Fender Acoustasonic SFX

I got the SFX in late 2001 after looking at all other amps on the market at the time including the Trace Elliot, Genz, AER, Marshall and other lesser brands (of those the biggest of the AER's was the only one superior but cost three times the $).

It is extremely diverse. I have used it hundreds of times now playing cafe's and small (less than 100) shows and many times on big stage environments with bigger crowds.

Its onboard FX and vocal channel make it awesome for the smaller shows. Its fidelity is great for bigger stage shows and I love the tweed appearance (whcih is the main reason I have on big shows as I usually use with in-ears also.

The 160W (RMS) has been fine for pretty much every environment I have used it. Obviously, with big shows (over 150) FOH is done separately.

I have used it with a range of guitars and pickups including piezo and magnetic's.

It's fidelity is amazing - Fender hit the mark on this one. I have also lent the amp to violinist's a number of times and they rave about it.

The SFX modeller works really well in creating a rich full sound for every seat in the show.

It also works well with an electric guitar for Jazz stuff but I wouldn't run any distortion or other OD FX through.

Never had an issue

Never used it

I bought this because I wanted an acoustic amp that could carry my vocal in a single package. It does this really well.

I also bought a small Behringer mixer to add in extra vocal lines when I have additional vocalists that are keen to help.

The only other amp I really considered was AER which is probably a slightly better amp for big stage stuff but didn't have the spacial fulness of the Fender with the SFX.

Good amp.

Just bought this amp and need a manual. Fender does not have one any ideas? thanks for your help..Henry

I bought this amp because of the features, sound and overall cost value. I have played this amp for 4 years and it never fails to satisfy my still learning style: blues, contemporary rock and classic rock. The effects sometimes is difficult to remember for different songs but I need to do a better job writing down my settings. I use the amp in my mid-size music room and have a good friend play his style on this amp and he sounded much better on this than his high end PA system.

The warm tones are excellent for classic rock. The effects can support most song types but I would like to see more setting control. I don't play for distortion...too much classical style in-grained. I have mostly Fishman in my acoustic guitars as well as standard Gibson p/u.

Extremely reliable and I have played for 10 hrs without any waivering or worry.

Have not needed any.

After 4 years I like this so much I tried to buy another through auction and lost when I hit my price I paid for this one.

Some really good features - I find the feeback and string dynamics a must for me (I run my electric violin through this for a warmer, more realistic sound - all other non-acoustic amps give me a nasaly sound) to supress any whining high-end, so I'm thankful for them. The effects are great when used in moderation (as with any effects), and overall really good. 2 inputs with mic input is nice, but thats pretty much standard on acoustic amps anyways. SFX yields a nice overall sound with the side-firing speaker, but you can't expect to get the best potential out of it in every situation. Overall, I'd say the features are pretty well above average. However, I give it an 8 because of the few (but important) downsides.

The main downsides: awkward to carry (I did install casters, but still can be quite awkward going up/down steps), no form of line out whatsoever (big one), not the loudest thing if you're playing with a somewhat loud band.

Once again, as many said, the 80x2 watt claim is probably a bit off. My guitarists 1x12 65 watt Line 6 will take me out if he's turned up. I can get some really nice warmer sounds out of it, and through my guitar it gets quite good sound. However, once I turn the master above 6/7 or so, I get a little speaker buzz - the problem frequency on my amp is an A (440 Hz and any octave of A below that). Still, its got some great sounds.

It will flash greatness, then sometimes you'll wish for more. I love the sound of it solo, but can get lost in a band mix. Sometimes tough to find a medium of warmth and cutting edge (without getting it to be nasaly - but remember I play violin, so this probably isn't an issue for guitarist).

Make it an 8.5.

Made in Mexico. Never had problems, but I'm worried if I continue to push it for too long (nothing in the near future). Built very solid. Gigged without a backup, and felt comfortable.

I've been playing violin for 12 years now, and in a band for 3. The amp was my brother's and got it about 4 years ago, it worked great for him. He and I switched between using it for the past 2 years or so, but I've been using it quite a bit the past 6 months. I'm quite happy with the sounds, and I like the unique tall look (doesn't make for the greatest carrying capability). I'm my violin (or guitar, depending on the song) through it, but now with vocals for my lead singer until we get a decent PA. I'm a little concerned about continuing to push it (I'm always having to run it with the master between 7.5 to right below 10) plus vocals, sometimes I get the feeling its losing it slowly. Maybe I'm paranoid.

Overall - great amp with just a few downsides. No line/XLR out, not as loud as other amps in this wattage category, and portability (in that order, for me). I sometimes love it and sometimes wish it could do some more for me. I'm currently looking at trading it in + cash for a Genz Benz Shenandoah 200, as theres a really good deal going on locally.
Would reccomend it to most however.

Amp is about 5 years old and in good shape. All functions worked. Effects etc... It would be better if it just had some sort of Chorus and a spring reverb as the digital effects made it sound tinny.

I have a yamaha acoustic with active system. It naturally sounded a little flat and when the effects were added it sounded tinny. No too impressed. I messed with it for a little while and couldn't get a good tone. I have a peavey ecoustic 112 that has a good sound on almost any setting but you can dial it in very easily for a great tone and was half the price... low rating for price verses performance..

It was still totally functional after five years so I would say it was ok but no real judge as I didn't get it new..

Fender has good customer support on Fender products and crummy on there newer acquired brands such as jackson and charvel...

I have been playing over 20 years and have a bit of GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) so I have tried a lot of gear. Peavey and Carvin both make an amp that sells new for the price of a used one of these. Not only would I not buy one again if it was stolen I would hope the theif left his address so I could send him the manual.I wish it had good tone. Not what you'd expect from a company that makes such good electric guitar amps... You can get something smaller lighter and better from Peavey or better yet from Carvin. The one Carvin has, hsa effects is Pole mountable and can be used for Acoustic Guitar, Bass, and Vocals for 399 new and 239 for an extension cab that is also pole mount....

Amazing amp! The amp has a very easy to use 'interface' on which you make your own sound very quick. The FX section works like any studio multifx/amp simulating system like a pod, but sounds 1000 times better! Weights a ton!

The sound is as clear as crystal. I used it during recording sessions in the studio, and it stayed clear and bright without any fx or eq. Thanks to the string dynamics you can make it sound sweet as cotton candy and as dark as coffee, from plain rockballad stuff, jazz and classical guitar. I play on it with an Ibanez Double Edge 7 string guitar with Piezo next to my Marshall JTM45 head w/ 1960AV cabinet and a Mesa Boogie Vtwin preamp. The style our band plays lies between Tool, Soundgarden and A Perfect Circle. Both lead and rythm (me) guitarists use an Acoustasonic SFX icw a Double Edge, which features a switch and a double input so you can easily switch from amp to amp, which we do a lot since our music is both acoustic and heavy. I have tested a lot of these kind of amps and I bought this one because of the piezo horn which adds so much depth/space.

I bought it new and never turned me down on gigs or elsewhere. Its reliable enough not to buy a backup.

Been playing this baby for three years and l know already I'll never sell this one. My other gear is a Marshall JTM45 Head, a Marshall 1960AV slash signature series slant, a Mesa Boogie Vtwin Preamp, a Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor, a Boss TU2 tuner. My axes are: Ibanez Universe, Ibanez Double Edge 7 String, Ibanez 7621 7 string, 1965 Fender Mustang and a Samick Jumbo Dobro. If it were stolen l would buy me another one. I compared it with Trace Elliot's and Laney's and none of them came close. Not even the other Acoustasonic versions. The only bad thing is that its damn heavy so you better build a flightcase and some wheels.

It is heavy and it needs some line outs. I wish it had one more channel. I think it has good power and the effects are easy to use.

I use a K & K sound pick up in my guitars. I love the string dynamic control on this thing. I dig in pretty hard sometimes and it really smooths it out. It is super quiet. It sounds like the sound is all around you when you are playing. I do vocals and playing both and the vocals through this thing are unbelievable. It is the closest thing to a full blown p.a as you can get. I LOVE THIS THING!

I haven't had it that long but it seems to be built like a tank

I have been playing for 10 years ands I have a nice Crate acoustic amp but it sets quietly now. If SFX were stolen today I would go tonight and get another one. I love the sound of this thing. It is just hard to stop playing. Like I said before the vocals thru this thing are great. You can hear your breath behind the note you are singing , if that makes since. I wish it had an out for a powered speaker for a larger venue. I love this thing. I am not a review writer but I just had to write this one.

Nice features, same as the other reviews. The SFX part of this amp is pretty nifty. The amp has a 10 inch speaker that points straight ahead, and an 8 inch underneath which points to the side. The SFX thing makes the amp sound much bigger.

I use a Fender GA-45SCE (grand auditorium) acoustic/electric. I like the way the amp makes my guitar sound, really big and full. It captures elements of an acoustic pretty nice, like it captures the strums of the guitar and the picking stuff nicely. I have mic'd it and recorded it with my computer, and it sounds pretty nice. Its not noisy at all, very quiet.

Looks very well built, have not had any problems yet.

NA

Ive been playing about 5 years. Sounds good, a nice amp, lots of features. I always liked the Acoustasonic JR and 30 chorus effects, so I thought I'de try the SFX. It took the chorus of the jr and 30 and made it 30. I like it fine.

Nice amp made in 1999. The does allow for a variety of sounds. It has to channels. One for instrument and the for mic/instrument. Each has its own eq and dsp level for the 32 preset effects. The amp also has SFX modeling which allows for stereo sound from a mono source. It also has a feedback and string dynamics knob. Althought I notice no difference. It is a solid state amp and has enought power for my my style of music. However, it does not have features that most amps would have like, line out, effects loops, headphones, etc. I usually play modern alternative rock and it works just fine, but it would work great to help acheive a clean acoustic sound for any genre of music.

The amp not noisy at all, but I guess it may depend on where its connected. Amp has a variety of sounds usind SFX and 32 preset effects. SFX modeling is achieved by pointing the bottom speaker sideways, and believe me it is very convincing. In a room with good acoustics you could swear that the sound surrounds you. By far the best I've heard. I actually used to think that an acoustic amp was a waste of money. This amp convinced me otherwise.

It seems dependable. I would use at a gig without a backup. The amp was used when i purchased it but in mint condition. No problems yet.

Never dealt with the company and not sure of the warranty but I believe its 3 years.

I've been playing for 10 years. I also own a fender M-80 Chorus half stack. A Ampeg V-2 half stack. For bass I use a Yorkville 400BH. As well as a small create 40gc for small practice jams.

The Acoustasonic SFX, as others have described, is a two channel, stereo amplifier, designed specifically for the acoustic player. As an acoustic amp, it is one of the best. The effects, and clean sound are great. I've played a Fender jumbo with Fishman pro mike and bridge pickup combination, a Strat, and a Les Paul through channel 1, the acoustic channel, and they all sound great. Channel 2 is for mic or other instrument input and it appears to be underpowered when cranked up. The 80 watts per channel may be a little overstated. My goal is to find an amp like the Crate 112 that has three channels that will allow a small combo to play two amplified instruments and accommodate a microphone as well AND have enough power and control to handle all tasks. With the SFX, you have to live with its channel 2 single volume setting when both instrument and microphone are plugged in together. This causes a power loss and not much control if your guitar has a microphone pickup that doesn't have a separate volume control like one that I use. The SFX has more features than I probably will ever use. The string dynamics dial and feedback notch dial don't seem to have much effect on anything, but then I am not an experienced sound technician. I use the amp at small venues like clubhouses and meeting rooms; and, other than its weight and low channel 2 power, it's near perfect for me.

I play mostly oldies and country music for older people, sometimes in a sing-along mode. The instruments I use are described above. The chorus effect is great for my kind of music. The sounds are clean at high, mid, and low range. I don't use distortion, period! I did get feedback from the amp through my Fishman pickup system when I stood too close to the amp which was a pain in a small venue; but, then again, it may have been that I didn't have all the settings quite right. Don't know if the stereo feature adds much to the amp's appeal. I do know that it adds several pounds to make the amp one heavy box to move around without casters. Are you listening, Fender? I've owned several amps, mostly Fender, and this one's sounds are right up there with the best.

Have only had this particularly amp about 6 months and it has worked flawlessly. I'm sure I can depend on it to serve me wherever I take it without a backup amp. I'm a Fender believer.

Have never dealt directly with Fender (have never had to) so I can give no opinion. I have looked at their web site and it appears fairly complete.

I have been playing off and on since I was a teenager--a long time ago. I also own a Princeton 112 Plus which is a real powerhouse for its size, and it can handle my Les Paul and acoustic when I need it. If the SFX were stolen or lost, I would probably check out some other amps that would provide me 3-channel capability--don't like to haul extra gear when not necessary. I don't hate anything about it except it's somewhat weak channel 2 volume and its weight. I compared it with some other products, but I've always been a Fender loyalist if they make the product that I want.