A powerful solution for troubadour or duet gigs at a reasonable price.
Disclaimer: NUX provided me with this amplifier, and I got to keep it as compensation for my work. However, whether the content is sponsored or not, the company has no say in the things I mention in the video/post.
Specifications
- 60 watts with a 6.5โ premium speaker and 1โ tweeter
- 2 independent channels with adjustable post-effects routing
- Acoustic Impulse Response
- Drum & Loop (60-second phrase loop)
- Bluetooth audio streaming
- Free app controller
- USB firmware updates
- Dimensions: 310mm (L) x 280mm (W) x 328mm (H)
- Weight: 9.2 kg
- Whatโs in the Box:
- NMP-2 LITE Dual Footswitch
- TRS cable (for NMP-2)
- Power adapter
- User manual
What is the NUX Stageman II (AC-60) Acoustic Amplifier?
The NUX Stageman II is an all-in-one solution for a troubadour guitarist looking for a compact amplifier that can handle both acoustic guitar and vocal amplification for band rehearsals and gigs.
The amp features two channels: a guitar channel and a vocal channel. Both channels can be used simultaneously, with dedicated controls for each. Channel 1 is designed for acoustic guitar, while Channel 2 includes an XLR microphone input for vocals.
First Impressions
Unboxing the amp, Iโm once again impressed by the build quality of these NUX amps, especially for the money. Thereโs a convincing weight to the amp, which, if well-designed, often leads to a big sound. Inside, thereโs a 6.5โ speaker and a 1โ tweeter, which I hope will result in a convincing sound for both guitar and vocals.
Plugging in my Taylor 110e acoustic guitar, I am not disappointed: this amp sounds huge, and it gets LOUD if needed. Weโre off to a great start.
Whatโs It Like to Use?
I could easily do a gig just using the controls on the amp (and I suspect that was the idea behind the design). The three guitar modes offer varying amounts of compression for your playing style. I especially enjoyed the fingerstyle mode, which added just the right amount of compression to even out some of my fingerpicking inconsistencies.
Plugging in a microphone, I transitioned into full troubadour mode. Balancing the volume and reverb on each channel is fast and easy. As I increased the volume, I started getting some feedback from the amp. Luckily, NUX anticipated this as well: thereโs a two-way toggle switch for phase to help avoid these issues.
Personally, I was already a happy troubadour, but then thereโs the Stageman app as well. If you like to tweak things, this is the amp for you: there are options to route your signal, a wide selection of delays, modulation, and reverbs to choose from. Thereโs also a drum machine, looper, coffee maker, and a personal secretary included in the boxโฆ (some items listed might not actually ship with the amp).
Something I absolutely loved was the ability to change impulse responses (IRs) for the acoustic guitar. My Taylor has a rather nasal-sounding piezo pickup, but with the help of the Stageman II, I was able to get significantly better tones with the click of a button.
Is the NUX Stageman II AC-60 Good?
What I like about this amp the most is that it feels like itโs designed by people who play live and are familiar with the issues that might arise. You can easily do a gig by just twisting the knobs on the amplifier. But because itโs NUX, thereโs always more using the app. The effects sound good, the ability to swap IRs can take your guitarโs sound to the next level, and the overall build quality gives you confidence that the amp will work great on the next stop as well.
Get Yours
If you want to get your own NUX Stageman II, you can use the affiliate link here: https://thmn.to/thoprod/600370?offid=1&affid=394
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