Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator Pedal

Go acoustic -- at the press of a footswitch! Choose standard, jumbo, enhanced, or piezo modes, then dial in the body and top sound you like, and add reverb.

Overview

Get all of your acoustic simulations in one simple stomp with the Boss AC-3 acoustic simulator pedal. This sleek stompbox features standard, jumbo, enhanced, and piezo modes; easy-to-use reverb, body, and top control knobs; and versatile output paths. As you'd expect from a Boss pedal, the AC-3 is built to withstand the battle scars induced by the gigging musician on the road. Get this compact simulation machine, and you'll no longer have to deal with bringing an acoustic guitar to the gig, or worry about switching axes in the middle of your set.

Four Awesome Acoustic Simulations

Your Boss AC-3 acoustic simulator features four alluring and precise simulations to choose from: standard, jumbo, enhanced, and piezo. Play around with each setting to see which sounds suit your particular taste. The piezo setting delivers that sought-after "cut through the mix" direct piezo tone. The AC-3 really hits the nail on the head with warm, resonating, and realistic acoustic sound.

Easy Control Layout for Dialing in Sweet Acoustic Tones

Dialing in the exact sound you're looking for is as simple as a few quick tweaks. From left to right, you have your reverb level control, then your body control, and then your top control dial. Your reverb level dials in how much reverb effect mixes in with your output, and your body determines how much low-end and soundhole-simulating resonance comes in. Your top control brings in the brightness and zing the way a hardworking condenser microphone would… read more on an acoustic axe. Each control gives you a lot of sonic movement for a wide span of possibilities.

Versatile Output Options: Separate Amp and Line Outs

To make engaging your simulation as seamless as possible, your Boss AC-3 features two separate 1/4" outputs: one guitar amp out and one line out. The guitar amp out is for your disengaged signal heading to your amplifier, and your line out is for your engaged acoustic-simulated signal. This line-out signal can go to a secondary acoustic amplifier, or to the house mixer/PA system for amplification. It can also go to another effects pedal, if you're interested in experimenting around with your acoustic tone.

Rugged for the Road

Your Boss AC-3 is build with a rugged outer chassis that holds up well to the strenuous atmosphere of the road. You can focus more on your performance assured that your AC-3 will deliver on-demand warm alluring acoustic tones, stomp after stomp.

Features:

- Stompbox acoustic simulator pedal
- Reverb, body, top, and mode controls
- Simulation modes feature standard, jumbo, enhanced, and piezo settings
- One 1/4" instrument input
- One 1/4" standard guitar amp output
- One 1/4" direct to PA or acoustic amplifier output
- Onboard reverb
- Powered via 9 volt battery or external power supply -- sold separately
- Secure and rugged outer chassis

Specs

- Nominal input level: -20 dBu
- Input impedance: 1 M ohms
- Nominal output level: -20 dBu
- Output impedance: 1 k ohms
- Recommended load impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
- Controls: pedal switch, MODE Switch, BODY Knob, TOP Knob, LEVEL Knob, REVERB Knob
- Indicator: CHECK Indicator (Serves also as battery check indicator)
- Connectors: INPUT Jack, G.OUT Jack, LINE OUT Jack, AC Adaptor Jack (DC 9 V)
- Power supply: DC 9 V: Dry Battery (6F22/ 9 V), AC Adaptor (PSA Series: Optional)
- Accessories: owner's manual, dry battery; 6f22/ 9 v (carbon), leaflet ("Using the unit safely," "Important notes," and "Information")
- Options: AC Adaptor PSA-Series

Size and Weight
- Width: 70 mm; 2-13/16 in.
- Depth: 125 mm; 4-15/16 in.
- Height: 55 mm; 2-3/16 in.
- Weight: 0.4 kg; 1 lbs. (including battery)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 3 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): AC-3

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-890-3700

Manual (English)

Boss' Description

Boss AC3 Acoustic Simulator Pedal

How many times have you been onstage or in the studio with your electric guitar, and wished that you'd brought an acoustic along? For musicians who travel light, hauling an extra guitar to the gig isn't always the most attractive option. The Boss AC-3 to the rescue! This compact pedal employs COSM modeling technology to transform any electric guitar into a variety of beautiful acoustic guitars.

Features:

- Boss's most advanced acoustic-guitar modeling in a compact pedal
- Four simulation modes: Standard, Jumbo, Enhanced, and Piezo-equipped
- Top and Body knobs for fine-tuning the virtual-body resonance
- Built-in reverb, optimized for acoustic-guitar simulation

Advanced Modeling

Boss's COSM Acoustic-Modeling technology is beautifully showcased in this small but powerful pedal, which simulates an acoustic guitar much more precisely and realistically than previous technology allowed. Derived from BOSS top-of-the-line AD-8, the AC-3 simulates the sound of an acoustic guitar with incredible precision. Four simulation modes are provided: Standard, Jumbo, Enhanced, and Piezo-equipped; the latter supplies that famous "cut through the mix" direct piezo sound. Previous compact acoustic-guitar modeling-pedals were promising, but now the bar has been raised with AC-3.

Fine Control

Top and Body controls are provided, which allow you to shape the characteristics of the four acoustic models. Create the perfect acoustic-guitar sound quickly and easily with simple knob twists.

Reverb Included

Add depth and sweetness to the sound with the AC-3's built in digital reverb. It's like getting two pedals in one!

Versatile Output Paths

Two sets of outputs are provided, allowing you to connect the AC-3 to a standard guitar amp and to a direct input device such as a PA, or a recorder.

Reviews

(46 ratings)

Submitted March 22, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com

Boss AC-3 Acoustic Sim Customer Review

Overall:

(see rating details)

Overall I'd give this pedal a 9, only because you have to adjust it quite a bit if you plug into a new amp to get the perfect sound you want.

Sound

This pedal has excellent sound. I love instead of turning off the Distortion and getting a hollow sounding clean electric, now I just hit the stompbox and it sounds like I just picked up my acoustic that's sitting in the corner (Which is just too far to consider).

Features

The preset modes are nice, the Piezo is my personal preference. The Top and Body tone knobs are effective and can greatly change your sound, and the Reverb function is high quality and useful.

Ease of Use

Standard Boss: Plug and play.

Quality

Standard Boss Again: I'd imagine if I threw this pedal off of the roof it might break a knob off, but they pedal would still work. This pedal feels like a beast for its size.

Manufacturer Support

Never needed support.