Review of fishman loudbox mini acoustic instrument amplifier

When I buy stuff I always hunt around to read what others have said, although I’m not a great one for actually setting time aside or making any sort of effort to post one myself. However, nothing is set in stone, and I found myself feeling this time that I had a needed to. Being a musician and writing music is a creative pursuit after all, and because I’ve just got one myself a month or two ago, I thought, perfect, let’s use a bit of the old creativity to write a

Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Instrument Amplifier Review. So, here I am, doing just that.

I call myself a musician. Maybe that’s a bit of a grand title? I mean; I play a bit. I’m well past the back bedroom stuff, but I’m not main stage yet by any means. But, well, this boy’s got talent, even if I do say so myself.

The time was, when someone did a gig they’d roll up in an enormous (clapped out) van. Its size not so much for the actual instruments that were needed, but because of the sheer size and weight of the amplifiers (and possibly providing somewhere to kip for the night). Those amps were behemoths back in the day.

But Dylan was right, the times they are a-changin’. These days things are more manageable and more compact, just as this beauty is. But, whilst cutting back in size, and indeed on price, it most definitely does not cut back on quality. It’s Fishman’s most light in weight, easy-to-travel with amp yet. At under 20lbs even a petite soloist can get around town without a struggle.

Loudbox and Mini. Those words juxtapose for the songwriter in me. Try to picture something in your mind that is mini in stature, but that is also loud, and it’s near impossible. Well, maybe my sister’s new baby, but that’s a different (sorry sis :). The Freshman Loudbox Mini is definitely not small on decibels. Only in size. It’s no shrinking violet; like my new niece, but with a better sound altogether. So, for easy portability this review gives it a full on five stars.

Artists the world over have used Freshman amps for years. For good reason; they sound great! Acoustic musicians love them. For me, this Loudbox Mini gives comparable Marshall and Roland models a real run for their money, and yes, even pips them to the post.

It sounds beautiful, whether it’s turned down low or belting it out. For sheer tonal sound quality the Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Instrument Amplifier gets a big thumbs up.

Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic one of the Best jazz amps

Talking about turning it up or down; the controls are well positioned, solid-feeling and reactive. I’ve found them to have been perfectly placed, equally accessible whether I’m standing or sitting during a performance. I tend to do a bit of both. When it gets hot and steamy under the spotlight, and your hands get a little slippery, you want to be sure you can get a good grip to make adjustments quickly and efficiently whilst you perform.

As I said, I’m put a lot of store by reviews. It was, in fact, another Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Instrument review that turned me on to this as an option for me. I knew I was onto something that would fit the bill when I read that it was, "perfect for acoustic guitarists who needed the kind of sound quality and volume output provided by a full on sound system, but who didn’t want to sacrifice portability." Something like that anyway! But how right they were. It is superb if you are gigging in smallish bars or coffee-shops; equally great practicing at home or jamming your studio and can even be utilized in larger venues too.

I’ve used it for both guitar and vocals. My mate came round and used it with his banjo, and with his ukulele. It was truly magnificent. Although, we couldn’t both plug in at the same time, which, in the interest of it being a fair would perhaps deduct a point. However, if my brother came round and wanted to jam with me, it could, on the other hand, be a bit of a godsend! (Sorry bro, just being honest If you need or want to, you can record your sessions. This might be important to you for example, if you’re just starting out and want to make some sampler C.D’s to drop at local hotels, bars and the like. Or making recordings for C.D’s to send out if someone sees your ad, is interested in booking you for an event or party, and wants to hear what you can do. Get the right gigs and this amp is all you’re going to need. It is loud and proud. So again, if you are just starting out this amp offers a perfect set up.

For versatility, The Freshman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Amplifier gets a resounding 10/10 like best guitar amp.

Let’s take a look at its spec:

Power: 60W with Master Volume

Drivers: 6.5? woofer, 1? tweeter

Speaker baffle: 10 built-in tilt

Dimensions: 12? H x 13.7? W x 9.7? D (30.5cm x 34.9cm x 24.7cm)

Weight: 19.7 lbs.

Two channels: instrument & microphone

Digital Reverb and Chorus

Auxiliary input (1/4? and 1/8?)

D.I. output: balanced XLR output

INSTRUMENT CHANNEL

1/4? input for active or passive pickups

Feedback-fighting Phase switch

3 band EQ: low, mid, high tone controls

Reverb level

Dual-function Chorus

MICROPHONE CHANNEL

XLR input for dynamic microphones

2 band EQ with low and high tone controls

Reverb level

Although I don’t have it, and probably, because I’m notoriously lazy, and therefore wouldn’t use it, Loud box Mini has a made to measure cover sold separately.

There are so many things in its favor, and for me the pros far outweigh any cons. But for the sake of honesty, it must give a bit of a nod to them. It won’t take long.

I’d like to have had a second jack for a second guitar, it’s slightly limited in its functions when compared to other models, and there is no ground lift which can be useful to combat the occasional humming issue in any given venue. But there again for the price, there has to be compromise somewhere, and it certainly hasn’t been made in quality.

As I said at the top, I read a boatload of other peoples opinions before I recently bought mine. I read viewpoints on forums, and I asked around. A lot. Maybe you are where I was, and have stumbled upon my review as part of that process? If so, take my word for it, you will not be disappointed. At all.

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