What is the primary purpose of the Hartwood 60W Acoustic Amplifier?

The amplifier is designed to provide clean and neutral amplification for acoustic guitars. It aims to stay faithful to the natural sound of the instrument rather than adding significant coloration.

Can I use a microphone with this amplifier?

Yes, the Hartwood 60W includes a dedicated microphone channel. This allows a performer to sing and play guitar through the same unit simultaneously.

What built-in effects are available?

The amplifier features integrated Chorus and Reverb. These effects help to add spatial depth and a shimmering quality to the acoustic guitar signal.

Is the Hartwood 60W powerful enough for live gigs?

With 60 watts of power, this amplifier is designed for gigging. It provides sufficient volume and headroom for small-to-medium sized venues.

Does it have an Equalizer (EQ)?

Yes, the amp includes an EQ section. This allows users to adjust the tonal balance to compensate for different room acoustics or guitar characteristics.

Can I play backing tracks through the amp?

The unit features an Aux input. This allows you to connect a phone, tablet, or MP3 player to play along with backing tracks or music during breaks.

Is this amplifier suitable for classical guitars?

While designed with steel-string guitars in mind, its neutral amplification makes it compatible with nylon-string guitars like the Yamaha CG142S. The transparent output preserves the delicate tone of nylon strings.

Can I use this with a semi-acoustic guitar?

Yes, it is highly compatible with semi-acoustic models such as the Hartwood Revival. It provides the clean headroom needed to showcase the unique resonance of hollow-body instruments.

What is the typical price for this amplifier?

The Hartwood 60W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier typically retails in the range of £200. This places it as an affordable professional-grade option for serious performers.

Does the amp distort the sound at high volumes?

The amplifier is engineered for 'clean' amplification. Its 60W power rating is intended to provide enough headroom to ensure the sound remains undistorted even at stage volumes.

How does this compare to a standard electric guitar amp?

Standard electric amps are designed to add grit and mid-range focus. The Hartwood 60W is an acoustic-specific amp that focuses on a flat, wide frequency response to keep the guitar sounding 'natural'.

Is the Hartwood 60W portable?

As an all-in-one combo amplifier with a built-in handle, it is designed for portability. It serves as a convenient single-box solution for musicians who need a mic and guitar input on the go.

Gear article

Hartwood 60W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

The Hartwood 60W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier is a solid-state combo amp designed to provide neutral, high-fidelity reinforcement for steel-string acoustic instruments. Positioned as a versatile solution for gigging musicians, it features dedicated channels for both instruments and microphones alongside integrated spatial effects.

See live prices

Overview

The Hartwood 60W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier is a purpose-built solution for musicians seeking clean, transparent amplification. Unlike traditional electric guitar amplifiers that colour the tone with distortion and mid-range emphasis, this unit is engineered to remain faithful to the natural resonance of acoustic instruments. It serves as an all-in-one performance hub, combining power sufficient for small-to-medium venues with a streamlined interface for tonal shaping.

Key Features and Interface

The amplifier is equipped with several features designed for the performing guitarist:

Dual Channels: Includes a dedicated instrument input and a microphone channel, allowing for simultaneous vocal and guitar performance.
Onboard Effects: Features built-in Reverb and Chorus to add depth and shimmer without the need for external pedals.
Tone Shaping: A comprehensive EQ section allows the user to adjust frequencies to suit the specific acoustics of a room.
Connectivity: An Aux input is provided for playing along to backing tracks or external audio sources.

Sound and Character

The primary sonic characteristic of the Hartwood 60W is its neutrality. It avoids the 'boxy' sound often associated with smaller practice amps, instead focusing on a wide frequency response that captures the brightness of steel strings and the warmth of the guitar body. The 60-watt power rating provides enough headroom to maintain clarity at higher volumes, ensuring that the signal does not clip or distort during live use.

Target Audience

This amplifier is primarily aimed at gigging singer-songwriters and acoustic performers. Its dual-input design makes it a compact alternative to a small PA system for solo acts. It is well-suited for use with various acoustic models, ranging from the Hartwood Sonata Grand Auditorium to dreadnought styles like the Hartwood Artiste. While designed for steel strings, its neutral profile also allows for use with semi-acoustic guitars like the Hartwood Revival.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to entry-level bundles, such as the Gear4music Single Cutaway Acoustic Pack, the Hartwood 60W offers significantly higher power and more professional features like the dedicated mic channel. While many practice amps in the sub-£100 category lack the headroom for live performance, the Hartwood 60W sits in a competitive mid-range bracket, offering a balance of output and fidelity that competes with brands like Tanglewood's Northstar series in providing a reliable stage monitor or primary amplification source.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Hartwood 60W Acoustic Amplifier?: The amplifier is designed to provide clean and neutral amplification for acoustic guitars. It aims to stay faithful to the natural sound of the instrument rather than adding significant coloration.
Can I use a microphone with this amplifier?: Yes, the Hartwood 60W includes a dedicated microphone channel. This allows a performer to sing and play guitar through the same unit simultaneously.
What built-in effects are available?: The amplifier features integrated Chorus and Reverb. These effects help to add spatial depth and a shimmering quality to the acoustic guitar signal.
Is the Hartwood 60W powerful enough for live gigs?: With 60 watts of power, this amplifier is designed for gigging. It provides sufficient volume and headroom for small-to-medium sized venues.
Does it have an Equalizer (EQ)?: Yes, the amp includes an EQ section. This allows users to adjust the tonal balance to compensate for different room acoustics or guitar characteristics.
Can I play backing tracks through the amp?: The unit features an Aux input. This allows you to connect a phone, tablet, or MP3 player to play along with backing tracks or music during breaks.
Is this amplifier suitable for classical guitars?: While designed with steel-string guitars in mind, its neutral amplification makes it compatible with nylon-string guitars like the Yamaha CG142S. The transparent output preserves the delicate tone of nylon strings.
Can I use this with a semi-acoustic guitar?: Yes, it is highly compatible with semi-acoustic models such as the Hartwood Revival. It provides the clean headroom needed to showcase the unique resonance of hollow-body instruments.
What is the typical price for this amplifier?: The Hartwood 60W Acoustic Guitar Amplifier typically retails in the range of £200. This places it as an affordable professional-grade option for serious performers.
Does the amp distort the sound at high volumes?: The amplifier is engineered for 'clean' amplification. Its 60W power rating is intended to provide enough headroom to ensure the sound remains undistorted even at stage volumes.
How does this compare to a standard electric guitar amp?: Standard electric amps are designed to add grit and mid-range focus. The Hartwood 60W is an acoustic-specific amp that focuses on a flat, wide frequency response to keep the guitar sounding 'natural'.
Is the Hartwood 60W portable?: As an all-in-one combo amplifier with a built-in handle, it is designed for portability. It serves as a convenient single-box solution for musicians who need a mic and guitar input on the go.