Fact or Fiction??

[Sleeping Martyr]

I've heard various things over the years and I thought I'd just put it out there: "Will an electric guitar amp (specifically a tube amp) be harmed in anyway by plugging an acoustic guitar into it??" I've had people try to tell me that the frequencys are different and therefore its a bad idea but what the truth here guys??

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Fiction. You could harm guitar SPEAKERS by playing a bass through it at high volume, but the acoustic thing is pure BS.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

I've heard various things over the years and I thought I'd just put it out there: "Will an electric guitar amp (specifically a tube amp) be harmed in anyway by plugging an acoustic guitar into it??" I've had people try to tell me that the frequencys are different and therefore its a bad idea but what the truth here guys??

I never had any issues. Ultimately it's the same thing, "will actives hurt a vintage tube amp?" etc questions. I've done it and never had a problem, but I prefer to run my acoustic into a direct box and into a sound system, not into an amp (for feedback issues mainly).

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Myth busted.

 

[Sleeping Martyr]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Thanks guys!!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Acoustic gtr + electric amp = :earl: in most cases. The speaker is not voiced for the full-range of tones of an acoustic.

Electric gtr + acoustic amp = similar results.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Acoustic gtr + electric amp = :earl: in most cases. The speaker is not voiced for the full-range of tones of an acoustic.

Really neutral sounding amps, like the Roland Jazz Chorus work pretty well.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

While I'm here would everyone like some nice tea? One day this will no longer be funny.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

I think I'll go plug-in my Parker Fly direct to the board. That should sound good.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

I play my cheap Cort electric-acoustic through my Blues Jr. and also run my MXR ZW44 OD and EHX Small Clone with it.

No problem, and i like my tone much more than my brother's who is running it staight to the PA-desk in the church !

But then again, he covers the heavenly clean sounds, and i do all the dirty, gritty EVIL TONES !!!

Love Rocking-Out in the church !!!

(Hank Williams III style, oh yes !)

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Either amp will make a great living room centerpiece. Use coasters, though.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

While I'm here would everyone like some nice tea? One day this will no longer be funny.

Yes, this WILL raise your post count to great heights in little time, but what does this add to the thread? It isn't funny already.

I also agree acoustic guitars don't sound right through electric guitar speakers. You loose the sparkle... It IS functional though, if that's the only thing you're after. But if this is for playing live, I'd rather recommend plugging into the PA, maybe through an acoustic guitar DI for fine-tuning your tone. There are some pretty affordable ones out there (Hartke!), and also several dedicated acoustic guitar multi-FX from the likes of Behringer, Korg, Zoom and Boss.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

I think I'll go plug-in my Parker Fly direct to the board. That should sound good.

"Good" is a relative term.

If I remember at least one classic rocker went direct to the board to get his sound.

I know that the guitars on Nin Inch Nails "broken" were direct to the board through a Zoom distortion unit.

If the unconventional works, then go with it.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

It should not damage the amp at all, but like others have said it probably won't sound good. It might sound interesting if you add some distortion... might not be what you want though.

 

[baritone]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

All bass, acoustic, and electric guitar amps and pedals are electronically compatible (for the most part). The only risk of damage is when running a bass guitar into guitar speakers. Sound quality may be compromised when running an acoustic guitar into an electric guitar amp, since there is no tweeter to produce the high frequencies. People frequently like to play acoustic guitars through bass amps and keyboard amps because they have approximately the same frequency range. Many bass amps have wider frequency responses than keyboard amps and acoustic amps. I frequently play my guitar and baritone through my bass amp.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

"Good" is a relative term.

If I remember at least one classic rocker went direct to the board to get his sound.

I know that the guitars on Nin Inch Nails "broken" were direct to the board through a Zoom distortion unit.

If the unconventional works, then go with it.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

If the unconventional works, then go with it.

Here's something I read in a GP interview with Flood at least 10 years ago, and it's always stuck with me.... (paraphrased) "Sometimes a vintage amp and a condensor mic is the best way to go. Other times, 5 distortion pedals in line is absolutely brilliant."

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Once again, taken seriously at the wrong time.

*dons jester hat*

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

*dons jester hat*

*dons tin foil hat*

 

[esandes]

Re: Fact or Fiction??

Fiction. You could harm guitar SPEAKERS by playing a bass through it at high volume, but the acoustic thing is pure BS.

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