I’ve used an acoustic guitar amp in a lot of settings: concerts, weddings, churches, and just at home practicing. Acoustic guitar amps have come a long way in the last 20 years thanks to improved technology, specifically the ability to both warm up and make your acoustic sound “natural” with software.
Why would you want an acoustic guitar amp?
An acoustic guitar, after all, is supposed to be… acoustic, right? If you’re playing with a band, the reality is that you need and amp in order to be heard. And even if you’re playing at home or in a very small venue, it provides a certain set of benefits. For example:
- Apply tasteful effects, especially reverb.
- Use a looper device.
- Even out volume between strumming and fingerpicking by use of a compressor.
- Hear yourself the way the audience hears you. (After all, when you hold an acoustic guitar, the soundhole is facing away from you. You hear the side noise, so to speak.)
There’s also a benefit to practicing with an amp because it trains you for the dynamics of a stage. It can be spooky to go from playing in a room unamplified, straight onto a stage through a PA. Suddenly everything is larger than life. Using an amp can prep you for this psychological component of performance.
So which amp to use? There are lots to choose from, thankfully. Here are the top 6 best acoustic guitar amps to check out.
Top 6 Acoustic Guitar Amps:
AER Alpha 40W 1×8 Acoustic Guitar Combo Amp
Power: 40 Watts
Speaker Size: 8”
Weight: 18.9 lbs
Best For: Performance, small/medium venues, monitoring, band practice alongside drums and guitar amps.
I’ve used an AER amp for acoustic guitar for over a decade. They are the most true, versatile, rugged, and powerful amps for acoustic guitar. Don’t be fooled by the 40W power rating, this amp gives you a big bang for your buck. AER just hits the sweet spot for amplifying acoustic instruments with authenticity and flexibility. Can’t recommend them highly enough.
Fishman Loudbox Artist
Power: 120 Watts
Size: 8”
Weight: 25.5 lbs
Best For: Performance, small/medium venues, band practice alongside drums and guitar amps.
Fishman is known for making the industry standard pickups that acoustic guitarists prefer. It makes sense that they also make a top-of-the-line acoustic guitar amp. The 120-watt Fishman Loudbox Artist is an amplifier that hits all the marks – it’s loud, crystal clear, multi-channel, portable, versatile, and boasts an impressive effects section.
Fishman Loudbox Mini
Speaker Size: 6.5”
Weight: 19.7 lbs
Best For: Performance, small venues, monitoring, band practice alongside a quieter band
If you want the Fishman quality without quite as much horsepower, check out the Fishman Loudbox Mini. Along with the decreased power, there are a few less channels and options for effects. But sometimes simplicity is just what you’re looking for. This is highly recommended for small gigs and houses of worship.
Marshall AS50D
Power: 50 Watts
Speaker Size: 2 x 8”
Weight: 35.3 lbs
Best For: Performance, small venues, monitoring, band practice alongside a quieter band
Marshall enters the world of acoustic guitar amps with some solid contenders. The next one down our list, and the favorite in the 30-50 watt range is the Marshall AS50D. The AS50D is often compared to the Fishman Loudbox Mini – they’re within 10 watts of each other, have similar features, and they’re priced similarly.
Fender Acoustasonic 15
Power: 15 Watts
Speaker Size: 6”
Weight: 10.5 lbs (4.76 kg)
Best For: Very small venues, home studio, solo practice, monitoring
Fender has been known for having a solid line of acoustic guitar amps. The Fender Acoustisonic 15 is a prime example, with reliability, quality and a good-looking design. The price tag is low, along with the power rating. This makes it ideal for practice, small venues, and at-home use. Of course, if you’re running through a PA as well, then the small size makes it perfect for hoofing between gigs.
Yamaha THR5A
Power: 10 Watts
Speaker Size: 2 x 3”
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Best For: Very small/intimate venues, home studio, solo practice, recording
The Yamaha THR5A is the smallest, lightest and most portable amp on the list. For it’s size, it’s a versatile and powerful amp with really great tone. It also has a battery power option. Check out some of the reviews on Amazon to get a sense of the enthusiasm for this fun little amp.
Can’t go wrong with the Yamaha THR.
Nice article. It’s great to get others opinions about acoustic amps because we often neglect dealing with this until we need an acoustic amp or we can’t do the gig. I’ve been gigging with an AER Acousticube IIa for over 16 years. Yep, it was a lot of money, but I’ve played probably 700 gigs with this thing and NEVER had a single problem. In fact, I keep discovering new ways to use the many, many features on this fantastic amp. In my book AER is the end of the line.