Acoustic Control Corporation 140 Head

This Bass amp head was made in the late 70's. This amp is very similar to the 136, in fact, it may be identical. I use a 136 and a 140 on stage to power two cabinets. I also have a 136 15"EV loaded combo. They sound and perform the same. Maybe a tech would know if there are any internal differences. The controls are the same. Two identical channels with bass, treble and volume controls with a bright switch. These amps have none of the modern conveniences such as phones jack or aux./CD input. (1970's!) However, it does have ample power for the average setup. It is rated @125watts, but for some reason, they sound much more powerful and do not distort like other amps in this power range when pushed. Two channels is good for an extra bass or in case of a failure (which might happen now that the amp is 30+ years old.) The 'booster out' on the back is for connecting to other amps. NOT THE PA! Bassists didn't do that often back in the 70's. Amps were usually miked. If you mic your cabs, then this amp will work for you. If you like to tweek your sound alot, you will need an EQ and pedals. This is bare bones.(good in my opinion, less hassels)Excellent for rock!

I use short sclae Danelectros and Fender Mustang basses. I play alot of Classic Rock and Blues along with my own originals. The amp is perfect for that late Beatles, Who, Faces, etc. kind of sound. The amp is quiet, especially with the Bright switch off. I use a non insulated Dano with the Lipstick pickups and it certainly keeps the buzz down. I don't think this is an evry man's amp. It doesn't have that DARK and Clear highs kind of modern rock sound. It also has no horn for those of you who care for them. Through a cab that has one, there is not much articulation in that range.(even with the EQ set for it) I rarely play with this amp over where there should be a '2' on the knob. The stage volume is plenty and our guitarist plays his 100 watt mesa boogie combo LOUD. This amp is best suited for traditional bass players looking for a simple, clear, non effected sound. I am calling it a 9 because I haven't heard a 10 except in my head.

AWESOME! 30-40 year old amps that are simple to fix if needed, but hold there own night after night with no problems, try that with a vintage SVT.....crackle crackle, pop. However, I am a realist and keep extras around just in case, but after I get these old amps going after sitting around in somebody's basement for years, they keep going. Trouble spots in capacitors that crumble and light wiring often cause players to think the amp is bad or speaker blown. This happens when they are stored in a damp environment. MINE HAVE NEVER BROKEN DOWN USED LOUDLY AT 4 HOUR SHOWS. STuff it in the truck and pull it out at the next gig. No problems.

Find a local tech to service them. Get a schematic off the internet. Easy. ACOUSTIC COMPANY IS LONG DEAD. too bad

I have been playing bass for many years. I changed over from tube powered Fenders when I discovered these amps. I keep buying these amps as I can find them, for fear they will become scarce. I do not want to think of what I would do if they were stolen, etc.They are available on ebay and at pawn shops for cheap because they are not extremely popular, but people who investigate them find that many famous musicians used them with great results. The tolex material is prone to come off the wood cabinets after all these years, but a little glue fixes that. The functional parts of the amp is great. The weight of the head is medium, but large in size.( nearly the width of the avg. speaker cab. The case is TOUGH and roadworthy, even after all these years. If it were made today, it would be lighter and smaller, but not necessarily better sounding. The only way to get this sound out of modern equipment is to use a modeler...(why?)Since it is simple, there is less to break down, but there is no silent practice with headphones or playing along with CDs unless you get a few adapters and cables. I personally have no use for that stuff. This is an old fashioned workhorse, not especially attractive and flashy, just puts a good sound out on stage with no hassles. Since the price for a good condition working amp is still cheap (less than $300) they are spectacular amps for players on a budget.

Pretty basic features;head only, two channels, treb. bass, volume and a bright switch for each. Two inputs per channel, #1 more powerful than #2. Bought this in 1976 from the original owner who never gigged with it. It came with an Acoustic 406 cabinet. (single 18 with a folded port.)

Started with a Japanese J bass copy, sounded good. A year later bought a Gibson Ripper. Very versital bass, nice mids, decent highs considering the single 18inch speaker. Very clean, never any distortion, used an MXR box for that. Made me lust for a tube Ampeg. The specs on Acoustic 360 say this head is only rated at 80 watts. I know I gigged in some large buildings with no PA reinforcement and this baby never let me down or made me think I was under powered. I hate wattage ratings but it's the standard when talking power. Overall great rock bass sound, even though I played jazz, country and pop. The combo of the Ripper and it's great mids combined with the awesome lows of the 18 inch cab. made it versitile. A few times I plugged in a P bass I felt it was a bit muddy, J sounded good.

Never had a backup, rock solid reliability. Used it through highschool and four years of college, playing bars, dances and party's. This head has taken a couple of good falls off the speaker cabinet and after a while developed an issue. When it's first turned on with the speaker connected it'll pop untill it's warm. I took it in and tried to have it fixed but the tecs never could pin point it. Found if I would leave the speaker unplugged untill warm then it worked just fine, no extra noises. Ive pretty much retired the head though I use the bottom with a GK combo, just informal practice as I have a real life now and bass is a hobby these days.

No company, no support. In the early eighties when I was trying to get the problem fixed the tecs looked at it for free, said the company still backed it, but they never did repair the problem.

Been fooling with it for 28 years. I play around now with a GK 400/210 combo and have added a Rick 4003 to go along with my Gibson. I have only run into an occational Fender that I liked. Most of my free music time goes to guitar playing, maybe when I retire.

I don't know what year this amp was mad...possibly 73 or 74...I play old rock (The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Animals, and many more) and for this kind of music the amp is perfect. 2 channels no effects, except the bright switch...that helps a lot since I play Viola Bass by Epiphone...Feels very Groovy...I wish that the amp had wheels...I use it with a 4x10 Giannini 1967 cab...that fits exactly with the wide of the amp...looks like its original cab...but weights a lot...I might put wheels on this cab very soon...The amp is POWERFULL, TOO LOUD, I play at the studio barely on 1 level...more than this and I should mike the drums....the amp is a MONSTER...The only gear I heard near here as loud as the Acoustic is mine Giannini 100 watt tube amp...others try, but they just cant get close....

Sounds like heaven....sounds very loud...no distorcion...no humming...

Dont know....its about 30 years old...seems like never broked before...and never will....

Company closed out....

I've been playing for 10 years known...I own an Epiphone Viola Bass, awesome bass, an Oscar Schmidt Folk Guitar Eletric, a Giannini 100watt tube amp, a Roland Jazz Chorous 55, a Yamaha DX5 synth...
If I find more acoust amps I would buy....but here in Brazil they might be very rare I seen just mine...nobody is dumb enough to stole this...I live in a small city and there is only one Acoustic in miles...If you one of this buy...dont ask the price, worth all your money....

I bought the Acoustic 140 head in 1975, very basic amp, no frills 2 channels. Built as a powerful, but economical bass amp. Has 1 reg output to cab, as well as an extension output to a second amplifier or board if desired. Total of 4 inputs. Channels have a bright switch.

I used it with a Gibson EB3, with the matched 2x15 Acoustic 106 cabs.
The rig will feedback very nicely, set at 8, by controlling the guitar volume switch. It ahs tremendous low end punch. I ahve used it at gigs without having to be additionally miked, so it is pretty loud. It is a 4 ohm output setup.

No distortion, unless you create it yourself via effects.
My style is rock bass, and it is perfect for that, though it would
work for jazz and metal as well.
There is no noise, it does not pickup outside noise internally.

I have used it for 28 years, no breakdown ever.
This amp is indestructible.

Acoustic went out of business years ago, but there are plenty of amp repair guys around if you need them, which you won't.

The only improvement I would have like to have seen was a graphic equalizer, but you can add one via rack, so no biggie.
This is a great bass head, they are obviously all dinosaurs now, but they are built like tanks.

I know almost nothing about this amp except for my own experiences. It's a straight ahead two channel amp with no effects at all, I can't discern any difference between the channels. Why was it made, what purpose did it serve? Who knows? But I use it as my mid-weight bass amp, and it kicks ass with authority!

When I run this amp through two bins with a Peavey black widow 18" in each I can't turn it up past 5 without bringing the walls down, same with two 15"s, or 4 10"s. This is a very loud and powerful amp, also very clean. I play a Hartke 5 string mostly, and sometimes a Gibson EB-0 or customized Washburn. Doesn't matter, it always sounds great.

Only had it a year, it's never broke down yet. Doesn't hum or make weird noises, doesn't pick up radio stations or CB radios like some other solid state 70's amps (like Vox for example) But watch where the polarity switch is set, it will knock you on your butt!!! I play on a rubber mat!

It's warranteed for life! Really! Too bad the company wasn't. Who needs company support when you know a good amp tech?

I would give up my Sunn and Peavey equipment for more Acoustic stuff, I want a 370 very badly. When Acoustic was new I was playing Fenders, what a dope I was in those days. Once again, it's loud, it's clean, so far it's dependable, and I love it to death.