[BSTheTech]

A co-worker came to me today asking if I could recommend a good (cheap) amp that takes input from an acoustic and a mic at the same time. His son plays finger-style and sings at various old folks homes in town and needs a little more volume for the larger rooms and those hard of hearing. He’s looking at a 15 watt Fender Acoustasonic. I suggested the 40 watt (balked at the price) or the Fishman Loudbox (REALLY balked at the price). Any one have any other ideas? I imagine the chance of finding a used one locally is slim to none.

 

[cboutilier]

I use an old Peavey keyboard amp when needed.

 

[Wardo]

I have a Traynor AM Custom 225 watts can run two mic’s and a guitar. It cost me a grand a few years ago but they have cheaper versions. I like it better than my friends loudbox but the loudbox is good too. Traynor has more eq knobs to mess with and lottsa effects plus it’s loud as fuck.

 

[bw66]

If he wants both good and cheap, he needs to be looking at the used market. Otherwise if it's good, it won't be cheap.

 

[laristotle]

If he's going to be doing this for a while, I'd recommend investing in a used Loudbox mini. ~ $300.

 

[knight_yyz]

the loudbox mini is a great little amp.

 

[WhiteFalcon]

I'm not sure what part of Earth you live in, but just now I saw a used keyboard amp for 50 bucks on Sarnia Kijiji.

 

[BSTheTech]

I’m in BC. The LBM’s are a little more out here. Is $300 a used price?

 

[mawmow]

Behringer 1800Fx : 180 watts is too much but its four channels helpful.

By the way, old age as well as noise deafness hamper high frequency hearing : bassier tone voicing are heard better than high pitch yelling... and ask for less sound volume.
As hearing aids probably do not manage complex (like crowd conversation) or high volume sounds well, so there should not be much of them in the music room.

 

[Chito]

I’m in BC. The LBM’s are a little more out here. Is $300 a used price?

$300 for a used Loudbox mini is okay but if you can get it for a lower price the better. Can't go wrong with it though.

 

[knight_yyz]

Wow, they go for 450 new and everyone wants 350 used?

What about one of those battery operated Roland cubes? L and M sells them new for 250ish

 

[bw66]

If you're looking for something battery operated, The Traynor Travelmate series are excellent. L&M clears out their rental inventory from time to time and there are excellent deals to be had.

 

[knight_yyz]

I just found out that the little 3 and 5 watters from Vox normally used for electrics can be played with acoustics. I have a Vox DA5 and a Mini 3 G2 and tried my Taylor in both on the clean channels. The guitar sounded great with no feedback squeal which is typical of a bigger amp. They have mic in, aux in, headphone /line out and both run on batteries or with ac cord. The DA5 sounds like a much bigger amp than it looks. Both can be found dirt cheap used