Ultimate Guide to Acoustic Guitar Amps

 

“Unplugged” is a term used to describe musical performances that prominently feature acoustic guitars. Remember those MTV shows from the ‘90s? But, nostalgia aside, it’s not really an accurate term. That’s because for large gigs, it is essential for acoustic guitars to be amplified so that audiences can hear them.

 

For that reason, the majority of modern acoustic guitars are fitted with electronics that enable them to be amplified. Featuring discrete built-in pickups that are able to capture string vibrations and transform them into electrical signals, this technology allows electro-acoustic guitars to be plugged directly into PA systems or specialised acoustic guitar amplifiers.

 

In this guide, we’re going to take a close look at the latter, explaining their functionality and advantages over other forms of amplification. By the end of this piece, you’ll understand what acoustic guitar amps are fully capable of.

What Is An Acoustic Guitar Amp?

An acoustic amplifier serves the same purpose as any other type of guitar amp you’ll come across: it boosts an instrument’s audio signal and projects its sound through a speaker (or several speakers). However, acoustic amps are optimised to suit the tonal qualities of the pickup systems fitted in electro-acoustic guitars.

WHat Does An Acoustic Guitar Amp Sound Like?

Plugging an electro-acoustic directly into an audio interface or PA system can sound artificial, processed and thin. However, an acoustic guitar amp can harness and manipulate that sound so that it is more natural to the ear, and akin to an acoustic’s unplugged sound. This is because they are designed to sound as clean and as pure as possible. This is to ensure that the natural sonics of electro-acoustic guitars are precisely reproduced - for an authentic sound and feel.

 

But these amps don’t just do the sound of an acoustic guitar justice - they can also be used to enhance the tone of your instrument and take it a step further. For example, there are some great affordable electro-acoustic guitars out there, but, in order to remain cost-effective - a lot of these will be equipped with dull and anaemic-sounding pickups. Acoustic amps can therefore be used to spruce up the sound of poor pickups, mostly via their powerful preamps and onboard EQ sections.

 

Which Acoustic Guitar Amp Is Right For me?

When it comes to choosing an acoustic guitar amp, there are three main factors you'll want to consider: power, features, and portability. Made to suit singer-songwriters, you’ll find that the majority of acoustic amps are equipped with XLR inputs for plugging in microphones. That aside, consider in which of the following scenarios you'll be using your acoustic guitar:

 

Acoustic Guitar Amps For PRactice

If you want a practice amp for playing at home or taking round to a friend's place for a jam, you might want to look at something like the Blackstar Fly 3 Mini – lightweight with a long battery life and mains plug-in option. These types of amp aren't loud enough to be used on stage or in the street but are perfect for in-home use.

Acoustic Guitar Amps For Busking

If you're planning to take your acoustic guitar to the streets, you'll want more wattage, whilst still remaining lightweight and battery-powered, with a smarter set of features. For example, the Boss Cube Street II – highly durable, with Looper function and sophisticated EQ.

 

Acoustic Guitar Amps For THe Stage

Stepping up to pro-spec models, the sky is really the limit, depending on your budget. At the high end, the AER Compact XL will give you a whopping 200W of volume, with all the bells and whistles you want. At a more modest price, the Fishman Loudbox Performer, with built-in effects and foot-switches, will be perfect for small to mid-sized venues.

Acoustic Guitar Amps

Popular Acoustic Guitar Amp Brands

Boss

A division of the Japanese-owned Roland Corporation, Boss have been around since the mid-1970s. They are specialists in guitar technology with an excellent reputation. From the aforementioned Cube Street II to the Acoustic Singer Pro 120, Boss has your acoustic guitar amp needs covered.

 

Fender

One of the biggest names in guitars, the prestigious American company offers a range of acoustic guitar amps from compact, low-volume, and portable, to on-stage performance.

 

Blackstar

The British Blackstar Amplification company is a new kid on the block but comes with a serious pedigree. Founded in 2007 by former employees of the legendary Marshall company, Blackstar's acoustic guitar amp series offers high quality from beginner to mid-level models.

 

Why DO I Need An Acoustic Guitar Amp?

 

It’s clear that acoustic guitar amps have lots of benefits, and they’re particularly great for busking or small gigs, where pure volume isn’t such a factor, but the sound quality is. Acoustic amps also offer lots of control and are far more flexible than traditional PA systems, which aren’t optimised to any particular instrument. That said, if you want to use an acoustic guitar amp in conjunction with a PA system, most products will feature DI outputs that can send the audio to a front-of-house mixing desk. This means that you can still easily get a consistent and malleable sound, while projecting more volume to fill a bigger venue.

Acoustic Guitar Amps FAQ

What is EQ?

Typically marked ‘bass’, ‘middle’ and ‘treble’; EQ knobs allow you to boost and cut key frequencies in your acoustic guitar’s spectrum of sound. Some electro-acoustic guitars also feature onboard EQ controls that serve the same purpose, but you’ll find an acoustic amp’s EQ section to generally be more intuitive and powerful.

 

Ultimately, EQ controls let you tailor an acoustic guitar’s tone to suit the sound of a specific venue or space. If your acoustic guitar sounds too boomy for instance, you can compensate by boosting the highs on your amp and reducing the bass frequencies.

 

How Do I Use A Microphone With An Acoustic Guitar Amp?

As we noted above, many acoustic guitar amps come equipped with XLR inputs for plugging in microphones. These let you amplify your vocals through a second separate channel, which would typically feature its own volume control (and sometimes EQ) to ensure that you can balance the levels of your voice and guitar.

What Sort Of Built-In Effects Do Acoustic Guitar Amps Have (And Why Are They Useful)?

Premium acoustic amps will boast built-in effects, such as reverb and chorus. Reverb adds ambience to your sound, to give it space, warmth and character. Chorus is a modulation effect that can make acoustics sound almost like 12-string guitars. Effects like this can really embellish your overall sound, for a more professional and studio-esque vibe.

 

The Boss Acoustic Singer Pro is an ultra-versatile acoustic guitar amp that can do all of the above and more. Also featuring built-in harmony effects for vocals and an onboard looper for developing ideas and enhancing live performances - it's a brilliant product!

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