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History

HISTORY

Jaco Pastorius Acoustic Bass

The History of Acoustic Control Corporation

The history of Acoustic began in a shack on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, when Steve Marks and his father created the Acoustic Control Corporation in the late 1960s.

Best known for its powerful Acoustic 361 bass stack, Acoustic became the go-to bass amp in the ’70s and ’80s as larger venues demanded amps with more power and stadium-filling tone.

Jaco Pastorius Acoustic Bass
Doors Acoustic Amps and John Paul Jones with Acoustic amps

During this time, players such as Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone), Robbie Krieger (The Doors), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), John McVie (Fleetwood Mac), and Jaco Pastorius were avid users of Acoustic amplifiers, which helped them to develop their trademark sounds.

Today, Acoustic continues to develop that simple-to-operate, simple-to-maintain philosophy that allows musicians to dial up great tone in an instant.

Doors Acoustic Amps and John Paul Jones with Acoustic amps

It’s a way of thinking that is part of every amp we make — which now includes amplifiers for acoustic instruments, compact combos, powerful heads, and our revolutionary, light-weight NEO bass amp enclosures.

If you’re new to Acoustic amps, we encourage you to get in tune with its rich 50+ year heritage and join the long line of Acoustic users and endorsers who would never consider playing through anything else.

vintage ad showing 3 amplifiers on a beach
vintage ad showing two amplifiers in a field
vintage ad showing two amplifier stacks in a forest setting
vintage ad showing two amplifier stacks in a hayfield