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NEW Acoustic 360/361

#281
YEPPP.. T-N-R =Tuck and Roll, the 'upholstered look' of vintage era KUSTOM equipment.

Kind of went along with the 'surfer' culture, although KUSTOM hails from Chanute, Kansas.

You can view mine [ and my other amps] on yuku: my screen name there is 'rikfenzon'.

Oddly..I believe I saw references in late 60's KUSTOM catalogs..our 'Southside dream book', referencing a 'KUSTOM Kat'...so..yes..KAT not cat. I know there was a 'nauga' creature. as well.

Like Acoustic, KUSTOM offered a folded horn cab..w-horn, as wel. T-N-R.

Acoustic brother and fellow TBer OREN owns one.

I was fairly ignorant about amps in 1971, when I chose Kustom..I wasn't aware of what W-horn could do for bass..bought a stock B-200, with CTS speakers. JBL, Altec were optional. [ Hey it still works just fine, thank you]

i was 'king of the Atlanta jams' until I went up against stacks..and until Freddie came to town with his 361..yes, still friends to this day. When I went up against Marshall stacks..never heard again..then I met Freddie from California, who owned the first 361 I ever saw..

He's the one I reference, who stood toe-2-toe against 2 Marshall stacks DIMED in a Brookhaven neigborhood jam, while he kept up easlity at only half volume on his 361..amazing.
 
#282
Side note to Bawana Rik...

...I was playing at the 'Crystal Palace' at the original Underground Atlanta in 75/76....most appreciative fans were some tourists from N.J.

Wish I had kept up with them over the years, but it was just brief encounter with a transient audience..but those young guys gave the most sincere compliments..nicest bunch I ever met to talk music / sound/ sets at a club.
 
#283
This discussion brings up why George has a struggle on his hands. The people who know about the original are old guys like many of us. Younger people are the ones who will make his company go or not go. They don't have any idea what Acoustic Control was all about, let alone what an original 360 can do. The new one may be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but if nobody hears it or knows about it, nobody will buy one. There's a cart and horse issue to overcome. That's why people like me who own the new ones should let people hear them and play through them when the chance comes up. Otherwise, it will wither. If it withers because it's a bad product, that's fine. That's not the case with this amp. It's a great amp, assuming you want or need what it can do, so it should have the chance to stand or fail on its own merits.
 
#284
Atlanta Bass Gallery* is authorized to sell them. Owner owns several vintage amps includng an original 361.

Very generous of gaolee to offer his time nd rig where he lives in N/W U S A as well.

Again theres that young guy who does a youtube of vintage 361?? He 'sold' me on the vintage 361...best product demo I have ever seen.

If George could get that same guy a NEW 361 RIG....get out of the way and let him roll with it on youtube?? Sales would jump exponentialy.


* NOT A COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT: Used only as a suggestion for any interested parties to see / hear one..possibly A/B between vintage and new in the Atlanta vicinity.
 
#286
(in response to Gaolee's last post)

There's that, and then there are the problems of cost and weight. Soundwise the new ones are fantastic, but like the old ones, they might be perceived as beasts to deal with if you're a clubber. Now for people who regularly cart around an Ampeg 810 with a tube head they'd be no problem at all, but in an era when phenomenal (if different) sound can be had in much smaller and lighter packages, this is another uphill battle. I know that with my back, which is pretty much shot, going the fEARful/micro amp/preamp route is the way forward. But that's just me... Anyhow, while I realize the cabinet has a good design in terms of its integrated handle, kick plate, and wheels, making it actually easier to deal with than my heavy Ashdown 210 combo, it's a perception thing.

Additionally, and I certainly can't speak for anyone but myself, I care a lot about near-field sound quality. I want to hear my tone where I am, not 10 or 20 feet in front of me. My admittedly limited experience with the new one is that near-field you have to deal with a less than ideal tone. It's not that it's bad tone, per se, it's just that the amp has to be adjusted so that 'your tone' is out in the room and you don't get to hear it where you are. That's a deal breaker for me.

Given that most clubs, at least in Seattle anyway, have good quality PA systems, there is rarely a need for that kind of projection anyway. Now, if like Gaolee, you do a fair number of gigs without that kind of PA support, a 360/361 makes a lot of sense because you're depending on your amp alone to fill the room, and it does that magnificently. Or, if you play BIG stages and you're way out in front of it, these would be perfect.

Anyhow, I think, even though they don't meet need my needs at all, they really are wonderful amps and I hope George makes a success of it. I dig the history of them and it's great to see some continuity. A lot of great music was made with these amps and hopefully this will continue.
 
#287
I have spoken with George..always a unique experience..and suggested he diversify perhaps.....a little....

i suggested that he offer an un-powered 301 and reissue 408...Look into 'new' light-weight construction products...

I suggested that there are probably no copyrights to infringe, so why not make a re-issue Sunn 1-18vh..Over half an our later..I GET it..Not gonna happen..at least until the company takes off..

Well maybe..just a rumor, here.. you can get a new '301'-styled cab from him.

Easy for me to say..just a unique array of plywood with a speaker attached..Not my company..but his, so....

IF I had time, EXTRA $$ and a wood shop, I would condsider doing it.
 
#289
Marial said:
(in response to Gaolee's last post)

There's that, and then there are the problems of cost and weight. Soundwise the new ones are fantastic, but like the old ones, they might be perceived as beasts to deal with if you're a clubber. Now for people who regularly cart around an Ampeg 810 with a tube head they'd be no problem at all, but in an era when phenomenal (if different) sound can be had in much smaller and lighter packages, this is another uphill battle. I know that with my back, which is pretty much shot, going the fEARful/micro amp/preamp route is the way forward. But that's just me... Anyhow, while I realize the cabinet has a good design in terms of its integrated handle, kick plate, and wheels, making it actually easier to deal with than my heavy Ashdown 210 combo, it's a perception thing.

Additionally, and I certainly can't speak for anyone but myself, I care a lot about near-field sound quality. I want to hear my tone where I am, not 10 or 20 feet in front of me. My admittedly limited experience with the new one is that near-field you have to deal with a less than ideal tone. It's not that it's bad tone, per se, it's just that the amp has to be adjusted so that 'your tone' is out in the room and you don't get to hear it where you are. That's a deal breaker for me.

Given that most clubs, at least in Seattle anyway, have good quality PA systems, there is rarely a need for that kind of projection anyway. Now, if like Gaolee, you do a fair number of gigs without that kind of PA support, a 360/361 makes a lot of sense because you're depending on your amp alone to fill the room, and it does that magnificently. Or, if you play BIG stages and you're way out in front of it, these would be perfect.

Anyhow, I think, even though they don't meet need my needs at all, they really are wonderful amps and I hope George makes a success of it. I dig the history of them and it's great to see some continuity. A lot of great music was made with these amps and hopefully this will continue.
Click to expand...

If you are in Seattle, you should stop by and see Don Oatman of Low Down Sound. I believe he still has an Acoustic Folded Horn that he modified with some mid drivers and/or tweeter (can't remember). Clever mod, behind the grill cloth on top of the folded horn. Of course, weighed a ton, but it sounded great.

Never really saw the need for these old boat anchors being reissued. Great for the time, but I'd never want to go back there. However, 'vintage' is a strange emotional thing, and if he can sell some and make some money, what the heck!
 
#290
Marial...

Try a Sunn 18-vh..plenty loud on stage..yet you can hear it clearly on-stage. No loss of highs.. High D# on G-string loud and clear... yet sound 'blooms' at 40 feet away ..also where intestinal interference takes place.

I have used my ACC 370/Sunn rig in great and small venues.. I just turn volume down on my bass in smaller venues for balance. Heavy cab??..yes.. heavy sound ?? very much YES.


Same with a 301. I have had the 'throw' * interfere with me onstage when I used Freddie's 361 at 12th Gate in early 70's. I overcame it by listening to the refelection from closest wall....*Never seemed to bothered Jaco...
 
#291
I'm just not interested in something that big or heavy, it's not my tea bag, as a Polish friend once said. But having played through Gaolee's rigs I can definitely see the appeal even if they don't meet my needs at all.
 
#292
zon6c-f said:
Marial...

Try a Sunn 18-vh..plenty loud on stage..yet you can hear it clearly on-stage. No loss of highs.. High D# on G-string loud and clear... yet sound 'blooms' at 40 feet away ..also where intestinal interference takes place.

I have used my ACC 370/Sunn rig in great and small venues.. I just turn volume down on my bass in smaller venues for balance. Heavy cab??..yes.. heavy sound ?? very much YES.


Same with a 301. I have had the 'throw' * interfere with me onstage when I used Freddie's 361 at 12th Gate in early 70's. I overcame it by listening to the refelection from closest wall....*Never seemed to bothered Jaco...
Click to expand...

He also began to use front loaded cabs in addition. Also the MXR digital delay & flanger doubler brought the sound back inside the cab.
It would seem to be more present.
 
#295
Chadds... AGREED.

However, when Mrs Zon & I saw Jaco in early 1980's, he only used a wall of 361's.. (4) double cabs; MXR looper atop a side fill 361.

I have never heard how much gear he actually owned and toured with VS how much was backline supplied rental.

There were no signs of his illness displayed....only a unique and flawless display of his skill and artistry through the BASS OF DOOM and a wall of 361's; no gymnastics or absurdities.

THOR/ Gaolee.... I am a lucky guy...

Mrs Zon has been my inspirational support and roadie since we met: Summer of 1980..even purchased my GC Acoustic b-200 combo and Squier Jazz 5-Active for a birthday in 2009. She would have bought me the MM I was drooling for, but the Squier actually won-out..no need to repeat the whole Squier story here..
 
#296
Don't get me wrong - my wife is completely supportive of nearly everything I myself into, whether it is motorcycles and then racing them or playing bass. But, she has her limits, and being female, she is a complete mystery sometimes. It's always a surprise to find out that where you thought there would be a limit, there isn't one, and where you were sure there were no limits, you run into one. Anything else would make life too dull. But, I would have an aqua sparkle naugahyde tuck 'n' roll refrigerator in the jam room. It's a huge sacrifice, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to keep his wife happy.
 
#298
Gaolee..

Happy Wife = Happy life...

At those crossroads..ask yourself..Do I want to be right..OR BE HAPPY??
Husbandry 101: Wake up each morning and repeat this mantra..

Honey..I'm Sorry..you're right..hope it won't happen again...
REPEAT UNTL YOU GET IT.

DISCLAIMER..NONE OF THESE QUOTES ARE ORIGINAL NOR MY THOUGHTS NOR ACTIONS....AND SURELY MEANT FOR HUMOROUS PURPOSES ONLY.
 
#299
I had to respond to a PM from a moderator to explain myself a while back... I have come close..nearly got on board to sell George's NEW AC 361..but I did not go through with it...

I am not a paid endorser either..I know..I GO ON..and on about equipment I have bought and use.. but I am not an ENDORSER beyond my personal preference...including GC Acoustic and even my Squier bass.

Either I passionately love something or I don't...I am very enthusuastic about all of my musical purchases.

I love my vintage 370 as well as my GC Acoustic amps..I gladly share my experience and opinions.

Recently I came up with the "LET YOUR EARS GET THE VOTE..WALLET GETS THE VETO" mantra for whatever your musical purchases may be. I am flattered when others use it..SPREAD THE WORD..

Anyone who reads BP mag will recall the cover story some issues back on the New Acoustic ...now that is either a high compliment or best endorsement EVER.
 
#300
zon6c-f said:
Anyone who reads BP mag will recall the cover story some issues back on the New Acoustic ...now that is either a high compliment or best endorsement EVER.
Click to expand...

Just for the record. This is the BP article in question: http://www.bassplayer.com/article/full-circle-360-degrees-of-the-acoustic-360/151441

It is nice to hear someone tell the story of the original and the relationship to the new version, but I don't know that I'd call any of it an endorsement by BPM. At no time do they discuss the actual use or tone of the new amp.
 

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