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About this product
Product Information
The compact Boss AC-3 is a guitar effect pedal that allows you to strum authentic acoustic tunes on your favorite electric guitar. Using the latest COSM technology, the Boss Acoustic Simulator can reproduce the sound of a variety of quality acoustic guitars. This guitar effect pedal includes simulations of standard (regular acoustic), jumbo (large bodied acoustic), enhanced (responsive acoustic), and Piezo (acoustic with piezo pickup) guitars. The Boss Acoustic Simulator includes controls for harmony (top knob) and resonance (body knob). The Boss AC-3 includes built-in digital delay fashioned for acoustic sound. Powered by the PSA series adapters, this guitar effects pedal provides every guitarist with great performance flexibility.Product Identifiers
BrandBoss
MPNAC-3
UPC0761294401392
ModelAC-3
eBay Product ID (ePID)78705792
Dimensions
Weight1lbs.
Depth4.93in
Height2.18in
Additional Product Features
Nominal Output-20 Dbu
Power SupplyBattery, AC Adapter
Output Impedance1 K ohms
Nominal Input-20 Dbu
TypeSimulator
Input Impedance1m ohms
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 23 May, 2019Most favourable review
Cool sound, takes a little time to dial it in - save the receipt!
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.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 17 Oct, 2018Most critical review
A mediocre pedal - not for everybody
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: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 06 Sep, 2017
Like fake bacon
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: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 25 Jun, 2020
THE MISSING LINK IN MY GUITAR RIG.
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,Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 18 May, 2017
Works in a pimch
I purchased this pedal while playing in a show that required me to switch between electrics and an acoustic several times. Not wanting to bring a third guitar to the show every night, this pedal was adequate enough for my purpose. As others have said, it has a buzz when the highs are turned up for a more realistic sound, making it hard to find the perfect mix. With a lot of experimenting, though, I was able to find an adequate sound. This pedal is not a perfect solution to the problem, but it will serve as a temporary aid.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 16 Jun, 2017
It's fun and convinient
This pedal will make you smile once you first start playing it since it sounds so much like an acoustic guitar. It does have a bit of a high end hiss due to digital artifacts but you can dial that out somewhat with EQ on your PA or amp. It's not perfect but it's good enough where you can have fun with it. I like having this pedal.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 26 Jan, 2016
Expectations?
Look, if you REALLY have to have a Martin D-45 sound, guess what… Of course this pedal will never do that. BUT, if you need something that sounds somewhat acoustic-like in a band mix and don't want to carry an extra (not to mention fragile) instrument, then this will work just fine. Not authentic, not great, not amazingly life-like, just FINE. With realistic expectations this pedal is as good as any for what it intends to do. I use this in an A/B/Y rig. Tha A side goes to my regular pedalboard and amps. The B side goes to this pedal and a volume pedal direct to FOH via a direct box. I get the "acoustic" sound fed back to me through my monitor (or ears if that applies occasionally). I can have straight electric, straight "acoustic", or use the Y option to blend the two to my liking. Works for me, YMMV. I play "for-hire" mostly and my clients love the versatility of my setup. Also, DO NOT run this pedal through a tube amp if you want the best results. It will definitely work best either run straight to FOH or through a clean solid-state amp. Hope this helps some of you who may be on the fence.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 14 Mar, 2018
Not true acoustic sound
No matter what, you just can't get that true acoustic sound from a pedal. Without the ambient sound from the guitar body, something is missing. That being said, it has a very unique and enjoyable soundVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 30 Dec, 2016
Doesn't Replace and Acoustic BUT is a Great Simulations
I demo'd this unit using my Taylor T5z. As a baseline I listened in acoustic the guitars setting. I turned on the AC-3 and tried the guitars electric settings. I was surprised that with generic twelve o'clock settings the simulation was good. After fine tuning the settings I was able to find a simulation that was very good. The reverb adjustment in the AC-3 is a must to get a good acoustic sound. You will never duplicate your Taylor or Martin's pure acoustic sound from an electric but the AC-3 does a great job simulating one. Another great Boss pedal !!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 16 Jul, 2016
Very good simulation
With some adjustments, this unit can reasonably transform your electric guitar into an acoustic. Just keep your expectations realistic. This is perfect for a song in which you change from an electric to an acoustic part without any hassle. I think it seems to work like an Aphex Exciter. It creates harmonics that aren't in the original signal. As a result, it can be a little noisy at times. Best to put a Noise Gate before this pedal. Overall very good!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
