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Acoustic USA 360 / 361

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M

Mallard

Mar 24, 2008
17
20
#1
I feel fortunate that based on some shared acquaintances, I was allowed the opportunity to play through the new Acoustic USA 360 pre-amplifier head and 361 powered cabinet. The namesake of this current version ceased production almost 40 years ago and based on the great names that played through the predecessor to this amp; I had pre-conceived ideas as to what I should expect.

Some adjectives are thrown around too casually but the new Acoustic amps and cabinets are truly amazing. They exude the spirit of a hand carved work of art, while possessing the precision of a machine assembled to MIL spec tolerances. Fit and finish are impeccable at all levels of detail. The eye candy factor is a huge as the graphics, color and contrast, chrome trim and design layout take you back to the coolest time in music history. The past meets the future, right now. G.P.G. engineered an amplifier for high-tech modern players, as well as old school purists.

The trend over the past several years has been to build smaller components for bass reproduction. By design, the new Acoustic USA 360 was created to deliver a full bodied bass sound naturally, as opposed to simply turning up the bass control knob. The sound is formed and projected as it was intended, at the instrument’s true resonant frequencies and is purely musical in nature. It is deep but defined, without the honky midrange generated by other cabinets of similar size. On stage, the signal embraces you as it reverberates up through your feet and grabs your soul, yet does not lose its presence in the distance. The sophisticated pre-amp processes a signal that was intended to be matched with the unique design of the powered cabinet. The results are the distinct experience of the new Acoustic USA 360. You just can’t get this from a 24 x 24 black box. Big blue is back. Long live the king!

Greatness does not happen by accident.
G.P.G. Co devised the plan, raised the capital, gathered the right people together and meticulously selected the best materials and manufacturing techniques in order to resurrect the greatest bass amp in history, the Acoustic USA 360. Once launched, word will quickly spread as to what they have accomplished.
These guys have made a real soul machine.

Once in a while, a product comes around that can change the way we approach music.
The new Acoustic USA 360 has this kind of potential. It has not been re-issued, it has been re-born.
You owe it to yourself to try this amp.
 
#3
My first bass amp was an original Acoustic 360, it served me well from 1975-81. What a great amp is was, I was to eventually sell it, but don't regret it.

I'm excited about the new USA Acoustic 360 and hope to have the opportunity to play thru one once again.

Here's a pic of me with my bass face playing thru my old Acoustic 360.
2008-09-08-1716-35_edited.jpg
 
#6
That did feel like an advertising write-up rather than someone randomly coming to TB to post their thoughts on an amp.

I haven't looked up any specs on the reissues, but given the size of the original cabinets, and that they are now apparently putting the power section in the cabinet as well... Bleh... Count me out on this one. That cabinet is likely going to be as bad, if not worse than moving an 8x10 around.
 
#7
Peppacone said:
That was a lot of marketing rhetoric.
Click to expand...

George Here: President of the New "acoustic" USa CO.

Yep, it's all an ad...........

Hell, I don't even know that guy....... Maybe I sold him some tolex a few years ago.

I wish we all posted our ages here: I give young guys a break.

You have probaly never played a 40 plus year old 360/361.

They were only made a few yrs. More people have played and heard a 370/301.

Hey, TB Administratiors, I'm not advertising here:

They always kick me off.

Maybe, Just Maybe, Mallord Just figured it out.

For just a guy on the net.......... He's really close.

I hate smarmy punks that sit around and post one liners when people have worked for years on something.

AKA: Nice shirt.

That guy in the shirt Paid $1,299.00 Plus tax. In 1968 0r 1970.

Go to Goolge do the money conversion to 2008 40 yrs later.

What is $1,299.00 plus tax. He'd pay over $7,600.00 today.. WOW

That's what it should cost today.

How many lawns do you want to cut?

We got ours.......... How about your generation???????

What did you buy a B200H?

You have no Idea what that man posted.

Take a breath? Learn before you pop off.

Later.......... [email protected]

 
#10
darkblack99 said:
Same blurb posted 10 days ago elsewhere, too.

There's an artistry to hype that is ignored at one's peril in the Internet age, IMO.

Of course, the sentiments could be perfectly legitimate, and so concisely rendered that anything but cutting and pasting them would be a besmirchment upon them...There's always a chance, isn't there?
Click to expand...

I noticed that post was originally placed 10 ays ago, but edited today. Mallard has been a TB member for 2 years with 1 post.
 
#11
I played the 360/361 for darn near a decade! Didn't huff and puff near as much as with the Ampeg 810. Yes I had the original, 300 watts mounted into the bottom of the 18" folded horn cab. I think about that rig everytime I play outside....and the memories were REALLY good!
No pics you guys would have WAY to much fun with my clothes :D :cool:\

Vetchking if you were around the ACC you may remember me rolling up with the 361 in the trunk of a '65 Dodge Polara a couple of times?
 
#12
hmmmmmmmmmmm.
i must be the "smarmy punk" that you're referring to. please get over yourself.

that would make me a 56 year old 'punk' one that been playing bass since 1967.

i also played an orginal 360/361 for years and loved it. i bought it because i saw Larry Taylor (in Canned Heat) using one and i loved how he sounded playing thru one. the almost unbelievable coincidence is that, i ended up selling mine in 1979 to Larry Taylor.

after i sold it, i got a 370/301 and a couple of years later a 420/408. now i wish that i still had all of them.
my remark about the 'nice shirt' was an attempt at humor, but after your nasty remark, i won't be considering purchasing the 'new' 360. if i do get another one, i'll just get an original.
 
#14
No offense taken! I know I can be a little verbose with my writing; however, I wrote what I felt. Perhaps my writing is a little "colorful" for some but hell, after 14 years my wife still enjoys my letters, so I'm OK with colorful.

I don't know what to say except I was moved by that amp. I had quite a bit of time with it and to be honest, it was hard to return. I felt as if it brought out the best in my playing. I have been able to say that about a special bass but never an amp. It felt soulful. Almost like meeting the right kind of woman as opposed to putting a lot of work into something that doesn't stick. Hell, I'm doing colorful again.

Listen, it worked for me. I've been playing since 1978 and I know what I like. I'll tell you this, of all the equipment I've owned over the years, I was never motivated to write about any of it. Taste is subjective and I can only tell you how I felt. This amp is special. When the amp becomes available, give it a try.
 
#15
Mallard said:
No offense taken! I know I can be a little verbose with my writing; however, I wrote what I felt. Perhaps my writing is a little "colorful" for some but hell, after 14 years my wife still enjoys my letters, so I'm OK with colorful.

I don't know what to say except I was moved by that amp. I had quite a bit of time with it and to be honest, it was hard to return. I felt as if it brought out the best in my playing. I have been able to say that about a special bass but never an amp. It felt soulful. Almost like meeting the right kind of woman as opposed to putting a lot of work into something that doesn't stick. Hell, I'm doing colorful again.

Listen, it worked for me. I've been playing since 1978 and I know what I like. I'll tell you this, of all the equipment I've owned over the years, I was never motivated to write about any of it. Taste is subjective and I can only tell you how I felt. This amp is special. When the amp becomes available, give it a try.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely be sure to check it out. Thanks Mallard!
 
#17
powellmacaque said:
Ok, so I know the new GC Acoustics aren't the same as Acoustic Control Corp of yesteryear, but is Acoustic USA the same company as Acoustic Amplification (the GC brand)?
Click to expand...

I would like to know the answer to this, too.


FWIW Mallard I'm fine with what you said in the first post, at first I though it was an ad but then I saw a join date in 2008.

Also, where have I heard the handle Vetchking before? I'm getting some deja vu :confused:
 
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