MAMBO 8" and AER Compact 60 amps

**JazzNote** · 08-06-2016, 04:02 PM

Inspired by one of the amp threads i have listened to some samples of mambo amps and am impressed by what i heard.

Has anybody here had a chance to play both, a AER Compact 60 and Mambo 8"? I wonder how they compare soundwise.

I've been playing AER's for quite some time, mainly because of their portability but if i find something which is around the same weight and warmer sounding i'd consider moving on.

**Franz 1997** · 08-06-2016, 06:15 PM

They sound very different. The AER has a dual cone speaker, is an acoustic amp, and is 60W. The mambo 8 is an arch top amp, is 180w( old version) or 200/400W ( new version) and has a Beta 8 speaker, which sounds fat, punchy and warm, and has 2 distinct sounds - one of them, a 'fender' tone setting, the other, a "polytone- like' setting.

I have played through ( but not owned) an AER compact, and have owned and gigged a Mambo 8. I don't think there is much comparison for electric archtop- but of course it's subjective, some players on this forum like the AER. The mambo 8 weighs about 18 lb., so is very portable and small. It is also very loud, if necessary.

**pingu** · 08-06-2016, 06:43 PM

I own a Compact 60 and (agreeing with Chris) its 'OK' for archtop , adequate but not amazing ....
(It is however light , practical - stick a vocal mic through it etc etc and loud enough for clean jazz gigs)

If I had my money again I'd go for a Mambo 8 tho for sure

**silverfoxx** · 08-07-2016, 04:21 AM

I owned an AER for a number of years, they are ok ,IMO the eq is unexciting and the main
advantage is it's portability. I have owned a Mambo for almost three years, there is no
comparison ,it is superior to an AER in every respect for use with an Archtop for which it
is specifically designed. I can only echo Chris's remarks , and would say also that if it became
necessary ,I would most certainly buy another Mambo.

**JazzNote** · 08-07-2016, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

I owned an AER for a number of years, they are ok ,IMO the eq is unexciting and the main
advantage is it's portability. I have owned a Mambo for almost three years, there is no
comparison ,it is superior to an AER in every respect for use with an Archtop for which it
is specifically designed. I can only echo Chris's remarks , and would say also that if it became
necessary ,I would most certainly buy another Mambo.

Which Mambo do you own? 8", 10" or 12"?

**JazzNote** · 08-07-2016, 07:59 AM

Thank you all for your valuable input which confirms what i heard when i listened to the sample.

**silverfoxx** · 08-07-2016, 08:50 AM

Jazz note,
I have the 12" (Eighteen model spkr , similar to an EV tone )
But if I were to buy a new Mambo now, I'd consider an 8" or
a 10" spkr , the newly included fender styie tone circuit is an
improvement giving an alternative to the existing Polytone
sound it already has. May I say that on Chris's very good
recommendation, I had a Custom Mambo Cabinet built with
two 8" Beta Spkrs , at first I was apprehensive about it, but
am now very pleased with it paired with an Evans head, not
So portable, but a superb combination. If you liaise with Jon
Shaw, who makes the Mambo he will suggest the ideal amp
for your needs I would think.

Cheers

destinytot · 08-07-2016, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

I've been playing AER's for quite some time, mainly because of their portability but if i find something which is around the same weight and warmer sounding i'd consider moving on.

It's about portability for me, too.

Just a thought, but how about using a pedal to add warmth to the AER? It has worked wonders for mine - and I've barely got to grips with it.

Two video clips with AER plus Joyo American Sound, which cost just thirty-five euros.

I used a looper in both, and also an EHX Key9 in the backing in the first video. The picture's terrible on the one from after hours, but I turn off the Key9 and the looper when I start singing - so I think it portrays the live sound well enough.

The second video was really about outgrowing my obsession with 'Benson picking', but I'm adding it because I used the AER plus Joyo American Sound - and I like that tone.

**JazzNote** · 08-07-2016, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by destinytot

It's about portability for me, too.

Just a thought, but how about using a pedal to add warmth to the AER? It has worked wonders for mine - and I've barely got to grips with it.

Two video clips with AER plus Joyo American Sound, which cost just thirty-five euros.

I used a looper in both, and also an EHX Key9 in the backing in the first video. The picture's terrible on the one from after hours, but I turn off the Key9 and the looper when I start singing - so I think it portrays the live sound well enough.

The second video was really about outgrowing my obsession with 'Benson picking', but I'm adding it because I used the AER plus Joyo American Sound - and I like that tone.

Thanks for the suggestion destinytot.
Great picking on Body & Soul!
I believe the Mambo demo i heard was still warmer sounding than the AER with the Joyo.

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 10:55 AM

Eh Mambo Mambo Italiano

I heard someone play through a Mambo and thought it sounded a bit lacklustre TBH. He was an excellent player so not his fault!

That was probably the 8" variety.

A friend of mine spent some time trying to convince all his guitar friends (inc. me) to try out a Mambo (on loan from the guy who makes them) - I never gave it a shot as I simply didn't play enough magnetic pickup archtop at that point to make it worthwhile above my AER (which was a large recent purchase for me).

I'm not sure if anyone was convinced.

The guy in question plays a Henriksen AFAIK. *shrugs*

Nowadays I play more archtop - but I also have a PRRI '65 and a car. I also use a mixed piezo/magnetic sound for smaller gigs, which the AER does well.

I'm still kind of intrigued by small portable amps though, and the wedge thing is a great idea. Maybe I'll give one a try one day!

I think you have to try them and see what works for you. I notice the price has gone up. The guy did seem very open to loaning the amp for trial. Worth a go.

Myself - I am super conservative regarding equipment purchases - I won't personally buy anything unless I know it's properly reliable and roadworthy, can stand up to a lot of shows and has good testimonials from seasoned and heavily gigging professionals who I know IRL. I still feel a bit uneasy when I take the PRRI to a gig because VALVES so the AER kind of lives in my car boot, which is their natural environment, ready to save the day.

Early adoption a very bad idea IMO....

Also singers love the AER vocal channel, and are more likely to book you if you have one. No, really. Having two inputs that can accommodate pretty much any instrument or pickup has saved the gig on a few occasions, too. Perhaps the Mambo acoustic models are good for this too? But they are not at present a known quantity to me.

The AER - thoroughly boring, but IMO an essential piece of kit for a heavily gigging professional guitar player working on electric and acoustic instruments and in different style of music.

If you are primarily a hobbyist or a real jazz guitar purist, you can afford to buy whatever sounds best to you.

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by destinytot

It's about portability for me, too.

Just a thought, but how about using a pedal to add warmth to the AER? It has worked wonders for mine - and I've barely got to grips with it.

Two video clips with AER plus Joyo American Sound, which cost just thirty-five euros.

I used a looper in both, and also an EHX Key9 in the backing in the first video. The picture's terrible on the one from after hours, but I turn off the Key9 and the looper when I start singing - so I think it portrays the live sound well enough.

The second video was really about outgrowing my obsession with 'Benson picking', but I'm adding it because I used the AER plus Joyo American Sound - and I like that tone.

+1 re: the American Sound through an AER. I think it sounds pretty good with my telecaster too:

IMO not too far off my Princeton, hilariously.

destinytot · 08-07-2016, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

+1 re: the American Sound through an AER. I think it sounds pretty good with my telecaster too:

IMO not too far off my Princeton, hilariously.

Tried a tele through mine last night - lovely long neck - but I've taken to using my little Ibanez. Here's my vastly-reduced 'rig to gig':
MAMBO 8" and AER Compact 60 amps-1470583092332934629429-jpg

MAMBO 8" and AER Compact 60 amps-1470583092332934629429-jpg

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:29 AM

I wonder what the vocal channel is like on the Mambo acoustic?

That said, only thing is that a vocal/acoustic amp is unlikely to be optimised for electric archtop sounds, so you are kind of back to square one... Similar price to the AER's, too...

If the Mambo acoustic sounds better than the AER on its home turf (which IMO is a piezo pickup acoustic nylon or flat top guitar, with a vocalist on the other channel)... Well, that would be cool.

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-07-2016, 11:31 AM

played an aer60 on a 5 hr gig yesterday. it just doesn't work with my p90 guitar. given a choice i'd rather schlepp my trusted sessionette.

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by dortmundjazzguitar

played an aer60 on a 5 hr gig yesterday. it just doesn't work with my p90 guitar. given a choice i'd rather schlepp my trusted sessionette.

You need .... American Sound! :-)

Only 30 dollar.

American Sound give you good sound my friend. P90s, my friend, no problem.

Don't get Armenian Sound. Not so good.

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-07-2016, 11:35 AM

putting lipstick on a pig isn't really my thing

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by dortmundjazzguitar

putting lipstick on a pig isn't really my thing

You like pig? I have good pig my friend. Only 30 dollar. I put lipstick for free.

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:43 AM

The way I see it is that the AER is essentially a kind of mobile PA with built in DI boxes/preamps.

Anyway, I actually quite like the sound of electrics through the AER. Even single coils. Sometimes a bit of EQ'ing is necessary....

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-07-2016, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

You like pig? I have good pig my friend. Only 30 dollar. I put lipstick for free.

-make a vid
-put in on youtube
-collect the money
-profit

actually i'm done with tube preamps (which i assume this is?). too much hassle. i don't even bring a spare cable to gigs...

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by dortmundjazzguitar

-make a vid
-put in on youtube
-collect the money
-profit

actually i'm done with tube preamps (which i assume this is?). too much hassle. i don't even bring a spare cable to gigs...

Nah it's a SansAmp clone.

destinytot · 08-07-2016, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by christianm77

The way I see it is that the AER is essentially a kind of mobile PA with built in DI boxes/preamps.

Anyway, I actually quite like the sound of electrics through the AER. Even single coils. Sometimes a bit of EQ'ing is necessary....

Is there by any chance a way to plug two XLR/cannon mics into the single input on the AER (without using a separate mixer, which is what I typically do)? Some kind of splitter or adaptor?

dortmundjazzguitar · 08-07-2016, 12:11 PM

thx, will google sansamp.

**Frank67** · 08-07-2016, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by christianm77

The way I see it is that the AER is essentially a kind of mobile PA with built in DI boxes/preamps.

Anyway, I actually quite like the sound of electrics through the AER. Even single coils. Sometimes a bit of EQ'ing is necessary....

I think one can view it that way. On channel two (the vocal channel; I have the compact xl), the AER is like a PA.

On channel one there is, to my ear, a more guitaristic voice that is not entirely flat. I came to quite like it with arch tops. However, I doubt that the AER is the "optimum" amp for electric archtop playing - it also does not claim to be. If one wants to have a more acoustic sound, e.g. with a floater, one might consider it to be great. At least, I dig it.

For piezo pickups I always found it harsh sounding, but maybe someone has a tip how to eq it right.

The line out on the AER sounds great to my ears going straight to a PA.

I am quite tempted by the latest incarnation of the mambo wedge as a small, portable, convenient polytonish amp for electric archtop sounds.

**christianm77** · 08-07-2016, 12:52 PM

I really like the wedge thing. Why don't more amp builders do that?

**Stringswinger** · 08-07-2016, 01:45 PM

I have used an AER Compact 60 on many, many gigs with many different guitars. Mine is the solid oak cabinet version (which I do not think they do anymore). It is not as good sounding to my ears as one of my vintage Fender Tube amps or my Polytone/Acoustic Image/Raezer's Edge combinations, but it is my most portable rig, and for urban gigs is a back saver (I tried and do not like the whole pushcart thing). Truth be told, most of my gigs are in noisy rooms (restaurants, bars, weddings, corporate functions and private parties) and the AER does fine. In a quiet setting, I like it best with a guitar with a floater, rather than built in humbuckers (where the amp does get a bit muddy). Frankly, I like the whole "hi-fi" solid state sound for jazz guitar. I play a lot of block chords in my solos and tube amps/Polytones do not give me the clarity that I want in that regard.

When I bought the AER, they had a US distributor, they no longer do. At this point, the Mambo and AER are almost identical in terms of support and price (I suppose sending the AER to Canada is a bit cheaper than sending the Mambo to the UK, but the hassle factor is the same). If I were buying now, I would consider both, though I would probably opt for the AER as it is a proven road warrior. The Mambo needs a bit more time to prove itself to me.

Frankly, I have really liked my Acoustic Image Clarus, and if I needed another portable combo, I would strongly consider their Corus amp ahead of the AER or the Mambo. The Acoustic Image sounds great with any guitar I put through it and the customer service of that company is unbeatable. And I try to buy American whenever I can.