JPM Piezo Users

[AlanJR]

Okay, so I've been thinking about how my rig will be set up when I obtain my JPM and I've been considering obtaining an acoustic amp to use along with the piezo on my JPM. I could use the one jack and plug solely into my Mesa Boogie, but I'm thinking that I would like to seperate the two sounds from the Magnetic clean channel and the piezo channel. I was thumbing through the latest issue of Musicians Friend catalogue (because Lord only knows how many of us get those in the mail- Great bathroom material, by the way) and noticed the Fender Acoustasonic amp that's designed to be set down and is already angled. Here's the info:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_id/110875

Anybody have any suggestions as to a better amp to use? I'm thinking that I would rather obatin an amp for the piezo rather than go directly into the board, especially since I'm a gigging musician and you can't always rely on the venue's sound system to work properly. I especially like the fact that this amp (and a few others like it) are designed with the gigging musician in mind, shaped to tilt back without the need for a stand.

Suggestions?

 

[AlanJR]

Alrighty, I've just been reading some reviews of that Fender amp. I like the design of the body, but no one seems to like that amp enough to give it good reviews. So, now I'm at an impass. Also, I realized that the Fender is a solid-state amp. Any suggestions as to getting a Tube-Based Acoustic amp?

 

[kbaim]

I tried one of those SWR (strawberry Blonde?) amps that sounded pretty good.

Only played about 20 minutes through it, so not the best test. Worth a try though.

Also Fishman makes a eq box (pedal) that can also be a DI that has 4 eq settings, plus gain and midrange tweaking for about 100 bucks that's worth looking into for gigging players. Added flexibility

 

[mhorse]

Alrighty, I've just been reading some reviews of that Fender amp. I like the design of the body, but no one seems to like that amp enough to give it good reviews. So, now I'm at an impass. Also, I realized that the Fender is a solid-state amp. Any suggestions as to getting a Tube-Based Acoustic amp?

The only tube acoustic amp that I know of is Rivera Sedona series that was designed for Doyle Dykes.

 

[deadringer]

I myself always just go with the DI box to board route. Here's something to think about though. You don't need an "acoustic" amp to get great sounds. Basically, all you need is a full range speaker. You can find some very sweet keyboard, bass, and mini PA type amp combos that will do the trick just fine. Another smart option is to use a small powered monitor wedge.

I run my own sound so I never worry too much about hearing my acoustics since I run the board and use IEM's. I think what I'd do in your situation is to run a DI box with a splitter in it. Run your piezo line into the box, then run the xlr line to the board, and run the 1/4" out to a small powered monitor or small combo. That way the FOH guy can still control your signal and you can control your monitor feed.

 

[mhorse]

I tried one of those SWR (strawberry Blonde?) amps that sounded pretty good.

Only played about 20 minutes through it, so not the best test. Worth a try though.

Also Fishman makes a eq box (pedal) that can also be a DI that has 4 eq settings, plus gain and midrange tweaking for about 100 bucks that's worth looking into for gigging players. Added flexibility

There are quite a few acoustic preamps/EQ boxes out there. BBE Acoustimax, Hartke one, Presonus AcoustiQ (tube preamp), different Fishman ones, Ultrasound PARA DI, LR Baggs also makes something. Look around piezo pickup/acoustic amp manufacturers' websites, almost all of them make something for playing direct into the board.

 

[Tokkes]

Don't know if you ever heard about AER, but here in Europe they are considered the best in acoustic amps. I think you can find their website if you type in AER in google. The amps are very expensive though, but you can place them on a microphone stand (I know because I have one). These are amps used by countless acoustic players (also violin, chello, flute, etc players) all over the world.

Cheers, Tom.