Acoustic USA 360 / 361

[ninepoundjammer]

Why isn't there a good "rolls eyes" smiley on here?

 

[johnk_10]

What makes you think I am in the know? I never stated that I am in the know about amplification and sound?

i think that you've made that obvious.

It seems to me like you are just jealous that you won't be getting one. Mike

how could i be jealous? if i wanted one, i would just buy one.but after owning alot folded horn cabs, i simply do not believe in them anymore, and consider them to be a 'cool looking' thing of the past.

hey, i really do wish George all the best in his venture. i really did dig the old acoustic amps for what they were. i also realize that it's not an easy thing to accomplish, but i'm just not that impressed with his 'execution' of the project and all of the hype & BS that been asscociated with it. it would be nice if he'd just get it done, and release it when it's ready. then let the product speak for itself.

 

[nostatic]

What makes you think I am in the know? I never stated that I am in the know about amplification and sound? Are you reading things into my impression of what the new Acoustic amp sounds like? I am just an average musician that has been playing bass for years and have used a lot of different equipment in the bands I have played in for decades now, and am sharing my first hand experience and opinion on the new Acoustic line. If you don't want to know anything about what is coming, you should just wait for it like everyone else. It seems to me like you are just jealous that you won't be getting one. Mike

Jealous? Umm...no. I'm actually pretty happy with my current rig, and there is no way in hell I'm going to go back to hauling a large rig. I am interested to see how the state of the art progresses though, and like to see how things evolve. Since I was playing back when the original line was out, there is a nostalgia piece as well.

As for "in the know," you made a pretty sweeping and grandiose pronouncement about how great the new amp is. That means you either know what the current reference points are, or you're just going by what people say on forums (eg the SVT comment). You said it was as good or better than current studio/hiFi gear. One would assume when you say that you actually know what comprises current studio/hiFi gear. For instance the Avalon 737sp is pretty much a gold standard for studio front ends, and has been for many years. Yet it didn't seem like you even knew what it was.

So as such, your "review" and pronouncement of 360/361 as the new champion might be viewed with a little skepticism. ymmv.

 

[MichaelRClassic]

In comparing Bass amps to studio gear, I made that statement because according to Russ Allee, commonly hailed as the "Godfather of Bass Amplification", this new amp is true Hi-Fidelity and other than Studio Gear, no Bass Guitar Amp that I know of can make that claim. I am not a studio technician, or play one on TV. I don't claim to know anything about other gear than what I have used, tested or read extensively about, which does include the drawbacks of the old 360/361pp and 301 cabinets up close stage clarity, and also the lack of projection that plagues the SVT 8-10 as reported by many users that now are much happier with old Acoustic cabinets. If you need 2 8-10's on a big stage, that explains it's self. My definition of a Hi-End professional musician, doesn't involve hauling around a lot of heavy gear. They have roadies that do that for them.

The reason I decided to offer my opinion on the New Acoustic USA 360/361 was to assure the hecklers and those that really are interested in some updated infomation, that there really is a new amp and a light at the end of the tunnel for the release of this new product, and the extent to which it has been improved upon, since I have tried it out personally and seen the products, and have been privy to quite a few things that the doubters do not know about including the things that George, Russ, and Mark have done to accomplish this. If you have read the report, you know I personally use my 320/408 for big gigs and my 320/406 for medium or smaller ones, but I will soon be using one of the new 360/361's. I just got tired of reading about cardboard cutouts and other nonsensical claims by posers. Mike

 

[svtb15]

You are new to TB...
Since you dont understand the meaning of "No Pics No amp" and the semi humor behind it. No Biggie. You're new...

But since you are so new and have nothing posted in your profile as to your background, the way your post comes off is suspect to me.
Its not like it would be the first time that has happened here. Where a manufacturer has someone come in under the wire.. NOT YOU.. Im just saying...
You joined a month ago and a vast portion of your posts are in this thread.
Myself and others have the right to ask questions if something seems weird to us.. or myself. its your option to answer or duck..

Quite frankly , i wont have to go see George as you suggested. The way this poor version of HYPE is unraveling is basically Kirk Repellent to me.

Many of us have been to manufacturing facilities large and small. From Fender to small boutique makers and we have taken photos to post.
You would think that a topic as hotly contested as this would have some visual proof by now... But nothing...
Im done and not gonna beat this dead horse anymore..

If you dont care to post in this thread anymore that is your option. But dont blame me.

Time will tell.. they may be killer rigs....

Let me see if I understand this.
I take time to ACTUALLY VISIT George and play through his products and report it here. That's considered hogwash.

But pictures posted on the internet would be considered acceptable evidence?

Get off your can (and away from your keyboard). Call or visit George. See for yourself.

I thought I was being helpful by making the trip and reporting on my visit. Now my honesty has been questioned. I will not bother you people with any more posts in this thread.

 

[johnk_10]

well, since i started playing bass in 1966, i've owned just about everything ever offered on the bass amp market and the pro studio market (and still own ALOT of gear today), so i don't go by what i've read others write in magazines or the internet. i base my thoughts on actual experience. i never said that i needed two 8x10's, but i did used to use two for the larger gigs, just because i could. IME, one SVT/810 provided alot more of everything than one 360/118, be it on stage and in the back of the room, or outdoor crowd.

i used to refer to my 361 and 371 rigs as having a large 'juke box' bass tone, that i actually liked, but often used to run a showman with them so i could hear note definition on stage and provide a bit of high end clarity as well.

i don't doubt that the new vesions with the horn and improved electronics will be nice, but i would never go as far to say that they'll be the best there is, especially before they are even released.

 

[svtb15]

I think Thunderfunk makes that claim too..
And the TF amps are real nice...which is on the Allee design.. but many upgrades over the transitions and years from the original.

In comparing Bass amps to studio gear, I made that statement because according to Russ Allee, commonly hailed as the "Godfather of Bass Amplification", this new amp is true Hi-Fidelity and other than Studio Gear, no Bass Guitar Amp that I know of can make that claim.

 

[johnk_10]

and not to take anything away from Russ Allee's great achievements (which i respect highly), but i always thought if there was a 'godfather of bass amplification', it might be Jess Oliver, since he designed/invented the Ampeg B15 long before the 360 came about. so maybe he should be known as the 'godfather's father' ?

and, IMO, my friend Leo Fender wasn't any slouch either. maybe he didn't offer the best bass amps in the 50's-'70's, but he was definitely among the first few to make an electric bass and to amplify it.

 

[svtb15]

Every time i see that i smile..
Love the UA gear.. great strip..

well back in the day, i had a 361, and i also had an SVT/810, which for me, blew the acoustic away on all levels, so i have to take that statement with a grain of salt.

and while i liked the 361, i sold my 360 to Larry Taylor, and kept the SVT.

i still have two SVT's, but lately i've been using any one of these three channel strips as a preamp thru my accugroove cab with great results:

 

[MichaelRClassic]

The reason I decided to offer my opinion on the New Acoustic USA 360/361 was to assure the hecklers and those that really are interested in some updated infomation, that there really is a new amp and a light at the end of the tunnel for the release of this new product, and the extent to which it has been improved upon, since I have tried it out personally and seen the products, and have been privy to quite a few things that the doubters do not know about including the things that George, Russ, and Mark have done to accomplish this. If you have read the report, you know I personally use my 320/408 for big gigs and my 320/406 for medium or smaller ones, but I will soon be using one of the new 360/361's. I just got tired of reading about cardboard cutouts and other nonsensical claims by posers. Mike

I am sure TF are very good amps, there is no question there. Just think about who can better improve on a design than the original designers with years of improvements and custom designed components not available anywhere else to their exacting specs, or someone just settling for what is on the shelf and settle for that, since it will still work? Mike

 

[pedro]

I lost track can somebody tell me if George gave us an actual date when these new Acoustics will be available to the public?

 

[D.M.N.]

I lost track can somebody tell me if George gave us an actual date when these new Acoustics will be available to the public?

I don't believe so, there's just been a bit of a running gag at the ACC forum that it would be two months from the point when the question was asked. So I don't believe any firm date was ever given, no. Possibly, but I've only ever seen 2 months from now.

 

[MichaelRClassic]

Why does everyone keep referring to not seeing pics? Cuzintom posted a pic of one of the New 360/361 with a mini 15 right beside it on stage. It's still there, and although it is not a closeup or multiple views, it is exactly the same as the one I played through at George's. I looked at it earlier today on this forum. Mike

 

[nostatic]

Because other pics have been removed, and the one that is there is almost as good as this pic:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You can see the 360/361 there in the lower right of the photo. She's a beaut!

Having a sense of humor is mission critical imho.

 

[Gopher Bob]

Would anyone else find it funny if I made a fresh new account and came to this thread and posted about my "experiences" with the Vapor-Amp?

 

[MichaelRClassic]

Ok,
I really don't find the search on this forum, when I can even find it, as useful as the one on the ACC website or the Vintage motorcycle forums I usually frequent, and haven't been here long enough to be able to figure out much about what needs filled out and even how to access it, or how to include the quote, or numerous things that make it hard for me to do anything except type responses or cut and paste my last one so it gets read and not just skipped over, my bad, because pretty much a newbie to here. Hopefully I'll figure it out. Mike

 

[nostatic]

Vapor-Amp?

so that's what "vamp" means. All this time I thought it meant to play the same thing over and over again. Now I find out it is an abbreviation for the select mystery amps. Dopey me...

 

[Gopher Bob]

I ONLY COME ON HERE AFTER MIDNIGHT SO I AM TIRED AND CAN NOT SHOW YOU GUYS PICTURES

I HAVE SENT MY HENCHMEN TO COME AND TALK.

A LOT OF WORK BUT IT IS COMING THEY ARE REAL PICTURES ARE OVER RATED THOUGH

I LIKE TO POST REALLY BIG AND WASTE EVERYONES' TIME TAHNK YOU COME AGAIN

Love VAPORKING



You would assume someone about to market a product would at least TRY to give everyone a positive vibe about the product. Free advertising! Word of mouth is the only way a product like this will be successful. I would be scared of the customer service these expensive amps will come with if they come with any at all.

And no offense to MichaelRClassic! Welcome to talkbass some of us can be jerks myself included. You have just stumbled into a doomed thread and it makes you seem like one of VaporKing's minions!! (I know that sounds reDonkulous but I promise it be true).

 

[knigel]

Because other pics have been removed, and the one that is there is almost as good as this pic:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You can see the 360/361 there in the lower right of the photo. She's a beaut!

Having a sense of humor is mission critical imho.

Hey, you stole my bit!

Well, as they say, amateurs borrow, professionals steal....

 

[MichaelRClassic]

Well,
I filled out the information as best as I can remember with all of the equipment I have owned in the past and present and other info, so at least I'm trying. Where do you go to figure out how to find old posts you are looking for on this site without having to Jump through so many hoops? Mike