GSWJ - Review of the AH250 Mark Acoustic Amp

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Thanks for the honest review JP. My question is, why in the world didn't they LAY THE AMPLIFIER DOWN......instead of installing it vertically??? If they had laid the amp down, the controls could've been on the front of the amp & near the top, which means the rear panel with the all-important inputs, outs, etc, etc, could've been easily accessible on the very back, and also NEAR THE TOP..........just like so many combo amps have been designed for decades now. Surely it wouldn't have altered the size & dimensions of the entire cabinet too much. What were their designers thinking. Sheesh. Is that an 8" or 10" speaker??? It does sound amazing though.

[@AcousticHunter]

The smile at 5:06 tell me everything I needed to know

[@timmcgurl]

I noticed a little faux pas in your 🔌 plug nomenclature about the bottom panel's External Speaker output. You named it an XLR, which is obviously the 3-pin microphone plug. However, it's actually a Female Output to accept a Twist Lock Banana Jack Male Input Speaker Cable Plug. Easy to mistake, but an XLR won't fit in that Speaker Output. But, I concur with you, JP, about the location for the back of the Amplifiers inputs, outputs, Gnd Lift & Pre/Post EQ buttons, etc. Oh yeah, BTW, I'm also a Fishman Loudbox Artist Acoustic Amp Man myself for many years now. That amp is perfect for all my various pickups including LR Baggs Anthem, Fishman Matrix Infinity, K&K Pure Mini, and the cool Fishman F1-Aura+ that came in my Martin OM-28E Retro, with the 9 boutique mics. Love your YT Channel JP. I don't miss an episode of String Theory and Ginger really knows her stuff with the all new Podcast look from the audio and video perspective. You and Chris are a friggin' hoot!

[@Stephen-zx4uf]

Have you tried Genzler Amplification Acoustic Array PRO? Your video is awesome and very helpful. I have a Mark Bass amp which is incredible and.. Have been looking for a great acoustic amp.. the most common top picks don't suit my ears but recently acquired a used Genz Benz, which is the best so far.. and looking at the new incarnation of the Genzler PRO. They're also primarily a bass amp company. Am also interested in the dvmark you shared but haven't heard one.. Your notes about access from the bottom and missing mute button are very helpful. Btw.. we met at SK Acoustic Kamp about 20 years ago and still listening to the CDs. Fun to find you here on yt! Thanks for all you are doing for us!

[@endoffate5475]

The sound you have there is prolly the most natural i ever heard a plugged in acoustic. I can only imagine you play on stage with this, you would literally have the best live acoustic tone ever. Sucks that you wont use it.

[@mainsblanches8793]

One trick would be to set it up a bit higher from the floor so as to be able to access the controls that are harder to get at.

[@jeremywilliams703]

Thank you. I’ve only recently subscribed. I do gig regularly with my Martin DC-Aura GT and am currently using a Roland AC60. It has all the features I need to gig with but is very heavy to lift and I’m not in love with the tone. It all works fine. I’m pleased to hear your endorsement for the Loudbox because that’s probably my next upgrade. I don’t need the stereo feature of the Roland either. Love your reviews. Peace and love from Melbourne Australia 🙏✌️🇦🇺

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Really Great Job and Wonderful Sound.!!!! Thankyou.! 🎸❤❤❤ I Would like To See The Small Model DVmark 801p. Acoustic Amp.🙏

[@Hermannposch]

Great Review man! Thanx👍

[@simpleforging3339]

I'm no pro and I tore all the electronics out of my yamaha and taylor. o natural always but that's all I need to do. Thanks for the review, I watch them all just to see you play

[@toornto381]

Thanks J P

[@TheDouglasOxford]

In the past I have used a Crate acoustic amp…one of the big ones. It was cool but very bass heavy, even at low volumes. It was also heavy to haul around. Since then, I downsized to an Alto Trooper, which is much easier to deal with and sounds great. My pedalboard has mostly LR Baggs pedals, including the new VoicePrint and it sounds great. All that said I sing through a condenser mic that picks up some of the guitar and adds to the natural sound of the instrument. This seems to of worked best for me than anything else I’ve done. Many of the acoustic amps out there have not impressed me at all and I’m very fussy at times about pick ups. Just my thoughts…

[@acadianflatpicker]

This is why a volume knob on your pickup is handy. Teasing hehehe ...

[@joemcgraw5529]

If your not plugging into a board or PA it may be ok ,but think it needs to be redesigned to be more user friendly ,but yes it did sound good

[@rodmackinnon8497]

Great review . . .

[@jeffreycohen3451]

Great review! As subjective as these things are, I do think that this amp is a bit cleaner and more natural sounding than the Fishman, however, there's the issue of that hiss, which would bother me to the point of not buying it. I also agree with you about the wonky i/o setup. Sticking with my Fishman Artist for now.

[@billcollins2622]

Really thinking about getting this ones baby brother , the DV Mark AC 101h acoustic combo . It's on sale now . My beloved Carvin crapped out , and finding someone to service it is proving to be quite the challenge . I'm going back and forth beteen the DV Mark at 150 w and the Blackstar Sonnet 120 . Realy enjoying your videos , curious what you think .

[@tubadylan]

You should check out the Phil Jones amps for acoustic amplification. I really dig mine!

[@GodChristianwarrior]

That amp do sound good I'm thinking about buying new acoustic amp that be one to go try out at music store on one of your KZbin videos you had Yamaha silent acoustic steal string guitar after watching your video I had go buy one I'm happy I did love it

[@Hermannposch]

I take a floortuner (polytune) to mute that thing!

[@123elvislives]

Hi there from Australia great video enjoyed it there is another amplifier I think you would rather like it's an acoustic amplifier and the name of it is called a acus

[@deancomeau2894]

I do love the fishman but this mark amp is nice also. Where do they sell this model of the mark acoustic amp?

[@jasper_north]

Thanks for promoting the Fishman! No brainer…

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

Thanks JP for your review . . . sounds great but the negative is huge i mean huuuge. they could have put the head on the top so the plugs / eq are in the back and and the controls in the front, I dunno . . . LIKE EVERY OTHER COMBO AMP.

[@stepitup5409]

Lotta guys in Nashville use SWR Super Read Head.

[@EDUVDB]

Great review! Let me ask you something: I'm a keyboard player an I saw you have a key too. This amp is good to be used with a keyboard? Pianos, strings, hammond....? I would like a lightweight amp to use on small gigs, and unfortunelly cant test this equipement, cause the shops around here dont have any in stock. This way, your opinion would be nice!

[@Bflatest]

can you do a nylon?

[@dodgedandle8311]

Would love to get your opinion on the Acus amps , Strings for 10 model 👍🏻

[@Bflatest]

no AUX in???

[@mainsblanches8793]

"Speakon" speaker out for extra cab.

[@samstahl3660]

What do you think about the boss acoustic amps

[@cajunqueen5125]

👍👍👍

[@catahoulabrown]

Your hair tells me you just got out of bed… or perhaps there’s a lot of static in your clothes. May I suggest a fabric softener? Much ❤️ to You & Meagan!

[@jasonstacey9460]

You know what's funny is marshall actually makes a really decent acoustic amp.

[@calebbhawkins]

I don’t care how good that sounds, it looks awkward all the way around and probably too heavy to only have one handle. Having all the jacks on the bottom is a deal breaker. I think I’d rather have my Baggs preamps running into a powered speaker first.

[@frankyoung2780]

I was interested until I saw where the outputs were. I had a Mark Bass cabinet which was excellent, but they need to put more thought into how practical the amp is. I won't be buying this no matter how good is sounds.

[@therecordfable]

The noise floor is way too high. Maybe there is something wrong with it?

[@tomehCanada]

It sounds like he found the ground lift after setting it up? Maybe he hasn't tried it?

[@therecordfable]

@@tomehCanada Right on. If that's not the case maybe a built in gate on the next model?

[@stevesellars7977]

use the amp on its side!!!....problem solded!!!!

[@catojrgensen8912]

Why, why, WHY, - would you not just stick a mic in front of that beautiful guitar instead of that ol' quackity quack quack piezo. I know its more convenient for a lot of reasons, but im yet to hear an acoustic guitar pickup that doesn't sound like utter trash compared to just a very modest mic. K&K or fishman or whatever, its all the same - really. I just dont get it. Stick a goddamn 57 in front of it, and you have a much more natural sound that doesn't sound like plastic being pushed down the stairs. I know im being a little rough here, but please explain it to me. I just dont get it.

[@chrisking3829]

I agree...... personally I will never have a pickup in mine. But I'm not a great player sooooo

[@catojrgensen8912]

@@chrisking3829 I understand when people play in full bands or orchestras where feedback is a real issue or where you need to move around and shake that sweet sweet ass, but not as a solo artists or even just a singer/songwriter. There is no excuse in my opinion if you care about the sound. There are countless live performances and concerts where an acoustic guitar sounds amazing with just a dynamic mic and a half assed placement. Compared to a piezo which is almost always eugh!

[@zunif]

@@catojrgensen8912 I agree, acoustic pick ups sound horrible. Even “good” ones like Matons ap5, K&K, or LrBaggs give it a quacky plastic sound.

[@calebbhawkins]

Why do we not stick a 57 in front of it and play strictly through that? Well I like to get paid. And getting paid for me means not standing stock still so I can mic up my guitar in the same spot all night. I plug in and work a stage. Personally I’m using the Baggs Lyric which is a microphone mounted to my bridge plate and sounds better than any kind of Piezo element I’ve found. You want to hear my best tone on acoustic guitar? Buy my album. You want a good show? Come see me live. Doc Watson said something to that extent in the day.

[@cajunqueen5125]

@@calebbhawkins excellent response