"It took more than half a life of diligent, often manic searching, but I've finally found the Holy Grail of acoustic instrument a"
Feature:
My favorite 2 features are the notch (feedback buster) and the phase switch. With these, I can play ANY room and hardly ever have to change the other settings. And the effects are perfect for both the vocal and the instrument channel. Very natural and warm, they make it fun to play & sing. I just kiss both channels with a touch of effect (I like the hall reverb for both).
Quality:
I've been using my ultralight for a little over a year now, playing an average of 5 to 6 gigs a week, and if anything, it sounds better now than when I first got it. Cosmetically, the golden pine head with the blonde cabinet remind me of old Cris-Craft boats from the 40's --- I get lots of compliments on it. And they're built like tanks. However, the carrying case for the head & the cover for the cab are beginning to tatter & tear, which I find disappointing.
Value:
Easily worth the price! I see both the head and the cab have gone UP $100 apiece, but I'm ordering another set for my wife to play bass & sing through as a duo with me, and I don't feel bad about it because I know how good it sounds. It's better & more portable than the Bose system, and at about half the price for both of us!
Desirability:
I lust every time I march it into a gig and pull it out of its wraps! And so do the people in my audience who are into such stuff. And then they HEAR it... I can't say enough. I don't know why more musicians aren't onto this system and singing its praises to the heavens. Whether I use the J200 or my Taylor T5, it's simply the best acoustic amp I've heard, and I've tried them ALL --- SWR to Roland to Crate to Trace Elliot to Genz Benz to full P.A. systems.
Sound:
It's more the sound of a home theatre than a P.A. system. Rich, bright, withh warm, full bottom in both channels. I use it for solos and in an acoustic trio, and I've yet to hear better. And I've made my entire living playing music for over 30 years.
Ease of Use:
I do a 30's & 40's swing solo show, using a Gibson J200 Western Classic and a Shure reissue "Elvis" mic. These are not easy instruments to work with, because of inherent "boominess" on both counts, but the ultralight has NO PROBLEM compensating, regardless of the room I'm playing. I have much better mics I could use, but the Shure fits the visual vibe I'm after, and the ultralight makes it sparkle.
Support:
Fender is notoriously hard to get ahold of. Find a reliable dealer, and you'll be alright. I got my first cabinet cover replaced for free, due to my dealer being on the ball. Other than that, no problems whatsoever with the actual gear, and I expect it will outlast me, like the rest of my Fender stuff.
Overall:
I expect this little gem of a system to take me to my end game. It looks as good as the day I bought it, and it is SO versatile. I want to buy one for my wife/bass player, and I also want to get an extra cabinet to "spread out" the beautiful sound I'm getting.
Submitted: 7/2/2008
Style of Music: Rock, swing, pop, jazz, ragtime, country, rockabilly; no fake loops samples.
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