Believe it or not but finding a decent, reliable and cheap acoustic amp isn’t that tough – and Fender Acoustasonic 15 is the greatest example of that. I mean.. who doesn’t love cheap gear?
I recently stumbled upon this combo in mint condition and I just had to buy it! It was a quick decision. And in today’s blog post, I’m gonna tell you why I think it’s worth it.
The main pros of this amp are: low price, great tone, built-in chorus effect and ability to use with a mic. It’s perfect for singer-songwriters!
All photos and sound demos below are mine, so you can be sure that this review is written by an actual human who actually owns that amp.
Big Sound In Small Package
Fender Acoustasonic 15 is designed for everyone who wants to amplify their acoustic guitar. Want to show off in front of your grandma during family dinner? This amp will work well.
Generally speaking, this combo will be perfect for all performers out there. You can take it with you to your local pub or church and play (or sing) some tunes for your local legends.
And although it’s a relatively small amp, it can be actually pretty loud. Your neighbors will hear you even with the windows closed, that’s for sure.
If you saw my photo, you probably noticed that this amp has two channels – one for the mic and the other one for guitar.
Plus, the 6-inch speaker it has ensures a tone that’s not only nice but also exceptionally clear. It’s worth noting that the sound remains far from muddy, which is definitely a good sign.
One interesting detail to point out, as with other Fender combos, is that this particular model is also manufactured in China. Now, some might question whether this could imply the use of cheaper materials. Don’t worry though – it’s not an issue.
In conclusion, the Acoustasonic 15 amp offers a noteworthy 15 watts of power, making it well-suited for smaller gigs. The clarity of the tone produced through its 6-inch speaker is genuinely impressive and free from any muddiness.
Three Band EQ Rocks
Now let’s talk about one of the biggest advantages of that amp – the three band EQ. This is an absolute game-changer!
The vast majority of cheap amps doesn’t have that feature. And to be honest, it’s a very important one. It gives you much more control over your tone, so the possibilites are endless.
Okay, maybe not endless – it’s only the EQ. But it’s better to have it rather not to have it, right?
Chorus Effect
Ah yes, the chorus effect! This is an another awesome feature of that amp.
If you don’t know what it is, it basically modulates the sound and makes it a bit more textured. I recorded a quick sound demo, so feel free to check it out below.
It sounds pretty good, right? You probably won’t use it all the time but it’s nice to have it anyway. Maybe one day you’ll want to sound like Kurt Cobain in ‘Come As You Are’!
Build Quality
The build quality is actually okay. For a Chinese-made product, that’s sick! I mean of course, you can’t expect it to be outstanding, but it’s more than fine and it feels very sturdy.
That light brown material has a very cool texture. You can probably see it on the photo. It’s not tweed, but it doesn’t feel like plastic neither. TBH, I have no idea what it is!
But in the end, it feels solid and it shouldn’t break easily. And this is what you probably want to hear!
Can You Use It With Headphones?
Let’s imagine this scenario: you came back from work and it’s very late, your kids are asleep and you can’t make any noise but you still want to practice with that amp. Is it possible?
Well, yes! It’s an acoustic amp but you can actually plug in an electric guitar into it and use your headphones to practice quietly. Your kids, wife and neighbors will thank you for that.
I know it may seem like a strange idea to use an electric guitar with an acoustic amp but it’s totally possible. If you don’t believe me, check out the demo I recorded for you below.
Specs
If you’re a guitar nerd like me and you want to check out the detailed specs of that amp, I created a little table. For more info you can visit the official website of Fender.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | 15 Watts |
| Speaker | 6″ Fender Special Design speaker |
| Inputs | Jack and XLR |
| CH1 XLR controls | Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble |
| CH2 instrument controls | Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Chorus |
| Headphone output | Yes |
| Dimensions HxWxD | 29.2 x 28.4 x 18.1 cm |
| Weight | 4.76 kg |
What I Don’t Like About Fender Acoustasonic 15
Alright, let’s move to the things that I don’t like about that bad boy. Mostly the cons include:
- limited power
- no case included
- no reverb effect
15 Watts is quite a lot, but it may be not enough for everyone. It all depends on what you’re looking for. The case isn’t necessary, so again, you may not consider it as a disadvantage.
BUT! Since I’m a big fan of Fender Acoustasonic 40 which has a built-in reverb, I’m a bit disappointed that this smaller amp doesn’t have it. It’s nice to have the chorus, but the reverb would be even better.
Would I Recommend It?
Do I think that it’s a good piece of gear? Yeah, absolutely! This is probably one of the coolest and most affordable amps of this type that you can find on the market. And if you do some research on Ebay or Facebook marketplace, you’ll probably pay even less.
Yeah , I know – it’s not ideal. It won’t be loud enough to use in front of 100 or 200 people outside. But if you’re gonna play in a relatively small room, it should be more than enough.
If you’re worried that it won’t be loud enough, just choose the older brother of that amp – the Acoustasonic 40. The bigger the better, right? This one will definitely give you a bit more punch. And it has a built-in reverb too!
Fender Acoustasonic 15 vs 40
Choosing between the 15 and 40 versions will heavily depend on your own needs and preferences.
If you’re a guitar noob and you just want to perform in front of your grandma, choose the smaller Acoustasonic 15. But if you’re looking for a bit more power, the 40 model will be better for you.
It also depends on your budget. If you don’t care about the money (I’m pretty sure you do), choose the more expensive option. But if you don’t want to spend too much, get the 15 instead. It’s twice as cheap!
Still not sure? Here’s my review of the 40 model. It’s an old video, so please don’t laugh at me 🙂
Final Thoughts
In a world where big things often come in big packages, this amp defies expectations. This pint-sized powerhouse roars with a sound that’s anything but small. From the moment you plug in, the 15 watts of raw energy prove that doesn’t matter.
So whether you’re a seasoned gig warrior or a complete noob, this amp could just be your musical best friend. Embrace the compact, love the sound, and let your own music resonate beyond the confines of size.
I hope that this little review was helpful! If you have any questions, hit me up on Instagram or leave a comment under this post. I’ll try to help as much as I can!
