The AC-60 and 90 are both very similar and both more than a little lacking in the low end without the sub designed specifically for them (which MD/Bothner's do not see fit to import!). Much though I absolutely love most things Roland, you're better off spending the money on a PA. It is worth noting that the ACs work well lined out into a decent PA or doubling as monitors.

I have never tried the Fishman SA's, but they definitely offer better bang-for the buck than the Bose L1 and get consistently good reviews. The bigger Bose systems are nice, but super pricey. I don't know about your needs, but if you do need some low end power and thump (I do, for the more percussive stuff), none of the small personal line array systems work particularly well without the sub. They are super compact though, so if portability is an important feature, they are an option - especially for the solo musician. Bear in mind that setup-wise once you've added in the footprint of the stands, they take up as much space on stage as a similar, powered 12" regular PA speaker.

However, by the time you've added the cost of two of the SA's together, IMO you might as well start looking at a small PA - a small format mixer with FX and a pair of 12" powered speakers. Much more flexible. That way you can expand the system by adding on subs for bigger venues and you can upgrade any part of the system in the future without having to sell everything and start from scratch. And, if/as your requirements grow far beyond them, they usually do a good job as a monitor system.

The latter is the way I went (Proel Flash 12A speakers and Proel M16USB mixer), and I'm doing everything from solo and open mic to small DJ gigs), plus the whole rig still fits in the boot of our Meriva. Look at the Small JBL EON portable system (2 x 150W10" speakers, 8-ch mixer) too. The Wharfedale powered speakers are popular and very light, but I find them lacking in the mids when compared to the Proels I have, which are the same size, but weigh more.

To be honest, if I were to buy another small system today, I'd still go for the same speakers, but would be tempted to shop around a bit more for the mixer (still, even that's great value for money and has more features than I ever use).

+1 on what Alan has said.

Optimal would be either a pair of EON-315's if you want the extra low end or a pair of Eon 510's for the compact route.
Another nice option is the Eon 210P System....http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/ProductFamily.aspx?FId=97&MId=3
This is a really nice system and surprisingly powerful for its size...I've seen a room of 300 people served with one of these, including multimedia playback with no problems
Includes powered mixer with some built-in effects.

On a Budget....Wharfedal Titans.......nowhere near the tone of the JBL's but they are very cost-effective.

Mixer wise.......Soundcraft EFX.....http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=148

Hope that helps

Thanks guys for the valuable info!!! ? ? ?

+1 karma to you both!

Any ideas on what vocal mic would work nicely?

I cannot comment on the Fishman as I have not heard them but I can say the Bose systems are very good although not the cheapest option. The Fishman has onboard effects but the Bose has an integral sub. Google "fishman sa220 vs bose L1 compact" for hundreds of opinions on this subject. What price is the Fishman anyway? The best option of course is to try both. I have to ask what you have against Bose as a company that you felt this comment warranted inclusion "well that and I do not like the bose company much anyway"?

JGP wrote: I cannot comment on the Fishman as I have not heard them but I can say the Bose systems are very good although not the cheapest option. The Fishman has onboard effects but the Bose has an integral sub. Google "fishman sa220 vs bose L1 compact" for hundreds of opinions on this subject. What price is the Fishman anyway? The best option of course is to try both. I have to ask what you have against Bose as a company that you felt this comment warranted inclusion "well that and I do not like the bose company much anyway"?

I saw the fishman on sale for R7000 at Toms but that was their annual sale. So probably around R10k IIRC.


Sent you a PM

I know they're hard to find, but I would strongly recommend anything made by AER.
A Compact 60 is the ultimate acoustic amp.
If you have the dollar, look for these guys.

http://www.aer-amps.com/index.php?lang=en

Shibbibilybob wrote: I know they're hard to find, but I would strongly recommend anything made by AER.
A Compact 60 is the ultimate acoustic amp.
If you have the dollar, look for these guys.

http://www.aer-amps.com/index.php?lang=en

Sho! I remember hearing some guitars through it at Andy McGibbon's place -- sounded incredible! I also heard voice through it but it sounded a little boxy or directional if you know what I mean, yet for steelstring/nylon guitar it totally wiped the floor with anything else.

But I see what you are saying, you need to have the dollar because the rand is not good enough! Hehehe ?

TomCat wrote: Mixer wise.......Soundcraft EFX.....http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=148

Ooo! I haven't looked at Soundcraft stuff for years (they've always been thin on the floor in these parts)... they actually look quite nice.

Slightly OT - What other mixers would you recommend these days? What are the brands to aspire to? Mackie? Yamaha?

aja wrote:
Any ideas on what vocal mic would work nicely?

Shure SM58 has worked well for me. I have gigged with them in small and big venues.

aja wrote: Any ideas on what vocal mic would work nicely?

Shure SM58 always works for me.

BTW, the Aura is pretty cool to add a bit of miked "realism". The built-in compressor is a good'un too.

Mic wise.....

Optimal....SM58....bulletproof....just watch out for fakes
Bit less on Budget.....SM 48......Still a very good workhorse
Budget.....PG58.......only down side is the higher handling noise over the more premium models

Beyerdynamic are also making some nice price conscious mics these days as well.

AKG D5 is another good contender......


@ Alan.....Another nice range of mixers are the Allen & Heath ZED series.......some models include a USB audio interface.
Yamaha MG Series is also nice....lots of options there
Not looked at the Mackie's much lately but were always in contention

Thanks a lot guys! ?

I will investigate further and try out some gear...

In terms of pre-amp/DI for the guitars, unless you want all the modelling that the Fishman offers, consider the Baggs Para-DI.

X-rated Bob wrote: In terms of pre-amp/DI for the guitars, unless you want all the modelling that the Fishman offers, consider the Baggs Para-DI.

Is that the one you used with the Morgan at TJ's that one time? Because that sounded very good.

aja wrote:

X-rated Bob wrote: In terms of pre-amp/DI for the guitars, unless you want all the modelling that the Fishman offers, consider the Baggs Para-DI.

Is that the one you used with the Morgan at TJ's that one time? Because that sounded very good.

No. I had a Baggs Gig-pro which is a Para-DI lite. The Gig-pro is only a pre-amp and some EQ (not as comprehensive as the Para-DI's) and it has NO DI functionality.

OK... so "sort of".

I have both, but they are different things. The Baggs is ideal when you are dealing with unknown guitars/players as it has a more powerful EQ with a parametric mid and single notch filter. Works well with a wider range of guitars and pickups (those without onboard preamps and those with mics, which the Fishman doesn't play as nicely with). It's also a more robust unit. Phantom or battery power (no adaptor power).

The Fishman has the imaging, an excellent transparent compressor, and three notch filters (automatic) and a tuner. Powered by battery or adaptor. It's just a reverb and phantom away from being the perfect all-in-one box. Ideal when you have a good sounding pickup/guitar already.

I use the Fishman on my own guitars, but the Baggs is my go-to when I'm doing sound for others (in fact, I should get another).

At TJs We use a Yamaha Stagepas 300 as a PA on Open Mic Nights. This is a minute mixer/amplifier
with 4 XLR or 1/4" TRS inputs, so you can have 2 mics and 2 instruments and a stereo
input for an iPod for example. This is connected to 2 passive speakers.

We then use the Stagepas as monitors on stage in the bigger venue.

I would recommend Shure SM58 microphones. An industry standard and because they are
so well known and trusted, easy to sell if you need to.