Build Quality: | |
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Pros:
- Can be used for multiple purposes
- Lightweight and portable
- Extremely durable
- Quite affordable
Cons:
- The selection of on-board effects might not be enough for some
Those, who are connected to electric guitars at least slightly, are highly likely to know the name of Fender. Their Stratocaster and Telecaster made history, revolutionizing the music industry. However, there is much more to this brand. Their electric guitar amplifiers are highly respected by the majority of virtuosos. There is even more. They do also create some of the best acoustic guitar amplifiers out there. And that’s exactly what we are going to talk about today. Fender Acoustasonic 40 is an affordable amplifier that will blow your mind in terms of quality, its set of features and sonic capabilities. I will not take up any more of your time and just get down to business. So, let’s get started!
Features
Fender Acoustasonic 40 will be very useful if you are a gigging musician. Not only does it provide you with the ability to plug in your acoustic electric guitar, but it also has a separate input (and a channel, duh) for the microphone. This way you can have a single handy amplifier for your vocals and guitar. This bad boy can generate 40 watts of power, which is not that much, but will definitely be enough for many scenarios. If not, you can just connect it with a PA system and you will be ready to roll. Acoustasonic 40 is one and only amplifier from Fender that has a “whizzer” cone attached to the voice coil of its dual 6.5” speakers. Additionally, it has a built-in digital hall reverb for maximum ambience, which allows you to add that spatial dimension to either of the two channels. Fender Acoustasonic 40 is featured in a durable, sturdy chassis with brown vinyl covering that adds a vintage touch to its design. And finally, let’s touch up on the subject of sockets displayed on this amplifier. We have two combination inputs (XLR and ¼” inputs in one) for your acoustic guitar and microphone, a 1/8” auxiliary input for use with external audio sources, headphone output for silent practicing, Balanced XLR Line Out for connecting this amplifier to a PA system or a recording console. As you can see, Acoustasonic 40 does not have any bells and whistles, but rather it has all the essential features that one would need for day to day performances or practices.
Controls
It is natural to conclude from the features we have discussed that Fender Acoustasonic 40 is quite simple to use. And if you were to think that way, you would not be wrong. The brand has built this unit and incorporated its features in a manner that does not complicate the control panel. Everything here is visually pleasing and easy to understand simultaneously. So do not be scared, tweaking this bad boy to perfection will take you just a couple of hours (and maybe even less).
As you already know, we have two channels here. Both of them have their individual controls that guarantee detailed tweaking of each and every tone you generate. The knobs are exactly the same for both channels, which makes everything even easier. The front panel starts with a Volume knob, which adjusts the volume of each channel. Then we have individual three-band EQs with Bass, Middle and Treble knobs. They control either low, middle or high frequencies in your sonic spectrum, respectively, and amplify or tone them down depending on your desire. Next comes the Reverb control, which sets the volume of the effect. Last but not least, we have the Power Switch that turns the device on and off.
Fender Acoustasonic Sound
Fender Acoustasonic 40, as expected, will get on with your acoustic guitar like house on fire. It knows how to make everything sound better, no matter what. It has a nice amount of headroom, allowing you to get as loud as you want and, thus, utilize any playing technique your heart desires. It tracks complicated chords perfectly and emphasizes all the notes you create. Acoustasonic 40 has a full, rich sound that adds extra dimension to your guitar. The reverb is like a cherry on top, since it has a character of its own and gives your performance a spatial vibe. The microphone channel is pretty clean and clear, without any unwanted buzz or noise. One more great thing about this amplifier is that you can always skip the vocals and plug two guitars simultaneously. This way you will receive spectacular results. No matter how you choose to use it, Acoustasonic 40 will make your sonic dreams come true (and no, I am not exaggerating).
Conclusion
The final verdict for the Acoustasonic 40 is (drum rolls), of course, positive. When you first plug in your guitar and start playing, you immediately notice that this amp was built for acoustics. It has this special feel that cannot be substituted by anything else. It is simple in terms of features, but I do not think you would need much else with your acoustic electric guitar. The controls are responsive and interactive, giving you a ton of options to experiment with. And the sound is just fabulous, both powerful and distinctive. For an amp that falls in the range of 200 $, we could not dare to ask for more. Here the quality hugely exceeds the price, because this bad boy will last you through a lifetime. Try it out, find out everything it has up its sleeve and you will be easily convinced that it rocks. Good luck!
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