The volume pots on the old Acoustics were tapered so that the bulk of the volume is controlled within the first few numbers of the knob. In my experience an Acoustic on 10 doesn't have much more volume than on 3 or 4. This little trick built them a rep for being loud, but I'd imagine that a more gradual taper would be more useful.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Acoustic Club
- Thread starter The Owl
- Start date
The volume pots on the old Acoustics were tapered so that the bulk of the volume is controlled within the first few numbers of the knob. In my experience an Acoustic on 10 doesn't have much more volume than on 3 or 4. This little trick built them a rep for being loud, but I'd imagine that a more gradual taper would be more useful.
I had a tech perform this mod on one channel on my 150 and it was really successful for getting a more usable knob when playing bass. The knob is still WAY too sensitive with guitar though.
Picked up a B100 about a month ago. Sounded great for our garage practices and a little show last weekend. 
I tried the B410 with the b200h and compared that to the B115...and I liked the tone of the 15 over the "crisper" tone of the 4-10's...so it's a matter of players choice,,plenty of horse power either way...for a sample of the stack in action..go to youtube and search on quazli7855 4th of july in south florida and about 110 on the heat index scale..
Rich
Hey all,
I just won an auction on Ebay for a vintage Acoustic 370 amp head.
The preamp/power amp section works and has all it's knobs, however the EQ section is missing three slider knobs and the lever on the 100hz selector is missing. I might have a source on a 370 that is not working but has all it's knobs and levers though so I might be able to fix that part.
I just won an auction on Ebay for a vintage Acoustic 370 amp head.
The preamp/power amp section works and has all it's knobs, however the EQ section is missing three slider knobs and the lever on the 100hz selector is missing. I might have a source on a 370 that is not working but has all it's knobs and levers though so I might be able to fix that part.
Hey all,
I just won an auction on Ebay for a vintage Acoustic 370 amp head.
If that's the case then great!! I say that because the one thing that is an absolute BI*%H to locate are the white slider knobs....nearly impossible....
At any rate - welcome to the wonderful world of Vintage Acoustic!!
A trickery by some companies. Peavey was famous for pots that screamed near full volume on 3. Some Fenders were same volume at 8 to say "hey look I'm playing at 10 on the volume"
The question is what happens to your volume when you go beyond 3? My bet is it won't get a whole lot louder on 8.
It many times can be just how the volume pot is set up. Then again some amps just have huge transformers and put out more volume.
Good point....OK here goes...This morning, out of both boredom AND curiousity, I hooked up the 6X10 and the 8X10 to the 370. I then began a slow climb on the volume pot.
At 7 I chickened out.
Pictues were coming off the walls - windows were rattling (badly) - and I was afraid that the cabs were going to blow.
Now, I fully understand what you guys are saying (that's why I tried the little experiment) but it may in fact not get much louder past 7.....but holy crap!!! Why anyone in their right mind would want to do that is beyond me.....
Good point....OK here goes...This morning, out of both boredom AND curiousity, I hooked up the 6X10 and the 8X10 to the 370. I then began a slow climb on the volume pot.
At 7 I chickened out.
Pictues were coming off the walls - windows were rattling (badly) - and I was afraid that the cabs were going to blow.
Now, I fully understand what you guys are saying (that's why I tried the little experiment) but it may in fact not get much louder past 7.....but holy crap!!! Why anyone in their right mind would want to do that is beyond me.....
Exactly.... Now if you did go to 10 it really won't be much, if any louder. So you go 7 holy crap! That's loud.
Some amps go to 11 just for that psychological edge. But yes be careful with the cabs. And the dishes.
Thanks for the #. Out of curiosity, if i use the b410 cab w/ the b200 combo, would the 15" in the b200 produce sound W/ the 10"?
Hey All,
I am trying to decide what cab(s) to pair my Acoustic 370 head up with I've found these two which I think are very affordable vs competition, and even building something myself.
This one is rated at 8 ohms
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/Tolex-410-Bass-Cabinet-w-Volume-Control-for-Horn-p/mb-410.htm
and this one is rated at 4 ohms
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/Tolex-210-Bass-Cabinet-w-Volume-Control-for-Horn-p/mb-210.htm
I know that my wattage output is like 205-230 @ 4 ohms and 365 @ 2 ohms, wonder what is at 8 ohms, 150 maybe?
I'm thinking I might go with the 210 since I don't do gigs and don't have a band, but the 410 does give the ability to add to later if needed. Or am I not understanding my specs correctly? I like to play punk, modern rock and classic rock mostly. What would you all do?
Thanks in advance for all the advice.
I am trying to decide what cab(s) to pair my Acoustic 370 head up with I've found these two which I think are very affordable vs competition, and even building something myself.
This one is rated at 8 ohms
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/Tolex-410-Bass-Cabinet-w-Volume-Control-for-Horn-p/mb-410.htm
and this one is rated at 4 ohms
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/Tolex-210-Bass-Cabinet-w-Volume-Control-for-Horn-p/mb-210.htm
I know that my wattage output is like 205-230 @ 4 ohms and 365 @ 2 ohms, wonder what is at 8 ohms, 150 maybe?
I'm thinking I might go with the 210 since I don't do gigs and don't have a band, but the 410 does give the ability to add to later if needed. Or am I not understanding my specs correctly? I like to play punk, modern rock and classic rock mostly. What would you all do?
Thanks in advance for all the advice.
Vetchking Here:
Iplayasquire: The 370 is a great head. I think you might want a better cab than those.
You can get old acoustics on E-bay sometimes very reasonable. I'd save up some money and get a great cab. Leave that cheap suff for someone else.
You'll be glad you waited.............. Later
Iplayasquire: The 370 is a great head. I think you might want a better cab than those.
You can get old acoustics on E-bay sometimes very reasonable. I'd save up some money and get a great cab. Leave that cheap suff for someone else.
You'll be glad you waited.............. Later
I'll take the cheap stuff.... any word on a 210 cabinet yet? Would like one to match my B115.
I assume your talking about the Acoustic B115? That particular 210 cab I had linked to was wired for 4 ohms but I found this 210 that is wired for 8 ohms but I don't think it has the horn or volume control on it.
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/2x10-Bass-Speaker-Cabinet-p/sa-210.htm
L8ter
I got my amp today! I thought I'd post a few pics of it. It's missing a few knobs and a lever in the EQ section like I said earlier but, it seems to work. It will need a little TLC for sure.
I thought I'd post a few pics of it. It's missing a few knobs and a lever in the EQ section like I said earlier but, it seems to work. It will need a little TLC for sure.
