Fishman Loudbox artist vs Phil Jones AG 100

**DRS** · 07-31-2014, 07:38 PM

For an acoustic archtop guitar with a floating Bendetto pickup.

**DRS** · 08-01-2014, 09:44 AM

Nada?

**osvi** · 08-01-2014, 11:15 AM

AG 100... absolutely!!!! With Mooer Micro-DI box.

Osvi

**DRS** · 08-01-2014, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by osvi

AG 100... absolutely!!!! With Mooer Micro-DI box.

Osvi

So what does the Mooer DI do?

**D.G.** · 08-01-2014, 12:14 PM

I'm not fond of the Fishman series, especially with magnetic pickups. Not sure why you're looking for an acoustic amp to use with an archtop? Does it have transducers on it (i.e. acoustic pickups)?

What's your budget? I see a lot of guys on this forum spend multi-thousands on a beautiful archtop guitar and then penny-pinch on the amp. You have to look at the amp as an instrument itself. Cheap amps usually = cheap tone.

**DRS** · 08-01-2014, 12:38 PM

Eastman AR810CE with a Benedetto floating pickup. I don't want the typical mid-range heavy electric guitar amp tone. I want to hear a tone truer to the acoustic sound of the amp. The Benedetto is supposed to be good at this.

**osvi** · 08-01-2014, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

So what does the Mooer DI do?

The MOOER is a impedance interface adapter. Many people neglect the importance that is fundamental to give a more realistic tonal balance and a full harmonic spectrum.

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-01-2014, 02:10 PM

I love the Fishman Artist. Loud, light, extremely versatile amp. The best feature is the midrange filter that can help with feedback and tone build-up issues. In my experience with magnetic pickup guitars it gets rid of the mud.

It also has a switch for high-output, i.e., magnetic, pickups and and a tweeter attenuator switch. In my experience the tweeter adjustment doesn't change the magnetic pickup sound much--more important for piezo pickups.

I got it for a piezo-equipped archtop, but I was pleasantly surprised how warm and open it was for humbucker pickups. I think you can nail that Polytone-type tone if that's what you're going for. I also use it with a Godin 5th Avenue with a floating humbucker. Same thing, and I think it preserves more of the acoustic sound than a tube amp.

**D.G.** · 08-01-2014, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

I love the Fishman Artist. Loud, light, extremely versatile amp. The best feature is the midrange filter that can help with feedback and tone build-up issues. In my experience with magnetic pickup guitars it gets rid of the mud.

It also has a switch for high-output, i.e., magnetic, pickups and and a tweeter attenuator switch. In my experience the tweeter adjustment doesn't change the magnetic pickup sound much--more important for piezo pickups.

I got it for a piezo-equipped archtop, but I was pleasantly surprised how warm and open it was for humbucker pickups. I think you can nail that Polytone-type tone if that's what you're going for. I also use it with a Godin 5th Avenue with a floating humbucker. Same thing, and I think it preserves more of the acoustic sound than a tube amp.

Hmmm. I've tried a stock Eastman 403 through a Fishman Loudbox 100 and did not get any kind of a tone I thought was good. Reminds me of what you get plugging directly into the board. It certainly is a sound, but not what I think of as a good one. However, as always, YMMV

For my money, the only magnetic pickups that give a good approximation of an acoustic tone are those designed for acoustic guitars. I prefer the Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker model by a long shot and use the Blend version for my gypsy guitar.

As for amps, again, I really recommend the Quilter Micropro 200. It's super flexible and doesn't have that really weedy high end that tweeter equipped amps give.

**kamlapati** · 08-01-2014, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

Hmmm. I've tried a stock Eastman 403 through a Fishman Loudbox 100 and did not get any kind of a tone I thought was good. Reminds me of what you get plugging directly into the board. It certainly is a sound, but not what I think of as a good one. However, as always, YMMV

For my money, the only magnetic pickups that give a good approximation of an acoustic tone are those designed for acoustic guitars. I prefer the Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker model by a long shot and use the Blend version for my gypsy guitar.

As for amps, again, I really recommend the Quilter Micropro 200. It's super flexible and doesn't have that really weedy high end that tweeter equipped amps give.

The Eastman 403 is laminated with a mounted pickup, so that's significantly different that the OPs question. I don't like any of my electric guitars plugged straight into the board either, but my acoustic archtops with floaters do quite well in that situation. Add the nice notch and mids control of the Fishman and I agree with Dr. Jeff that you can get a good tone.

I have lots of amps to choose from including a Deluxe Reverb and a Polytone Minibrute IV, but I sometimes take my Fishman Artist to practice. I use it with my L-5C or Trenier Special, both of which have Lollar Johnny Smith PUs.

**DRS** · 08-01-2014, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the input so far.

**D.G.** · 08-01-2014, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by kamlapati

The Eastman 403 is laminated with a mounted pickup, so that's significantly different that the OPs question. I don't like any of my electric guitars plugged straight into the board either, but my acoustic archtops with floaters do quite well in that situation. Add the nice notch and mids control of the Fishman and I agree with Dr. Jeff that you can get a good tone.

I have lots of amps to choose from including a Deluxe Reverb and a Polytone Minibrute IV, but I sometimes take my Fishman Artist to practice. I use it with my L-5C or Trenier Special, both of which have Lollar Johnny Smith PUs.

I will say I've never heard an electric guitar (including an Anderson Metro with KA 12-pole floater, and an Eastman 905 with Lollar JS) plugged into an acoustic amp that I've liked, and this is from the audience and bandmate perspective. BUT, maybe I just haven't heard the right combo :shrug: And then there's the fact that a tone I don't like can very well be a tone that is just what someone else wants. Like I say, to each their own

**nosoyninja** · 08-02-2014, 01:07 AM

I have a carved spruce top archtop with a floating single coil pup that I use with the fishman loudbox artist. I love it. The sound is clear and loud as hell, if I need it. I would recommend you take you'r archtop to the local GC and play with it. They allways have one around in the acoustic area of the store...

K

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-02-2014, 01:45 PM

I agree YMMV - try out the Fishman to see what you think. I have never seen a Quilter in the flesh, so it would be hard to have an opinion about it.

**D.G.** · 08-02-2014, 05:51 PM

I have to agree. Fishman's are pretty easy to try out at your local GC. Maybe it'll be what you're looking for!

**Spook410** · 08-02-2014, 06:07 PM

My acoustic rig, (Schertler Jam 150 extension, DTAR Solstice, Empress ParaEQ, HoF reverb) was acquired for archtops and flat tops with various acoustic pickups. However, it works very well with a KA 12 pole floater equipped solid wood archtop. A nice acoustic sound can be dialed in without much trouble at all.

**Woody Sound** · 08-02-2014, 06:30 PM

I don't know if volume is a concern, but why not move up to the Loudbox Performer? A little bigger/heavier, but bigger sound, and still reasonable at just under 30 lbs.

**DRS** · 08-02-2014, 08:54 PM

and $295 more here

**kamlapati** · 08-04-2014, 08:22 PM

I know not everyone likes the acoustic amp / acoustic archtop sound, but last night I had an experience that at least should reinforce that it is a reasonable alternative for many and worth investigating further...

My teacher occasionally sponsors a jam for his students in a great room/club in a local hotel The students' experience and musical tastes are all over the map, from folk singers to nylon string Bossa to Metheny to Steely Dan to American Songbook (ah, me). He brings a local pro bass player and drummer to back us up, and he comps, and takes solos to fill in the space, as required. At last nights jam he played his regular guitar, a really nice Ibanez George Benson, (GB 10, I think) through an older Fishman amp all night. Only pedal was for volume.

He was able to cover all the above styles to a roomful of guitar players, and everyone thought the tone was great.

**ksargent** · 08-05-2014, 04:21 PM

I have a Fishman Loudbox Artist which I sometimes use with an Eastman 810 (Kent Armstrong handwound floating pickup - the USA version not the licensed version). I think it sounds fine - I wouldn't hesitate to use it out if conditions warranted. I still prefer my AC-15 as I'm a tube guy, but the Fishman does a very respectable job. I know several people who like using acoustic amps with their electric (i.e. magnetic pickup-equipped) guitars. Acoustic amps can give you an expanded tonal range that some people seem to like.

Ken

**DRS** · 08-10-2014, 11:26 AM

So I have been perusing Craigslist for the last 3 weeks for either a Phil ones AG100 or Fishman Loudbox artist or performer and nothing. So I went out and got the Fishman Artist new. They're not really expensive. I really like it with the Eastman. It does what I want - makes the acoustic tone louder. I can't say that it is dead-to-nuts identical but very good.

Then out of habit I check CL and there is a PJ AG100 that came on that hour for 1/2 what I paid for the Fishman. That's my luck with CL. It is never there when I want it.

**nosoyninja** · 08-10-2014, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by DRS

So I have been perusing Craigslist for the last 3 weeks for either a Phil ones AG100 or Fishman Loudbox artist or performer and nothing. So I went out and got the Fishman Artist new. They're not really expensive. I really like it with the Eastman. It does what I want - makes the acoustic tone louder. I can't say that it is dead-to-nuts identical but very good.

Then out of habit I check CL and there is a PJ AG100 that came on that hour for 1/2 what I paid for the Fishman. That's my luck with CL. It is never there when I want it.

Although pricewise you might have lucked out on the phil jones, spec wise the fishman is a way better choice. You can think of it as a 3 channel all in one PA with Fx's, phantom power, Direct outs, sendas and returns... All disguised as an acoustic amp which works great with electric guitars!

Congrats!

K

**DRS** · 08-10-2014, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by nosoyninja

Although pricewise you might have lucked out on the phil jones, spec wise the fishman is a way better choice. You can think of it as a 3 channel all in one PA with Fx's, phantom power, Direct outs, sendas and returns... All disguised as an acoustic amp which works great with electric guitars!

Congrats!

K

This is true. That is why I am not returning the Fishman and running after the PJ. Maybe the tone is a little better with the PJ, but sooner or later you have to ask yourself, am I a musician or am I a tone junky. I went down the tone junky rabbit hole over at TGP and that is why I decided to get an acoustic archtop and focus on playing instead.

**jads57** · 08-10-2014, 12:56 PM

For me my Cube 80 on the JC Clean setting sounds great w/ my Eastman 810CE (w/ handmade Kent Armstrong Alnico p/up) My Quilter Aviator also sounds excellent as well

**DRS** · 08-10-2014, 04:25 PM

One thing that this amp has that I like is a tweeter control. If I turn it all the way up, I get that acoustic shimmer and zing that I don't get with electric guitar amps - even with the treble turned up. That just seems to bring on the icepick. The tweeter control just adds the shimmer - I leave the treble at 12:30.