in existence due to the glut of tourists -- so i couldn't hear what he was doing, and i didn't really have time to wait him out. I did ask what he thought in general.

His reply: "Ehhh. Pretty clanky." He was playing a new american standard jazz, FWIW. but i'll have to try one out for myself.

 

[Easy8]

To each his own I guess, "underwhelming" or just overly nostalgic for the days when everything was bright and sunny. I played that rig, and bought that rig. I am sorry to say I never played a 360/371 rigs back in the 70's. I just know a great musically sounding amp with 200watts RMS a 4x10 & 1x15. But, then again I'm not playing the Garden, wait--wait, wasn't the wattage on the 360 series 200w RMS. But, I understand how could be "underwhelming" it didn't have a rear-facing 18" Cerwin-Vega loudspeaker, maybe....

I've always been pragmatic enough to know that everything was far from bright and sunny back in even back in those halcyon days. Consider that a 50 watt Bassman or 100 watt Kustom and 2x15's was the standard back then and you get an idea of what an earthshaking innovation they were. Playing through that folded 18 for the first time was a near religious experience.

I haven't played or even heard an old Acoustic in decades. I doubt that they would favorably compare to the technologicaly advanced products we all take for granted.

I was simply stating a brief first impression. I would love to hear a first hand report about how they sound and fit in the mix in a live enviornment. I'm sure that could persuade me to change my mind. Like I said, everything sounds sucky at the GC where I tried it. I even tried an Aggie DB750 in the same room and it didn't blow me away like I thought it would.

It wasn't my intent to slag the product. I'm a long time AE fan and I wish them nothing but success. And I sincerely hope you get years of enjoment from yours.

Respectfully,

Jack

 

[pedro]

Consider that a 50 watt Bassman or 100 watt Kustom and 2x15's was the standard back then and you get an idea of what an earthshaking innovation they were.

And ya know maybe it was better when we all had less power and everybody, including guitarist, learned how to use the volume knob.

 

[Easy8]

Wow... thats weird. I had a completely different experience trying out the amp. I just couldn't believe at how musical and alive the EQ section sounded. The amp had a good balance of it's own tone while at the same time allowing me to dial in...ME. I haven't gigged with one but I cranked it up to an acceptable volume in the store and I dont believe it would have any problem keeping up with a moderatly loud band. I summerized my impression on the Acoustic forum if you want to go there and read about what I found. I also had the chance to hear a real 360 rig for the first time within a few days of trying the new Acoustics. There is a thread about that as well.

Nice review. Would love to hear it in a live enviornment.

 

[macmrkt]

That "question" covers ALOT of things produced today! ...The reason the old Acoustic stuff is still "popular" is because it's wasn't built TO BE popular (as the notion is defined and invariably worshiped today), it was built to sound good. Period.

Only time will tell if this new move/direction for Acoustic will be able to stand up along side the the already intact heritage that Acoustic has had bestowed upon it by it's long time admirers...

Wow - great thinking, impressive writing! The new USA Acoustic line is being built to a standard, not a price point. It's being done by enthusiasts that have a heck of a lot more desire to do it right, than money, resources or clout. That being said, it's amazing how strong the feeling is among you and its admirers and the people involved. Clearly, that can move a mountain - and it is. Someday, after the products hit the market, the story will come out about the effort that's gone into this...but, I can tell you on detail. Just getting someone to make the proper color and feel of the original blue 'formica' took dozens of attempts with more than 10 vendors and over 2 years...but the end result was worth it. Even George got emotional when he saw the first sheet of pristine Acoustic Blue.
Amazingly, it all is coming together, as Jaco would say, RIGHT NOW!

 

[Easy8]

And ya know maybe it was better when we all had less power and everybody, including guitarist, learned how to use the volume knob.

+1
At that time, I was playing in a blues band with older players and we were very volume concious.

The near religious experience was, I think, not from being louder, but being able to really feel the vibarations from the low end frequencies for the first time.

 

[pedro]

+1
At that time, I was playing in a blues band with older players and we were very volume concious.

The near religious experience was, I think, not from being louder, but being able to really feel the vibarations from the low end frequencies for the first time.

Its so much easier to play well when the volume is reasonable. I'm convinced that most of the time we don't need the massive amounts of watts that everybody seems to think that they need. I've come to believe that part of it has to do with the amount of muscle one needs for the scooped tone that became popular but otherwise I don't think one needs that much for small medium bar gigs.

This guy seems to be doing alright w/ his 50watt bassman.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6ZcfJspcI

 

[bottomend!]

For some reason bottomend I thought you had stash of old 360's etc. and therefore I was wondering how the new GC stuff stacked up. But I think I have you confused with someone else the Acoustic forum.

P.S. I got take exception tho to the notion that r&b/funk/soul is dated or over done.

My stash is mostly non-360- stuff. I like weirdo things that are slightly off the beaten path so I guess you could say that underdogs are sorta lke a hobby. I will (soon I hope) have the double 360 set up just like JPJ in Led Zeppelin, so I'm pretty fired up about that!


My comment about about R&B etc was written for my intended audience at the Acoustic forum. We're pretty much split down the middle between older guys who are bluesy/classic rock based players and younger punk/doom/metal/experimental type players. I was attempting to pay homage to the traditional cats while trying to grab the ears of the other guys. I didn't mean to step on any toes.

 

[Easy8]

Its so much easier to play well when the volume is reasonable. I'm convinced that most of the time we don't need the massive amounts of watts that everybody seems to think that they need. I've come to believe that part of it has to do with the amount of muscle one needs for the scooped tone that became popular but otherwise I don't think one needs that much for small medium bar gigs.

This guy seems to be doing alright w/ his 50watt bassman.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6ZcfJspcI

Indeed.

Not surprised. Your profile shows we have a lot in common. (Age, gear, influences).

 

[bottomend!]

I haven't played or even heard an old Acoustic in decades. I doubt that they would favorably compare to the technologicaly advanced products we all take for granted.

I was simply stating a brief first impression. I would love to hear a first hand report about how they sound and fit in the mix in a live enviornment. I'm sure that could persuade me to change my mind. Like I said, everything sounds sucky at the GC where I tried it. I even tried an Aggie DB750 in the same room and it didn't blow me away like I thought it would.


Respectfully,

Jack

Check out the link I posted ( people are calling it a review. I was just writing about my impression.. whatever) and if you have time, go have another try at GC. I listened to your myspace stuff and the tone your getting is right up "Acoustic Ally"!

 

[bottomend!]

The near religious experience was, I think, not from being louder, but being able to really feel the vibarations from the low end frequencies for the first time.

You just hit on the crux of what I wrote on the Acoustic forum. Please read.

 

[pedro]

My stash is mostly non-360- stuff. I like weirdo things that are slightly off the beaten path so I guess you could say that underdogs are sorta lke a hobby. I will (soon I hope) have the double 360 set up just like JPJ in Led Zeppelin, so I'm pretty fired up about that!


My comment about about R&B etc was written for my intended audience at the Acoustic forum. We're pretty much split down the middle between older guys who are bluesy/classic rock based players and younger punk/doom/metal/experimental type players. I was attempting to pay homage to the traditional cats while trying to grab the ears of the other guys. I didn't mean to step on any toes.

No toes stepped on. I was yanking yer chain some. IIRC you're a youngster out in LA. You did a tour of Europe last year and we exchanged some discussions back and forth. Don't know if you remember.

 

[Easy8]

Check out the link I posted ( people are calling it a review. I was just writing about my impression.. whatever) and if you have time, go have another try at GC. I listened to your myspace stuff and the tone your getting is right up "Acoustic Ally"!

Will do.

I'll be in Los Angeles in early July and definately plan on heading down Mulholland to Sunset for the annual pilgramage.

Thanks for the kind words. The singer/guitarist keeps telling me to get a folded 18. He's half my age, so I told him I'll do it, but he has to lug it.

 

[Pearly Gator]

Just browsed Harmony Central reviews on the new Acoustic amps. They have the original amp reviews listed under "Acoustic Control Corporation" and the newly manufactured amps listed under "Acoustic Amplification".

Interesting, eh?

 

[chevelle91z]

i think there needs to be an acoustic clup if there isnt already one......

 

[thesteve]

Just browsed Harmony Central reviews on the new Acoustic amps. They have the original amp reviews listed under "Acoustic Control Corporation" and the newly manufactured amps listed under "Acoustic Amplification".

Interesting, eh?

that's because Acoustic Amplification isn't Acoustic Control Corporation. From what I understand, GC basically bought the license to the name and the logo and tweaked the name a little bit in the process.

 

[Pearly Gator]

Thanks, Steve!

 

[rcubed]

that's because Acoustic Amplification isn't Acoustic Control Corporation. From what I understand, GC basically bought the license to the name and the logo and tweaked the name a little bit in the process.

Is that a fact or are you going by a rumor?

 

[thesteve]

Is that a fact or are you going by a rumor?

I'm not 100% sure of their reasonings for the name change, but I am 100% sure that Acoustic Amplification is controlled by Guitar Center. If you click on "privacy policy" and scroll to the bottom it says the following (emphasis mine):

"RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND AND TRADEMARKS
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to the restrictions set forth in DFARS 252.227-7013 (c)(1)(ii) and FAR 52.227-19. ACOUSTIC® and the ACOUSTIC® logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Guitar Center, Inc. All other product names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners."