Christmas is coming and I've been mulling over the idea of an amp (also to double as a monitor) for the fiddle - thought I might treat myself! I know this has been discussed before in 2005 but I was wondering if things have moved on or what might be recommended as a good buy nowadays. Price is not the main consideration, although important, my main priority is the sound.
I have a Zeta AP 12. I loff it. I use it for the electric 5-string as well as with a piezo pickup with my normal fiddle. I actually prefer the tone I get with it using the acoustic fiddle, rather than with the electric. It packs a sonic punch, and the sound quality is great. I've found that if I use a guitar amp, the high end gets shrill and annoying, and I lose the midrange clarity...not so with the Zeta. I demand sonic clarity and Zeta gives me just that. Powerful enough for outdoor festival stages, and I've also used it at ceilidhs, for indoor rock gigs, etc. You can pick one up for less than a grand. It's a bit heavy, at least for me, but I cart it around on a collapsible dolly.
AER amps are great for a natural acoustic sound. http://www.aer-amps.de
I put my electric cello through the 100-watt version but the 60-watt cubes are probably better for fiddle.
I once tried a fantastic acoustic amp in the USA, the SWR California Blonde http://www.swrsound.com but, at 200 watts, it's pretty damn powerful!
If you play in an acoustic band (no drums or electric guitar) you might consider the Roland CM-30 cube monitor. It's really small and lightweight, fits on a mic stand, has a variety of inputs--basically a mini PA system. I tried one at a recent gig, it sounded good to me, and the reviews are excellent. I have one on backorder now (they can't keep them in stock--another good sign, I think).
Im certainly no expert on amps but FRFR amps are supposedly the way to go. The abbreviation stands for Full Range, Flat Response. In essence the full range bit means the amp replicates the full tonal range of the instrument and not filtering any highs/lows etc out and the flat response bit means it doesnt add any colour to your input sound. Any branded amps, the aforementioned ones and all others have a voice of their own and so colour the tone of your instrument. I believe ketboard amps come under the heading of FRFR amps and there are others but as i say im not an expert on the subject. I read a large article about such amps and trying to reproduce the true tone of the input signal but at the moment cant remember where too. Will update if anyones intersted and i remember where to look.
Ah, hmm, yes. Thanks for the replies so far.
A bit more information. I work mostly with a box player; occasionally along with keyboards and another fiddler/and or guitarist; rarely with a drum set. So it's mostly sort of 'acoustic'. My personal preference is for a nice clean 'fiddle sound'. That's what I play, that's what I want it to sound like...in the meantime - how about some winning Lotto numbers to fund the purchase; they ain't cheap.
Actually, I second the AER amps as well. Some of the best acoustic sound at a cheaper price. Got to play my Octave mando through one & it sounded great... just louder. Best to try before you buy tho.
The Roland CM-30 is around 200 bucks US, including tax. Good enough for small rooms, or as a monitor in a low-volume environment.
I also have heard good things ("flat response") about the JBL Eon Power10 speaker (it has inputs for microphone or instrument, but no EQ controls) which costs around 550 bucks, US (500 each, if you buy a pair).
And neither one will give you a hernia, if you have to haul them.
Personally, I think there's a point of diminishing returns, with regard to money spent on gear. You can always upgrade later, if you hit the big time.
Just so, mickray, totally agree with you. I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend a fair amount of money but that don't mean I have to! That AER Classic at about £1k is a lot of money for instance; can I justify the expense though...
The JBL sounds reasonable, the EQ thing doesn't bother me too much as I'm using Baggs DI box so a possibility.
Keep 'em coming folks. Thanks
AER Alpha at around £400 gives excellent clean sound for not too much money. Despite its rated 40w it is plenty loud enough for small/medium size gigs - if you need more power it is simple to DI into house PA and use it as a monitor. Mounted on a mic stand (screws right into the base)gives best sound. I have used the two channels (some shared eq - best if one of the instruments at least has some eq of its own) for fiddle and guitar with excellent results. Fiddle had either Microvox fiddle mic or Headway band (excellent) . Easy to carry, quick to set up/take down.
Keith
I use an AER compact 60 with electric fiddle in one input and flute mike in the other so I can just pick up either instrument. It has held its own among sax, electric and bass guitars and three vocalists without feedback and not even on full setting.
JDG
Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Christmas is coming and I've been mulling over the idea of an amp (also to double as a monitor) for the fiddle - thought I might treat myself! I know this has been discussed before in 2005 but I was wondering if things have moved on or what might be recommended as a good buy nowadays. Price is not the main consideration, although important, my main priority is the sound.
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by john knoss
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
If you can afford one... i'd totally go a soldano:
http://www.soldano.com/
Best sound i've ever heard out of an amp. My former housemate had one. Guaranteed to make the people in the next suburb move countries!
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by davydd
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
I have a Zeta AP 12. I loff it. I use it for the electric 5-string as well as with a piezo pickup with my normal fiddle. I actually prefer the tone I get with it using the acoustic fiddle, rather than with the electric. It packs a sonic punch, and the sound quality is great. I've found that if I use a guitar amp, the high end gets shrill and annoying, and I lose the midrange clarity...not so with the Zeta. I demand sonic clarity and Zeta gives me just that. Powerful enough for outdoor festival stages, and I've also used it at ceilidhs, for indoor rock gigs, etc. You can pick one up for less than a grand. It's a bit heavy, at least for me, but I cart it around on a collapsible dolly.
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by meredithrachael
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
AER amps are great for a natural acoustic sound.
http://www.aer-amps.de
I put my electric cello through the 100-watt version but the 60-watt cubes are probably better for fiddle.
I once tried a fantastic acoustic amp in the USA, the SWR California Blonde http://www.swrsound.com but, at 200 watts, it's pretty damn powerful!
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by Chief Wanganui
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
I quite like these ~
http://www.srtechnology.co.uk/
I also like HK Audio, where by expanding your options you could carry others along with you and even pull off a ceili...
http://www.hkaudio.com/
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
If you play in an acoustic band (no drums or electric guitar) you might consider the Roland CM-30 cube monitor. It's really small and lightweight, fits on a mic stand, has a variety of inputs--basically a mini PA system. I tried one at a recent gig, it sounded good to me, and the reviews are excellent. I have one on backorder now (they can't keep them in stock--another good sign, I think).
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by John Galt
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Im certainly no expert on amps but FRFR amps are supposedly the way to go. The abbreviation stands for Full Range, Flat Response. In essence the full range bit means the amp replicates the full tonal range of the instrument and not filtering any highs/lows etc out and the flat response bit means it doesnt add any colour to your input sound. Any branded amps, the aforementioned ones and all others have a voice of their own and so colour the tone of your instrument. I believe ketboard amps come under the heading of FRFR amps and there are others but as i say im not an expert on the subject. I read a large article about such amps and trying to reproduce the true tone of the input signal but at the moment cant remember where too. Will update if anyones intersted and i remember where to look.
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by Newty
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
For ketboard read Keyboard.
# Posted on October 4th 2008 by Newty
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Ah, hmm, yes. Thanks for the replies so far.
A bit more information. I work mostly with a box player; occasionally along with keyboards and another fiddler/and or guitarist; rarely with a drum set. So it's mostly sort of 'acoustic'. My personal preference is for a nice clean 'fiddle sound'. That's what I play, that's what I want it to sound like...in the meantime - how about some winning Lotto numbers to fund the purchase; they ain't cheap.
# Posted on October 5th 2008 by john knoss
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Actually, I second the AER amps as well. Some of the best acoustic sound at a cheaper price. Got to play my Octave mando through one & it sounded great... just louder. Best to try before you buy tho.
# Posted on October 5th 2008 by davydd
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
The Roland CM-30 is around 200 bucks US, including tax. Good enough for small rooms, or as a monitor in a low-volume environment.
I also have heard good things ("flat response") about the JBL Eon Power10 speaker (it has inputs for microphone or instrument, but no EQ controls) which costs around 550 bucks, US (500 each, if you buy a pair).
And neither one will give you a hernia, if you have to haul them.
Personally, I think there's a point of diminishing returns, with regard to money spent on gear. You can always upgrade later, if you hit the big time.
# Posted on October 5th 2008 by John Galt
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
Just so, mickray, totally agree with you. I'm fortunate enough to be able to spend a fair amount of money but that don't mean I have to! That AER Classic at about £1k is a lot of money for instance; can I justify the expense though...
The JBL sounds reasonable, the EQ thing doesn't bother me too much as I'm using Baggs DI box so a possibility.
Keep 'em coming folks. Thanks
# Posted on October 5th 2008 by john knoss
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
AER Alpha at around £400 gives excellent clean sound for not too much money. Despite its rated 40w it is plenty loud enough for small/medium size gigs - if you need more power it is simple to DI into house PA and use it as a monitor. Mounted on a mic stand (screws right into the base)gives best sound. I have used the two channels (some shared eq - best if one of the instruments at least has some eq of its own) for fiddle and guitar with excellent results. Fiddle had either Microvox fiddle mic or Headway band (excellent) . Easy to carry, quick to set up/take down.
Keith
# Posted on October 6th 2008 by ocarolan
Re: Acoustic amp for fiddle?
I use an AER compact 60 with electric fiddle in one input and flute mike in the other so I can just pick up either instrument. It has held its own among sax, electric and bass guitars and three vocalists without feedback and not even on full setting.
JDG
# Posted on October 19th 2008 by gam