Fender Acoustasonic SFX

I am a pro solo guitarist (11 years) using a Godin Multi-Ac semi hollow electric nylon string. I have been playing 30 years pro and have gone through all the gear mania I could stand. I was looking for one amp which had reasonabley good digital onboard effects, gave the most spacious sound to replace the stereo gear I had been using, and had a great tone. The SFX was the best I found. This will fill up small venues if you can put it in a corner for the side mount speaker to utilize. Even out in the middle of a room it will sound good to others, although you will note the difference. Negatives: underpowered (somewhat) for the really large rooms, but sufficient for 90%+ solo gigs. Should have a line out but doesn?t. Heavy? If you?re 50 like I am, it can get damn heavy after a job. But I keep remembering how much junk it replaces and it seems lighter.

Sounds are pretty much as others have written, in other words, it is a very large and lush sounding amp. The digital effects are decent, and it is not difficult to dial in a sound with the combination of room space and bounce you like. I find a sound I like and glue it, so I don?t know what knob twiddlers would think. This box replaced a cumbersome Yamaha stereo setup with Lexicon reverb and outboard gear all over the place. It is to this amp?s credit that I don?t really miss it at all...well, the Lexicon I do miss. But it is a very compact and attractive all-in-one if you?ve had it with the equipment binge buying. Only negative on the sound: I notice a curious Oringing? on the verb when the SFX surround sound is dialed high, even if the reverb is not up that much. It is not very noticeable, almost like an after sound, but you will notice it as will musicians. Overall though, I?d say this was definitely the best sounding amp I?ve heard for acoustic guitar yet.

No problems so far. I?ve had it about two years and I use it on gigs several days a week. Only preventative I took was ordering a padded Tuki cover for it when I bought it. Love those Tukis!

Never had to use it in two years so I guess I?d say great support, the kind you don?t need.

I just played a Yamaha CGX171CC acoustic electric nylon guitar with the pickup /mic combo through the SFX and it sounded like heaven. I?m thinking about ditching the Godin (which has been my fav for 11 years) for the Yamaha. The only acoustic amp I?d like to put up against it is the Tech21 Bronzewood 60. It sounds like it would be a great purist amp, but I?m afraid it would sound 2 dimensional after getting used to the SFX.

First, the purpose of this review is to give my input on recent side
by side comparisons between the Acoustasonic SFX and Pro models.
I recently tested both side by side, and hope my opinions help you
determine which one is best suited for you. I am not providing ratings, nor going into detail on features, except for comparative
purposes -- you can find such information in other reviews or product literature. In the end, I bought the SFX, but your needs may lead you to the Pro, both are excellent amps.

The Acoustonic series is designed for amplifed acoustics, and in this regard both have desirable and comparable features. Both feature two channels (one with hi-lo ins), stereo speakers and horn, and built-in effects. If you constantly fiddle with effect settings, the Pro is
the more versatile as the SFX uses pre-sets. However, the SFX pre-sets suit my style, and by adjusting the DSP Send and Return
controls (which mix the amount of dry and FX signal), you do have
some ability to control things such as reverb decay, and (preceptible) number of delay repeats.

The Pro wins out in the volume award. I imagine that the open, off-axis speaker design results in some loss in sound pressure. The
Pro model is more focused, so if your goal is to use the amp in a
mid-volume band (drums, elec bass, etc), the Pro will handle that
situation. You've heard of the parlor guitar? The SFX is kind
of the "parlor amplifier", for low volume ensembles (think folk,
or chamber groups), or if you mike or DI, the SFX is fine.

My goal is to get into the coffehouse, small gig scene (perhaps
playing with my son, an aspiring violinist), and see the SFX
as ideal for this. I play electric with a band playing various
styles (country, R&B, blues, standards), and use a JBL loaded Pro
Junior (which at 15W rated is louder than the SFX). If I bought
an acoustic amp doubling as my electric amp, the Pro would be
the best choice.

My main acoustic is an Ovation Elite (1768). I love the bass response
of the instrument, and the Acoustanics both models, bring out the best in this guitar. Both amps are dead quiet, reproduce the acoustic sound cleanly, and need to be played hard before clipping.

As far as pure sound comparison, I do give the edge to the Pro, as
a slightly fuller sound. I think that the harder your attack on the
acoustic, the more noticable the sound difference. But, "edge" is
appropriate, because I think you need to use a discerning ear to
hear a significant difference, the SFX is a pro quality sounding
amp, and at the price, can be considered the better sound per dollar.

Much of my acoustic playing is lighter fingerstyle, and when comparing
the amps using this style, the sound differences were negligible.

Likewise, while giving the edge to the Pro for tone, the SFX gets
the edge for its 300 degree sound projection capability. However,
just as I rate the tone difference as slight, the SFX feature is
not signifcant in the overall sound projection comparison between
the two.

I have not had the SFX long enough, nor can discuss the Pro at all
since I did not buy it.

I think the quality of Fender support is as good or as bad as the
Fender dealer you patronize. I have not had any problems with any
Fender equipment I own, so I can't offer a good opinion here.

Kudos to Stutzman Guitar Center (Rochester, NY) where I purchased the
amp. There were other places I could have gone (including mail-order, or on-line), but the personal attention and help in comparing the models wa well work the extra few dollars.

The sales clerk owns an SFX, and said that he was considering
getting a Pro instead, because it was lighter (in addition to the
other comparative features described here). The Pro is easier
to carry around, no question, but in many situations, I have found
it easier to deal with a vertically tall amp (the SFX), than the
side-by-side speaker setup of the Pro.

Finally, I admit that cosmetics played a part in my decision. I
found the effects control panel on the Pro, with its large LED
readout, was not appealing. I like the vertical mini-stack look
of the SFX -- perhaps it reminds me of the Vibro King I cannot
justify buying (until my next GAS attack -- GAS=Gear Acquistion Syndrome).

My bottom line, is that for my needs (an acoustic amp to play at home 99% of the time), the SFX fit the bill, and I could not justify the
extra money for the Pro.

If my SFX were stolen, I would definitely call the police! And then,
I would buy an SFX again, or a Pro if I started gigging acoustically
frequently, or decided to use one amp regardless of the group or
musical setting.

Brand new model from 1999 I believe. This amp is INCREDIBLE! My specific current needs are for a "colorless" front end" for my POD and VG-8 and GR-30 Guitar synth. This amp performs with room to spare. Plenty loud at 80 watts per channel although beyond the coffeehouse circuit, I'm not sure. The SFX feature has to be heard to be believed. You'll never turn back. Wish this thing had wheels. It's very heavy (62lbs.). It's solid state but it sounds great for electric guitar if you add a POD or VG-8 to the front end as I have. There are two channels (one for guitar, one for vocals. 32 digital effect presets but no editing.

I play folk and folk rock with this amp. It's a perfect rig for a solo performer. Amp is dead quiet if you use digital gear at front end.
Careful not to "clip" the effects section or digital distortion will occur. The amp's basic sound is a broad, expansive stereo guitar sound
which has to be heard to be appreciated. The side firing bottom speaker uses the walls (some folks call this "corner loading")of the room you're performing in to achieve a psychoacoustical effect that sounds like 3-dimensional stereo.

I imagine, being a Fender, the thing is built like a tank. Too new to break.

5 year warranty. Never dealt with Fender in recent years.

Been playing 36 years and I've never heard an amp sound like this one.
I'd buy it again in an instant! I chose it for it's uncolored front end. The SFX was a bonus. Wish it had wheels. (Sigh).

Hmm...I need an editor.
One more addendum to my review below.
The effects out is upstream from the built-in Acoustasonic special effects. If you use it as a line out from the amp, it will NOT include any of the built-in effects. I apologize for my confusion below. There is no way that I have found to pass the SFX signals through the effects out loop jack. However, it does give a clean signal, and depending on whether or not you push the 1/4" plug halfway in or all the way in, will pass the signal through and cut off the Acoustasonic speakers, or pass the signal through and allow the speakers to play normally.

This is an addendum to my review below. I had complained that there was no line out of the amp. However, since that time I've taken the effects loop out and run it into both a PA and a recorder, and it works quite well for both. Any effects that are dialed in through the Acoustasonic are included in the signal. This answers my main complaint about this amp.

Two channels, each 80 watts
DFX: Reverb (Plate, Hall, & Room); Delay, Chorus, Flange; 32 settings total.
I bought this for the sound, and because I loved the feature of a second speaker set at a 90-degree angle to the first, playing out the sides fo the amp. This bounces the sound off the sides of whatever space you're in before it gets to your ears, while the first speaker sends its output directly to you (in the audience). This design seemed simple and appropriate.
That said, it lacks some features that absolutely belong in a guitar amp: headphone jack, line out jack (stereo?), foot switch. It seems a shame that an amp with such an excellent cabinet design should have missed the jacks and switches.

I bring this with me to a coffeehouse once a week. I play a Taylor 410KCE through it, and I am able to handle either a beautiful sound with no effects, or a beautiful sound using reverb or flanging, depending on the music I'm playing. Other folks have run their (usually acoustic) guitars through it, and I get compliments on the amp sound every week. The amp is sensitive enough to need a different setting for each guitar, it isn't a one-size fits all. But given a bit of time up front, it repays with a great sound.
I haven't tried to use it as a heavy metal amp--the sound is very clean, and I would guess that a tube amp overdriven would be a better match for that. I do have a MIDI guitar (Roland GR-09) that I run through it, and that works just fine.

I've had it for about 6 months, no problems so far. As I said, I use it in a weekly gig. I treat it pretty gently, but the sides and grilles held up well to scrapes as I get it in and out of cars.

No experience with this yet.

I've been playing over 30 years. I had a Yamaha amp, which I gave away after buying this. I absolutely love the sound with my Taylor (and most other guitars I've heard through it). It is a heavy puppy, as it really two cabinets, one for each speaker, in a single box. Wish it were lighter, but am willing to bust my butt for the sound it gives. As noted above, I wish it had a line out and a footswitch for the effects. I'd buy it again, although I'd compare its sound to the Acoustasonic Pro if I were in the market again. But again, I bought it for the sound it has.

I've been experimenting with the different effects this amp has and i'm pretyt pleased with them. i would agree that a foot switch would help out a lot but not that big a deal. i generally keep it around the room setting anyway. I find it very easy to find the perfect settings for my guitar with this amp. Gives great highs and lows, no complaints there. The power isn't badfor my purposes its nice and loud with no distortion.

I love the way this amp sounds. it is extremely crisp when you want it to be, or it can be more mellow depending on how you set it. i play an epiphone chet atkins sst through at and i could not be happier. even at the highest volume i get no distortion and it sounds great. the effects are nice, i like how you can add or take away from the power of the effects with the dsp settings. over all i couldn't ask for much better a sound for the price.

withing the first two weeks of playing this amp it blew a speaker. not real sure how but i wasn't too happy about that. i sent it in to get fixed and since then it has given me no problems. i don't know if it waas a fluke or what but other than that no problems.

its fender they have great customer support

i can't say enough about this amp. i've tried many other acoustic amps and they can't even come close to this one. the acoustisonic pro may sound slightly better but not for the difference in price. his amp has plenty of power and sounds great on all settings. i love it

Enough features for my taste although some of the effects just don't sound good to me through my acoustic guitar.

The sound is great when I run my Taylor through the acoustic channel. It does a great job reproducing the acoustic sound - which is why I bought it. An electric, however is not so good - especially when applying the SFX technology to it. My SFX Amp sounds muddy when running my Am Std Strat through it - usually if I have the SFX feature turned on. I would rather play it through my Blues Jr anyway. What does work well in the 2nd instrument channel is MIDI or other line in sources. Lots of power for playing along with loops or CD's.

So far, so good - but I've only owned it for a couple of months.

Never dealt with.

I love this amp. I can't give it a perfect 10, but then again there hasn't been an amp that I've played personally that deserves a 10. My setup includes a Fender Blues Jr. (which again is as close to a 10 as one can get for the money), an Am Std Strat, a Taylor 310CE, and various Boss effects. I do not care for excessive feature laden products so I rate my equipment on the quality of their pure sound. I think - and I've been told by others - that this amp sounds just like my Taylor - only much louder. Any purist might disagree, but if you must amplify this is a great amp for the $. I would buy again since I have found nothing this good in its price range - and higher. Fender scores a winner with this product and I hope they continue to improve on it.

As many have said, the great feature of this amp is SFX sound, which is unique and rates a "10" (or maybe 12). The digital effects are OK, but I found they tend to clip (distort) rather easily (try a hard strum), so would rate them a "7". The other problems are the lack of outputs for recording or PA and a lack of wheels (this amp is huge and heavy).

Overall, excellent sound quality. To remove clipping from the digital effects, lower the DSP a little. I compared this amp to the "Jr" and "Pro" versions (as well as several other brands, which didn't make the first cut). The Jr is OK but lacks enough power for all but the smallest gigs (ie-small, quiet restaurants). The Pro has extra inputs AND outputs, but did NOT sound as deep as the SFX and was a lot more expensive (+$350). Overall, the SFX is the best amp I've tried for acoustic guitar

Fender is generally very reliable. I took a floor model because it was all they had, but it's a good store and fully warrantied.

Never had the need. 5 year warranty, but most work would be done by the store (which is authorized to do so).

Overall, I rate this amp a 9. Near perfect sound, but could use a few extra features (as many have pointed out). If I had to replace it today I would, but in 2-3 years I would first want to see what else is out there since the technology is increasing at such a fast pace. Compared to other brands of acoustic guitar amps, all the Fenders are a tremendous value.

Two 80 waat channels of clean digitally processed sound going from Reverbs-Plate, Hall, & Room to Delay and Chorus, and Flanger and a mixture of all of these for 32 digital sounds. One channel is for the acoustic guitar and another works with microphone or another guitar. I just purchased this a few days ago and used it immediately on my coffeehouse gig. It is easy to dial in the right settings. I plugged in my Seagull Custom Shop acoustic on top and in channel two had an archtop Howard Roberts guitar as I switched off between these during our sets. My Seagull sang like a bird helped by the SFX 300 degree field of sound. I made sure to have plenty of room on the sides of the amp so that the sound could be generated from the open grill area there as well as in front. There was plenty of bottom end for my archtop and this handled the blues tunes very well giving the great reverb/delay settings I chose a wide area to disperse into. The only miss on this amp is the lack of a line output for recording but that must be because of the SFX technology. To record I will have to use at least three mikes to pick up all the sound sources. Still maybe Fender can develope this more and include a line output perhaps in stereo to simulate the SFX field.

This amp is only for those who want crisp clear highs, full bottom and rich midtones. There aren't any distortion settings. The SFX sound field is meant to surround but not penetrate like distorion. The effects are arranged well on the top control board and there is a difference between dialing one click or another. This is where I had the most fun using sounds that I may have passed by because of their cheesiness but with this amp everything was rich and full.

It a Fender. That's good enough for me. No tubes.

Fender

This amp does a great job in coffehouse settings. I also tried my microphone through it and it was a phantom powered mike so they must have included that in the circuitry too. Light Jazz works well and Blues. Simply a delight to play with and after all that's what this is all about anyway. It's an amp with specialized features and best suited for small combo work.