Artist AA60 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier – Unbeatable Value!
Artist AA60 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier – Unbeatable Value!
The Artist AA60 acoustic amplifier from Artist Guitars has arrived, and it’s packed full of great features at an excellent price. I tested this (see the video below), and the results were impressive. I’ll cover the pros, cons, and what you need to know about this great and affordable acoustic amplifier.
Power & Speakers
The Artist AA60 acoustic amplifier is rated at 60-watt RMS. This means it’s quite loud, thanks to the power amplifier built directly into the unit. To complement the power rating is a dual speaker design. The first of the two speakers is a 6.5″ speaker that handles the low-frequency and mid-frequency range. The second is a 1″ soft dome tweeter designed for acoustic frequencies and voice reproduction.
Thanks to its impressive power, the AA60 is loud enough to do cafe or smaller venue gigs on its own, or you can use it as a dedicated foldback for vocal use with a band. The output volume of the Artist AA60 acoustic amplifier is impressive, considering its size. Thanks to its advantages over a powered PA speaker, I could see myself using an AA60 as a dedicated foldback speaker. We’ll cover all of that in just a moment.
Two Channel Design
Another benefit to the design of this amplifier is that we get two dedicated channels. The first is a dedicated guitar channel, and the second is a dedicated microphone channel. Each channel has its own 3-band EQ system and onboard reverb. Additionally, the guitar channel features a chorus effect, so you can add a blend between some chorus and reverb if you like that sound.
The reverb is one of the best I have heard on an affordable acoustic amplifier. I was shocked at how great it was when I first plugged in my guitar or tried the microphone. The chorus also sounds great if you don’t use too much of it.
Additionally, the reverb channel features an XLR input that allows for use with dynamic microphones only. I didn’t see a Phantom-powered switch anywhere on the unit, so stick with a dynamic microphone for the best results.
Furthermore, each channel has a gain control which acts like a “volume” control.
Master Volume
Rounding out the top panel is a Master volume control. This is the overall output volume of the amplifier. Using the gain controls, as mentioned earlier, you can easily set a mix between guitar and vocals and then decide how loud the amplifier is in the room. This is essentially like a mini PA system in a box – it’s very impressive! Pair this functionality with the quality reverb; you have a great-sounding acoustic amp.
Artist AA60 Acoustic Amplifier Review
I posted my AA60 amplifier review on YouTube and Rumble. Check out my video below.
Buy it on Artist Guitars | eBay
? Affiliate links – These links earn me a small commission with every purchase.
Bluetooth and Auxiliary inputs
One of my favorite features of this amplifier is the Bluetooth connectivity. This lets you stream or play music from a phone or tablet and jam along in real-time. The volume of the Bluetooth is set from your phone, and the mix of the guitar and vocals are all done via the amplifier’s top panel. Additionally, the AA60 has an AUX input on the back of the amplifier, so if you prefer to connect a dedicated lead instead of via Bluetooth, you have that option.
XLR Output
The AA60 is loaded with an XLR output. This output means you get a secured microphone connection from the amplifier that can be used in a mixer or PA system. The recording quality is also excellent, allowing you to use the amplifier as a pre-amp into another device or sound source.
Things to Be Aware Of
While this is a fantastic amplifier, there are a few things you need to know. First, there’s no feedback blocker or feedback buster option. This means you’re at the mercy of volume versus proximity with the amplifier. If you use a feedback buster on your guitar, you’ll be fine, but if not – you’ll need to set the volume accordingly or move the amp further away. I did notice at louder volumes in my review studio that the feedback could have been problematic at higher volumes close to my amp. This feedback would occur on all acoustic amplifiers of PA systems without some feedback protection circuit. Just keep that in mind.
Secondly, I would have loved to see this with a dedicated speaker stand pole to mount it on a stand and as a foldback. Some larger units, like the Joyo BSK80 (artist guitars link), have this option – but you are also paying almost twice as much.
Final Review
The Artist AA60 is the best-value acoustic amplifier I have seen so far. I’ve tested quite a few over the years on my YouTube channel, and this ranks amongst the best I’ve seen at its price. The Joyo BSK80 has some advantages over the AA60 but is also more expensive. You’ll be a happy camper if your budget sits right around the AA60’s price. If you have more money and need the feedback reduction circuit and speaker stand-hole access, the BSK80 is the way to go.
? Affiliate links – These links earn me a small commission with every purchase.
Official Specifications
Brand: Artist
Model: AA60
Output RMS: 60W
Speakers: 6″ + 1″ Soft Dome Tweeter
Inbuilt Effects: Reverb and Chorus
EQ: Bass, Middle, Treble
Inputs: 1?4” TS (guitar), XLR microphone, 3.5mm Aux input, 6.35mm Aux Input
Outputs: XLR out
Bluetooth: V4.0, max. distance 10m
Power Plug: (See our blog post for more details)
- AU & NZ: 240V with AU/NZ Plug
- UK: 230V with UK plug (with a fuse in the plug)
- USA: 120V with USA 3-pin plug
Dimensions: 47 X 30.5 X 34.5cm / 181?2” X 12” X 139?16”
Weight: 8.2Kg / 18 lb and 1.2oZ
Disclaimer:
Artist Guitars sponsored my initial video review on YouTube. This video also listed the pros and cons mentioned in this article. I didn’t get to keep the amplifier or the guitar showcased in the video. I hope this review article is helpful.
