Are Acoustic cabinets really that good?

[bassplayer1494]

I've quite a bit about them during my first few days at TB. These forums really have convinced me to get them(oops i forgot to mention the reviews at guitar center's website). Are they really that good because Ive seen their prices and ratings and i really might go about with a 410 or an 810 cabinet.

 

[john_g]

I could be wrong (and others can correct me if I am because I havent played through one but..), I think acoustic gets alot of love around here for its "bang for the buck" quality. Its good gear at good prices. I wouldnt go as far as saying they stack up against higher end stuff though.

 

[bassplayer1494]

I could be wrong (and others can correct me if I am because I havent played through one but..), I think acoustic gets alot of love around here for its "bang for the buck" quality. Its good gear at good prices. I wouldnt go as far as saying they stack up against higher end stuff though.

well when it comes to me, the bang for the buck is all i got

 

[J. Crawford]

You could look into Avatar too. Thats what I did, couldnt be happier.

 

[bassplayer1494]

You could look into Avatar too. Thats what I did, couldnt be happier.[/QUOTE

Ok, ill look into it, thanks

 

[bassplayer1494]

whoops i must of did something. The last post came out wrong lol

 

[Bassmec]

Well Acoustic had some very good cabs in the past, the one that comes to mind as the utter balls out 4 X 15, is the 408 enclosure, with the original alnico magnet drivers was one was a heck of a row. Still got mine mate and a 370 cab with a single Cerwin Vega 18 in a folded horn, you may not hear it where you are standing but rest assured, next door there is no plaster left on the ceiling.

 

[kittyboy]

Did jaco play acoustic cabs or heads or both?

I thought they were considered mediocre, jaco notwithstanding...

 

[chicago_mike]

It was acoustic vs. ampeg back then..

OR, you went the self designed rig...mostly out of various pa equipment.

I bought a new acoustic 410 but blew a speaker in less than 3 minutes. stay under the wattage limit.

 

[Turock]

Did jaco play acoustic cabs or heads or both?

I thought they were considered mediocre, jaco notwithstanding...

In their time, when they were made in USA, they were considered by many to be as good as you could get.

 

[cadduc]

at the time your choice for 300 Watts was ampeg, or acoustic, or you could stack 4 fender showman heads
or
sunn heads

there was no real option, that was the choice,

 

[kittyboy]

Sure, but I'm talking about now...

 

[cadduc]

the real problem with the early solid state pieces was the output devices were not robust
so you blew them up,
i blew up four of those 360's, fortunately for me, they did not belong to me,

i never blew up an ampeg or a showman

the solid state devices were like the old power modules that mounted in the assemblies for your auto ignition systems, remember when those things blew up all the time, now, not so much,

now the new solid state machines have, i think this is correct, igbt power devices, they work and they can take the transients that occur in the output, so that is one of the pluses that now exist and make life easier

but alot of guys liked the old acoustics, it is just that i was not one of them, i did not like the tone, and they blew up too often

 

[Turock]

Sure, but I'm talking about now...

If that's the case, then why did you ask about Jaco's cabinets? Jaco's cabinets were not today's cabinets.

 

[Bassmec]

Did jaco play acoustic cabs or heads or both?

I thought they were considered mediocre, jaco notwithstanding...

He played them live and in some studio recordings mainly the cabs I mentioned with 370 or 400 series heads sometimes the old 360 Pre and
active cab folded horn rig.
Find Jaco live on you tube and you will see and hear the old beasts bellow forth their historic triumphant cacophony!.

 

[Turock]

the real problem with the early solid state pieces was the output devices were not robust
so you blew them up,
i blew up four of those 360's, fortunately for me, they did not belong to me,

i never blew up an ampeg or a showman

the solid state devices were like the old power modules that mounted in the assemblies for your auto ignition systems, remember when those things blew up all the time, now, not so much,

now the new solid state machines have, i think this is correct, igbt power devices, they work and they can take the transients that occur in the output, so that is one of the pluses that now exist and make life easier

but alot of guys liked the old acoustics, it is just that i was not one of them, i did not like the tone, and they blew up too often

My experience with the older Acoustic stuff is that they are/were very reliable. Although I use Ampeg and Demeter these days, I have had an Acoustic amp since the mid 70's that has never been in a shop for repair, and was my main amp for many years.

 

[Jim C]

Don't think that anyone here has ever said new Acoustic stuff is REALLY good sounding as compared to the competition, but it is a very good value.
Huge difference

 

[kittyboy]

If that's the case, then why did you ask about Jaco's cabinets? Jaco's cabinets were not today's cabinets.

My point was/is that the general consensus I've seen around the web is that "yeah, jaco played through them but they weren't that great and haven't really stood the test of time." As opposed to, say, an SVT where lots of great names played them in their heyday, but lots of guys *still* love them now, and some will even say that they're the best in certain regards. I don't see that kind of love for Acoustic, not much at least.


Please keep in mind that this is just what's stuck with me after researching them on forums and such. My personal experience with them has been only a few occasions and I was lukewarm.

Not saying they're bad, just saying I was surprised to hear someone say "are they really that good?"

 

[62bass]

My point was/is that the general consensus I've seen around the web is that "yeah, jaco played through them but they weren't that great and haven't really stood the test of time." As opposed to, say, an SVT where lots of great names played them in their heyday, but lots of guys *still* love them now, and some will even say that they're the best in certain regards. I don't see that kind of love for Acoustic, not much at least.


Please keep in mind that this is just what's stuck with me after researching them on forums and such. My personal experience with them has been only a few occasions and I was lukewarm.

Not saying they're bad, just saying I was surprised to hear someone say "are they really that good?"

I never liked the old originl Acoustic amps, but at the time they first came out they were the loudest thing available. But I disliked the sound. None of us listened much to Jaco so we couldn't care less about his sound, which wouldn't have worked for us anyhow unless we were playing fusion. We listened a lot to Stanley Clark though when he came on the scene.

I put up with my big folded horn rig for a couple years and then put together a custom rig with cabinets built for me and loaded with the best JBL speakers available and powered by a couple of the new, at that time, high powered solid state PA amps. Sounded just as loud and much better but more expensive and less portable. At the time I didn't care because I had roadies and we could afford expensive gear.

The new Asian made Acoustic line is nothing like the original except for a cosmetic resemblance. They're budget amps and cabinets and considered good for what they cost. Many who buy them like the sound. Avatar cabinets are good value also if you live in the US. Myself, I'd go with Avatar if I needed inexpensive cabinets.

Anyhow, that's just the ramblings of an old and cynical long time bassist. Tastes in music and sound have changed a lot since then.

 

[kittyboy]

Good to know about the new Acoustic line. Thanks.