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New to this, been playing for about 18 months. I would like to start playing to small groups just for fun but, very confused about Mics, Amps, speakers and such. What does one really need to get good sound out there? Rather than what the store wants to sell. I play Country and Folk with some soft Rock.
Welcome Bob,
Does your guitar have a pickup. If so you would probably want to look at an acoustic amp. Marshall makes a 50 watt AS50R I believe that is a little under $ 400. and one of the best in this price range. I have also played some of the new Ibanez Troubador series 20 and 35 watt amps that really sounded nice the 20watt is around $ 200 and the 35 watt is under $ 300 . These amps are 2 channel amps , one for guitar the other for vocals.
You would need a mic and a mic stand also and you would be set up to do some small venues. Peavey makes some good mics in the $ 50 range and a favorite by most in the $ 100 range is a Shure SM-58 mic.
You couldn't go wrong with any of these but, I am sure some others will comment.
Agree with Wayne on the Shure mics. I've not used a Peavey and make no comment on them. If you can't get a Shure mic, then Samson is a decent second choice.
For amps, Wayne made some good suggestions. In addition, I recommend that you test a Fender Acoustisonic or the Fender Acoustisonic Junior 30. There's a whole lot of country stars have used the Fender Acoustisonics in clubs. Also Roland makes some, but I've never been a big fan of Roland for some reason. I am also not a fan of Crate, though they make some as well. The Crates have too harsh of a sound to my ear. Good for electric rock, but not so much bluesy Country. Of course, everything with music and reproducing it is a matter of taste and preference.
You're going to want an acoustic amp, because most acoustic amps have a line-in for your guitar and a separate channel for your mic. That's what you want as a minimum: two chanels each with its own input and each with it's own volume and treble, mid, bass settings. One input can be a 1/4" jack for your instrument, but you're going to want an XLR jack for the mic. If your guitar doesn't have a jack and you need to run two mics, one for your voice and one for your guitar, then you're going to either need an amp with two XLR jacks (which limits your choices) or you're going to need an XLR to 1/4" mic cable for one of the mics, which is a good solution but not the best solution.
If the amp is clean, 30 watts goes a long way. More is better generally speaking, but you should be much more interested in the cleanliness of the amplification than the shear power of it. If you've got 100 watts, but it distorts at 10% volume, that doesn't help you. Better to have 30 watts of clean power that you can crank.
Once you get an amp with the inputs you need and good, clean power, you can start to accessorize based on your need, desire, and finances. One nice feature to have is an output so that you can run your mixed guitar and vocals out to a PA or mixing board with one cable. That allows you to use your amp as a monitor and reduces the need to mic your amp in a stage setup setting. Many folks do that, but being able to line it out is a better solution (at least for your sound engineer at the board).
One thing to remember - GOOD CABLES. The importance of good cables cannot be overemphasized.
- Zurf
Thanks for the Info on sound Fellows, my Guitar is Acoustic and does have a good Fishman Pickup. Your the first to suggest an Acoustic Amp, I appreciate the help from both of you. I'm sure you have been here before. Sales People I'm sure mean well, but tend to give more information than you need, at least I felt overwhelmed. Thanks Again. b
You're welcome. Yeah, I ran sound board for a band for a while. It was fun and I learned a few things. Too bad Marcalan's not around, because he's forgotten more than the rest of us have learned all together. But we'll do what we can to steer you in the right direction.
By the by, welcome to Chordie. We're glad you're here and look forward to your contributions.
Edit: I used the wrong name from a different forum. I meant "too bad Marcalan's not around", but the super thing is that Marcalan is back on, I just saw a post from him, and we can hope that he'll chime in on this topic. I'd believe anything he said on the topic of live sound and recording.
- Zurf
Bob,
If you decide to go with an acoustic amp. A 50 watt acoustic amp will really fill a room , I have played with a little 50 watt amp in churches and coffee houses it will really fill a room nicely. If you plan on doing any bars in the future the acoustic amp on its own probably won't be enough. You can get alot of use out of a small acoustic amp and I have always hung on to mine just for the small venues.
If you want an amp that has good effects, like chorus , reverb , delay I would go with the Fender Acoustasonic or the Marshall. There are also some really nice amp stage stands available that make the amp easier to get to and gets it up off the floor and gets the sound out better.
The Fender Acoustasonic Jr is a 40 watt amp and I think it has better effects than the Marshall AS50D but I am not sure which one I would buy between the 2. It would be best if you could take your guitar to a music store and listen to see which you prefer, or if there are others you like better. I have used both and like them alot.
If you have more questions , feel free to ask there are alot of good musicians and folks willing to help you spend your money 
Bob,
All good advice above, I have had a Ibanez TA35 Troubador amp for around 3 years now and can not fault it, does all the things I think you want to try. Chorus and reverb are inbuilt and seperate channel for mic will give you all you need for a solo gig in small venues.
Another amp I have , and one you might consider is a Kustom KA60. This is a keyboard amp with a dozen or so various effects built in, very clean sound as you would expect from a keyboard amp and hooked up to a accoustic guitar allows you many different sounds and has a mic channel as well. Definately worth checking out
I plug into a Korg A-4 effects pedal and then into a small (350 watt) Peavey P.A. system. with six channels. I use a Schure SM58 mic. The Peavey power head has a nice sounding spring reverb so a vocal effects device is not necessary.
I do use a rack-mount effects box for my big P.A.
(1,800 watts)
You guy's are great I really appreciate your advice, Lots to learn with Guitars and sound.
Zurf, bushy, Wayne and all others, Your good advice allowed me to purchase with confidence, a Sure SM58 Mic, an AG60, 60 watt Acoustic amp which allows four inputs of acoustic or Mics simultaneously. I just received them today and, the sound is great. The Volume will be fine for small venues I'm sure. Thanks again for your help my friends.
Forgot to mention this amp has two channels, each with two inputs and controls.
bob
Good for you Bob,
You should be set to do just about anything now , have fun with it and I think you will find the SM-58 mic does require some getting used to. You have to be right in it and I mean almost swallowing it for it to work best.
Have fun, you done good
What's the brand on that amp? I may like one myself. Four inputs on two channels sounds pretty sweet.
Hi Zurf, it is made by-- acoustic amplification-- model AG60. Search, acoustic Amps at musicians friend.com
I love it!
Later, b
hot dog! I've got $399 of insurance money for replacing a damaged amp and that one is in the ballpark.
- Zurf
Go for it, you have much more experience than I in these matters but, I'm sure you will like. b
It doesn't take any experience to know if something's easy to use and sounds good. I trust your judgment on it.
- Zurf
Well Zurf, did you order that amp? I'm really like mine. Also the sm-58 is a great mic but, as Wayne wrote I'm having a time getting used to having it right in my face. I don't have many of the songs i do memorized so, I have to have the lyrics on a stand in front of me. I guess many new players start that way. b
Not yet, but I will be. It's the right price and does the job I want done. I'll be checking with my local shop to see if they can get it as I prefer using to work with the local guys when possible.
- Zurf
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