Acoustic musicians usually just plug through a PA or use a microphone to amplify their instrument, but for a long time amplifier manufacturers have been pushing special acoustic amps. Their message is that PAs don’t provide the tone reproduction that a solid acoustic instrument needs, and it’s best to use something like, oh, say, the Crate CA120DG rather than plugging through an electric amp or a PA system.
Tone – Keep in mind that an acoustic amplifier costs a lot of money comparative to a PA, but there are a few major advantages, especially with the CA120DG. First of all, like a PA, it’s got a balanced XLR jack, which means that you can plug a standard vocal microphone through the CA120DG. It’s also got 1/4″ ins for putting your guitar through the amp, of course, and the tone is noticeably better through this amp than through a typical PA system.
I was a big fan of the generally bright, ringing tone coming out of this Crate. I could have used a few more options on the EQ side, but in general, it sounds very professional, and it’s loud enough to amplifier a singer through a small room. If you play dinner shows or small bars as a singer songwriter, this amp’s a godsend. It’s compact, bright, and it’s quite handy.
Extras – As with most Crate amplifiers, the CA120DG includes some built in effects and a footswitch. I felt that the effects were one of the main drawbacks of the system; some of them sounded very silly, particularly the delay settings, and even the reverb suffered. I wouldn’t buy this amp for its effects, which seem to me to be fairly low-quality. Also, there’s not a lot of customization possibilities when it comes to these effects. Of course, most musicians buy amps for their tones, not their weird, sci-fi sounds, so the lack of decent effects might not bother you if you’ve got a few guitar effect pedals in tow.
Price – The Crate CA120DG will run you about $500 or so online. If you don’t have an amplifier, and you’re looking for an acoustic amp, it’s a decent choice, but if you already own an alternative like a PA system, it’s hard to recommend the CA120DG, as it doesn’t really offer too much more than your typical PA. True, it sounds a tiny bit better, and it’s very compact, but some PA systems sound quite good and offer the added ability to expand by adding more speakers, monitors, etc. In short, the CA120DG is a solid offering from amp manufacturer Crate, and a good choice for acoustic musicians, but by no means is it an essential buy. If you’re looking for a new amp, give it a try, but steer clear if you think that the Crate CA120DG is going to magically revitalize your acoustic act’s sound.
Do you own the Crate CA120DG Acoustic Amplifier? Post your thoughts and review in the comments section below.
