Fishman Acoustic Performer Pro

New product alert!!! This is a review for a Fishman Loudbox Performer. That catagory was unavailable as a choice.

Made in 2006. This amp is an acoustic guitarist's dream. It sounds magnificent! I am not a finger picker but I can arpeggiate chords and I think the tonal quality of the reproduction is excellent. It is a two channel amp with 1/4" input jacks on both channels and a single XLR input on channel 2 which disables the 1/4" jack on that channel if activated. It has hall 1, hall 2, chorus, plate 1 and plate 2 effects built in. You can check out Fishman's website and download the owner's manual for details.

I just finished a side by side comparison with my USA made Fender Acoustasonic Jr. and this amp using a Morley A/B switch. (I used only the hall 2 effect on the Fishman for this test.) I started out with a Gibson L-00 equipped with a Baggs active iBeam and finished with a Taylor 714Ced (prototype of the current issue) equipped with a Highlander. Using Fishman's "soft" settings I ran about an hour long comparison. Although I have been very happy with the Acoustasonic Jr. for the last eight years, I have to give the nod to the Fishman Performer. It sounds like a loud, high quality acoustic guitar. The Jr. sounds like an amplified guiter even after resetting it to eliminate all effect processing. I could get in a similar neighborhood to what the Fishman did but just not quite as good. The Fishman costs about twice what the Fender does; it ought to sound better.

Don't know yet but the UPS delivery lady was a little frisky with it as she unloaded it from the truck. I'd say that unless you're asleep at the switch and drop it, she gave it as good a jolt as you're likely to give it under typical use and it still fired up without issue. I have a Fishman pickup in a Taylor 412Ce that hasn't as much as burped in about a decade. I'd assume they make pretty reliable stuff.

Not yet. I'll leave it unrated.

I've been playing for 30 years and own about a dozen vintage amps and about two dozen very nice guitars. I read a lot of reviews about this and other Fishman amps before taking the plunge. One of my friends swears by Trace Elliot and I'll admit that they know how to charge, but I think this is a better amp with far more advanced technology than either Trace or Fender can deliver at this point. So far, I'm thrilled with the amp. It's a definate keeper. I expect it will record very well, too. I bought this as a one month old amp from a guy that needed two XLR inputs to support his gig rig. After hearing this amp, I probably would have added an XLR jack to Channel 1 rather than sell it! I think I'll play this for a while and submit a more comprehensive review later.

Just purchased 3 mo. ago. Don't have the manual in front of me but is triamped, with 2 4in.woofers, a mid and tweeter.I believe total output is 130W. There are 3 channels: an acoustic instrument channel, a vocal channel and an accessory channel (for cd player, for example). It has 5 selectable digital effects for channels 1 and 2, and you can have different levels of effect on either channel. You do not have the option of having i.e. chorus on channel 1 and digital reverb on channel 2. There is no discrete level knob on channel 2, but you can control the volume somewhat with the gain knob. There are antifeedback and phase switches on channels 1 and 2. The only thing this thing lacks that I would like is a separate volume control for channel 2. I absolutely love the output layout: you have separate low and high impedance outs for channels 1 and 2, and the option of a mix of all on one low impedance output. This allows me to put my guitar synth thru the house P.A. on one channel; my mike goes in channel 2 and I use the amp as my monitor, while simultaneously putting my mike thru the house p.a. as well. Hope I didn't lose you on that one, as this is a fantastic feature! I use this amp by itself for guitar/voice single work and full blast for full band using my guitar synth (mostly piano and organ). I am amazed at the tonal range of this thing. Oh yeah, it has a built in tilt stand..love it!Also love the mute button to keep things totally quiet during breaks.

I use a Godin Multiac Nylon for guitar plugged into a Roland GR33 for synth. I have also used a Fishman transduced tenor banjo (this is where you push in the phase button to really match the sound..can't explain why this works). I always sing thru channel 2 and use the amp as my voice monitor. When playing with loud bands, both channels go thru the p.a. and I use the amp as my monitor. My style is, well, I'm a G.B. player, essentially have "piano" duties thru the synth, as well as nylon guitar. Banjo is for dixieland gigs. Have used channel 3 to use c.d. for background during breaks. This amp is for clean, pure, undistorted acoustic sounds.

I have pushed this thing to the limit (full master vol, full channels one and 2 with both gains adjusted below clipping), wailing on piano and organ sounds trying to keep up with the rock guitar soloist. Didn't blow the speakers. Believe me..that is a torture test! I am using this amp in place of my Carvin AG-100D, which broke down on me 3 times, and had to go back to the factory for multiple upgrades. My Fishman sounds so much better..just gorgeous with the nylon string. Before this amp came out, I kept my Polytone in the car for backup. Now, more trunk space!

I have been very pleased with customer support..very prompt and helpful. Kudos to Rick Nelson and Peter Tillotson. Thanks guys..I love this thing! I have not needed repair.

I have been playing professionally for about 30 yrs. I have a Polytone MiniBrute II, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Carvin AG-100D, Ibanez GB-10, Godin Multiac, Carvin Bolt Kit guitar, Larrivee D7 acoustic, and Alvarez Minstrel Tenor Banjo. I absolutely love this amp. I had Mooradian make a gig bag for it (great job, guys!)Have tried AER (too much money!!!)Genz Benz (good value; like Carvin). For sound quality, features, portability and power, this amp is great. Just add that separate volume for channel 2 and this thing is unbeatable!

This one came from around 1995 I think. I searched for years and years and finally found it in a place near Rotterdam, the Netherlands. On the internet it was declared as the wholy grail for acoustic amplification, so I expected a lot of it. The specs are to be found here on these pages, so I won't try to repeat all of us. The power blows you away ! I've never used this amp live though. It is quite heavey to carry it around especially suited in a hevay duty flightcase.

I've tried all my guitars on it (Taylor 410CE, Taylor 510CE, Martin D1/B band and a lot of other 6 and 12-string guitars) and I've tried all settings including the variable tweeter. The sound wan't bad but it stayed somehow nasal and dull. Everybody seems to like the sound so much but I even liked my AER Bingo better. The best amps ever for me are the Trace Elliot TA100R and the TA50R. They sound a lot better than this Fishman. Maybe it's because the main speaker was changed one day, after blowing the original up ... You'll hear some noise but my Trace makes more noise.

Only had it for almost two years but I encountered no problem at all.

I've asked some question (like how does it come that my amp is stamped Fishman Acoustic Performer 8 and they answered promptly - it's an older type by the way).

I've played a lot and have owned lots of stuff. I've sold the Fishman to a guy in the United Kingdom. After owning Fender, Marshall, AER, Laney, Fishman and Trace Elliot, my advise is: buy a Trace Elliot TA100R or TA50R, especially when the Shape facility is used, in combination with some reverb. My website: http://www.xs4all.nl/~ervanel/

So many features. I love being able to adjust the level of the tweeter. I have many guitars (Breedlove, Taylor, Ovation) and some are brighter than others so this adjustment is great. Very small package and easy to set up. The notch filter is very neat with the ability to adjust not just the frequency of the notch but also the level so it doesn't suck all the sound out of your guitar. The wedge design is great.

Sound is fantastic. I can't stop playing it. The reverb is very useful and "acoustic" sounding. So much punch for a 8" speaker. I do a lot of acoustic "slap" playing and it responds very well.

Just had it for a month but it seems to be built like a tank.

Joe at Fishman is great. Very helpful and responsive to questions.

I bought this amp while on a business trip in Ohio. I like to think I am up on things and have been palying for over 20 years, but did not know Fishman even made amps, let alone know that they stopped. The amp was a special order that no one picked up. The list price did shock me but the price I received ,even though it was still new,obviously reflected the fact that the store had had it around for a while. After I played it I had to have it and was happy at the price I received. If the normal price was 1500 - 2000 I could see that being a problem. Even though the amp was dicontinued for some time, and Joe at Fishman was very surprised to hear of a new amp in existance, they accepted my warranty card. That is a class company. I hope Fishman re-enters the market some day with a line of amps.

All aptly described in the other reviews, but let me add that the best darn thing about this great amp is it's compactness and portability in its snazzy black nylon carrying case. I've used this thing countless times, grabbed the handle roughly, had it on planes, tranes and automobiles and the case and amp are still in great shape.

I have a Collings OM with a Fishman Natural in the bridge, and a Joe Mills condenser inside and use a split stereo cable out. Also a Taylor 815 LTD with a Fishman in the bridge. Both guitars sound great through the amp, with the Collings really shining with the Mills mic. The Taylor use to have a Sunrise in the bridge which also sounded killer , but I took it off as I felt it held the top down for recording. But, as to the amp-I thought it was by far the best of breed when I bought it sound wise. Lots of headroom, really let the pick-ups speak, and voiced so you could actually cut enough midrange to let an acoustic guitar not sound sprongy. I know there has been some decent stuff in recent years, but I've never regreted this one for a moment.

Early on I tried to run a guitar synth through it and blew the woofer. I sent it back and they upgraded the whole deal for a very reasonable price, said they'd put in a better speaker and some tweaks. Have been happy as clam ever since. This amp has been with me to Africa, borrowed a million times! and never a lick of trouble.

Great, helpful, human.

Can't imagine being with out it. I suppose if it were lost, I'd have to think about something else cause they aren't in production anymore, but I shudder at the thought. The reason I wrote this review is just to share my gratitude for many years with a great sounding, convenient, reliable amp and that rare satisfaction of feeling like I've gotten more than my money's worth out something that wasn't cheap to me when I bought it!

Probably made in 1999...one of the last produced before being discontinued in 1999 (why?)
2 and 1/2 channels (really 3)
clipping indicators
effects levels on both channels
phase reversal on both channels
separate reverb control for each channel
fully customizable reverb
master effects level
EQ on both channels
mute switch (nice!)
notch filter
powered tweeter with adjustable level
mute footswitch jack
trim on channels 1 and 2 for blending
stereo tape/cd input
tuner output jack
ground lifts
palanced outupt - post EQ
Master effects loop
Voltage select
separate effects loop for channels 1 and 2
aux/mic input
Phantom power to microphone (nice!)
stereo input
phantom power to instrument

Overall features are very accessible--this amp can be tweaked into oblivion. Although this seems like a LOT of features, anybody who's played acoustic onstage knows how difficult it is to get a great sound--this amp makes it possible.

Excellent quality. No problems here.

The damn thing fried on me. I plugged it into a bad wall socket, and the amp was toasted. I sent it back to Fishman, and it needed a new speaker, etc. Where was the fuse? But I have to give Fishman credit...when I sent the amp back, they also installed some new circuit upgrades, so I suppose it was "for the best." I knew the wall outlets were bad...I took the chance and got burned. Overall $75 repairs, plus shipping. Not too bad. The speaker they replaced costs $130, and they only charged me $40 for it. I also have to commend them on their attitude and approach to customer service. And, perhaps, most importantly, although they discontinued making the amp, Joe from Customer Service was extremely knowledgable! I find this rare. So I won't mess up the amp's "perfect 10" rating in this category so far...I'll just leave this rating blank. After all, they could have reamed me for hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Joe was a pleasure to deal with. I worked with him through phone and e-mail. Joe talked me through the process, was courteous and professional, followed through on his word, and shipped the amp back to me on-time, and ready to rock!

This is, in my opinion, the best acoustic amp on the market. I play Custom Shop Martin acoustic guitars. I play a custom Baker B-1 electric guitar through a Demeter TGA-2 Inverter 50W combo amp. I also play a vintage Gibson SG as a backup electric guitar. I have been playing guitar since age three. To me, sound is of utmost importance. I was really impressed with the Acoustic Performer Pro when I bought it, and I continue to be impressed with it three years later. I have mixed opinions on the fact that they stopped making the amps. I would like to have seen future musicians have access to such a great piece of equipment. I don't know about the 270 watt output rating...i'll have to think about that one. If I play this amp next to a Wizard guitar head or a Rivera or some other high-output (electric guitar) tube amp, I don't know about the Fishman being louder...but who am I to argue with physics? Overall, I consider it a great value. I would buy it again, and, amazingly, even three years after they discontinued it, I still haven't seen or heard a better acoustic guitar amp.

1996 fishman acoustic performer pro. i've submitted a review on it, and i feel after a while of gigging with it i can say i've thoroughly tested it in all aspects. i've played it through some church PAs and played it at many volumes. CRYSTAL CLEAR and makes my Taylor sound unplugged, just louder. VERY Nice. Some people might say you can't get an "acoustic sound" when amplified. Well, i have. Perhaps it's the great sound techs i work with, but more so it could be the equipment. I mean an all solid mahogany guitar with sitka spruce top and a Fishman Prefix onboard Blender pickup into quite possibly the best acoustic amp to hit the market ever should sound pretty decent, shouldn't it?

In a live coffeehouse setting i can run that amp at a level that's just below conversational level and it still has a projective sound. I love it. Bose....move out of the way. Fishman has entered the building :)

I play this amp regularly without a backup. i usta have a roland ac-100 and a peavey ecoustic 112. they were great sounding when i'd run stereo, but 100 pounds of amps gets boring quick. it's 3 position setup, (straight up, tilted on 1 side, or optional stand) makes it great for stage use without booming out other musicians.

Fishman is great for service. i've e-mailed them with questions about other setups and they're quick! I think Fishman is a great copany to deal with.

If i could find another one for about the same price or perhaps a hair less i might consider it, but that would be merely for different rigs setup at a show or something. I like it a lot.

I just bought a barely used 1996 Fishman Acoustic Performer Pro. I'm mostly an acoustic fingerstyle player, with some acoustic jazz or rhythm playing involved too. It has 2 channels, each with Bass, Mid, Treb controls, individual volume, effects blending and phase reversal. There are 3 effects loops, (channels 1 and 2 and master loop). It also has blending of effects into each channel. Basically, the original signal is preserved but with the effects being added into it. It's got 270 watts (230 watts to the 8" woofer and 40 watts to the 1" tweeter).

I play a Taylor 310 ce with the Fishman Onboard Blender system. The amp and the guitar were absolutely made for each other (both Fishman!), and i can say they sound incredible together. I can also say that i wouldn't hesitate to play any other guitar through this amp, because of it's power and the Fishman name. There are 5 reverb settings, and with a "wet/dry" knob. It's digital. Also, you can assign reverb to both channels, or individual. Even has a muting switch with 1/4" jack on the back if you decide to switch instruments during a performance.

I'll be taking this amp everywhere now! I mean it's little tiny with huge power! I did have a Roland AC-100 and a Peavey Ecoustic 112 before i found this. Then i sold 'em. I can honestly say that this Fishman amp replaces both of them and more. I don't have to lug around 90 pounds of amplifiers anymore! It's 30 pounds, with a huge sound. I could depend on this amp for the rest of my life without hesitation.

I've never dealt with Fishman people before. But hey, i could be a spokesperson for 'em! I imagine that they're very nice and knowledgeable.

I've been playing for 3 years, and i always thought that the Roland Acoustic Chorus 100 was the best amp on the market, until i found the fishman. I bought this amp sight unseen, and unheard! I'll recommend to anybody this amp if they are truly after the best acoustic sound reproduction in the world. There is nothing else that compares to this one. I also have an Alesis MEQ230 in my rack, which i see no need for now in live performance. probably good in recording tho :) Anyway. Get one if you can find it. Fishman has discontinued 'em now. I think i got lucky on this find. i know i did. If I could add anything to this amp it would be a sliding EQ over bass/mid/treb controls. My peavey had it, and i realize now what kind of versatility they can have. Although i must say this: it's a great amp.

If you have lost faith in the existence of a Supreme Being, and you are an acoustic musician who has been searching for a clean, natural sounding amplifier that didn't make a Martin sound like a machine-gun, then I suggest you immediately check out the Fishman Acoustic Performer Pro amplifier and preamp. I play the fiddle and mandolin in a traditional Irish band. Before discovering the Fishman, I had searched in vain for a way to amplify the fiddle and not make the instrument sound as though it were designed to infllict pain rather than pleasure. I then discovered that Fishman made a combination mini-mic/transducer combination pickup for the violin that attached to the fiddle with a chinrest (another Godsend from Fishman, but that is another story and I'm already rambling). This pickup is designed to work with the Fishman Blender, a preamp that combines the mini-mic/transducer signals and sends phantom power to the mini-mic. This discovery led me to the Acoustic Performer Pro, which incorporates the Blender into a 270 watt, bi-amped amplifier. Yes, I said TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY WATTS. The days when solo acoustic musicians were relegated to wimpy renditions of Cat Stevens in the corner of a smoky coffee house are OVER. When I first took this home I promptly belted out "Ashokan Farwell" with the amp turned up as loud as possible without feedback. I think I peeled paint from houses a block away. This was a religious experience from a fiddler who has never touched an amplified Les Paul. Anyway, the amp is built into a unique triangular housing that can be used as a mini-PA for sound reinforcement in solo situations, or as a powered monitor. For sound reinforcement, there is an optional stand mount available that screws into pre-drilled and threaded holes in the right places on the bottom of the amp. I have purchased this adapter and used in on a speaker stand -- allowed me to cover 200 people at an outdoor wedding! The amp has two and a half channels: one for the transducer pickup, one for the mini-mic (with switchable special 15v phantom power), and one for a vocal mic (with switchable 48v phantom power). There are an AMAZING number of input and output options for an acoustic amplifier: XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs for each channel, as well as XLR effects sends and returns on BOTH channels. There is also a separate mix channel with balanced XLR AND 1/4" jacks, and its own XLR and 1/4" separate effects send and return. The amp also has a mute switch, tuner input, and CD/tape input (sounds great between sets). I could go on forever but I trust you can gather that I am RABID about this thing!

I use this for fiddle and mandolin at a weekly bar gig and for festivals, weddings, etc. I plan on using it for a bouzouki I am having made as well. Normally, I use the amp on its side as a foor monitor (the amp is triangular shaped and designed to be used either way). I send a balanced line out from the mix channel direct to the board. During instrument changes and to avoid being beheaded by the soundman, I also use a mute switch I bought from Fishman (which has a dedicated mute switch input on the back). I use the amp with my Fishman violin and mandolin combination mini mic/transducer pickups. The pickup wires are combined in a 1/4" stereo "Carpenter" jack that attached to my fiddle like a chinrest (same attachment for mando). This sends the signal down a stereo cable to the Blender preamp built into the amp. Each channel has separate controls for level, effects level, phase, base, mid and treble. Channel one also has a level aux control for the XLR mic input "1/2" channel. The amp also incorporates an excellent, clean, transparent digital reverb with 5 different settings (from smaller to larger rooms). This reverb is assignable to one or both channels by switches with indicator lights. I use the reverb with the mandolin a lot, because it really opens up the sound. There is also a nice notch filter built in with separate frequency and depth controls -- a nice addition for acoustic instruments that frequently cause resonance problems when amplified. But the best thing of all about this preamp is that it is the ONLY preamp I have EVER heard that made a an amplified fiddle sound like an unamplified fiddle. Totally clean and pure, no coloration whatsoever. Only wish: that it had a built in chorus and delay. Otherwise, this is a perfect, elegant, sonic dream.

I have had no problem after several months of weekly gigging. The "amp-sock" tailor made gigbag for the amp (an option I bought from Fishman) helps keep the thing reliable, and makes it really easy to carry around as well with multiple straps, etc.

Fishman has answered all of my questions immediately and professionally. Their customer support staff completes this perfect picture. No, I am not paid by Fishman, nor do I have any relationship to or with the company. I am just REALLY happy.

If this were lost or stolen, I would have to check myself into a mental institution or by another one within hours. Other than my desire that Fishman include a few other effects that are useful to acoustic musicians (chorus, better e.q., etc.), I cannot think of a single improvement I would like them to make. The amp is pricey, but there is a reason "you get what you pay for" is a cliche. As for other brands such as Crate, Trace Elliot, Marshall Acoustic Soloist, etc., the foregoing are all decent amps, but there is no comparison whatsoever. The Fishman has created its own league above the others.