Amplifiers have been around for nearly a century, but for a long time, they were mainly used for steel guitars and electric guitars. The music scene changed in the 1980s when folk and bluegrass artists started playing in larger venues where their acoustic guitars couldn’t be heard by everyone. This trend caught on in other genres too, and today, if you’re playing acoustic music live, an Acoustic Guitar Amplifier is almost essential, regardless of your style.
But an acoustic guitar amplifier isn’t about creating a new sound like an electric guitar amp. Instead, its main job is to faithfully reproduce your guitar’s natural acoustic tone, working together with your pickups. This means that the sound of your acoustic guitar won’t change dramatically with different amp components compared to an electric guitar. While a tube amp might add some warmth, the effect is generally more subtle with an acoustic amp.
When choosing an acoustic guitar combo amplifier, power is a key consideration. For small gigs and practice spaces, you can find amps as low as 10 watts. However, for large concert halls, you might need a powerful 300-watt model. It’s important to match the power of your acoustic guitar amplifier to the typical size of your performance venues.
Speaker configuration is another important aspect to think about. Larger woofers produce a stronger bass response. If you prefer a balanced sound that’s not too bass-heavy, consider an acoustic guitar amplifier with multiple smaller speakers. These can deliver excellent high-end clarity and still provide plenty of volume. Some acoustic guitar amplifier models even use a mix of different-sized speakers to enhance both bass and treble frequencies, resulting in a richer, more complete tone.
An acoustic guitar combo amplifier is crucial for giving your acoustic guitar the volume boost needed to reach every corner of the stage and venue. Beyond simply projecting your guitar’s sound further, these amplifiers ensure your acoustic guitar is as loud as other amplified instruments in your band, preventing it from being drowned out. For any acoustic guitarist performing with others, an acoustic guitar amplifier is not just an accessory—it’s a necessity.
