just bought the Fender based on collective reviews alone which I rarely do but the price was right and the reviews were consistently good.. thanks for this review
Thorough, informative and executed well so that the nuances of each amp could be heard. I play acoustic guitar simply as a hobby and have been thinking of purchasing an amp. Your video was not only useful in hearing how these 3 amps perform but I also enjoyed your thought process in evaluating them. To my "amateur" ear, the Fishman was best at reflecting what the guitar had to offer, while the other two amps seem to embellish the guitar sound towards a more performance oriented nature. Not sure if that makes sense...but that's what I heard. Great review!!!
Have both a older Fishman (non battery model) and a Bose S1 Pro . I had sold my original Fishman Mini when I got the Bose. Missed that natural sound so much I bought a used Mini. The Bose I love for the vocals and how handy it is.
Compared both in store today. Bought the Fender. Got it home and it sounds best with my 000-28 w/Baggs Anthem SL, when the amp is off the floor. The Fender has a ton of bass. Had to roll back almost all of the bass control and add some mid for a balanced sound. Great video 👍
Thanks for the review! Been researching various acoustic amps. Fishman has always been on the possible list (Loudbox mini), 60w. Point taken on the limitation, never picked up on that. Fender sounds good! Interestingly, I chose the Fishman over the Fender while testing at Guitar Center. You’ve got me thinking about the Fender again! I also play a Martin acoustic. Thanks for sharing and providing some valuable input!
I agree with you Gairman about the vocal channel on the Fishman. I have used the loudbox mini for playing out live and really like it (small venues/care homes etc) I really do like the Bose L1 (pro 8) in tandem with the loudbox mini and those two make for a great small-medium gig venue combo for a duo. BTW- you inspired me to get the Bose. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your insight. I use my Bose L1 Pro 8 for all my acoustic gigs. It is in a different league than these smaller acoustic amps however.
I liked all three for different reasons and these three are pretty much the best regarding acoustic amps. As for best all around to my ears, I purchased the Loud box Mini ( Non charge model) to my ears I find it to be the best all around of the three you have demoed here. Thanks!
Hey thanks for the nice words! I'm glad this was helpful. It's highly valuable to do A-B comparisons to hear the differences between different amps, guitars, or whatever. Cheers!
I own the Fender 100 and wanted a Fishman so decided to get the new Fishman micro (40w). That little amp sounds incredible and for home use I believe it gives me a better sound and tone than the bigger Fender. It’s become my primary amp for home use.
Fender all the way. Going to buy one on friday. Had a Fishman and hardly used it. The Mic channel just stopped working for some unexplained reason.. Have to replace the whole component inside. Seems to be a common occurance. Going to lick my wounds trade ir for not much and get the Fender 100 which sounds great to me.
Thanks mate, awesome demo of all three amps. Loved the Fishman, I find it so warm it's almost irresistible. I would love to see one video dedicated to the Fishman only where you'd play your guitar and also sing into the amp. Thanks again
I actually sold the Fishman loudbox Mini and bought the Fishman loudbox Artist that is more powerful and has a bigger speaker and separate tweeter for highs
Gary, really no bad choice here. I have the Fender and it sounds awesome. I have the Roland AC90 & AC60, a Shertler Jam 100 and the older Crate CA125. Each had their day as a 1st choice at it's time. My outboard preamps are the Baggs Venue, Fishman Aura Spectrum, and a Palmer acoustic preamp. All good stuff with a purpose. I quite like the Roland AC series when used with a bass amp or powered sub. Nice option and big tone. The Fender is a decent amp with good depth and bass. I have yet to own a Fishman Loudbox or play one. Not available in my area. 1st one I seen was the mini and I didn't try it because it looked so tiny. My loss. This was an excellent presentation and comparison of amps. All worked well with your guitar. I like the bass on the Bose but I'm not a Bose fan. It would depend on how reliable tyese are in a live setting and long-term use. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing your insight Larry. Good info. I mostly use the Bose S1 Pro as a floor monitor. It’s great for that application and the battery makes it even more user friendly.
I'll have that lovely tune going around my head all day! This was a very relaxing review to watch, and all three amps sound great. Although I have the Acoustasonic 100 myself, I would rate as follows: 1. Bose 2. Fishman 3. Fender However, there's not much in it between 2 and 3. The Bose sounds more natural than the other two. New subscriber here, all the best, Simon
Thanks for your comments. I actually upgraded the fish and loudbox mini to a Fishman Loudbox Artist. It has twice the power of the mini and has an 8” woofer and a separate tweeter instead of the 6.5” coaxial speaker in the mini
I am a Jazz Man and I play in the company as Earl Klugh, Peter White and Ken Navarro- SMOOTH! So I like the Fender!. When I make a statement my finger picking is clear and not edgy. For my taste and comfortable for me. Also it can be the guitars I am using. ( Godin Multiac Nylon Deluxe and Cordoba GK Pro Negra, Cordoba 12. So maybe that is rhe difference.
there is a richness in the Fishman that isn't as apparent in the other 2. Interestingly enough, I'm on the hunt for an amp that can replace a small pa in a room that can hold up to 100 noisy folks. Looking at the Fishman Performer. now you have me thinking about a smaller Fishman - Great vid - thanks
I had a Fishman Performer several years ago and gigged a lot with that. I only replaced it because I moved to Taller/large Bose L1 towers. The Performer was great!
@Hrcak1 0 seconds ago I’m playing only front of family and few friends. I don’t want use pick up, just microphone for singing and acoustic guitar. That means I need two microphones. Any advice, acoustic amp or PA and which one? Many thanks.
The Fishman wins that shootout. The Fender has an annoying "buzzy" quality to the sound. I have the same Fishman amp myself, as well as a Roland AC-33 and a Centaur A440. I would, however, have given the Fishman a touch more treble boost in this comparo.
Thank you for the video. It helped me pick the one suitable for me. I wish though that you tested it with finger picking. I wonder how they would differ when finger picked. Anyway this is very informative. Thanks a lot
I have tried and owned both. The Bose S1 is way better than either. Ive had two Loud Boxes. Both quit two years to the date of the warranty. Tried the Fender in a store and it sounded so bad it was embarrassing. It might be a good bedroom amp. I play the S1 straight up on the volumes and it does any size gig. No clipping no tinny distorting.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I also had issues with the Mini and got it fixed and sold. I did however upgrade to the Fishman Loudbox Artist and it sounds great. I use the DI out to feed Bose S1 Pro plus depending on venue. That works incredibly well.
I don't recommend this amp for electric guitar with distortion pedals. But to my ears most acoustic guitar amps don't sound great with distortion pedals. It's easier to overdrive and over extend the small speaker in the mini charge. If you keep things low volume it would work but they sound a little unnatural with drive pedals in my experience. I upgrade to the Fishman Loudbox Artist and it works better since it has an 8" speaker.
@@gair1944 thanks. I had a loud box mini. I also tried their battery operated version on the street but the battery life was terrible. I barely got two hours out of it.
I"m pretty pissed off at Fishman. I used it twice and the battery is dead. You have to take the entire amp apart just to replace the battery which is only going to last 2 years on average. Secondly, the guitar channel is completely gone. Non functional. Only the mic channel works. This after only 2 uses and having been in my closet for a year unused. Having investigated several forums, this is not an isolated incident.
Set those amps on the ground for better sound. I bought an amp stand and put my Fishman LB Performer on it. But when at music stores using same amp noticed sounded much better. Figured out amp needs to interact with the surface of the floor. Went home and put amp on floor and wow what a difference.
Great insight Kevin. Because of the size of my small home studio this is the only place they fit so I just went with it. I’ll try the floor position on your suggestion. I sent the fender acoustic 100 back however. But I own the Bose S1 Pro and Fishman Loudbox mini charge. I’ll give those a try.
I think the answer to that question is usually no. Audiences respond to the songs being played and how well they are played. The quality of tone is for the msuician. The more I am inspired by good sound, the more passionate my performance is.
Hey Gary! Nice video you did! Btw…. What you suggest is the best Amp for Guitar + Vocals to play on Live Shows? … Also, I’m looking for an Amp that makes the Lows of the guitar more surrounding!…. I play Country Rock, Blues and Folk music….. so that’s kinda my profile of the sound I’m looking for. I’d really appreciate your perspective 🙏🏼 Cheers!
Can you please help me by explaining how you got the tags off of the fender 100? I just got mine and im struggling with taking them off and its bugging me. Thanks
Thanks for this video you really know your stuff. you make all three amps sound amazing. I own the Fishman and couldn't agree with you more on the vocals and also own 2 of the the Bose s1. The bose s1 is my go to because of the clean clear vocals. And I use a boss ve8 for a better guitar sound. Again great video thanks for sharing.
I did like the Fender Acoustic 100 but I actually returned it and I sold the Loudbox mini. I got a fishman Loudbox Artist that is working out ideally for my needs of great sound, portable and natural acoustic sound.
There are no AER amps in my area. I’d love to try one. I am now using a Fishman Loudbox Artist. It has more power and a better sounding seconding channel for Vocala.
Thanks for the kind words. The new Bose S1 Pro + with more Tone match settings is even better. I’ll make a comparison video of the old Bose S1 to the new.
Guess this is the sound recorded into some recording software and not the real sound in the room. Thats not a real comparison. Many socalled tests are done like this. Its kind of a scam really.
Fishman over the Fender. The Fender is too much bass (I love my bass but that Fender has too much). Fishman over the Bose (Bose has a boxy sound). That's just my ears talking!
I prefer the Fishman - and have one. I’ve gigged with someone using the Fender. The design of the Fender makes no sense to me. The Fender seems to have surrendered any attempt to be easily transportable, but gives nothing in return. While Fishman are not renowned for the durability of some of their finishes, with no handle and the big bare wood cheeks I would expect some kind of benefit to its design. There is none. It seems designed to appeal to lawyers and accountants
