AER Amps • Shoreline Music

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Muriel Anderson
Pierre Bensusan
Howard Emerson
Jaquie Gipson
Dougie MacLean
Franco Morone
The Waybacks

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AER Amps have developed a worldwide reputation for tone, design, and portability. Built in Germany, they are widely regarded as the premiere acoustic amps on the market, and they are played by top players around the world, including Peter Finger, Woody Mann, Peppino D'Agostino, Bob Brozman, and my good friend Franco Morone (he was the one who initially recommended AER amps to us).

Lots of amps have the traditional bells and whistles, but when you look at AER amps, you get the distinct sense that nothing is either a bell or a whistle: Every feature is remarkably well-designed and is actually something that guitar players will use. Every mic channel includes switchable phantom power and a hybrid jack, so you can plug in mic or guitar. Every channel on every AER amp gets gain controls and a clip/overload light, so you can set your gain structure properly. All effects are footswitchable, and every amp has a tuner send and headphone jack. These are the basic, practical features we'd love to see on every acoustic amp. And, of course, one of the most appealing features of AER amps is their light weight. Even their top acoustic guitar amp, the 120-watt Acousticube IIIA, weighs in at less than 30 lbs.

But don't let their light weight mislead you—AER amps are as rugged as they come. It's no coincidence that the first picture you see on the AER website is this picture of their amps covered in dust, on the road in Africa. When you first pull one out of its standard padded dustcover, it is clear that these amps are built to endure. The nearly-cubic dimensions hint at a Borg-like indestructibility, and the bolted-on, recessed carrying handle is noticeably sturdier than the standard flip-up or plastic handles that you see on pretty much every other amp.

Of course, all the efficient design in the world is meaningless if the amp just doesn't sound good. With AER amps, though, you have nothing to worry about. The transparent, articulate, warm acoustic tone produced by these amps is considered by many players (including me) to be the finest in the business. This industry-leading combination of portability, intelligent design, rugged construction and transparent acoustic tone doesn't come cheap—the entry-level AER amp is $849—but I think the added expense is worth every penny.

AER Amp Models:

Alpha - This single-channel amp is AER's most affordable model, and its smallest. At 14 pounds, it actually comes with a gigbag—it's that light. It will take either a mic or guitar input, and features the standard footswitchable digital reverb, effects loop, tuners sends, etc. 40 watts. Includes padded AER amp cover/gigbag. 10 x 10 x 9. 14 lbs.

Compact 60 - The AER Compact 60 is indeed compact. At approximately 1 cubic foot and less than 20 lbs, this amp defines portable tone. It's a two channel amp with 60 watts of headroom, but it's a solid 60 watts: Enough to cover a small room easily—and possibly even larger—without giving up at higher volumes. In fact, while most folks here in the shop are won over immediately by the tone of the amp, it's the Compact 60's ability to crank it up that makes their jaws drop. I have spent many hours onstage with this amp, and I've come to the conclusion that it may very well be the perfect acoustic amp. It features onboard digital effects (footswitchable), plus the standard tuner send, headphone jack, and line and DI outs. The Compact 60 ships with a padded AER amp cover/gigbag, and that gigbag is almost as cool as the amp—when walking into a gig or a Sunday worship set, I have my guitar in one hand, and the amp slung over my shoulder. The farther away I've had to park, the happier I am that the amp is only 19 lbs and that I don't have to make a second trip back to the car to get more gear. 13 x 10 x 9. 19 lbs. (high-res pic)

Compact Mobile - This amp is virtually identical to the AER Compact 60, but with one of the coolest features we know of on an amp: A rechargeable battery that gives you 3-6 hours on a single charge, and recharges on the fly when you plug it back in. It also adds auxiliary ins and pannable digital effects. Includes padded AER amp cover. 13 x 13 x 11. 35 lbs.

Domino - The Domino is the perfect amp if you have more than a couple of input sources. It has 4 channels, two of which accept mic/XLR inputs. Also include channel mutes and left-right line outs (so, not quite 4 channel outs). Hybrid amplifier, 2 x 60 watts. Includes padded AER amp cover. 17 x 14 x 12. 31 lbs.

Acousticube IIIA- The Acousticube is the top dog among AER amps, and the IIIA is a recent update to the industry-leading IIA model. It boasts 120 watts of headroom, but it still weighs in at less than 30 pounds. In addition to the extra wattage and the headroom this provides, you get AER's 32-bit stereo, pannable digital effects processor with 100 presets (two of which can be stored for footswitch use). Of note is the fact that the new Acousticube IIIA also includes parametric control over the onboard effects, using AER software and a USB connection to your computer. I've always said that onboard effects on acoustic guitar amps are mostly useless because of their lack of parametric controls; the ability to make parametric adjustments to these effects means they're now more than just window dressing. There's no question that this amp is pricey, but there simply is no better acoustic amp on the market. If an AER Acousticube is anywhere near your budget, you should take a good, long look at this amp—no other non AER amp comes close. Also includes phantom power, stereo headphone jack, stereo line out, recording outs, effects loop. Ships with padded AER amp cover. 13 x 13 x 10. 30 lbs. (high-res pic)

Basic Performer - The Basic Performer is, well, the AER of bass amps. Yes, I know how that sounds, but think about what sets AER amps apart: flat, uncolored acoustic tone in a compact, well-engineered package. If you've ever shopped for a portable combo bass amp, you know that finding transparent tone in a bass amp is particularly difficult—I have found very few that actually pull this off (our own Accugroove and EA amps are among the others). But the Basic Performer puts all this flat tone in AER's classic small-profile box that is, of course, laden with features. This amp doesn't have any reverb effects—they're not necessary on a bass amp—but it does offer a compressor and a notch filter, as well as a 3-band EQ that includes parametric mids. Although particularly well suited for instruments with a strong low-end response, this amp's flat tone is also a great match for guitars and other acoustic instruments. The second channel makes it even more appealing. Its portability and smooth tone make it the perfect amp for small combos and worship bands, but I have no doubt that even larger bands would benefit from tone this good. Hybrid 4 x 60 amplifier, 4 x 8 speaker cabinet. 19 x 15 x 14. 50 lbs.

Every AER amp ships with at least one Zaolla cable (your choice—15 feet or shorter). That's up to a $328 value. In order to get your free cable(s), just order the amp you want, then visit our Zaolla Cables page to order the cable(s) you want. We'll credit you for the cable when we ship your amp.

AER Amp Models			Price*
Alpha		Single channel, 40 watts. Includes one free Zaolla cable.	$899.00
Compact 60		Two channels, 60 watts. Includes one free Zaolla cable.	$1199.00
Compact 60 wood model	no picture	Compact 60 with either natural oak or mahogany-stained oak cabinet. Includes one free Zaolla cable.	$1439.00
Compact Mobile		Compact 60 with rechargeable battery and other extras. Includes one free Zaolla cable.	$1669.00
Domino		4 channels, 2 x 60 watts. Includes 2 free Zaolla cables.	$1699.00
Acousticube IIIA		2 channels, 120 watts. Includes 3 free Zaolla cables.	$2889.00
Basic Performer		Versatile bass amp. Includes 2 free Zaolla cables.	$2039.00

*All AER amp prices include free shipping anywhere in the US. CO residents add 2.9% sales tax (7.4% in La Plata county). Please see our Shipping page for additional shipping information.