Roland AC-100

This is an acoustic Amplifier and it has the features an acoustic amplifier should have. If you aren't familiar with them by now, you can go to Roland.com to see the list of specifications. Some KEY features that I like is the that is has two separate channels both with individual EQ, reverb and chorus effects, so you can run a mic and acoustic guitar simultaneously (great coffee shop setup). Or to run the piezo sound simultaneously with the mic'd guitar sound over the second channel. This amplifier also has an effects loop, to input your acoustic effects.

Very versatile amplifier for acoustic experimentation.

Be advised that this amplifier is not designed nor intended to work with a standard electric guitar. IT WILL SOUND LIKE CRAP! Acoustic guitars and electrics have different frequency profiles, hence the NEED for an ACOUSTIC AMPLIFIER!

This amp is clean sounding and with the correct equalization on guitar and amplifier it sounded very pleasing to me. A BIG plus with this amp is the sound you get blending the piezo sound with the mic'd guitar sound through the second channel. Try it.

And the complaints about low volume? This is essentially only a 50 WATT amp! Of that 100 watts it only sends 50 watts to the 12" speaker. 25 watts to each of the 5 inch speakers. But that is WHY this thing can hit the highs of both piezo equipped guitar and voice! It is a two channel amp designed for acoustic guitar and self accompaniement. It is GREAT in that regard. Judge it for what it was designed to do, it isn't some distortion amp for heavy metal electric players....sheesh...

No problems over the last 3 years. It is well built (spell that heavy). This thing weighs 55 lbs! Not a small amp.

Never dealt with them, but this amp is still supported on their website.

I'll give it a 9 for doing what it was INTENDED to do, quite well. Amplify acoustic guitar and provide self accompaniement. If you want something else, find something else.

This amp does everything you want with any guitar.
I use it with acoustic, semi-acoustic and electric guitars and the sound is always exactly what the guitar sounds like.
Both at home, studio or on stage ther's always enough power and enough sound in all frequncies.

The sound is just like the sound of your guitar. For special effects you shouldn't buy this amp, use your pedals!
It tends to have some background noise, especially with the effects on.
But when playing or recording you don't hear it.
Just the sound of the guitar!

Have it since 10 years, never any problem.

n.a.

Just a great amp!

The features are pretty well covered by the other reviewers, so I want repeat them here. I have had this amp for YEARS (bought it new), must be seven or eight now. Couple of years ago I bough myself an Ultrasound AG50-DS2. Then I stopped using this amp.

I play acoustic guitar and strive for an acoustic sound. If this is what you go for as well, stay away from this amp. The overall sound is unnatrual in my ears, harsh and thin. And then there is noise - lot's of it. It's there, even without effects turned up, dialing in the chorus or the reverb adds more. To my ears it's really annoying.

The direct out for attaching to the house system sounds even worse.

The only fun to be had with this amp in my opinion is when I use my old Gibson RD Artist (yes, the one with the Moog electronics!), crank up the volume and dial in a LOT of chorus. Sounds very 1980'sh (the decade of REALLY bad taste). Can be inspirering.

The build quality is nothing to write home about. The enclosure is in MFD rather than plywood, which makes the thing heavy without making it any stronger. The electronics inside are of average quality but the printed circuit boards themselves looks and feels bad (I am an electronics enigneer by profession). The speakers looks like "no-brand far east" although they have Roland printed on them. For the last couple of years my amp has started to have a periodic error where the effects drop in and out randomly. Haven't botherd to repair as I don't use the unit anymore.

Never dealt with Roland. Assume they're a decent company.

Been playing for 30 years. Own a Martin D28 and a K. Yairi YW2000, both equipped with Fishman Rare Earth blender pickups. Also have a nice P.W. Crump bouzouki equipped with an E-beam pickup, and a Gold Tone banjo with a McIntyre banjo pickup. When I play gigs I run all the stuff through my amp, using the amp as a stage monitor. If you want an acoustic sounding amp, by another one. There are lots of decent stuff to be had these days, Ultrasound, AER and others offer naturally sounding units for a reasonable price. This is yesteryears technology in a not-so impressing packaging. Roland makes lots of good stuff, but the Roland AC-100 is not one of their memorable moments.

Good looking amp in brown Tolex and handsome control layout. Notch filter, chorus, reverb and a low impedance input on the first channel. Line out and effects loop. One 12" speaker and two small.

Sounds a bit thin to me. At first I thought it was the best I'd heard. In time I found that I could not get all the bottom end that I wanted. Still it sounds really good but not "to die for"

Loud enough for a large space but even with the notch filter you can't stand to close.

Heavy and solid. no problems so far.

The person that I bought it from had blown a speaker and had no problem with replacement. I have recepts from his warranty work and he spoke highly of there service.

I would like a fuller sound. It may be my ear but it does not have the ultimate acoustic tone. I may look for something else.

From Roland's website
- 100 watt, tri-amped configuration: 50W x 25W x 25W
- Open back design two-way, three-speaker system: one 12" and two 5" speakers
- Two independent channels, each with three-band EQ and effects control
- Mic level XLR input for vocal accompaniment or guitar without pickup
- Built-in notch-filter (very effective and easy to use!) for eliminating feedback and howling

I've also added removable casters. At 55 pounds, you don't want to carry this thing if you don't have to!

I play finger-picking folk, blues, gospel, ragtime, acoustic rock classics, and originals. This amp is perfect for my playing style.

This is the best sounding acoustic amp I've ever heard. I bought this about 8 years ago and have used it dozens of times a year for solo/duo/trio shows in small venues (coffee shops/restaurants). Used it for 5 years with my Ovation. And now It sounds fantastic with my Collings D1A equipped with a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup. Very natural, woody, plenty of volume, great match with K&K pickups. Sounds a bit tinny with b-band, but if you turn the treble way down and bass/mid up, sounds great with those as well.

Some reviewers have complained about lack of power. I've never experienced this. All eq controls go from 0 to 10. I place them all at 5 and treat it like -5, 0, +5, and that takes care of any volume problems. I do use a preamp (Baggs Para DI) with most of my guitars (even the active ones) for tone shaping, so that helps with volume as well. I've had more trouble with too much power! Sometimes getting low end feedback when I have to sit too close to the amp. Baggs Para DI helps with that, too.

Others reviewers have complained that the AC-100 doesn't sound good with their electrics. I only have one comment about that - What are you thinking??? This is an ACOUSTIC AMP!! An electric will sound just bad through this as an acoustic will through your Fender Twin!

Some reviewers have complained about hiss. If you sit in your living room and crank the reverb and/or chorus way up, yes you get some hiss. If you use it live, you'll probably never turn either up that much, and any hiss is totally negligible in the real world. I've asked several professional musicians because I was curious, but none could hear any hiss and they all thought it was one of the best sounding acoustic amps they've ever heard.

The vocal channel is also fantastic. It sounds huge, the reverb is perfect, and the amp has no trouble handling guitar and vocals. Both are crystal clear.

I've never used the outputs, so I can't comment on them.

Like I said I've been using this amp for at least 8 years without a problem. Well, some of the center caps have come off the control knobs. I bought a small bottle of matching modeling paint and now you can't tell.

Only contacted Roland once to get a copy of the manual. They charged me a couple dollars, but service was quick and friendly.

I've been playing acoustic guitar for 30 years. Mostly finger picking the last 15 years. I also own a Yamaha EMX-640 PA with 12" mains and one 10" monitor for larger/louder venues. The Roland sounds every bit as good as the PA. As a matter of fact, the main reason I go with the PA over the Roland is whether or not I think I'll need a monitor.

This is one of the first acoustic amps to hit the market, what, 15 years ago? They have made no changes to the design. None needed - somehow they did it right the first time. I will never sell this amp, especially considering what I paid for it!

Lately, I've been considering adding a lighter amp to my arsenal. I have a/b'd the Roalnd (literally, with an a/b switch plugged into two amps) with many others. Although some sounded great (Roland AC 60 and AER Compact 60 for example) when I switch to the AC-100, it's like the amp just disappears. I just purchased an AER 60 for it's great weight to sound value (great amp!), but it's a bit mid-rangy and in your face, where the Roland is natural and "in the room."

They're a bit pricey new, but if you find one of these used, do yourself a favor and check it out. You might just decide that even at 55 pounds, you can't live without it!

Made in 1997 I think.

I got it to go with a godin multiac duet nylon string and lgx electric (with piezos). I was playing acoustic jazz and flamenco at a professional level at the time. In terms of features, the amp has almost everything you'd want for playing gigs.

Two channels. No channel switching. Chorus and reverb effects which can be selected for each channel using pushbuttons. Effects loop, line out, chorus and reverb footswitches A notch filter on the acoustic channel.
I've used it in clubs with electric bands, outdoor acoustic performances and in recording studios. An acoustic bass player who plays a lot of pro gigs around vancouver borrowed it for a week when his bass rig went down, and apparently it worked splendidly with his bass.

I agree with the other reviewers about the power issue. Seems to be something about the preamp gain, but it is very very hard to get a loud sound out of the amp. Particularly if you put an electric guitar into either channel and dial up something resembling an electric sound. I remember playing a small gig (with bass, drums and 2 guitars) at a local bar/restaurant, and staring in frustration at an amp that was cranked to 8, while the other guitar player had a roland jazz chorus 55 that was outpowering my amp with a volume setting of 4. Very very odd. So don't expect to plug an electric into it without some additional gear in the effects loop.

For acoustic, I haven't had many problems, but most of the acoustic music I play is at lower volumes. (no drummer)


I guess I'd like to add a stereo effects loop to this thing, so I can have the advantage fo being able to access those left and right power amps and speakers without having to use the built in effects.

I use this thing with a takamine santa fe steel string, a godin multiac duet nylon string and a godin lgx electric with piezo pickups.

It sounds fine with all three. A bit of a thin, bright sound with the piezo equipped guitars, but the multiac's condenser mic works fantastically with the amp.

It isn't really noisy, although the chorus and reverb effects will add their own noise. On that note, the chorus effect is... well... in terms of stereo imaging the left and right tweeters make it sound wide and rich. However, the chorus effect itself leaves something to be desired, and it will definitely change the sound of your guitar (makes it tinnier). I'm not a big fan of it. The reverb is fine, and I find that even with an outboard lexicon effects unit I still dial in a bit of reverb to get a bit of stereo dispersion.

The clean channel WILL distort at high volumes. I played a bit of jazzrock stuff through the amp at several rehearsal sessions. Reducing the input level helped, but at the time I had no outboard gear to put in the effects loop, and the overall volume of the amp was too low to play with a drumkit. So I had to tolerate the clipping.

The auxiliary channel, which can be switched between mic and line level inputs, is very very sterile sounding. I have NOT been able to get a decent sound out of this channel regardless of what I do.

Lately I have added a lexicon mpx 100, an audio centron graphic eq (31 band) and a digitech twin tube guitar preamp to the effects loop. This has allowed me to improve the acoustic sound of the amp, but more importantly it lets me correct the 'lack of volume' problem and get a decent electric sound out of it. Using any sort of device with an input/output level in the fx loop allows you to compensate for the low gain of the preamp. The power amp section take take quite a hot input, and I haven't been able to make the amplifier distort even when the gear in the loop is pumping the gain up really high.

As mentioned, even all this gear can't make the auxiliary channel get a good sound for either acoustic or electric.

In short:
a) it works fine for acoustic guitars...but you'll have to work a bit to get a warm sound
b) for electrics, you definitely need outboard gear because you have to tweak the eq a lot, cutting the high end and the mids, thereby losing volume on an already volume challenged amp
c) the aux input is useless. Mind as well not be there.
d) definitely use something in the fx loop to get around the low volume problem. Once you put something there and bump up the gain it is actually a reasonably powerful amp that can play with drums and bass.

Here's the deal. I have depended on it for quite a few gigs and recording sessions.

It has stood up through the years with one exception. It always craps out in club gigs. Usually these are with a 7 piece jazz/funk/fusion band. Each time i've played in a club the amp has died... the power is still on but the volume level is reduced to a mere whisper. I think it has something to do with the stereo outs, which I have always patched into the PA for clubs. It's not readily apparent... I use the xlr outs from the amp and put them into the pa... sometime later (usually in the middle of a tune) the amp will just go to 1/3rd volume.

When I took it home, it would be back to normal the next day, so I never took it in for servicing.

Other than that, it has stood the test of being dragged all over the city (added castors to it to make it more portable), thrown in cars, vans, left outside in the sun for outdoor work etc...

Never dealt with them. Judging by how much info they give out in their brochures and their reputation with other products, I'm not optimistic.

I've been playing a while. Own a seymour duncan convertible 100, a fender studio 85. Have owned other amps from traynor, ampeg.

If it were stolen or lost i'd buy one again, but only if it were on sale or if it were used. I'd definitely look in to the swr california blond or one of those incredible evans amps that has 400 watts or so. Depends how much money I had and how much I was playing.

The roland's big drawbacks are its size and low power handing. You can get around the low powe thing by using the effects loop, but that means dragging more gear around with you... the roland plus a guitar or two is a lot for a working musician to lug around on his own.

At the time I actually did not compare it to too many other products. I had used many roland jazz choruses, and it seemed like a decent risk to take. The jazz chorus is a very reliable workhorse with a decent chorus sound, although it does appear sterile compared to a fender.

A stereo effects loop and a little bit less weight would make me happier.

I'm not sure what year the amp was made in, the amp was on special at a music store for aproximately $600. This is a 100W, 2 channel, combo style acoustic amplifier. The guitar channel comes with piezo and active input, shape switch, high pass filter switch, 3 band equalizer controls, volume control, feedback contol, reverb and chorus. The mic/aux channel comes with aux/mic switch, high pass filter switch, 3 band equalizer controls, volume control, reverb and chorus. There is a selection of 3 different reverb and chorus settings and a level adjust for the amount of reverb and chorus. There is also a master volume control. The unique feature about this amps is it's tri-amp system, a 50W amp drives a 12" speaker and two seperate 5" speakers are driven by 25W amps. From a features point of view this amp is well equipped.

I tested this amp with an acoustic electric, and a solid body electric both equipped with piezo pick-ups. This is a very clean sounding amp, almost to clean to the point of being almost sterile. I could not get a good natural acoustic sound out of this amp. The reverb and chorus are great sounding as long as you don't turn the level up to high, if you do both effects start to sound over processed. The reverb was quiet however the chorus had a definite hiss to it.

I was considering this amp because it was at a special price however overall I thought there were better sounding acoustic amplifiers on the market. One of these is the Fender Acoustasonic Junior, it has more of a natural acoustic sound and cost less than the Roland AC-100. Originally the list price of the Roland AC-100 was close to the list price of a SWR California Blonde, the Roland has some nice features however it is not in the same category as a SWR in terms of sound quality. On the positive side this is a well built, well equipped quality built amp - if you like the sound of the amp, it's definitely worth a look at.

I bought this amp (new) around '95. It had been sitting in the music store for about a year, so I got a good deal on it (listed for @ $1,100; I paid about $650).

The AC100 is a two channel acoustic guitar amp with two 5" speakers (25 watts each) and one 12" speaker (50 watts, for a total of "100 watts"). The main guitar channel has a ton of features: two inputs, one for preamped signals (like a piezo with a battery), the other for non preamped (like a soundhole magnetic pickup), a 'Shape' switch (phase switch, I think), an 'HPF' switch (stands for 'high pass filter' - it keeps your bass from getting too boomy: I always leave it engaged/on), then volume, treble, middle and bass, followed by two more on/off switches for Reverb and Chorus (for this channel). The Reverb and Chorus are both footswitchable, but like some of Roland's other amps, you have to use two separate single stomp footswitches for control...weird!

Here's where this amps versatility kicks in: the Reverb and Chorus each have two knobs for control: the first knob chooses between 3 different reverbs/ choruses; the second knob for each controls the amount of the effect...so there's lots of tone options (kinda makes me wonder why I got rid of this amp, now that I think about it...more on that later!). Next, there is a knob for the notch filter, which works well to remove a troublesome frequency from your instrument. And finally, a master volume control for both channels.

The second channel is for microphone/vocals, but you can also run another instrument through it...there are two inputs again, an XLR and a standard 1/4" jack, but this channel does not have the 'Shape,' 'HPF' or notch filter, so it's a little harder to control an instrument. But it does have the two on/off switches for Reverb and Chorus. This means you can be using the Reverb on one channel (say, vocals) and the chorus on the other (for your instrument). Plenty of versatility here! Plus all kinds of selectable line outs on the back...go get a brochure...my hands are getting tired already!

I mostly used it with my old Ibanez acoustic with either a soundhole pickup or the under the bridge double transducer I had installed a whlie back (non preamped); also with my Larrivee OM mahogany, with a Bill Lawrence soundhole pickup (I have two different ones; one with pole pieces, one without). However, for kicks I've also plugged in an electric guitar or three, with some nice results...just gotta role the treble back some to avoid spikey highs, but some nice clean chorused sounds with the electrics, ala JC 120. (I've used it in church with the electric a couple of times.)

I play mostly solo fingerstyle on my acoustics, with some strumming accompaniment on some stuff. I've used it mostly at church in a worship setting, also in nursing homes and other small venues, but I've used it outside a couple times at small city parks.

The amp did have some hiss and noise when using the various reverb and chorus settings...depending on the lights, sometimes were worse than others. I could live with it most of the time. I could always dial in very usable tones either with or without the reverbs and choruses. All the reverb and chorus modes sound nice and are USEABLE sounds, unlike a lot of effects pedals...

This amp does not distort, because it doesn't get that loud, even turned all the way up...although I didn't use it with any active pickups. That was one of my one concerns/misgivings about this amp (along with the weight; at 55 lbs. it gets heavy to tote around!). It just seemed like it ought to be able to produce more volume for 100 watts (part of the 'problem' was probably the distribution of those 100 watts: 50/25/25).

That's ultimately why I ended up trading it; it was pretty heavy for the amount of volume it produces. I'm not getting any younger, and it feels heavier all the time. Plus I used it as a trade in on an electric guitar amp I wanted. I have since replaced the Roland (about three weeks ago) with a Fender Acoustasonic Jr., which I'm very happy with so far, and will review here in the future (after some more real world use ... worship band again!).

I never had a problem with this amp, but I never abused it much...always used it without a backup...God looks out for fools and guitar players without backup amps!

I never ahd to deal with Roland on this amp, so can't really comment here. I don't remember what the original warranty on it was for, but I had teh amp for 5 years without any problems!

I've been playing for 30 years off and on; I should be a lot better than I am!! But I play enough to know what sounds good and what's 'fluff' in a piece of gear. I also (now) own a Fender Acoustasonic Jr. (2x40 watts, and seems as loud as the AC100, although I never did a real comparison), A Peavey Ultra 410, a silverface Vibro Champ, a Peavey Minx bass amp, a Peavey KB100 (use for keyboards and acoustic on occasion, mostly using now for bass on Sunday mornings at church). My current guitars are (all left-handed): Larrivee OM-05; Ibanez dreadnought; Pimentel (Cedar/Rosewood) classical; Heritage 535; Carvin Bolt-T kit, several Warmoth electrics I put together myself; they all sound/play great! Plus an old (1957) Harmony Monterey (right-handed) that I was given by the original owner (my best friend's dad gave it to me last year!)
The only reason I traded this amp was the weight and the lack of overall volume; Roland got just about everything else right on this amp, but that's the funny thing; you just don't see too many people using these: I think it's the very high price/weight/volume that has kept this thing from even getting a review on Harmony-Central (I think mine is the first review of it...that's why I decided to review it, even though I no longer own it...and that's why I give it an '8').

If you can pick one of these up used for a decent price, and don't need earshattering volume (run it through the P.A.), then this amp is a great value with lots of features for acoustic guitar.