Acoustic Control Corporation 150

I had a late 70's 150a piped through a 2-12 kustom cab to replace a peavey duce which was stollen.bought cheaply for about 125 in 1980. blue face

used with 1978 lespaul special and alot of pedals. it has tameable when used with lots of outboard stuff, no real tone of its own. later it started getting scratchy and sounded like the volume was turned all the way up intermittantly. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MARKETED AS A BASE AMP ...oh yea the tremolo can be used with a digital delay to get that sound the guitar player from morisee used in the 80's

piece of crap.....HAD IT FIXED TWICE. I EVENTUALY PULLED THE GUTS OUT AND MADE THE CASE A RACK MOUNT FOR MY EFFECTS.

it worked for 1 year after the initial repair which was to replace some driver transisters and power transisters...which for a 125 dollar amp doubled its value...then started doing the same thing again....i moved on...am glad most of you have had beter luck

been playin for about 35 years, i play a musicman 100 rd though a peavey 2-12 (empy classic) cab, if it were stolen i would laugh. those of you who can't hear the difference between a tube amp and that thing should not seriously concider going into music production, there are incredible differences. the tone is usefull for players looking for something wierd.

I had $150 and I needed about 150 watts of bass amp. Fortunately that day, the owner of the local pawn shop/ music store was clearing out old heads that day and I spotted this old Acoustic 150b. I picked it up, looked it over. Went over and plugged it in. It worked, it made a noise, so I said, "HEy Jerry, how much for this old Acoustic?" Pause. "Hunderd fifty." I was in and out in five minutes and when I left I was carrying the most reliable, albeit quirky, bass amp that I have ever run across.
My previous amp had bit the dust in a freak rainstorm after a gig and I had another gig the next evening. I play rock, jazz, country, blues, prog, whatever and this amp goes with me nearly everywhere. It has been pressed into service with a variety of basses, but I have to say my Peavey foundation fretless with passive humbuckers just drives this amp crazy! I didn't really get the Jaco connection immediately when I bought it, but found out he used them after the fact, and since I am a fan, it pleased me.
I wish it had a little more power and an effects loop. Mine is not nearly as quiet as everyone else is describing, but mine only has a two prong plug, so I think if I grounded the chassis, it might help.
The booster amp output is nice for direct recording.

This amp pretty much is a one trick pony for me. The limited control over tone is purposeful on my part, because I've always been a fan of simplicity. MY rig consists of the 150b, an Old Peavey 212 cab with Black Widows and a Mexican Fender Jazz. I took this on a big band gig a few weeks back and the drummer asked me, "whats with all the vintage gear?" And I sort of laughed because I never set out to have all this old stuff, it's just what I've grown used to and if it ain't broke...
The tone this thing puts out is pretty amazing, I must say. I use it a lot for recording at home, both with micing the cab or just using the booster output into my console, it translates well and the bass is clear with as much top end as I want to give it, which is usually not a lot. I usually run the bass control at full and the treble at about 10'oclock. I turn on the bright switch only during a really lod part of the song and I want a line to stick out. The only effect I use regularly is an Ibanez guitar Envelope filter and this amp loves to sound funky. Slapping and popping don't translate as well, but I am trying to cut that out, so it doesn't break my heart.
I also use this amp for acoustic settings using a Peavey 112 PA cab with a horn. It works well with my Old Kay upright and my Yamaha classical sonds prety nice through it, too.
This is where I wish that it had an effects loop to put in a little eq.

This is my backup amp. It broke on me once and even I was able to fix it. I don't think I could rate this any higher. I have had more trouble with bass amps than I care to recall, so any problems I have with the tone go out the window. If you had two employees and one of them was really nice and pretty, but called in sick twice a week, and another who was a little slow and homely, but showed up on time every single day, which one would you keep around?

None. Just sites like this.

I have owned the Acoustic 150 head for approx. 20 years. I got it from the other guitar player in the band when he retired. I was young then and only wanted up to date amps. Low and behold, I was searching for a special amp that would give me an undeniably cool clean sound and still have the balls to crank when needed. This amp was purchased in California and brought back east in 1973. I would expect the head to be manufactured around 1971 or so...
Long story short - I love it! It has what I need. It loves the Vox Tone Lab processor and it is very reliable. After 20 years of sitting in a Barn (covered up), I plug it in and it works wonderfully. It's quiet and , well, I love it. I paid $100 bucks for it. What a deal!

I play a Fender Strat (circa - 1972) and a Fender Tele (custom pro shop - American - 8 of 10). The sound is awsome!
My only complaint would be that I cant switch channels on it. I thought that was what the footswitch output on the back was for. I guess not. If any techs no how to convert it to switch channels please email me at the address below. Thank you.

Its still working after 30 plus years. Any Questions?

I never had to repair it.

Hello, My 150 was made in 1970 (blue line contrary to black line for amp made between 1972-1979). It was completely restaured for an incredible sound. I want to precise something : The Acoustic 150 was used to play bass OR guitar. An Acoustic 150B (for bass) exist to (to remplace the Acoustic 140). The only different is the absence of effect on 150B (because only few bassmen used effect). All the electronic characteristics are the same between a 150 and a 150B. You can find all you want on that site, in the forum : http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/view/Acoustic/WebHome

I have got a incredible 5 string fretless acoustic bass hand-made by the luthier Simoneau (MF luthery in Montreal) This bass have the same sound as a double-bass, so very grave sonority which are perfectly restaured by this amp.

I do not use this amp to make very loud sound. Only in a small acoustic band to play "manouche" jazz. And it's very cool like that.

only two interessant site the original one is always in construction.

http://acoustic.homeunix.net/twiki/bin/view/Acoustic/WebHome for fabrication date = very clean to get some global informations... very cool thank's

http://acoustic.control.free.fr/ to description of all models.

I know now why Pastorius play with this kind of amps. Thank's

Acoustic 150 head, made in the early 1970's. Two channels, each with two inputs. First channel is clean, with volume, bass, and treble controls. Second channel is similar, but with reverb and tremolo, and knobs for reverb, speed, and intensity. I use the first channel exclusively. No effects loop. I use this amp primarily as a backup for my Sunn Model T reissue head. This is a solid state head, though. There is an input in the back for a footswitch, but I haven't used it.

I plug this head into a Marshall 1960A cab with Vintage 30 speakers. I've been using my Essex Les Paul copy, which is actually my main guitar as of late, which sounds great. Anyway, the amp is pretty good for a solid state amp. I don't know if I'd give it the praise that people here give it. It's a nice solid state amp, but I can definitely tell that its solid state. It doesn't quite have the same roundness or response that say, my Model T does. It does have a pretty good amount of headroom for a solid state head. However, even with the bright switch engaged, it sounds kinda dull. Without a midrange boost, it's tough to get it to sound how I like it exactly, though it can get pretty close. It doesn't respond quite like a tube amp. Tube amps have very musical breakup, whereas this seems to have 'solid state distortion' type breakup. It's usable, but not the most musical to my ears.

I used this amp at a show the other day and it was loud enough, but didn't have the cut that my Sunn does. It sat kinda lifeless in the mix. I was a little disappointed with it, in all honesty.

One weird thing about this amp is that the first channel is way louder than the channel with the effects on it. The first channel is pretty loud. It's plenty loud enough at like 3/10. On the second channel, it's either really quiet, or moderately loud. If you turn the volume up on the channel, it gets a little louder, but overall just distorts more. Kinda disappointing.

With regards to the effects, the reverb sounds pretty standard. Nothing too great. Can get pretty roomy sounding if cranked. The tremolo is merely OK. I actually use a Danelectro cheapo tremolo pedal for those sounds, and I think its better. For some reason, the amp sounds as though it's struggling to make sounds when I engage the tremolo. Given the amps age and condition though, I'm just happy it works at all.

One great thing about this head is that it LOVES effects. Running effects through this head makes the head sound beautiful! Particularly nice sounding are delays and reverbs. I've run a Boss DD2 delay and an Electro Harmonix Holy Grail reverb through it and both sound great! I also ran a vintage Rat and an NYC Big Muff through it, and honestly, those distortions have never sounded better. Takes effects way better than my Sunn does. Though, I have found this to be characteristic of solid state heads. I think because their clean signals are extremely clean that effects are able to shine through better. Not sure how it works.

Another nice feature is that its DAMN quiet. No hum whatsoever at any volume. It even makes the inherent hum from effects quieter! I wish more modern amp manufacturers would take some cues from this design, at least in that sense.

This thing looks like it has been to Hell and back hundreds of times. Before I picked it up, someone had installed part of an orange extension cord as the amp's main cord, and left the ground wire exposed, hanging from the back of the amp. The shop I go to replaced the cord and removed the ground wire for free. Even despite the crappy look of the head, it still has worked great for me thus far. And I mean, come on, it was beaten to crap and has survived roughly 35 years. I think these amps were built to last.

I emailed the guy who runs Acoustic now to get a schematic. He was helpful and told me which schematic I needed to get. He referred me to his Ebay store. Though, I ordered the schematics weeks ago and have yet to receive them. And, they were $30. :( Kinda shitty in my opinion, but that's how people seem to work these days.

It's a good amp overall. If you're on a budget, or just hate the upkeep of tube amps, I would give this or another Acoustic amp a try. They're pretty decent overall. Better than pretty much every solid state head I've tried, aside from old Sunn heads which are, in my opinion, unbeatable!

My head made somewhere in the 70's. Two channels (no switching), with the first being a bit louder and cleaner and the second messed up with reverb and tremolo. Bright switch on each channel. Two speaker outputs (no idea what impedance), booster out. I figured out that booster out is a line out only from this reviews' page. Well, actually someone might want to use this head as a booster - plug in it and use this out to feed another amp. A bit too large for a booster, but who cares! Americans love large things. I use mainly the first channel, but sometimes I replug into the second one for "sensitive" moments with reverb or tremolo. Versatile enough for me.
It is very powerful and I never go past 12 o'clock on the volume. Live I usually asked to keep the volume around 9 o'clock - everything is miked up today, buy load boxes if you want natural distortion.
One feature that is sort of enigma is the "ground" switch next to the mains switch. You can turn it off and hear the 50 (or is it 60?) cycle hum. Very cool. Than you turn it back on and enjoy how quiet the thing becomes.

I really don't care it's not tube but solid state since there's no difference in the sound character. I play Les Pauls and SGs - the humbucker stuff. I'm not sure but it seems to me that Acoustic is voiced for bass rather than guitar. 150 should be a guitar head, but it's clean channel sounds almost identical to some of their bass heads I've tried. The bass control is something I roll off completely. If you put it on 50% it pushes the speakers too hard with my LP (yes, I know there's more bass on LP than most of other guitars, but still). If you put bass control on the maximum you have something insanely fat and barely useable. I'm not sure anyone ever needs that much bass. Treble is also too much to my taste, I also roll it off, although not completely. My favourite Tone Bender fuzz have lots of hi-end in its' tonal range and if I open treble too much it sounds harsh. I assume it might be a speaker problem too.
Overall sound is very smooth and I like it so much I've sold my Princetone Fender because it sounded too stingy compared to Acoustic. 150 puts out a big, warm and fat sound with lots of character.
I usually run it clean although it's capable of producing some vintage-style distortion at the maximum volume. I don't like it so much not only because it needs to be VERY LOUD but it is also not a "modern" distortion, you cannot play palm-muting stuff with it. Anyway it's a matter of taste.
Is it noisy? Not at all, but there's still a barely noticeable hum when it's on.
The reverb reminds me of Samick combo I've had about 15 years ago. Considering the size of the head with a chassis wider than most of the tube amps I came across they could put a reverb tank twice the size of my penis! But unfortunately they didn't.

By far, no problems, no repairs. The decorative panel (one with "Acoustic" logo) on the front have a tendency to fall off, but I glue it back. Btw, the design is very nice - everything is clear, you can see the settings even on a dark stage. And - the important factor - it looks real cheesy vintage!

no idea

Been playing for some 20 years. Went through all sorts of amps, mostly Fenders. For some reason lately I was more toward something smooth and fat, and that's the reason I've bought this head. It's relatively cheap, it's reliable, and it has the sound I like. What else do I need?

My 150 head was made in 70's, two non-switchable channels, with two inputs each one. Second channel features reverb and tremolo. Each channel have volume, treble and bass pots plus a bright switch. The second channel have speed and intencity pots for tremolo and a reverb pot. I guess you can see the details about the amp's features in the reviews below.
The head is rather big for a solid-state, about the size of Marchall head - something like 60 cm wide, although it's much lighter, feels like 10kg or something in that range. I can carry it in one hand. It has a handle on a side and rubber feet on the opposite side so you can put it in vertical position if needed. Nice.
It's loud enough for both gigs and rehearsals, although I'm used to deafeningly loud stuff like 100W guitar and 300W bass heads. I'd say it's not insanely loud as some of the reviewers state here. I'm able to crank it to the max and stand in front of it (which is hard to do with many other heads I have). Enough power for bass through single 15" or guitar with single 12" to cut through. It has two speaker outputs (accepts 4, 8 and 16 load), so you can power up a full stack without a problem.
I find it versatile enough and the modest EQ is a bonus - I don't like too many knobs on my amps. btw, I usually keep both bass and treble at about 9-10 o'clock - not boosting but cutting frequencies. The fact it works with both guitars and basses is a very cool feature since I play guitar in one band and bass in another.
The only thing I miss is a marshall-style voltage switch, but americans - shame on them! - never put such a thing on their amplifiers. -1 for the voltage selector.

It sound GOOOOD. I love it. I would never expect such a quality sound from a solid-state amp, but I believe it was made back in a year when they still haven't figured out how to build crappy-sounding cheap solid state stuff. It features an output transformer - something that is not really needed in a solid-state design, but it plays a huge role in shaping any valve amp's sound, and it adds lots of warmth and chunk. I'm sorry to say I went through numerous solid-state amps and they all sucked. You know the story - it stays nice and clean until you reach about 50% of the overall volume, and then it starts to distort. And the solid-state distortion is something you don't want to hear - it's ugly, nasty, non-musical and completely useless. The Acoustic is something really unusual - first, it has more headroom than typical solid-state amp, but when you reach about 75% of the volume knob run, it gets fatter, richer and at the end you've got nice and completely valve-like crunch. Simply amazing! I almost always play this amp in the "crunch" zone - both with bass and guitar. There's really no difference between this head and other valve heads I've got in how it works. It cleans up when you back off the volume, or play light.
Another thing I like about this amp is it's frequency range. It sounds very rich, and when it distorts its bottom remains as fat and punchy as when it's clean. When I was about to buy this head from my friend I plugged a Jazzbass and played a bit this and that, but when I plugged into channel 1 and maxed out the volume it suddenly sounded like Motorhead!!! I hope you've heard that sound - a chunky, rich, fat, distorted bass. I was really amazed partly because at certain stage I owned an old valve Marshall bass head. It sounded flabby and never reached that sound at all. At maximum volume it was loosing bass and the crunch mainly happened at midrange frequencies. Sort of a "plexi" character, but not good for bass. Shortly, the Acoustic 150 is an amazing bass head if you like it PHAT. Sometimes I recognize it's character in older Led Zep live recordings when the bass growls. JPJ was using a more powerfull Acoustic 360 or something like that, but still managed to put a volume on the maximum sometimes.
Although I'm talking about crunch all the time, the clean sound is also inspiring and very articulated. It's not dead or sterile as majority of solid-state amps but warm and punchy. Strat rings like a bell.
A couple of words about the effects:
1. Reverb sucks. Artificial, short-tank 2-spring sound. Use it only if you like industrial junky sound of rusty springs. It also affects volume dramatically. -1 for the reverb.
2. Tremolo is superb! Very cool vintage effect. I assume tremolo is a very simple volume modulation, but for some reason all tremolo stompboxes sound bad. I often play with it instead of practicing with a metronome. It gives everything a warm pulse. The speed range is cleverly set, not like on my crappy Dunlop Univibe reissue (too fast).

Went through numerous gigs without a problem. In a past I've had a couple of issues with Fenders that refused to work after some road abuse when I set them on stage. I avoid Fenders since then. The Acoustic seems to be bulletproof. It was played for at least 30 years and never repaired. Input jacks and some pots are scratchy but after you set everything up it works flawlessly.

Lifetime warranty? It never needed a repair.

With this head I don't miss glowing valves and extra 10kg. It serves me properly in every application. I think it's the only solid-state head that sounds as good as valve. If I will ever get to touring US with my band we'd take only the guitars, and we'll buy a couple of old Acoustics and an old van at the place.
I love the fact you can find Acoustics at the dumpsters in USA, but in Europe they're a bit more pricey. But still if it would cost a $1000 I would still say it's a good amplifier. Notice that noone on this page wrote it sounds bad - a rare case indeed.

I just picked up a 150 for a rehearsal rig and I am amazed how warm sounding this thing is. i am using it for a bass rig with a 1 15 cab eninence loaded a a 210 eminence loaded cab. My 2 primary basses a a 4 string stingray and a ibenez btb, both active electronics and both sound pretty good with this rig. My live rig is a gallien krueger 1001 210 combo with a gk 410 cab. as you probably already know it has 2 channels 1 plain jane bright swith, volume, teble, bass and the other bright, volume, treble, bass, reverb, speed intensity, I usually use the plain jane channel but i can get some very interesting sounds out of channel 2

Like I said I can get a very warm vintage sound out of this amp, I play a wide variaty of music, classic, prog rock, funk, and some jazz, ( I can get some really good funk sound on channel 2, doesnt sound as good as the GK rig i have but what the hell, paid about 10 times as much for the GK. My son is playing bass as well and he is begging me to let him use this rig over the ampeg porta flex he is using now, what the hell i think i will let him give it a run I am rating this a 7 just becuse i am comparing it to alot of other amps i have played in the past wich do cost a hell of alot more $ but I will say it blows the ampeg b4R head I had out of the water in sound.

I cant really say I havnt owned it long enough but its about 30 years old and its still kicking

never dealt with them and of coarse they are out of business

Ive been playing 30 years and have played on just about everything through the years from the original SVTs to mesa boogie, Fender, Lab series, carvin Sunn, earth, (now Im showing my age) even the cough cough hack hack peavys and for the price I paid for this little head i think its one of the best purchases ive made, no complaints here at what I got for 55 bucks and again Im rating this comparing it to everythig else ive played on, and Ive played on some really nice rigs. of coarse it doesnt have any of the features of todays amps , no effects loop, low Z line out but but a nice little rig for what is is, and it does sound better than alot of amps out there costing a hell of alot more money. If anyone knows where to find a manual for this please let me know, also if anyone knows how to track the year it was made by the serial # that would be cool too

Just a couple of notes on the 150--
The "Booster Output" jack is a a line-level tap off the speaker output; that is, you can use this jack to connect the 150 to a power amp and really do your (or other people's) ears some serious damage.

Here's a tip: If your 150 has intermittent sound or crackling, like mine did, a possible fix is to clean (or have cleaned) the contacts on the preamp circuit boards where the wiring harnesses plug in. The connections on the board are solder traces and will "crud up" over the years. Just cleaning these connections made a world of difference with my 150 (BTW it's one of the early models with the green and blue stripes on the front panel)

Early-1970's Acoustic. Standard features as described by other reviewers. The tremolo effect is unbelievably rich and clear; I will never use a stompbox again as this device has so spoiled me. I, too, am interested to know what the "booster" jack is designed for?

Let me tell you, what other reviewers have said about the "honesty" of this amp is th gospel Truth. Immediately after I brought it home, I began noticing intonation issues with my instruments - problems that never were apparent through any other rig! I have refined the intonation on my instruments, and I am sounding better than ever. I utilize my 150 as a bass amp, running a six-string active electronic bass. I understand that the bass version of this amp (the 150B) is identical, but excludes the reverb and tremolo effects. If so, I believe it, because it's hard to imagine a better bass amp. This thing pushes the low B string with mojo to spare. The tremolo effect sounds FANTASTIC on bass! I use a lot of harmonics in my playing, and with this effect they ring out SO beautifully! The jury is still out, however, on the amp's ability to deal with the 9-volt active electronic bass signal at maximum volume... I get a slight hissing sound sometimes; I may be asking this head to do something it was never designed to do (accept LOW bass frequencies pushed by 9 additional volts), or there may be a problem with the cab (I seem to remember a similar sound when using another head). Anyway, I leave the volume knobs on the bass at less than 50% and no problem! I run it through a Hartke cab with a 15-inch aluminum cone, and I have never sought to distort this thing. Tone is clear, rich, powerful.

I share the previously-voiced opinion that the thing is solidly made. A couple of pots have the knobs broken off - indicating some rough handling in its 30-year history - but they still work fine by twisting the spindle. I do gig with it, sans backup, and I have no fears.

N/A - out of business. I am encouraged to hear that repairmen find them easy to work on.

The main event which compelled me to write this review. My band was booked at a new venue, and the owner assured me that the "house PA" system would be available for us to use. Consequently, I did not bring my PA. Upon arrival, I found, to my dismay, that the house system was hard-wired for a DJ system and the (powered!) speakers were bolted to the ceiling... the guy did not know what he was talking about. It was impossible to use the house system without MAJOR, time-consuming inconvenience to the patrons. After a moment to mull it over, I remembered how great the 150 sounded through my PA speakers... I ran the WHOLE BAND, microphones, keyboards, sax and all, through my bass rig... not the best sound we ever achieved, I admit, but it saved the gig. Wow. No question I will grab every one of these that I see.

I bought my Acoustic 150 in 1971. AT that time I was playing the oldies stuff and the amp was blowing the smaller Fenders out of the water. It had two channels, one volume bass and treble, the other volume bass, treble, reverb and tremelo. I wish it had an equalizer, but since it didn't, I bought (back in 1975), a peddle equalizer and it worked great (and still does today, 2004). This amp has more power than I can use. Later, around 1985, I teamed up with a guy we started playing dingy beer dives for drinks and tips. He had a Fender, and though it did bring out a little more overtones than the Acoustic (but not much), I had the total presence and the bass. While he was about half on his volume, I was about one third.

At the time I was playing in bars, I had Ibanez solid body guitar and playing country classics. Sometimes, after 10pm we would start cranking up the volume. No distortion. One time the Sheriff came by and told us to turn it down, neighbors are calling in complaints. I used some reverb for softening sometimes, but the tremelo just didn't fit in the music we were playing. Mainly because it sounded a little to atrificial.

That amp was with me every step of my playing through the years, not any problems. But after two enlistments of married with children, age, work and a new hobby of cooking, I finaly gave the music a rest for the last two years. And after two years it was time to bring back my music. It is now 2004. Now after two years of sitting, I brought out the 80 or 90 pound speaker box with the amp on top, hooked everything up and all I got was intermintant sound, no sound. I was dissappointed, but then it never gave me a problem for some 31 years. Nothing lasts forever, including my marriages.

I would like to get this repaired. I was hoping that someone out there may know and or recommend a repair shop in the Santa Rosa, California area.

Yes I would buy it again. I just wish it wasn't so heavy. But then, the heavier the speaker, the better the quality.

Scott

I believe this is amp is from 1970 but i'm not sure. It has two channels, one dry and one with reverb and tremolo with bright switches on both. This is a pretty darn versatile amp and the reverb sounds pretty dang good. The tremolo is a little choppy but tremolo is tremolo. This is a solid state amp and i use am starting to use this live.

First off, i am pretty educated about amps and i can't stand solid state amps, but this is hands down the best solid state amp that has ever existed. I use a texas fat strat and it sings like no other. The 150 i play distorts around 3 1/2 and it feels just like many non-master volume TUBE amps i've played. The clean is ok sounding, but when it distorts, it sounds so surprisingly good. I mean, this amp is solid-state, but it'll be hard for me to stop using this after i get a bassman. The bassman makes me go crazy it sounds so good, but i never want to lose this amp. There is a lack of LOW end crunch, but its darn close. using delay with this amp is a MMMUUUSSSSTTT. When you play delay through this, it soudns SO ambient it's rediculous. When i stand in front of most amps at shows, all i hear is "fuzz" and "hiss". This does not happen with this amp. You can hear every note and its full of tone. Absolutely amazing sounding amp. The only reason i give it a 9 is the fact that it's simply not tube. Tube distortion is a little deeper and ballzy. But still great.

This amp is old, however it's solid state, so its pretty reliable. It is a very well built amp. I don't know much about it, but i've heard that they built these things really well in the 70's. It has never broken down since i've had it. (I got it about 15 years ago.)

I believe this amp was under a lifetime warranty or something, but i've never dealt witht the company because it doesn't exist anymore.

This is the best solid state amp ever made, no question. I will never change my mind on that. I'd pick this amp over trillions of other tube amps like: of course crate, jcm 2000, and even triple rectifier mesa and many more. The acoustic 150 is just simply better. I am deffinetely a fan of the vintage sound and this works way better than those amps. acoustic 150's are also just plainly, better sounding amps for any style (accept matal). Why waste thousands of dollars on a mesa boogie, when you can buy an amazing, versatile, reliable, GREAT SOUNDING amp for cheap. I know your brain will keep telling you that tube amps are always better. That is MOSTLY true, but this amp is a huge acception. Try the damn amp with your band. PLEASE! For some strange reason, your music will sound better and its probably not just a better performance by the musicians. Try it.

Very simple but effective controls. The 2-band eq is more than ample to go through any range of tones I would possibly want, and the bright switch adds a nice edge to the sound. The 'verb and tremolo, which can be activated via footswitch, add some interesting tonal possibilities although I do not use them much. No bells and whistles or useless features, and I always find it very easy to dial in just the tone I'm looking for.

This is easily the best sounding solid-state amp I have ever heard (besides some of Acoustic's other amps). Unlike today's "transparent" sounding solid state amps that lack any kind of tonal character, or switch-mode supply bass amps that sound thin and wimpy, this amp has a monstrous tone that will bring any instrument to life. I play bass through it (although it is a guitar head it is excellent for bass) and this amp delivers all the bottom end I need. The tone is a raw, raunchy vintage tone, but it is very precise and clear at the same time, never muddy or washy. I believe the incredible tone is mostly due to the amp having an output transformer, which is an important component in shaping the sound of tube amps, but is absent in almost all modern solid state designs. Although I think this amp is rated at less than 100 watts, it easily sounds bigger than most 300 and 600 watt amps I have used. I can't explain it, but it just sounds louder and has more guts in the low end than amps with many times its power rating.

I have punished this amp playing bass through it (it is a guitar head) and have done things to it from extended periods of overdriving it to running low-impedance loads. It has never let me down and is definitely the most reliable piece of equipment I have ever owned. Although I had to get it serviced after I bought it, it was a very minor problem, and is still remarkable considering the age of the amp. The construction is rock solid, the thing is a tank and it looks like it was built to withstand years of the worst working conditions possible.

Although the Acoustic Control Corporation went out of business a long time ago, you can still get their amps serviced at just about anyplace that repairs amplifiers.

I bought this head because it was inexpensive and now I realize it was the best purchases I have ever made. Through the many basses and cabs I have gone through, I've only had one head, and this is it. The only other amp I would ever consider buying would be a bigger Acoustic head, maybe a 360 or something.

I don't know the year made but it looks like something from the 70's.Two channels,one bass treble and volume and the other with reverb,sped and intensity added.Both channels have bright swithes and high and low inputs.Two speaker outputs,footswitchable effects on cnannel two,and what is the booster out for???? I couldn't imagine hooking a additional booster to this head,it's powerfull enough allready.It is all solid state and both channels can be controlled sepperatly as far as volume and EQ.Plenty of power to spare.

I have played several guitars through this amp with several speaker arrangements.I have used some clearance sale Roktrons 75 watters hooked to both out puts at the same time at 8 ohms each and the volume didn't get as loud as when I took the speakers from the crummy cabinets and built my own two tweelve cab and plugged it into one output.I know what you are thinking,and yes I did wire it parrallel to make a 4 ohm cab.Oh yes it will get very loud but I have also plug in a old 8 ohm ampeg v412 cab in a single output and it still blows me away.Hmmmm,I've been told this is 4 or 8 ohm outputs.What is it;does anyone really know and does using both outputs with 8 ohm cabs mean a 16 ohm draw.Personally I think the rocktron cabs were just crap.Anyway I have played a Gibson SGX with a Dano Daddy-O and will really put out some narlly nasty sounds and also with a Gibson Blueshawk and did very nice clean.I play a Yamaha acoustic electric and gets prety righteous with chorous or without.In my house with about 30 feet of cord away I've only had it less than half volume and it was way loud.I have heard several #'s on how much power it is but all I can say it's tremendously louder than any 50 or 60 watt i've owned and I have a Laney GL50 H head that cranks.

Bought it from a pawn shop with the original cord tattered so I replaced it and never had any problems.I did some research and from what I understand,the mastermind from Acoustic Control Corp. is now working for SWR,but the company is long gone.

They don't exist anymore

If you find one get it and you will be glad you did.I have seen some of the bigger ones in pawn shops but seemed to have problems so don't pay to much and check what you buy before you buy.

I have an Acoustic 150 solid state head serial #02454. I dont know which year this was made in, but i bought it from a friend for 150$ with a matching 4x12 acoustic cabinet. the head has two channels with bright switch and two inputs on both and reverb and tremelo effect on the second channel. this amp is a powerhouse and has enough headroom to push bass or guitar.

I use a fender Jazz bass and get some really punchy tones out of the second channel. With the tremelo effect on and the reverb turned up, this rig really gets some great vintage sounds. i use it to play mostly classic rock and reggae styles. The amp has been damaged in the past year or two and the first channel is all distorted. the amp needs to be serviced but i have no doubt that it can be restored back to the state i bought it in. I definitely would only use this thing for a vintage tone, not gritty at all like a tube head, but very clean and articulate. when volume is past 4 or 5, this head punches you in the face, but without distorted overtones.

this amp looks like it had seen a lot before i got my hands on it. i used it for gigs a short period of time before it started to distort. im assuming that its just some type of faulty connection because channel two still works decently on the low input. i havent had it serviced before this and the guy who sold it to me beat the hell out of it so maybe its just in need of some minor fixing.

i have been playing for ten years and have a Gallien Krueger 800rb as my main head with a carvin 4x10 cab. i would never get rid of this amp because the sound is completely unique and it looks pretty sick on a stage too. it would be cool to know what the booster output was and what the footswitch looks like. im looking in to replacing the speakers in the cab because two are on their way out losing alot of output and just sounding bad at high volumes. cant wait to hear this thing in a big room when its in better shape.

Manufactured 1970. Versatile enough when used with a POD or stomp boxes. 2 Channels, no switching, no loops, no external jacks except booster out. 2 speaker jacks, low/high inputs, bright switch on each channel. I beleive this was rated at 110 watts RMS into 8 ohms, solid state. I use it only as a power amplifier (slave) now, and only when it's needed. More than enough power and very clean. Main channel is bright sw, volume, bass treble. Effects channel is bright sw, volume, bass, treble, reverb, depth, speed. Ground switch and power switch.

I use this as slave only, through it's original 104 cabinet (was sold as a "model 154", the 150 head and 104 cabinet. The 104 cabinet has 6 10" altec lansings. As a slave amp, it's fantastic due to it's clean, undistorted reproduction and high output.

This amp has never been serviced in it's lifetime, and has been subjected to serious abuse (once bouncing down a flight of 20 steps). Very rugged, very reliable. Was sold as, and was used primarily as a guitar amp, but I've played bass through it many, many times. I beleive the 150b (bass version) has the same internal components minus the reverb tank and tremelo.

Acoustic Control Corp is long gone, but when this amp was purchased it had a "lifetime warranty" that was never once used. My understanding is that Acoustic Control stood by their products and warranties.

Been playing for around 40 years. My main amp now is a Peavey Special 130. I'd buy another 150 if I could find one. I'd like to get another 104 cabinet as well, but they're even harder to find. Acoustic Control made some very durable, reliable, kick ass amps back in the 70's. Well worth repairing if you find a dead one cheap. Worth buying as a clean power amp if you need one. I've seen them used for as little as $75.

150 with 4-12" Bought new in 1971 nad rocking steady. Some of you owe your very existance to an exceptionally good night we played. Buy a head for $100.00 and you have backup forever when you need it. It's their little guy and its loud as a Marshall!!!!!!!!!

Clen solid sate with a livale reverb. The whole amp is solidmetal. Even the knobs. In those days the warranty 'lifetime - unconditional"
It don't get better than that.

Never lost one second on stage.

We had an Acoustic PA and blew speakers every couplla months. They alwaysreplaced them, no charge. Find THAT today!!!!!

Bulletproof. Great spare.

I have no idea when this amp was made. I got it from a friend for $45 dollars when I was in California, and have had it ever since. Has 2 channels with 2 inputs each, only one having the reverb and echo effects. Has more than enough power to knock pictures off the wall and such(I use it for bass mostly). No complaints on features, especially not for what I paid for it....

I will agree that this is a very clean sounding amp. The only real distortion comes from the fact that 1 of the speakers in the box(also Acoustic..I'm guessing it was the box that came with the amp when it was new?) is blown.

Anyways, I like it.

This amp has seen hell several times over. It (and the box) have been shipped around the U.S. several times(via UPS no less). It has been dropped, kicked, drop-kicked, had beer spilt in/on it, and god knows what else. The only thing I have noticed is that there is a screw or bolt or something rattling around inside of it(from the last time it was kicked..). Has yet to fail me, though.

Fuck if I know....

I've been playing bass for about 6 years. I have had this amp about as long. Other gear of note..My bass is also one of those indestructible antique type things. It's a ?60-70's Japanese made Jazz bass that weighs like 30+ pounds and hass also seen hell and laughed in it's face. Other than that, most gear that I have is that new, crappy stuff that costs too much and breaks all the time.

This ama can go with any style of play, fomr jazz to rock to fusion, My 150 has 2 channels, with the regular and the reverb and tremelo effect on the other. This amp has been used for small and large gigs, and the sound is just as good for both. YOu just don't find 600 watt aps like that anymore.

I have played jazz, fusion, R&B, and rock with my 150, and it is clean every time. This is by far the most dependable amp I have used. Way before its time.

Major deendability. It was given to me by a church member who hadn't used it in 10 years, and it still sounds great.

I can't really say anything on this because it has never had to go in for repairs. This amp is indestructable.

I've been playing bass semi-professionally for about three years now and I've only had the Acoustic 150 for about 4 months, but I love the clarity of it, its dependability and just the fact that with me being only 20, to have retro amp that none of my other friends have, or my never have is kinda cool. If they could reisuue it, and put some other modern things on it, to go along with its quality from back in the day, that would be great.

I bought an Acoustic 150 in 1972 and still play it when possible. It outdoes everything on stage. Bandmembers hate it when I bring it to gigs. I learned to play on it and it's made me very precise as every note is christal clear. I usually use a strat and it brings out the strat sound nicely. I have tried but it will not distort. I usually run power setting at 1/3. Has 4/12 Altec cab. I have no Idea what the booster output does and wish someone could tell me.
I've been thinking about letting my girlfriend use it for a bass amp, is that OK???

It just quit once and the reverb went out. I think that was 1979. Didn't cost much to fix and was no big deal. Still works fine but has to warm up for awhile, ya I know its a solid state.

I've never used the warranty.

I've never heard another amp like it as far as power. I use Marshall and the acoustic cuts through like a knife if I use in tandum. It's just a kick ass amp and that's all.
I just use Boss stompboxes and the sounds are wonderful.
Is there anyone with tech manuals out there?

1970s amp, two channels, one with vibrato and reverb. I only use clean channel with a fender telecaster bass or old P-Bass. The amp is cool but not built as durable as my Acoustic 370 (which is 10 times as heavy with a built in cast iron handle).

Gets a lot of growl with humbucker basses like the tele. Sounds real tight and clean with a pbass. I always play blues and jazz. Sounds pretty cool with the slap funk jazz bass stuff too. Sorry kids- no idea how a 5 string would hold up. I use an old 6x10 cab with new 175 watt Eminence speakers (high wattage for my A370). I have never turned this amp beyond 1 and a half. PURE POWER!!!

Like I said, not as durable as the Acoustic 370 but probably still more durable than the new heads that are out there. Simple to repair and clean. The ONLY solid state amps I would ever own. It has been on over 100 gigs (the 370 has done over 400 gigs!) with next to no preventative maintenance. Usually can be found cheap-if they can be found, I buy em when I see em!

I have no clue about the warrantees. These were born to gig and nearly 30 years old. Someone knew what they were doing when they built these suckers.

I have been playing blues and jazz for 15 years. I have had a Fender blackface Bassman that blew up for me in Cleveland. I have had various ampegs and other old fenders. These have withstood a lot of crap. Indestructible.

I just dont know why they dont go past 2 in volume.

THIS IS A DUAL CHANNEL AMP THAT IS NOT SWITCHABLE. VOL,BASS, TREBLE. REVERB AND TREMOLO ON SECOND CHANNEL. AMP IS CLEAN AND LOUD. VERY GOOD CANIDATE FOR MODERN EFFECTS PROCESSORS

SOUND IS CLEAN AND ACCURATE. WHAT YOU PUT IN IS WHAT YOU GET.IF YOU TECHNIQUE IS NOT UP TO SNUFF THIS IS NOT THE AMP FOR YOU.ALL MISTAKES WILL BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR.MARSHALL AND BOOGIE HEAVY METAL GUYS NEED NOT APPLY. I USE THE AMP FOR EVERYTHING FROM BLUES TO ROCK. I AM VERY OLD SCHOOL I PLAY STRATS, LES PAULS ,TELE'S AND SG'S. ALL WITH EITHER STOCK PU'S OR DUNCAN'S. NONE OF THAT PRS,KRAMER, ESP ,DEAN OR LOCKING TREM. JUNK. THAT'S FOR THE KIDS. IF IT AIN'T A REAL GIBSON,FENDER,GRETCH, GUILD,MOSRITE OR RICK MY HANDS WANT TOUCH IT.THE ONLY EXCEPTION ARE OLD HAMER MADE AT THE CHICAGO PLANT.

I OWN ABOUT 20 DIFFERENT ACOUSTIC AMPS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.I HAVE SOME OF THE VERY EARLY AND RARE ONES. I'VE HAD VERY,VERY MINOR PROBLEMS OUT OF ANY OF THEM. MOST OF MY ACOUSTIC ARE AT LEAST OVER 23YRS OLD SO WHAT EVER PROBLEMS OCCUR NOW ARE JUST GENERAL SERVICE ISSUES;IE, FILTER CAPS ETC.

NEVER HAD TO HAVE ANY OF MY ACOUSTICS REPAIRED WHILE THE COMPANY WAS IN BUSINEES. IN THE LAST 5YRS I HAVE HAD TO PUT SOME OF THEM IN THE SHOP FOR MINOR STUFF. LOCAL REPAIR WAS ABLE TO DO WORK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND PARTS SO FAR HAVE NOT BEEN A ISSUE. AS FAR AS THE COMPANY GOES, HERE IS THE GOSSIP I'VE HEARD OVER THE YEARS. THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE GUITAR CENTER STORES SUPPOSEDLY BOUGHT ACOUSTIC IN THE EARLY OR MID 80'S. THIS WHY YOU COULD ONLY GET NEW ACOUSTIC AMPS AT GC BACK THEN. THEY LET THE COMPANY GO DEFUNCT FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW I'VE FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THE SAMICK COMPANY IS NOW THE NEW OWNERS OF ACOUSTIC. I THINK THEY ARE REISSUING THE 360 BASS AMPS.

ok here is the skinny. I presently own just about every Acoustic amp known to man. I fell in love with these amps in the early 70's while growing up in Memphis. The town where the clean sound is king.My collection of Acoustic heads are 150's,260,270,470,230,330,160 solid state combo (VERY RARE). A 122 and g60 combo. My bass heads are a 360 preamp (again very rare ala Jaco ) and a 370 bass amp. My cabinets are 2 g412 cabs (angled) and 2 g412 straight cabs.I also have a 201 horn that I cut out of a 201 2-15 altec cab. Cab is just to damn heave to carry around so I cut the horn out to use with other acoustic bottoms The 201's are what the Doors and Albert King used. The reason I love these amps are because of the clean and accurate sound the produce at extremely high volumes. Acoustic is the only amp made that the bigger the place the louder they get. Marshalls, Boogies and Fenders drop off after about 15ft out.Thats why you need so many stacks of them. I heard a Marshall 100 watt stack against a Acoustic 270 stack at a Funkadelic concert in Boston in 74. I kept having to ask myself, is the Marshall on or what? I could go on and on. I have been playing longer than most of you guys have been living and I have heard the great amps out there. BUT I LOVE ACOUSTIC . BYE.

I own an Acoustic 150 with two sets of inputs, one is plain, volume, treble and bass with a bright switch. The other has a reverb and tremolo. This is a 1977 model and has worked all its life. I use it for bass and use the plain side. Even though it is a 150 it puts out more power than my SWR 200. I run the 18" box it came with and a 2x10" box. It is very clean and if it was good enough for Jaco, it is good enough for me.

The system is very versatile and is very quiet. It is bulletproof and I have had several offers by other bass players. I use 2 Fender Jazz basses and a Maton. The solid state means it doesn't distort and I use a Korg A5 effects board and it produces any sounds I want. This is a very loud amplifier and I don't run beyond half on stage. I have never tried the booster but will one day. I use it to play Jazz.

In 25 years it has been into the shop once. There was nothing wrong with it but I had it serviced anyway. Now I just remove dust with a paintbrush every three or four years. It has never let me down in 25 years and I don't think it will in the next 25 years. They built an amplifier that was unbreakable which I have never seen with any other amp.

Unfortunately Acoustic is dead but they should start making these amps again as there would be a good market if they added modern features. This company was ahead of its time and it is now that people realize how good these amps really are. If you can find one hang on to it, they should appreciate in value as the amp sounds great.

I have been playing for a long time and have had this since new. The two by 10" box was added recently. I have an SWR 200 watts and a Peavey Mk 4. I would definately buy one again if I could find one. I would like to try the 350 which has even more power. I bought this amp after trying everything in the shop at the time and it was the best I tried. The only thing wrong with it is the box is very heavey.

When the Acoustic Control Corporation first started.Late 60s. This equipment is Basic with a Bright channel on Left and Normal on Right with Tremelo and Reverb. This is 200watts of pure,crisp,clean power.It will play as good as YOU can and will not lie to you like modern amps will.But if your good it will make your good LOUDER!

I use this head with my 1958 Rickenbacker Capri Model 325J in Jetglo. as it was not intended to distort,I have to use stomp pedals for all else. The Bright channel will distort if pressed into high gear, it also will produce some great feedback and sustain if played in concert just ask Carlos Santana or Alvin Lee.They used it at Woodstock

This is the Volkswagon Beatle of Amplifiers. It will outlive the player. No backup is needed with this 30yr old baby. Thats why people end up giving them to future players. The solid state means just that SOLID.

A Lifetime service warranty was offered at the time of purchase. This is why the company went out of business. It was never needed. The product outlived the manufacturer. It is sometimes reasuring to know that AMERICA could at least make one product that did not break.

I have been playing for at least as long as this product but I cannot wear it out. If it were lost or stolen I would just get some little small lightweight thing just to tote. Like a Peavy Rage or Bandit. The new amps I have heard have effects that can even make a Neil Young lead sound good! But if your lucky enough to find a 150 you better grab it cause they just dont make them like that anymore.

- Not sure what year it was made.
- I just got the unit. But yes so far.
- 2 Channels w/ bright. Reverb and a speed.
- I wish it had Distortion.
- Just for home use ie: Hobbie

- My guitar is a Ibanez *GX-70* Red w/ Twin Humbuckers(Blues Setup)
- Its' OK for what I need. (Hard Rock/Alternative)
- It's clean for how old it is
- I'd give it a 5 of 10 for range of sound.
- Prety clean some distortion. At high volume of course.
- Again the distortion is minimal. But I like DISTORTION.

- A work horse.
- Not really ever neglected but put through some rough use.
- I would recomend it to any one looking for a used unit. To get your monies worth.

N/A

- I used to play over 10yrs ago. I just started back up lately. About 4 yrs total.
- I have it hooked up to Fender Speakers. BIG one too!
- I need a Midi-effects proccessor.
- Rock on!