The world of acoustic amps is full of options and features that will satisfy the most discerning of guitarists and their particular needs. From artists who want simple, clean acoustic tone to those seeking a little more gravel, there is an amp that can and will do it all. Each has its own unique offerings; and, in this article, we take a look at 10 acoustic amps that provide a lot of great features in a compact package. Dive in and take the tour. We’re confident you will find one — or more — that you will want to take home!
BOSS Acoustic Singer Live LT
For the singer/songwriter who wants both stellar amplified tone and a channel for voice, the BOSS Acoustic Singer Live LT packs both into a stylish, portable amp. With 60 watts, a 6.5-inch woofer, and a 1-inch tweeter, the Acoustic Singer Live LT has plenty of punch to fill a small area such as a coffeehouse or even an outdoor-patio show. And, with onboard vocal delay, guitar chorus, and independent reverbs, this amp provides plenty of tone-shaping options for a variety of genres and styles. The BOSS Acoustic Singer Live LT even has a USB audio interface that lets you capture live performances or track song ideas into a computer for later reference. An anti-feedback knob is yet another great feature that keeps those ear-offending frequencies at bay to ensure top-notch, feedback-free performance.
Fender Acoustasonic 40
Another portable acoustic amp with great features for the singer/songwriter is the Fender Acoustasonic 40. This 40-watt beauty features two 6.5-inch whizzer cone speakers that kick out full, pristine amplified acoustic tone. A second channel for a dynamic mic (no phantom power) and an onboard 3-band EQ let you dial in and sculpt your tone for both guitar and voice. This portable beauty is ideal for smaller, more intimate gigs but can also be miked for medium-sized venues such as bars or outdoor patios. A vintage-style, brown textured-vinyl covering lends all kinds of stage-ready visual appeal to the Acoustasonic 40.
ToneWoodAmp Solo
One of the more distinctive acoustic amplifiers (if you want to call it that) to come out in recent memory, the ToneWoodAmp Solo is not so much an amp as it is a wonder of innovation. This brilliant device doesn’t have to be hauled onto the stage or plugged in. The ToneWoodAmp Solo actually attaches to the back of an acoustic and augments the natural resonance of the guitar by adding sounds to the guitar’s body. These additional sounds, including reverb, echo, delay, and tremolo, are projected using the back of the guitar like a speaker! The whole “must be heard to be believed” cliché is actually 100% on the mark when it comes to the ToneWoodAmp Solo.
Fishman Loudbox Mini
The Fishman Loudbox Mini lives up to its name, weighing in at a mere 21 pounds and packing some serious power and volume. The Loudbox Mini features 60 watts, a 6.5-inch woofer, and a 1-inch tweeter that combine to deliver rich amplified tone that is balanced and big enough to fill a room. This streamlined powerhouse also features two channels for guitar and mic, making it a very popular amp among performers. Awesome tone features such as phase; gain; low, mid, and high (EQ); reverb; and chorus are a dream come true for performers who like to play a variety of styles. The Loudbox Mini also comes with Bluetooth connectivity that lets you add backing tracks to your performances or jam sessions. And an XLR DI output even allows you to record your live performances when you desire!
Orange Crush Acoustic 30
Orange knows amps. They have been an industry standout in the world of electric amps for decades. With the Orange Crush Acoustic 30, they prove they also know acoustic amps. The Crush Acoustic 30 is an ultracompact 30-watt amp loaded with a dizzying array of features that will keep performers entertained for hours as they explore new sounds. This delicious amp features a specially voiced 8-inch Voice of the World acoustic speaker that delivers a finely tuned, nuanced acoustic tone. A global notch filter also keeps that performance-killing feedback and squawk out of the mix. Upping the convenience, Orange designed this amp to run on either DC, using the supplied adapter, or battery power with up to 8 hours of playback time on 10 AAs! And, with an onboard effects loop for pedal-integrated setups, this amp offers endless tonal possibilities.
Mesa/Boogie Rosette One:Ten
For acoustic players who need to fill larger rooms, the Mesa/Boogie Rosette One:Ten is an absolute powerhouse acoustic amp. With 300 watts barreling through a 10-inch speaker, the Rosette One:Ten provides enough volume for larger bars and venues. Place a good mic in front of this amp and pipe it through the PA, and you can fill an even larger space! Two independent channels let you strum and sing at the same time, as well; plus, it features phantom power for the mic so you can use a high-quality condenser mic. And, with a 4-band EQ and a highpass filter on each channel, you can dial in both your vocal and guitar tones to your desire. The Rosette One:Ten also comes with three DI outputs for taking your tone to even more interesting and diverse places. Amazingly, this feature-packed amp tips the scale at under 30 pounds!
Roland AC-33
Another compact and incredibly versatile acoustic amp is the Roland AC-33. This streamlined amp features two 15-watt, 5-inch speakers for plenty of volume — ideal for small- to medium-sized venues. The AC-33 also offers two channels for guitar and mic for those singer/songwriters who want to share their talents with an audience. The AC-33 runs on both direct power and battery power for lots of portable options — the beach, the mountains, the cabin — all are possibilities with the AC-33. Onboard reverb, chorus, and ambience effects also provide options for shaping tone for both guitar and vocals. This little beauty also features a cool phrase looper that provides 40 seconds of recording time for capturing snippets of your beats to play back and improvise over! There’s even an aux input to plug in your favorite music player and jam along. And, if you want to use it as a monitor, the AC-33 features a built-in tilt-back stand.
Blackstar Acoustic:Core 30
Blackstar continues to win over guitarists with their quality designs and features at a great price point. The Acoustic:Core 30 is yet another stellar amp in their lineup. This lightweight, compact beauty features two 5-inch speakers supported by 30 watts of power. The Acoustic:Core 30 is a performer’s dream with a trunk full of tone-shaping options including two switchable EQ shapes that provide a flat response or a mid-scoop with some low and high boost. An independent EQ and built-in reverb, chorus, and delay effects on the Acoustic:Core 30 offer tons of tone-shaping options for both guitar and vocal. And when you want that warm analog goodness, a Super Wide Stereo effect delivers. You can also record your vocals and guitar directly, thanks to the onboard USB port. We all get that urge to rock out with our idols, and with the Line In on the Acoustic:Core 30 you can do just that! And, like the other amps on our list, the Acoustic:Core 30 can also be tilted back to serve as a great stage monitor.
Marshall AS50D
Next up, from the company whose name is synonymous with amps, comes the Marshall AS50D. This 50-watt powerhouse really packs a punch, thanks to two 8-inch speakers and a tweeter, and is well suited for both small- and medium-sized gigs. Dual channels let you bring your guitar and singing sonic goodness to an audience, and the onboard chorus and reverb provide the necessary tone-shaping tweaks to ensure your best performance. And, when you want to take the AS50D onto bigger stages, dedicated line and DI outs let you feed your signal to the house mixer. This bulldog amp also features an effects loop for when you want to add your preferred pedals or processors to really round out your sound.
Rivera Sedona Lite
Technically, the Rivera Sedona Lite is both an acoustic and an electric amp, but we didn’t want to leave it off of our list just because it serves two masters. And what service you will get when you plug your acoustic into this stylish, feature-packed amp. The Sedona Lite is heavy on tone and volume, featuring an all-tube design, 55 watts, and a hefty 12-inch speaker. Plop this amp on just about any stage and fill the room. With a good mic in front of it, the Sedona Lite can easily be used for larger-venue gigs. And, with two channels, this is the ideal amp for singer/songwriters who want to share their talents with an audience. The Sedona Lite also features an onboard long-pan, 6-spring Accutronics reverb that lets you dial in even more pleasing depth and tone to your overall performance. And, because this is an all-tube amp, when you want to get gritty — maybe a little blues slide? — you can get gritty. When you do dig in, the Sedona Lite has a built-in anti-feedback equalizer that ensures your tone doesn’t squawk or squeal in the wrong ways!
These 10 acoustic amps are just some of the many we offer at Sweetwater. If you have additional questions regarding which amp will best serve your unique needs, then please give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. They are always ready to provide the in-depth, detailed answers you need to make an informed decision.
