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Basics of guitar amplification?

  • I've been playing acoustic guitar for a while now and decided that I would like to try to amplify it. The sad thing is that I know nothing about amplifying an acoustic guitar. From what I know: is all you have to do is buy a pickup, a cable and an amp and that's it? If so, then what are preamps and pedals and effects? I'm thinking of buying this pickup: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Seymour-Duncan-Woody-SC-Single-Coil-Soundhole-Pickup-100068828-i1127490.gc Can anyone explain the basics and recommend a good amp under or around $50. Oh that reminds me, can you use an electric guitar amp with an acoustic guitar because I thought that acoustics have their own amp and electric guitars have their own amp.

  • Answer:

    Micing the guitar is a perfectly good option - it would only mean bad tone if you buy a cheap microphone. Lots of professionals go that route. Invest $100 or so in a decent Shure or another good brand and it will sound great. There are amps that are made specifically for acoustic guitars. Of course, you still need an input - either a soundhole pickup like you listed or get an acoustic/electric guitar. Here are some from GC in your price range... http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic-Combo-Amps-Combo-Amps,100-200,New-Gear.gc?categorysearch=true If you're trying to be heard over a hard-hitting rock drummer, though, you may need something with more power than these have. Preamps and effects pedals are to "shape" your sound. If you just want your regular acoustic sound, don't bother with them. But if you want to invest in them, you can overdrive your sound, or flange it, chorus it, phase it, compress it ... all kinds of fun stuff. You'll have to do your own research or at least ask a separate question if you want to get into that.

Timmy Hoang at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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I recommend you visit several of the top guitar stores near you. Explain what you want to do and ask for their suggestions. Don't jump at the first thing you hear. Visit at least 3 stores and then take a week to think it over. Does the Band have amps that you can plug into? If so what kind are they? you need to know this so you can tell the store and they will know if you need a pre amp. In the price range you are talking about, you will most likely have to buy used.

Kab

First off, I hope you're not under the impression that doing all this will make your acoustic guitar sound like a solid-bodied electric. It won't. It will just sound like a louder acoustic guitar. Also, that pickup will only work with a steel string guitar (so if your guitar has nylon strings, you'll have to find another one). Anyways, the woody pickup has a cable attached to it, so all you need is the amp. There are amps that are specially designed for acoustic guitars, they just sound better than normal electric guitar amps, but a normal electric amp will work just fine. $50 isn't much of a budget for an amp though. Preamps and other effects are just little gizmos to tweak your sound. You don't need to worry yourself with them right now. Might I ask WHY you are looking into this stuff? Are you playing shows or something? Are the venues too big for just your guitar? If that's the case, you could always stick a microphone in front of the guitar. You could also plug the pickup straight into the PA at the venue. You don't need an amp.

LucasMan

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