… #42 Japan 02/20, #43 UK 08/20
next run ETA WINTER 2023/2024 … maybe
Possibly the best sounding embodiment of the “Acoustic 360” available anywhere!
The Acoustic 360 is commonly known as a Bass preamp, since many players of the day used it in conjunction with the powered 1×18 Acoustic 361 (horn-less) cab … but, when paired with a 15″ speaker system (again, without horns) the 360 based rigs can be used to great effect on Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer pianos – especially those wired passively … even on guitar, paired with Celestion 12″ guitar speakers, the 360/361 combo sounds fantastic – in this case showing how much that “classic electric guitar tone” is actually provided by the speakers alone … the Acoustic 360 preamp circuit typically works its versatile magic with just about any electrified instrument
Portable in size, built like a tank, and sounding PUNCHY AND CLEAR like a well designed class-A circuit should, the viva Analog 360+ Pro is my rendition of the Acoustic Control Corp. “360” pre-amplifier … using updated parts and hardware, it’s a complete and flexible preamp system that sports a very characteristic sounding Germanium-Silicon FUZZ circuit – one that I augment by providing a DRY BLEND option
… for an example of the original Acoustic 360 fuzz in action check out the Bass intro and outro to Frank Zappa’s “Who Are The Brain Police”
And now, a little background …
During the late 60’s and early 70’s it was common to see the electric Bass players in popular bands make use of the Acoustic 360/361 combo to get their point across. This is before the advent of the Ampeg SVT. From the Mothers to Santana and Humble Pie, from Chicago, War and The Whalers, and Weather Report to Led Zeppelin the list of Bassists who relied on the 360/361 duos goes on and on … it often seems to provides a round, organic tone, that places the bass where it belongs in the mix …
Some technical stuff …
The 360+ Pro includes a faithful reproduction of the original 360 fuzz engine augmented by a BLEND circuit, which independently mixes in (potentially boosted) input signal with the fuzz … the idea is to make the whole thing sound mega-fat at full blast, or conversely to have subtle amounts of fuzz mixed in with a strong dry signal // with variations in between … the fuzz circuit is 100% true-bypass with total absence of residual feed-through //something that could be an issue with original 360’s
The output driver circuit of the 360+ Pro is built around a low-noise op-amp circuit that is optically null-able from a MUTE foot-switch // useful for instrument swapping, etc. The output stage can put out a maximum to 22 volts (pk-pk) of signal before clipping while at the same time helps preserve fidelity and tonal character against varying output loads
This modernized version of the Acoustic 360 preamp is designed to drive just about any conceivable type of power amp, tube or solid-state, without ever loosing the essential “360” tonal character
12-position VARIAMP Extension
NOTE : the 360+ Pro is now shipped with a 12-position VARIAMP frequency selector, instead of the original 5-position. This gives more options on top of the original 5. Extending up to the Larry Graham preferred 1200hz range. And then, there’s the DRY BLEND on the fuzz circuit – again, using high fidelity class-A circuitry throughout … in fact, the DRY BLEND could be used as a “boost” function by simply setting the fuzz level to zero
viva Analog “360+ Pro” User’s Manual (PDF)
the 360+ “Pro” is built using the following HARDWARE: 24mm Alpha pots; Carling 316pp or ALPHA foot-switches, Switchcraft (USA) jacks, Lorlin rotary switches, C&K toggle switches; custom wound Cinemag (USA) coils, ear selected vintage Germanium and Silicon FUZZ transistors, Nichicon MUSE and Panasonic ECQ capacitors, …
PRICE IN US DOLLARS, includes air shipping world-wide
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Acoustic Control corp. “360/361” combo rigs on duty …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0ICclq8sQ
https://youtu.be/ULHriLnckAo
Doug DeAngelis (verified owner) –
I had been exploring a lot of options in search of that classic, huge, 360 tone. The 360+ is just a phenomenon in so many ways. Crushing 360 tones and the fuzz circuit with the blend feature is spot on and in my opinion improved from the original. All that said – the real magic for me was the discovery that by putting this preamp in front of a high end modeling unit like an AxeFX or Line 6 Firehawk FX they literally come to life for both guitar and bass. Guitar models take on a depth and feel of a vintage tube amp and you feel that connection you always miss – even with the best modeling unit.
So if you are looking for a great 360 bass tone this is stellar. If you do session work and you love the convenience of a high end amp sim but always wish they had that “feel” and colorful depth you miss – you will be blown away!
Love it JC!!!