Acoustic Control Corporation 270

Model 270 with 201 2x15"/horn cab made somewhere in the early to mid 70's.
Versatile? It's very loud and clean..lovely clean sound but I havent found the right fuzz pedal to mate with it. A Fulltone Soulpatch sounds like garbage with this amp.
Channels?- fuzz (useless) and a weakish reverb that is nice.
What features do I wish it had? A nice fuzz sound.
It's got more power that anyone will ever need. Sweet sounding if you tweak the graphic equalizer.

guitar used- Fender strat, gibson sg standard, 68 sg special.
I'm into the Doors, rockabilly and Merle Travis/Scotty Anderson type styles. If you ever wondered how Robby Krieger got that amazing tremelo sound on "Who Do You Love" (Absolutely Live)..well, there it is. How Krieger got his musical sounding fuzztone out of the amp is still a mystery to me.
This thing really sounds great with P90's and single coils..I find that humbuckers dont do the amp justice. Too flat sounding.
The amps distortion is really brutal and ugly sounding.

It's tough..i think it will be working for a long long time.

heh!

been playing over 20 years, owned Fender Pro Reverb, and other models of Acoustic amps like the 165.
Would I buy it again if stolen? hmmmmm...I'd say no. It's a keeper but I would collect the insurance and try something different. Most likely a Plexi clone.

Bottom line is that it's a great amp for clean Travis picking and ofcourse, the whole Robby Krieger crystal clean thing (nails the tone for "Love Me Two Times" and "Universal Mind". Just got to find the right fuzz pedal and I would be happy.

Ok people, I submitted the last review on this item a while ago. Now that ive had more time to get a feel for this amp, i feel i can better rate it now.

THIS AMP ROCKS!!!

This is a LOUD, LOUD solid state amp. 275Watts at 2ohms(approx. 2.7ohms). im currently using it at about 3ohms with 2 12" Eminince and a 15" speaker custom fit into a 4x12" cab.

It has a reverb/fuzz switch... both of which take away from the overall volume but theres plenty of wattage to go around. they share an intensity knob.

The amp has a 5-band graphic EQ... you have to love that. it also has the standard low, mid, high knobs, and a bright switch.

Also, it has a tremelo effect that i think is controlled by a footswitch. Ive never hooked a footswitch up to it, mine are all broken. The trem effect has intensity and speed knobs.

Its only one channel with high and low inputs and a volume control. i use an A/B switch box to switch between high and low.

heres what i use...
Ibanez RG420 w/ EMG 81 and 60(i think its a 60)
Ibanez AX7221 stock
Ibanez EX??? w/ Dimarzio Fred and Tonezone
Vox Hurricane w/ Duncan Invaders
Yamaha LP copy w/ set neck... unknown but good pickups
BOSS Super Overdrive
ZOOM TriMetal
ZOOM 505II multi effects
Ibanez FL-9 flanger

very clean POWER!!! the distortion is kinda cheesy 70's fuzz, but i use it in my blues band and it sounds awsome. and if you add the overdrive to that, it is actually a pretty high distortion sound, maybe a Pantera/Otep/metal sound. i use the TriMetal though, just cause i have it.

the trem effect is cool, but i need the footswitch to control it while im playin.

the EQ is pretty bass and mid heavy. lacking the highs that could really give it that really crystal clear sound. sounds a little muffled, but an EQ pedal will fix that right up.

not much noise at all. in all its time in my bands, ive NEVER turned the volume past 2.5, and thats way too much. its normally only turned to about 1.75. Its LOUD!!!!! and i would imagine that all the bad distortion would start around 4-6, so im very happy with it.

never broke... i just had it serviced a month ago, and that was just because i tought 30 years is alow for any amp, it should get a good tune up. but this thing is SOLID.

they're dead and gone... maybe one day they will be back. until then... RIP...

i love this amp, i just really wish i could find the matching cab to it. that would rock. oh well. unless this breaks or is stolen, ill never need another amp. and if it is stolen, whoever stole it will RIP along with the Acoustic Control Corp. ill KILL EM!!!

this is a solid state guitar head. it was built in 1972, i think. it has 2 speaker outs, 2 monitor outs, and a channel switch... i dont know what that does yet cuz my switch is broken. it has a 3-band EQ and then a 5-band graphic EQ(a huge amount of low end, very nice mids, just about no hi-end on the 5-band, but there are pedals for that). its got a cool tremolo effect with speed and intensity knobs, and a switch between reverb and fuzz. the higher you turn up the fuzz or reverb, the less overall volume you get. but that doesnt reall matter with the INTENSE AMOUNT OF VOLUME this amp gives you. i cant turn this past 2.5 wothout ripping my 2 EVM 12L's apart, but 2.5 is almost overpowering my drummer. LOUD LOUD LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!! its like a VERY old version of the Randall Cyclone.

i use an Ibanez RG420 with a DiMarzio in the neck and a Duncan Performer in the bridge, and a VOX Hurricane with Ibanez Powersounds tuned to low-A with 13 guage Dean Markley's. i use the Ibanez for shredding and the VOX for the growling Nu-Metal thing. right now im using a ZOOM 505II and an Ibanez Smash Box, but i want a better distortion(if u know of any, let me know). sounds good!!! VERY POWERFUL!!! the trem effect is cool. the fuzz is like an old Black Sabbath sound(in my opinion). needs an EQ pedal in front of it(which i dont have). its really lacking in the hi-end, but thats the only bat thing i think.

BUILT LIKE A ROCK!!!!

ummm.... the Acoustic Control Corp. is kinda DEAD...

i love this amp. if something were to go wrong, i would like to replace it, but i think i might just go with something a little easier to find, like a Randall Cyclone.

I am one of those guitar playin dinosaurs who bought one of these brand new in 1973 ($1600 Canadian). Still using it. tonal flexiblility is amazing in the midrange with an extremely low and tight bottom end but wanting on top end. A piezo tweeter goes well on this rig then the harmonics shine also. Gobs of power 275 RMS with one 201 cabinet (2-15" ALTEC 418B's and fibreglass presence horn driver. 375 RMS with two cabinets (1.2 OHM impedance).I have used this amp anywhere from 100 seat clubs to outdoor concerts.

I still have a 1972 IBANEZ Les Paul Custom copy completely reworked with Gibson Humbuckers, tune-o-matic , Schaller's, brass nut,etc. Also a Parker NITEFLY with Dimarzio's and peizo bridge pickups. The amp's built in Fuzz is reminiscent of course of 70's solid state distortion no magic there . I use a DIGITEC RP-7 effects processor and have between both guitars have painstaking taken many months to perfectly nail down Metallica,Van Halen, Tragically hip, Buckcherry and others including Doobie Brothers and Lynard Skynard down to a T.This old AMP does it all for me including break my back carrying it. 150 lbs bottom and 60 lb head. This amp is very quiet. Probably 10 Db or so below my old 100 watt Marshall stack (the Marshall of which we had two turned out to be the most unreliable piece of crap on this planet, great classic rock sound just totally unreliable both of them.) This amp absolutely shines for blues sounds due to the mid flexibility. The 5 band eq's are 12Db cut or boost and this flexibility can easily allow you to be inconsistant if they are out only a notch or two.

All this time I only had the speaker Jack fail internally on the 201 bottom. I also had a very annoying (most people would have given up on it) intermodulation distortion problem at high volumes which always spec'd out ok on the test bench. The problem turned out to be loose screws (part of the active output circuit) on the output transistors once tightened problem solved. locktite is a good option.

Non-exhistent warranty as the lifetime warranty died with the Acoustic Control Corporation.

I would replace it in a heartbeat if lost except for the weight and I'm finding it harder to lift lately. I've read others using this unit for the bass when the real bass rig was the 370 head it had the same power section but different eq cutoff frequencies. I've been playing 33 years and am also having fun with a 1957 Magnitone tube amp with 12ax7 and 12au7's on board a low powered Tube amp with a very rich Tube distortion. This unit sat in my neighbor's basement 25 years and when we pulled it out it lit right up and has been used in a Province wide Band wars competition lately.

By today's standards, I have to give this thing a 3 for features. But when it was new nearly 30 years ago it was state-of-the-art. 5-graphic EQ (unheard of in its day), cheesy "fuzz" (that's '70s talk for "distortion"), reverb & basic tone controls with a bright switch. Auxiliary 120v receptacle on rear panel with speaker and monitor outs. Spare fuse. Very heavy for a solid state amp, 270 head is about 55lbs and the 271 cabinet (two 15" drivers and a horn) is about 160lbs. This baby is incredibly LOUD - overkill at 400W, great for making your ears bleed with guitar. Some people use this amp for bass because of its clean sound and high power, but it is not an Ampeg by any stretch of the imagination.

I sold this amp for $740 to a guy who intends to use it for vintage Hammond organs. It should cook for that. I bought it about ten years ago from a friend for a song, and used it occasionally for lead guitar in small venues. If you turn this up so loud that it distorts, it's too loud. ;) Like I said, the "fuzz" is really cheesy. I just kept it clean and used external effects.

The amp was somewhat unreliable in that the pots and switches were old and full of static. I would not depend on it unless it was completely overhauled. But the cabinst was outstanding, and built tough.

No support for these any longer. (RIP)

I've been playing guitar for 25+ years, but am primarily a bass player. This amp was good for power, but little else. So that's why I let it go. The vintage appeal was not great enough to warrant keeping it. And this only makes a good bass amp if you're desperate.

I WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME TO PURCHASE THIS BEAUTY!
IT IS A 1972 AND WORKS PERFECTLY!!IT IS GREAT FOR GUITAR OR BASS,I
USE IT FOR BASS, I USE SOME REVERB,BECAUSE IT'S THERE!ONE CHANNEL,
REVERB,TREMELO AND FUZZ {COOL}GRAPHIC EQ!EVERYTHING IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER,I WOULD LIKE TO FIND THE FOOTSWITCH BUT PLAYING BASS IT
IS NOT ESSENTIAL.THIS AMP IS A MARSHALL KILLER{LOUD LOUD LOUD}

I USE A 1983 FENDER P-BASS THIS AMP IS SUITED WELL TO IT
IT IS A "ROCK BASS SOUND" UP FRONT IN YOUR FACE!!!!!
THE CABINET I AM USING IS A 1970 ACOUSTIC 204 GUITAR CAB.W/4 12'S
I WOULD LOVE TO FIND ANOTHER ONE,OR AN ACOUSTIC 15" CABINET
IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ONE PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT:BPEACOCK@ALLSTATE.COM

I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1 YEAR BUT IT SEEMS TO BE BUILT LIKE A BRICK
SHIPYARD I PLAY IT DAILY AND I WOULD NOT NEED A BACKUP

I WISH THEY WERE STILL IN BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY OTHER BASS AMP IS A GALIEN KRUEGER COMBO 200 WATTS 1-15" SPEAKER
A GREAT AMP BUT DOES NOT "ROCK HARD" LIKE THE ACOUSTIC.IF I COULD FIND ANOTHER ONE I WOULD BUY IT INSTANTLY!

I use this thing for bass. It is paired with a 4x10 bass cab (no name plate anymore.) 300 some watts, solid state. Has Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, a 5 band graphic EQ, a brite switch and a selector and control knob for either fuzz or reverb.

I use this with a washburn xb200 bass and a bunch of fenders. This thing is very versitile for bass tones due to the 5-band eq an the b/m/t knobs. It is loud as all hell, easily a match for any guitar amp short of a hiwatt. It actually starts to break up around 4 or 5, maybe sooner. Its a nice kinda breakup though, like tubes almost. You can get the grind from this amp, and I love it. Turn the amp up and kill the excessive low end flab with the equalization and you get powerful lows with great clarity. Use the 5 band to dial in upper mids for more note clarity if needed. The 4x10 helps too, never just use a 15. It cleans right up too, so i don't even think of it as solid state for bass anyway. The fuzz is too trebley and weak for bass, but the reverb can be nice. I use neither, as i prefer a straightforward sound.

Its good. I've never had to have it worked on, and would gig without backup without thinking twice, or even once.

If you want a rock machine that is loud enough to compete with those stacks and those huge ass drums, get this and match it up with a nice 4x10. I really like this amp. Just don't buy it for guitar, its sick.

330 true watts of power will run up to 4 4x12 or 2 271(2xaltec lansing guitar 15 w\ horn) and not even breath hard bring on the marshall stacks and watch a real amp work . Very straight forward amp graphic EQ is OK true 60's fuzz or spring reverb. It weighs in at about 50lbs for just the head so it is not an amp for the afaint of heart but it sure bring back memories to us old rockers.

It does not matter what you use on this monster it will come out big and bright I've used a 335 and a strat w/ lace and a 67 SG and Parker FLY and they all sound sweet

I've had it over 10 years and It just won't die

When acoustic first came out in the 70's they put a life tome full replacement warranty on all there procucts but they have been out of business low these many od years.

I would love to find the matching cab 271 just to see if the warning on the back is for real
" Warning volume of this cabinet may exceed 120 db"

This is a stupily powerfull solid state head. Don't know how many watts, i guess around 200. 1 channel w/ 2 input jacks. bass middle and trebble rotary EQ, pluse a graphic EQ, tremolo, reverb and fuzz. it can do either fuzz or reverb, but not both at once. theres a switch on the front for which one is active. likewise the same knob functions as fuzz drive and reverb depth. trem has rate and intensity controls. theres a connection for a dual footswitch, 2 speaker outputs and 2 moniter outputs. no effects loop, no headfone jack.

this thing sounds, LOUD. its solid state, and it stays clean, like it should. You can kill people with the volume. I played mostly shoegazing guitar with it (lots of effects, really loud) and it was great. I used it with a 2x 15" cab and it is versitile enough to play bass thu it even. this is an ace death metal amp, seriously. the built in fuzz is really nasaly 60's sounding, but with pedal distortion and big speakers this thing can be felt as well as heard. did i mention it's loud?

very dependable. quite heavy.. no tubes to go bad. one time i had speakers short out and the amp got screwed up. it was serviced for $30. works like new.

i think they (acoustic) have been out of buisness for a long time. Thankfully collectors don't give a damm about this brand so they're not overpriced.

Id buy it again. I needed an amp with more power than anyhting else and versatitlty to spare, and this amp did it all. Its just to darn heavy considering the incentive to pair it with a massive speker compliment.. overall, an extreme amout of bang, more than you'll ever know, for yr buck.