Think Fender and your mind fills with images of Stratocasters, Telecasters, and a wide array of tube-driven electric-guitar amplifiers. However, of late, Fender has been busy developing several lines of acoustic amplification that range in price from $99 to $999, offering options for every level of player.

At the 2017 NAMM show in Anaheim, California, in January, the Fender folks unveiled the Acoustic 100 and 200 amps. Each combo amplifier sports a handsome wood cabinet, a brown speaker cloth cover, and a set of easy-to-use controls for two channels that have separate effects, volume, and tone knobs. The 100 model is a hundred watts of power matched with one 8-inch whizzer-cone speaker. The 200 doubles the wattage and speaker count.

The 200 that I reviewed emerged from its shipping box easily via the top-mounted hand grip, which might seem a minor detail, but can be a lifesaver when you leave the club at 2 AM after a grueling three-hour set with hands full of guitars, mic stands, and other paraphernalia.

Inputs for the two channels are located on the top panel at opposite ends of the cabinet. Each channel accepts either XLR or ¼-inch inputs. The channels have duplicate controls that allow you to dial in volume, bass, middle, treble, phase (button), FX, and FX amount. An interesting feature is the effects LED display, which is in the middle of the control panel, separating the two channels.
I took the Fender to a gig at a local brewhouse to see how it would fare for the working musician. It was easy to set it up and dial-in a good sound. I plugged a Shure SM58 microphone into the second channel and dialed in some reverb to give my vocals a little color. The Fender had plenty of volume to fill the beer garden, which I estimated had about 75 to 100 folks.

The venue parked me on an outdoor stage with no cover from the sun, so I was a little concerned—based on a previous experience with a different amplifier—that the Fender might get too hot and shut down. But the amplifier performed great through my entire three-hour set, with no ill effects from the solar onslaught. I, on the other hand, was pooped, so when I had to return my equipment to the car I was glad that the 23 lb. amplifier was easy to transport.

FENDER ACOUSTIC 200

FEATURES 200-watt amp with 2 channels, each with 3-band EQ and XLR/1/4-inch combo inputs; 2×8-inch speakers with whizzer cone; plywood enclosure; USB input; Bluetooth

EFFECTS Reverb, delay/echo, vibratone, chorus

DIMENSIONS 16 x 18.5 x 9.5 inches; weight: 23 lb.

OPTIONS 4-button footswitch (Mustang Series, $64.99 street)

PRICE $549 street

fenderguitar.com

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