Acoustic 260 Micro Stack

[Matt R.]

Well, hopefully my mini stack dilemma is solved. As much as I want the Ampeg Micro VR, I decided to play it smart and go with what seems to be the better value price wise. I ordered the Acoustic 260 today after reading many more positive reviews on it than the Ampeg rig. At $300 USD, I can justify spending that for a home practice amp. I will let you know how it is when it comes in later this week or beginning of next. Or if anyone here has experience with one, please share...

[andrew]

Is that also a 2x10 cab?

[Matt R.]

No it's a 1x10. Review I read say it's very loud and sounds great. Fits my budget better right now too. I'm still gonna get the Ampeg Micro sometime though

[AustinLeftyBass]

I got to A/B this and the Ampeg the other day at GC, my conclusions were the Ampeg was louder, and the Acoustic had more low-end. YMMV.
My low-volume rig is set, we play shows with an orchestra from time to time and the stage volume needs to be low so I bi-amp a Vox T25(low) and a Fender Musicmaster(high), or I'd pick up one of the Acoustics.

[Matt R.]

Cool man. That's an awesome pair of amps

[Agent00Soul]

ALB - You have the coolest looking stuff! It's like every bass/amp/shirt is a piece of a larger art project! (that's a compliment)

[AustinLeftyBass]

ALB - You have the coolest looking stuff! It's like every bass/amp/shirt is a piece of a larger art project! (that's a compliment)

LOL awesome!
Here's the poster for the big shew if y'all are down this way in a couple weeks.

[AustinLeftyBass]

Cool man. That's an awesome pair of amps

The pair sound great, I get a pretty "big" sound from 'em. The Vox is SS with a closed back so it produces a nice smooth low-end, and the Fender is tubes with an open back and has a great high-end and breaks up quite nicely when I need it too. Actually I wish I could use this set-up all the time it sounds so good, just not enuff volume for a regular show.
Another shot:

Sorry for the hijack, my point being if I didn't already have this set-up I'd go for the Acoustic mini.

[Matt R.]

The rig arrived today. I won't be able to play it until later but just taking it out of the box and holding it I can tell the solidity and build quality absolutely blows the Ampeg Micro away. I'm stoked to hear it. It actually has a towel bar on the back of the little cabinet and rollers like an Ampeg 8x10 Very cool.

I'll post more later of course. Should I post here or just do a new thread in reviews??

[andrew]

Should I post here or just do a new thread in reviews??

Up to you Matt, whichever you think is more appropriate.

[AustinLeftyBass]

Should I post here or just do a new thread in reviews??

Up to you Matt, whichever you think is more appropriate.

Just keep this thread goin'.
I'd read about the towel bar but haven't seen any pics of the rear(hint).
My only negative with this amp is the lack of a DI Out.

[Matt R.]

Should I post here or just do a new thread in reviews??

Up to you Matt, whichever you think is more appropriate.

Just keep this thread goin'.
I'd read about the towel bar but haven't seen any pics of the rear(hint).
My only negative with this amp is the lack of a DI Out.

Ok I'll keep it here.

And I'll snap a few iPhone pix so you can see. In a thread at TB, a guy from Acoustic chimed in about the DI issue saying it was simply a way to keep the rig at its price point. It'll be late tonight or maybe tomorrow before I let you guys know how the rig is. I have a funeral to go to unfortunately. Talk to you guys later.

[Basshappi]

Will it take a second cab? That would look awesome.

[Matt R.]

It doesn't take a second cab. One speaker jack on the head, one on the cab. I like the rig. It has all the character and warmth of the Ampeg Micro. Without A/B-ing the 2 micros side by side, I can confidently say from memory that it has all the volume of the Ampeg. I'm not a cab/speaker geek by any means, but I would attribute this to what seems to be the Acoustic's seemingly superior and definitely sturdier cabinet design. (remember this is a 1x10 and the Ampeg is 2x10). This rig doesn't fart out as easy as the Ampeg when you crank the lows on the 3 band EQ. It has an auxiliary input for an mp3 player and headphone jack for quiet practice. I haven't tried these yet.

I of course had to try my fretless Jaco clone first:



The EQ is really responsive and minimal tweaks yielded good results to my ears.

This amp (as well as the Ampeg) loved my '78 Musicmaster. I guess the lone single coil pickup pairs well with a small low power rig. I had assumed the cabinet would have cups so the rubber feet on the head would sit down in it, but no.




No big deal, this is a bedroom rig anyway. My overall impression is that for the money (it costs $300 as opposed to $600 for the Ampeg), it's a better value than the Ampeg Micro VR. A great practice amp and I highly recommend it despite the lack of a DI. Of course time will tell when it comes to reliability.


I suck at reviews, so ask me anything I may have missed.

[AustinLeftyBass]

Thanks man, I imagine I'll be getting one, even tho' I dont need it, but that's never stopped me before!

[Basshappi]

Very cool, thanks for the review.

[Matt R.]

Oh and the amp is 100W, 4 ohms. I wonder what it would sound like with my Ampeg 410HLF? it's a 4 ohm cab. Would this be an unwise idea to attempt?

[andrew]

Oh and the amp is 100W, 4 ohms. I wonder what it would sound like with my Ampeg 410HLF? it's a 4 ohm cab. Would this be an unwise idea to attempt?

Should be fine to run into your Ampeg 4x10.

[AustinLeftyBass]

4 ohms is 4 ohms.
Buddy of mine bought a little Vox Pathfinder guitar combo when they came out about 10 yrs. ago, drove a Marshall 4-12 with it, sounded awesome. He'd sometimes have the cab hidden, miced up, with just the little Vox onstage seeming to produce a huge sound! LOL

[Matt R.]

4 ohms is 4 ohms.

Yeah I know but I don't know shit about electronics and was wondering if wattage would be an issue. It'll be interesting to see what this combo sounds like