EFFECTS
Many acoustic guitar amps now
come with built-in effects processing
that enables you to augment your guitar’s
sound with reverb, echo (aka delay), and/or
modulation effects that can run the gamut
from thickening up your sound to lending
it an almost psychedelic feel. The Trace
Acoustic TA- 100 ($999 street, traceelliot.
com), for example, features modulation
(chorus, flanger, phaser), tremolo (a hyp-
notic oscillation in volume), and a few
different delays, while the more afford-
able Fishman Loudbox Mini ($329) has
chorus and reverb. If your amp does not
have effects and it’s something you want
to explore, there are staggering numbers
of effects pedals available. However, the
lion’s share of them is made for use with
electric guitars—though that doesn’t neces-
sarily preclude them from being used with
an acoustic. In fact, if you’re adventurous
and not a purist, we encourage you to
check out as many as you can. If
you are a more traditional acous-
tic fan, remember that a lot of
effect boxes (aka stompboxes
or pedals) can color the
sound in a way that you’ll
probably find too radical.
Go Forth and Plug In
The array of amplification options for
acoustic guitarists may never be quite
the smorgasbord it is for our electrified
brethren, but there’s never been a better
time to decide to plug in your flattop.
From pickups to DIs/preamps, effects,
and amplifiers, the buffet of smart, practi-
cal, great-sounding products is extraordi-
nary—and ever growing. With this guide
in hand, a healthy dose of test-driving and
research, and the advice of an experienced
player with good ears, you’re bound to find
gear that’s perfect for your jams and gigs.
Sounds like a lot of fun, huh?
the Straight Truth About Pickups by Jason Lollar
This was more like the dragon chasing us–over the years
it’s been one of our most requested pickup designs. Of
course, we had to add our own twists, including sizing it to
drop into a standard humbucker route. A2 magnets, custom covers, lot’s of attitude.
Starting with a ‘60s Country Gentleman as a benchmark,
we went after the classic rock-a-billy ‘bucker tone, adding
some “Lollar” along the way. The neck pickup is warm and
buttery, with a clear, present top end. The bridge pickup is
fat and honky, with a rich, defined low end. Combined, they
sparkle and spank with clarity and punch. They’ll cover everything from “OZ” rock to “Nashville Super Pickers” to “Hot
Rods and Hot Babes…” Go Man, Go!
I’ve personally design over a hundred different pickup
models, including most of the vintage classics, some obscure
works of art from steel guitars to clavinets, and even a few of
my own designs that have never existed in the past.
I invite you to visit our website for sound clips, videos and
current product information or feel free to give us a call.
