What do you think of Acoustic Sims?

changefly · #1 02.24.06, 10:49 AM

i'm looking at the Boss AC-2 and AC-3 and wonder what the difference is between them, and would like to know if anyone here uses them or any acoustic simulation for their electric rigs.

I'm currently playing through an acoustic/vocal/keyboard amp (PEAVY) and am in the midst of upgrading to my first tube.

I have an acoustic electric takamine, but would like the ability to switch to an acoustic sound live ala opeth, without grabbing my other guitar.

GGTech · #2 02.24.06, 10:59 AM

IMHO Acoustic Sims sound like what they are.A pedal sim.Your best bet would to play your acustic direct on a stand and A/B from acoustic to your electric.

halobrace · #3 02.24.06, 11:16 AM

I plasyed the boss unit and was not impressed with it as a sim of an acoustic. It will change your tone alright but it does not sound like an acoustic imho.

mr.blacksummer · #4 02.24.06, 12:49 PM

they're pretty bogus IMO.
they make the guitar sound "tinny" and sharp...and really not sooo much like an acoustic.
I think GGTech has the right idea..maybe look into a boss AD-5...plug your acoustic into this before going into the board..gives you a bunch of shaping control..sounds killer.

auralevolution · #5 02.24.06, 2:17 PM

the idea is nice, but the execution is off. i dont think they sound very much like an acoustic with an electric guitar. however using them to make an acoustic/electric sound good through your electric's amp has some pretty nice results

Moo · #6 02.24.06, 3:21 PM

They tend to sound pretty thin/cheesy.

grover · #7 02.24.06, 3:41 PM

I had a simulator when I used to own the GT-5 thing. Strange sound. Kind of like Tofu acoustic.

However...

There was interview I saw on TV with David Bowie, and he had something to say which was sage advice. He mentioned the boom of synthesizers in the 70's, and that the best way to use them was to turn them on and then throw the manual away. That the makers of these machines were not musicians, but technicians that were merely second-guessing what a musician would want to use.

My point is that, from the descriptions used already in this thread, textures like: sharp, tinny, or thin -- these could be valuable sounds to draw from. It won't turn your strat into a Martin, but it doesn't mean it couldn't turn out to be good and useful stuff.

On the other hand, the closest I ever heard an electric sound anything like an acoustic was a Parker Fly guitar.

Okay, I'm done... for now.

hydrus · #8 02.24.06, 4:26 PM

i guess it all depends on how good an accoustic sound you want at the end of the day. If you want it perfect you wont get it this way but the end result could be good enough for what you need.

pop_n_fresh · #9 02.24.06, 5:03 PM

who makes those stands you can put your acoustic on? machine head use them for "desend the shades of night" live. then wear their electrics and switch at will. presumably the tech is switchin channels

halobrace · #10 02.24.06, 5:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover

There was interview I saw on TV with David Bowie, and he had something to say which was sage advice. He mentioned the boom of synthesizers in the 70's, and that the best way to use them was to turn them on and then throw the manual away. That the makers of these machines were not musicians, but technicians that were merely second-guessing what a musician would want to use.

Good advice in genral as far as effects, recording, etc.,etc.

Experiment and trust your ears is the best way to have a "happy accident" and discover a new sound or tone. Only doing things the way you are supposed to is boring...

mutepoet · #11 02.24.06, 6:03 PM

I have one on my Zoom505 and it sounds very littel like an acoustic but it does ad some nice tonal characteristics, sounds pretty wicked with my muff . I Agree with grover about putting it to use as something other than a acoustic simulator.

changefly · #12 02.24.06, 6:31 PM

thanx for the opinions.

I think that is what I'm getting at. Obviously its very different than actually playing the full natural tone of an acoustic, the same way playing an acoustic electric tends to shape the sound of the guitar a little more through amplification.

i'll obviously continue recording with my takamine, but I think just for interludes or bridges, the acoustic simulator is going to do the trick, especially since I am mostly an electric born and bred guitarist.

The only opinions im missing are those from a user of both the AC2 and AC3 who can comparitively describe the differences!

mr.blacksummer · #13 02.24.06, 6:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pop_n_fresh
who makes those stands you can put your acoustic on? machine head use them for "desend the shades of night" live. then wear their electrics and switch at will. presumably the tech is switchin channels

1 dude makes those...and 1 dude only (amazingly!). They are called Gracie stands...
the man is Mr.Gracie or Gracy (I'm not sure about the spelling).

Sunset_West · #14 02.25.06, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover
I had a simulator when I used to own the GT-5 thing. Strange sound. Kind of like Tofu acoustic.

However...

There was interview I saw on TV with David Bowie, and he had something to say which was sage advice. He mentioned the boom of synthesizers in the 70's, and that the best way to use them was to turn them on and then throw the manual away. That the makers of these machines were not musicians, but technicians that were merely second-guessing what a musician would want to use.

My point is that, from the descriptions used already in this thread, textures like: sharp, tinny, or thin -- these could be valuable sounds to draw from. It won't turn your strat into a Martin, but it doesn't mean it couldn't turn out to be good and useful stuff.

On the other hand, the closest I ever heard an electric sound anything like an acoustic was a Parker Fly guitar.

Okay, I'm done... for now.

Right. I think you got it right!

But on a slightly different note, I think you have to ask yourself what is the effect/motion you are going for by having an acoustic sim? The point of having such a pedal would be because bringing a real acoustic guitar is impractical, not possible or not worth it. The only place you'd have/use this pedal would be for live. Obviously in a studio/recording setting, you wouldn't use it (I hope not atleast!).

If live, you click it on during a soft part, so long as the audience gets what you are going for/feels the mood the simulated acoustic is suppost to bring, then I say its worth having. Really, what I'm trying to say is its what you can make of it, rather than what its suppost to be. Did this make any sense?

teleman · #15 02.25.06, 12:37 AM

At the risk of getting flak from the rest of the posters, I feel that the AC2is a decent pedal. I had one and sold it for financial reasons. I thought that it sounded better with single coils, and you needed to take some time to dial in the right sound.

It's never fgoing to sound like a miked acoustic, but it can get a fairly decent imitation of an acoustic/electric. I think it's value comes in when you have a gig and you need an acoustic sound for only a few parts in the songs, or only on one song. It's easier to bring a pedal to the gig than it is to bring another guitar, especially an acoustic.

And I'm sure it's a good pedal for the noisemaker crowd.

I haven't seen the AC3 in my local store yet, but I would like to give it a try when I see it.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

- Support GuitarGeek! Visit our Sponsors -