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A bandmate of mine had an early version of the Boss Acoustic Simulator back in around 2004, which according to Wikipedia was before the "COSM" modeling was introduced. He used it as an effect more than as a way to try to make his Tele sound like and acoustic guitar. I always loved the sound and thought it gave the Tele a unique sparkle that was very different from the traditional compressed bridge pickup tele twang. I finally gave it a try, and the reason it gets four stars is that you really do have to spend some time with this to make it work. I'd put it more in the category with a guitar synth or the EHX 9 Series the way that I use it - nobody's going to wonder where I've hidden my Hummingbird, and after trying every guitar I own (electric and acoustic) the only guitar that really does it for me is . . . my Tele! And by the way, I can get it to do the hiss things that some reviewers complain about, but that happens more with the wrong pickups and also involves pushing the "TOP" control past about two o'clock - that gives a lot more of the picking pluck sound of an acoustic, but that can get harsh pretty quickly depending on how its EQed. This is probably one of those "save the receipt" pedals, and with ebay and Reverb and Craigslist its never been a better time to finally buy something you've wanted to try, try it, and then dump it and write an angry rant after it's all over.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I pulled the trigger on this Boss AC-3 Pedal mainly because of the price. I will never buy this pedal at full price. After testing the pedal for a day with various electric guitars, I find its function not very convincing. Maybe it's just me but the acoustic guitar sound simulation that I was hoping to hear was not there.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
No one would think fake bacon is real. But it's pretty good in a salad or sandwich. The Boss AC-3 pedal works nicely by itself. But it sounds better in the mix with a larger ensemble. I got it to sound similar to a slightly electrified acoustic on my Ric 360/12 (single-coil neck pickup and a hidden piezo inside). It's giving me the juiciness I was missing when I switched from acoustic to electric. You would probably need some EQ fix for the high-pitched whine. I just turn down the treble on my amp and it seems to be fine. Not a perfect acoustic simulation, but it gets you most of the way there.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This little pedal is well thought out and works nicely. It offers two major improvements to my situation. I am a hobbyist/semi-pro...more “semi” than “pro” these days at 70 years old. My hands are starting to go...and that brings me to the first good thing about the AC-3. My Martin HD28 acoustic still sounds way better of course...always will, but the AC-3 gives a reasonable approximation with my Stratocaster GC-1 using the NECK POSITION SINGLE COIL pickup through a Bose PA...but with way lighter strings and easier action. Of course the play feel is very different but I can live with it. Secondly, my rig is built around a Voicelive 3X for my vocals and most guitar effects (other than acoustic) working in conjunction with a venerable old GR-30 guitar synth, all run by bluetooth MIDI from Onsong on my music stand iPad. Sometimes I like to blend synth and acoustic sounds...for instance putting some soft strings behind fingerpicked acoustic guitar. It having no synth driver, I cannot do that with the Martin, but it works great with the Strat , and I have the option of stomping on the GC-3 to instantly switch to any other lead sound from either of the other two units...maybe a dreamy sax or jazz guitar. The GK-3 is definately the missing link that sets me free,Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Is it an acoustic, no. If you need that pure an acoustic sound, use one! It does however sound very close to an acoustic that is plugged in, catching much of that bigger reverberating sound, but not as much of the wood tone, and chamber effect of an unplugged acoustic and nothing will. If you are in a band that has songs with acoustic intros, interludes, etc., among predominantly electric work, this works great. You get a much nicer sound than a clean electric alone, as note more a plugged in acoustic. It is great for this. Alex Lifeson uses a piezo bridge to do this live, and this does that same thing and I think sounds better as you have multiple guitar type settings, and can dial in your exact tone. Opeth is another such band that has lots of acoustic pieces in between heavy guitars and they use guitar models in Roland G-8 and G-10 units to get this same thing. It is simply great for this with a nice sound for this context. if you are a purist snob for an acoustic use an acoustic. If you play your electric clean live in lieu of pulling out an acoustic you'll be much happier adding this inexpensive effect. It sounds much better.Read full review
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