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AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

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How many times have you been onstage or in the studio with your electric guitar, and wished that you'd brought an acoustic along? For musicians who travel light, hauling an extra guitar isn't practical. The AC-3 gives electric guitarists an acoustic effect with a tap of the pedal.

Another of "Authentic BOSS" compact pedal line, the AC-3 features BOSS' COSM Acoustic-Modeling technology, and is beautifully showcased in this small but powerful pedal, which simulates an acoustic guitar much more precisely and realistically than previous technology has allowed. Derived from BOSS top-of-the-line AD-8, the AC-3 pedal simulates the sound of an acoustic guitar with incredible precision.

Four simulation modes are provided: Standard, Jumbo, Enhanced and piezo-equipped; the latter supplies that famous "cut through the mix" direct piezo sound. Previous compact acoustic-guitar modeling-pedals were promising, but now the bar has been raised with the BOSS AC-3.
Open Box BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator Level 1
Open Box BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator Level 1

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collapse expand iconReviews

3.89

35 Reviews

70%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Very Happy with the AC-3
Very Happy with the AC-3

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Another Amazing Boss Pedal

On stage you pick your poison depending on the song; do you want to go with a typical, clean electric sound, or the natural one offered by an acoustic guitar? While not all songs go well with the crisp tone of an acoustic, when you DO need one, its allways handy to have the BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator. You will not find a better quality pedal coming from such an esteemed manufacturer, and for just shy of $100, you can't get a much better value. All the little farts and burps an acoustic can make are simulated with this pedal; everything from the rough ringing of hard-plucked strings to the distinguished sound of slapping your palm against the strings, along with the intricate sound an acoustic makes when palm-muted are about as flawlessly simulated with this pedal as they can be. First playing the pedal is an experience all in its own. It's hard not to be skeptical when it comes to this pedal, but playing it will change your mind completely. BOSS has created a masterpiece all in its own, and has created a pedal that outplays the competition and makes your life as a musician much more convenient. Do yourself a favor and buy this thing.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

For At Home Only

I got this pedal for Christmas about a year ago, and was very excited to get it out of the box and try it out. However, I quickly discovered that there is a lot of "static" feedback if you turn up the volume too much. Unless you have a very loud amp and can keep the pedal volume low enough that the feedback is almost inaudible, than I would NOT suggest playing this pedal out at gigs. Otherwise it's a great pedal for just messing around with, and to switch between an electric and acoustic sound quickly. Of course it's not perfect, but it sounds about 95% true to a real acoustic.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances7
  2. Amateur Recording3
  3. Home Studio3
  4. Outdoor Events / Games3
  5. Busking, Open Mics & Gigs1
Cons
  1. Massive hiss when body knob past noon.1
  2. Noise Produced1
  3. only works with single coils1
  4. slight humming noise ( a noise suppresser fix it1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced8
  2. Novice1
  3. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Excellent Sound Quality6
  2. Compact5
  3. Good Selection Of Effects5
  4. Versatile5
  5. Responsive4

Reviewed by 35 customers

  • It was a go to for me but no longer

    2

    submitted2 months ago

    byJoseph

    fromMontclair, Ca

    I used it on stage for years. I really liked the tone but after a while it began to fail. It started to sound like a short circuit and it did it on stage. It was one of my main pedals so I bought a second one and it failed too after a while. It would play fine for a month or so then freak out at the most inopportune times. So now I have over $300 tied up in two pedals that I don't trust. I am a Boss fan in that everything else on my board is Boss.

  • This will make a powerful tool on my pedal board.

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byBob

    fromMcveytown pa

    I have a fender pro 2 tellcaster and it does ok with it, but I have a Godin arch top and it brings that guitar to life.

  • Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

    1

    submitted4 years ago

    byowen g

    fromjx beach, fl

    I had a friend reccomend this unit, but for me but short and to the point... if you play acoustic you won't be happy hearing this, if you play it with an electric you won't be happy, if you are listening to someone play it you will be happy when he turns it off

  • Very Happy with the AC-3

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byGary, N

    fromPam Springs, CA

    I received my Ac-3 today (delivered on time) and I am very happy with it. The AC-3 met and exceeded my expectations ! This is also the very first pedal I have used/purchased. I have it dialed in to my taste and may even want to "tweak" it more as I get accustomed to using it. I am using it with my Yamaha SLG200S CRB "silent guitar" and my Fishman Loudbox Mini amp. I have the AC-3 on a 3ft. cord near the amp and I have no issues with excessive "hiss" or distortion thanks to some minor adjustments.

  • Should last

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byM

    fromFl

    Sounds good but Haven't Demoed any other acoustic pedals yet to Compare it

  • If only it didn't hiss.

    3

    submitted6 years ago

    byJoe

    fromLos Angeles

    This product sounds incredibly similar to an acoustic guitar. I used it with a Guild Starfire II. However you get the body knob past 10 o'clock and you get a pretty substantial static sound. This makes it difficult to use. I had high hopes but unfortunately had to return it.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 months ago

    asked byCole

    fromMechanicsville, VA

    Will this pedal work with an electric guitar amp, specifically Marshall??

    Will this pedal work with an electric guitar amp, specifically Marshall??

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, it will.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byJosh

    fromAlexandria Va

    Is this pedal powered by a 9V AC power supply or a 9V DC power supply?

    Is this pedal powered by a 9V AC power supply or a 9V DC power supply?

    Open Reply - Gear-Advisor
    Most power supplies are DC. I will have a product specialist contact you with options.