The Acoustic Club

[jetgraphics]

A bass amp with an A/B channel and no distortion or reverb sounds like a model 320, which was often paired with the wide version of the model 406 2x15 cabinet.

That looks about correct.
I bought it used. Not sure which year it was mfg.

There weren't any Acoustic amps with a 3-button footswitch with A/B channels. You could get A/B and distortion on a 470, but that had a 4-button footswitch (A/B, distorion, reverb, tremelo). I suspect what you're talking about is a 230, with footswitch buttons for reverb, EQ, and master volume. The master volume could generate some sweet sounding distortion.

In retrospect, I think it was a model 450 guitar / bass head w/ 6 x 12" cabinet. (Purchased in 1974-5)
And it had a two button footswitch, not three.
Memory playing tricks on me.... sigh.

 

[holdfast]

I just picked up an Acoustic 140 last week on Craigslist for $180 CAD.

I have it paired with an old Hartke XL115 cab that I bought from a friend of mine for $45. There was a problem with the speaker which I fixed. (Glued both a small crack where the dome meets the aluminum, and also where there was a little separation between the cloth edge and the aluminum.)

Anyways, I love the sound I'm getting with my Epiphone EB-0. The amp is loud for its size like everyone says, even with the single 8 ohm speaker.

What I also like is how simple it is--Volume, Treble, Bass and a Brightness button. Easy.

Cell phone pic:

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There is some electronic hum, and it gets worse with the Brighness button on. I read that some noise was to be expected with these amps. Will just have to monitor it to make sure it is not getting worse.

This is my first real rig. In our rehearsal space, I've been using the guitar player's old bass rig, and at home I have a crappy distorted old Yamaha combo. So, I'm just thrilled to have put together such a decent rig for just $225.

I think it would be cool to eventually find one of the old Acoustic cabinets from back-in-the day--something else to search for on Craigy's and Kijiji.

 

[jj4001]

I just picked up an Acoustic 140 last week on Craigslist for $180 CAD.

I have it paired with an old Hartke XL115 cab that I bought from a friend of mine for $45. There was a problem with the speaker which I fixed. (Glued both a small crack where the dome meets the aluminum, and also where there was a little separation between the cloth edge and the aluminum.)

Anyways, I love the sound I'm getting with my Epiphone EB-0. The amp is loud for its size like everyone says, even with the single 8 ohm speaker.

What I also like is how simple it is--Volume, Treble, Bass and a Brightness button. Easy.

Cell phone pic:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There is some electronic hum, and it gets worse with the Brighness button on. I read that some noise was to be expected with these amps. Will just have to monitor it to make sure it is not getting worse.

This is my first real rig. In our rehearsal space, I've been using the guitar player's old bass rig, and at home I have a crappy distorted old Yamaha combo. So, I'm just thrilled to have put together such a decent rig for just $225.

I think it would be cool to eventually find one of the old Acoustic cabinets from back-in-the day--something else to search for on Craigy's and Kijiji.

Nice! Keep an eye out for a 106 cab to go with your 140.

 

[holdfast]

Nice! Keep an eye out for a 106 cab to go with your 140.

Yes. I'll keep an eye out for a 106. There is one available a couple hours drive away paired with a 470 amp but the seller wants $1200 for the complete rig. That's way too much for me.

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Until just last week when I found the ad selling the 140 that I bought, Acoustic was completely off my radar. I knew they were an amp company from way back but that's about it. It'll be interesting now to search from time-to-time to see what comes up for sale in my area.

 

[jj4001]

That's a great rig, but $1200 is way too much. With some patience, you should be able to find a matching cab for less than $300.

The old Acoustics are often undervalued on the used market. They're a great value if you're into vintage amps and cabs.

 

[Jimg5512]

I love my gear, use some conf just about every weekend. The 360 is my fav... but use a 370 with a 406 most of the time...

 

[jj4001]

I love my gear, use some conf just about every weekend. The 360 is my fav... but use a 370 with a 406 most of the time...

I've yet to play a 360. For me, I like my 371 best. The 320/408 is a close second. I mainly use the 320 with my 402 though because it's a more appropriately sized cab for my gigs. Plus, the two channels of the 320 is great for Rick-O-Sound.

I'm spoiled by these old ACC amps. Provided backline gigs are more and more common lately for us. I've had to use GK micros with Fearful cabs, SVT's, Ashdown, SWR, Traynor and countless others recently. None of them come close to sounding as good to me. Not that they're not great amps, they just don't give me the tone and feel I like, like ACC does. The closest thing I've come across was an Ampeg B2(?) through an ancient Peavey 4x12 bass cab in Nashville.

 

[billgoodwin]

@ holdfast......ditto on finding yourself a 106. be patient, as jj4001 mentioned , these pop up from time to time. Found my lovely 150 / 106 rig 2yrs ago in an out of the way music store, paid $200 for the set, absolute awesome-sauce! blows away anything I've ever owned or played through.

 

[mikey horror]

On the lookout for some 408s to go with the 370s but here is my chunk of gear.

 

[billgoodwin]

you guys are killing me with all these 370 posts.

 

[Gaolee]

Some of us have quirks. I don't understand the love for 370s. I had one and never bonded with it at all. The only thing that sound better than an old 360 to my ears is a new one. A 320 is close behind. The 370 I had sounded scratchy and overcooked to me. An old 360 has the ability to make a full, round, juicy sound, if that makes sense at all. It can get wooly, but it never sounds baked and brittle. A new one sound almost exactly like an old one, except it's just a little drier and you can get a woodier sound out of it. It is also a little more versatile since it has a HF horn. A 320 running through a 408 cabinet can approach what either 360 can do, but just not quite get there. Its sound leans a little toward the way a 370 sounds, but it is still a little fuller and not as hard.

Sorry for lapsing into what sounds like pretentious wine speak, but I don't know how to describe it any better. Some people translate sound into colors. It translates to textures and flavors and smells and sometimes a tactile thing in my brain. So, if none of this makes sense, now you know why.

 

[Unfinely Tuned]

I posted here a few days back about a local Acoustic head I found for sale that did not work and backed out. As a former owner of a 140, I liked the cool retro sound and I found another 220 head in mint condition for $300.00. I also own a much loved GK 400RB that would accompany this head ontop of a 15' bass cab for home use and practice if the sellers price seems fair. The pictures look mint and he says he is the second owner of the head. I figure I'd own the head for nostalgic reasons only since I am a Zep fan and play an L2000 which would sound great through the amp. I also play a Spector that I most likely may not play through the 220 because of the hot active pickups. The EMG DC's did nout sound great through the old 140 I had IMO. I may grab the head next week if its still around.

 

[mikey horror]

There is no rig in the world that compares with my 360/361. I was hooked instantly. The 370 is a fun head though. I ran it with an old sunn 4x15 cranked and got a really aggressive lemmy tone. Not the most versatile head ever but if you are wanting a certain grit it's awesome.

 

[billgoodwin]

well, the sale of my Wagner era B220 head on C/L fell through...guy was trying to scam me....so....it's back up on the market...wink,wink.nudge,nudge....

 

[mpdd]

i actually love the 140 setup with the original 215, it projects well, it can get a nice od, works great with my rat tail, and the cabinet is really easy to carry, if i end up in a financial crunch i could see myself selling the mesa and orange stuff and just using/buying the drummer's 140

 

[Pearly Gator]

Just picked up a 150 for $90. It has a broken 50k volume pot but works great otherwise. All original on the inside. Can't wait to try it with my Squire Bass VI!

 

[Marial]

My brother Gaolee tells me Acoustic USA has gone TU? Anyone have any details? My guess is that the amps were simply too expensive for a too-limited market.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't know if they went TU. The website is down. That's all I know. There was a rumor that GC had revoked his right to use the name Acoustic, but I don't know if it is true.

 

[jj4001]

I don't know if they went TU. The website is down. That's all I know. There was a rumor that GC had revoked his right to use the name Acoustic, but I don't know if it is true.

Bad news. I've been hoping they'd do well.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm relieved - the rumor isn't confirmed and is probably not true. George is still in business and has amps in stock. So, the rumor is just a rumor. Maybe he's negotiating a deal with the new owners of GC. I don't know, but I'm not surprised he's not going away easily. If you have ever talked to him or dealt with him in any way, you will know that going away easily is not in his nature anyway.