| Author |
Topic: New steel guitar travel amp |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2010 5:10 pm |
|
Just picked up a new travel amp. This new Roland amp was announced at NAMM a few weeks ago. I saw a demo while at the show. It's the Roland AC-33 - a battery (or AC) powered acoustic instrument amp.
For years I didn't pay any attention to 100% acoustic instrument amps. I always played my uke, steel guitar and regular guitar through electric guitar amps such as the Fender Deluxe Reverb and the Roland Cube Street and Microcube. I have to tell you... an acoustic amp is the way to go. The amp is "voiced" for an acoustic instrument - a much wider range of frequency response. A typical electric guitar amp is voiced much more mid-rangey to get a compressed big fat sound. Acoustic amps cover a much broader range of frequencies to emphasize the acoustic pallette.
These acoustic amps sound acoustic. They sound like your acoustic instrument, just louder.
I just sold my Roland Cube Street on Ebay this afternoon. That money and some Elderly gift certificates my kids gave me for Xmas made this purchase very easy.
Another good thing. The AC-33 is smaller than the Cube Street. It fits in my suitcase even better when I fly.
http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/AC33.htm
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
 |
John D. Carter
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2010 5:51 pm
|
|
| I agree that acoustic amps are good for great steel sound. I have a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. that puts out some great sound. But can 8 AA batteries power 30 watts per side? That is suprising. $List Price seems steep unless you can buy it discounted? |
|
|
|
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2010 6:34 pm
|
|
I sometimes play with a fiddle player who uses one of these. She's not an electric instrument player at all, and until she bought this amp she always had a bad tone. Now she always sounds great. What a difference a good amp makes!
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 14 Feb 2010 9:47 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| But can 8 AA batteries power 30 watts per side? That is suprising. |
That's a typo on the Elderly listing. It should read 10 watts per side while battery driven, 15 watts per side AC.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
|
|
|
|
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 2:57 am
|
|
Gerald,
How did the AC-33 compare to the Micro Cube Street for voice? |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 4:10 am
|
|
Hi Derrick,
I have not plugged in a mic yet. But Roland is marketing these amps to one-man-band type of musicians and channel two is designated "microphone" (but you can just as easily plug two instruments in).
The one thing I don't like about the 33 compared to the Cube Street is the build. The CS has a metal speaker grill and big corner bumpers - much better for travel. The 33 has a mesh grill and no bumpers over the tolex covered corners.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
Anders Eriksson
From:
Mora, Dalecarlia, Sweden
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 8:46 am
|
|
I just have to ask: Gerald did you buy a String Swing Uke Hanger together with the new AC-33?
| Quote: |
People who bought ROLAND AC-33 ACOUSTIC CHORUS GUITAR AMPLIFIER also bought:
Gear & Accessories Department: STRING SWING UKE HANGER (Accessories)
|
// Anders 
_________________
Fessenden D-10, Stage One S-10, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss LMB-3, Goodrich 120; Regal RD-38VS Resonator |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 10:00 am
|
|
| Thanks Gerald |
|
|
|
Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 12:43 pm
|
|
Classic dilemma for those who gig with electric & acoustic instruments and really don't want to pack, carry and set up two amps. Solutions-- 1) bite the bullet and bring one of each, or 2) bring one amp, which involves the compromise of a) playing the acoustic instruments through an electric amp, or b) vice versa. You've decided to go from a to b. Question-- since you've posted about your new Swart amp, which I'm thinking must have really nice tube tone for clean electric steel playing, do you feel like you're sacrificing something in tone when playing your lap steel & other electric instruments through solid-state acoustic amps?
Just wondering, since I own acoustic & electric amps and have never been happy with the one-amp-for-everything solution. (I can see how air travel demands it, though...) |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 12:47 pm
|
|
The Swart amp is gone.
I sold it. It was a fantastic amp, but too one dimensional. And I didn't want to deal with tubes. The purchase of that amp was in a fit of passion.
The Swart money bought the Fishman and the Roland.
Both the Fishman Loudbox 100 and Roland AC-33 give me a nice "chimey" clean steel sound. And if I need mega-volume they each have a Line-Out on the back (let the sound man deal with it).
If I need a "real" electric guitar amp I still have the Roland Cube 60.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 8:19 pm
|
|
Hey Gerald,
It sounds like a good match with a uke or acoustic, semi-acoustic guitar, but do you have any idea how it's going to sound with your Fender Champion which IS an electric guitar? I've haven't read any reports on that aspect yet  |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 15 Feb 2010 8:31 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| Both the Fishman Loudbox 100 and Roland AC-33 give me a nice "chimey" clean steel sound. And if I need mega-volume they each have a Line-Out on the back (let the sound man deal with it). |
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 5:34 am
|
|
How does the "nice "chimey" clean steel sound" compare to the other Roland battery powered amps (Micro & Street Cube)?
Would you recommend it for primarily steel guitar use? |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 6:11 am
|
|
The only sound I can't get out of the new Roland AC-33 is a slightly to heavy overdriven amp tone you get by cranking up the pre-amp gain.
These amps work with my style and my hands - your mileage may vary. One size does not fit all.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 7:38 am
|
|
It sounds pretty interesting, Gerald. Will you have this with you at the Texas Jamboree? I've been trying to figure out what sort of amp to bring with me.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 7:44 am
|
|
Yes, I'll bring the AC-33 to Dallas. So far for Dallas I am bringing:
1. 1954 Fender Champion w/Lollar replacement pickup.
2. 1954 Gibson EH-125 Archtop guitar (currently being cleaned and tweaked at the Elderly repair shop).
3. 2009 Talsma solid body Les Paul style tenor uke.
4. Roland AC-33 amp.
How do I travel by air with so many instruments you ask?
The amp goes in my checked suitcase. The Fender and the Gibson both fit inside one guitar gig bag. The uke has it's own case. I carry two gig bags aboard the plane and stow them in the overhead.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
seldomfed
From:
Colorado
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 3:36 pm
|
|
The Roland AC-60 has been a favorite of many for a few years. Nice to see a more portable version. Acoustic amps are nice for many things!
I use an AER Compact 60 for solo acoustic work, as a mini-PA, and for fiddle and sometimes steel. Weights 13 lbs. I even did a pedal steel outdoor concert gig with it once, and used the XLR DI out to the PA for tons of Vol. - the drawback for the AER amps is they are expensive. But when I got it, there was nothing like it on the market from Roland or anyone. The Roland amps are very similar, and if I were to get another acoutic amp, these sound good, and are cost effective.
As Gerald says, most acoustic amps do not color the sound at all. They are clean. A good tool.
Chris
_________________
Chris Kennison
Rhythm Cats - steel, guitar, banjo, dobro
Gold Canyon, AZ
www.rhythmcatsshow.com
www.seldomfed.com |
|
|
|
Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
|
Posted 16 Feb 2010 8:20 pm
|
|
Thanks for the review Gerald 
I think this amp is going to stir some interest around these parts.
I just wish it wasn't $399  |
|
|
|
Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
|
Posted 17 Feb 2010 2:26 am
|
|
Hey, don't make fun of my amp! 
The 2nd generation Lunchbox sold last year was very midrangy- great for hard rock leads but not good for much anything else. The 3rd generation Lunchbox2 is supposed to have a flatter frequency response at the expense of a few decibels but I have not tested one out yet.
I bought a 2nd generation Lunchbox and had it modded for a flatter frequency response and later had the clipping diodes removed to increase the clean headroom immensely. With the mods I think that this amp has one of the best clean sounds I have ever played- at least for cleaner sounding blues leads.** Plugged into a nice 15" speaker cabinet I think it would be great for steel guitar. (The amp puts out a very honest 65 watts- more than a Super Reverb and less than a Twin.)
If you have a friend who knows a little about electronics it would be fairly simple for him to locate and remove the clipping diodes. I figured that I could always use a pedal if I did want distortion. (If anyone has one of these amps PM or email me for more details.)
If anyone is considering this amp please try it out thoroughly to make sure it has a sound that you can work with- with and without external speakers. (The Lunchbox2 amps have the far left control labeled "Ambience"; on the older models it is labeled "Reverb".)
Getting back to the subject of this thread, that new Roland acoustic amp looks very tempting! 
Steve Ahola
www.blueguitar.org
** Disclaimer: I have never played a steel guitar amp so I am just comparing my lunchbox to a regular guitar amp. |
|
|
|
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 17 Feb 2010 10:10 am
|
|
This is really more a discussion for the Electronics area than Steel Without Pedals (or at least, that's how it's turning out). Perhaps some pedal steel players would be interested in this amp as well.
Moved to Electronics from Steel Without Pedals.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
|
|
|
Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
|
Posted 17 Feb 2010 7:11 pm
|
|
Don't do it Brad...this is definitely NOT a pedal steel amp. And "Steel w/o Pedals" people don't necessarily go to "Electronics".
IMO...YMMV
This tread will die  if you do... |
|
|
|
Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
|
Posted 17 Feb 2010 8:41 pm
|
|
| Garry Vanderlinde wrote: |
Don't do it Brad...this is definitely NOT a pedal steel amp. And "Steel w/o Pedals" people don't necessarily go to "Electronics".
IMO...YMMV
This tread will die if you do... |
Garry:
Yikes- that last line sounds rather ominous. It reminds me of the chain letter I ignored and a week later my brother was dead. Well, he had been dead the week before as well, so maybe it was not that much of a coincidence after all... 
How about starting a new thread in Steel w/o Pedals on what amps everyone prefers. (I promise to not get too technical and have the new thread bumped to Electronics.) Another thread could be what effects pedals Non-pedalers like.
Steve Ahola |
|
|
|
Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
|
Posted 17 Feb 2010 9:38 pm
|
|
No, Steve, sorry, no ominous message meant. I wish you the best in dealing with the monumentious loss of your brother. 
I just didn’t want Brad to prematurely put the info on this new amp in a place that is less frequented by pickers of our persuasions.  |
|
|
|
