Pricing and availability

Average Price: $750

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

When it comes to versatile and reliable amplification for your acoustic guitar, the AER Compact 60 III stands out as a premier choice for musicians of all levels. Known for its incredible clarity and pure sound reproduction, this combo amplifier is designed to enhance your natural acoustic tone without compromise. Ideal for both intimate gigs and larger venues, the Compact 60 III features a robust 60-watt power output, ensuring your sound is projected with precision and depth.

The Compact 60 III is user-friendly, offering a range of innovative features that cater to both performers and sound engineers alike. It includes two distinct input channels, allowing you to connect a guitar and a microphone simultaneously, perfect for singer-songwriters. Each channel is equipped with independent EQ controls, giving you the flexibility to shape your sound to suit any environment. The amplifier also boasts a suite of built-in effects, including reverb, delay, and chorus, enabling you to add subtle or dramatic enhancements to your performance.

Designed with portability in mind, the AER Compact 60 III is lightweight yet robust, making it an excellent companion for musicians on the go. Its reliability and performance have made it a favorite among touring artists and studio professionals worldwide.

Key Features:

  • 60-watt power output for clear, powerful sound
  • Two independent input channels with individual EQ controls
  • Built-in digital effects: reverb, delay, and chorus
  • Compact and portable design
  • Suitable for both acoustic guitar and vocal amplification
  • Renowned for its durability and consistent performance in various settings

Product specs

Brand AER
Model Compact 60/3 1x8" 60-Watt Acoustic Combo
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Acoustic Guitar Amps, Guitar Combo Amps
Color Family Black
Electronics Solid State
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 60
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x8"

FAQs

Is the AER Compact 60 III suitable for both acoustic and electric guitars?

Yes, the AER Compact 60 III is designed primarily for acoustic guitars but can also handle electric guitars, providing clear and natural sound for both.

Does the AER Compact 60 III have phantom power for microphones?

Yes, the AER Compact 60 III includes 48V phantom power, making it compatible with condenser microphones.

How portable is the AER Compact 60 III amplifier?

The AER Compact 60 III is highly portable, weighing approximately 7 kg, making it easy to transport for gigs and rehearsals.

What is the speaker configuration of the AER Compact 60 III?

The AER Compact 60 III features a 1x8" speaker configuration, delivering a powerful and clear acoustic sound.

Does the AER Compact 60 III have built-in reverb?

No, the AER Compact 60 III does not have built-in reverb, but it offers high-quality sound amplification suitable for various performance settings.

How many channels does the AER Compact 60 III have?

The AER Compact 60 III features two channels, allowing you to connect and control two instruments or microphones simultaneously.

Guitar Galleries

Guitar Galleries

AER Compact 60 3 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

Video thumbnail for AER Compact 60 3 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier by Guitar Galleries

AER Compact 60 3 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier

Guitar Galleries

Guitar Galleries

Video thumbnail for AER Compact 60 3 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier/PA System by Guitar Galleries

AER Compact 60 3 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier/PA System

Guitar Galleries

Guitar Galleries

Video thumbnail for Kurzreview: Fishman Rare Earth Blend, Rozawood RB11, AER Compact 60/3 by Roland Kalus - Acoustic Fingerstyle

Kurzreview: Fishman Rare Earth Blend, Rozawood RB11, AER Compact 60/3

Roland Kalus - Acoustic Fingerstyle

Roland Kalus - Acoustic Fingerstyle

Video thumbnail for Комбоусилитель AER Compact 60-3 by Мир Музыки

Комбоусилитель AER Compact 60-3

Мир Музыки

Мир Музыки

Reviews

PROS

  • Produces warm, balanced, natural sound, elevating guitar tones

  • Maintains the guitar's true sound at higher volumes

  • Lightweight, easing the strain of transportation for gigging musicians

  • Versatile EQ range, requiring minimal adjustments for different guitars

  • Effectively suppresses feedback, even at high volumes close to the speaker

  • Direct Out retains sound quality through larger PA systems

  • Compatible with a variety of guitars, including electric

  • Built-in effects (reverbs and delays) enhance playability

CONS

  • Lacks an external speaker jack, limiting expansion options

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about AER Compact 60 III.

Comparisons

  • The AER Compact 60 III is preferred by some for its direct-to-board capabilities, inspired by Tommy Emmanuel's live sound.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer battery-powered options like the Fishman Loudbox for street performances, citing cost-effectiveness despite the AER's superior sound quality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Compact 60 III lacks the pre/post DI-out switch and onboard effects like reverb, delay, and chorus found in the Compact 60/4.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The AER Compact 60/3 is approximately $500 less than the Compact 60/4, offering a cost-effective alternative with fewer features.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • AER Compact 60 III is considered an industry standard for busking due to its exceptional sound quality, making the power source trade-off worthwhile for many users.

    Source

User experience

  • Users are consistently impressed with the sound quality of the Compact 60, especially for its size and weight, making it ideal for portable applications like busking.

    Source

Critic Reviews

AER Compact 60/3 TE Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The AER Compact 60 III is a remarkable acoustic amplifier that punches above its weight class. It's lauded for its clear, warm, and organic sound, making it a hit with acoustic guitarists, especially fingerstyle players. The amp's lightweight, durable build and intuitive controls add to its appeal. While its effects suite is somewhat limited, the quality of the presets—ranging from reverb to chorus—is impressive. The amp's ability to maintain the guitar's natural tone is a standout feature, although its price tag might be steep for some. Overall, it's a premium choice for serious acoustic performers.

positive

AER Compact 60 3 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The AER Compact 60 III is a highly portable acoustic guitar amp that impresses with its crystalline sound quality and robust build. Ideal for solo musicians, it offers a clean amplification of acoustic instruments and vocals with a simple yet effective digital effects suite. While it excels in delivering a transparent sound, it might not enhance poor-quality pickups. The amp's lightweight design and efficient power output make it suitable for small venues, though its premium price reflects its professional-grade features. Overall, it's a solid choice for musicians seeking quality and portability.

positive

Review: The AER Compact 60/3 is a Small but Powerful Version of the Perennially Popular Acoustic Amp | Acoustic Guitar

acousticguitar.com

The AER Compact 60/3 maintains its reputation as a reliable, transparent acoustic amp. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, its accurate sound reproduction and subtle improvements—like a more effective midrange control and richer reverb—make it a solid choice for purists. Some players might miss the combination of chorus and reverb or wish for effects through the DI output. Despite minor drawbacks, its portability, clear sound, and smart utility keep it in high regard. It's not the cheapest or most feature-packed option, but its natural voice and compact design are hard to beat.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kkolar
kkolar

120646

Top-notch!

While I don't technically own this amp, I use it with my orchestra. Although it's intended to be used for acoustic guitar only, I have tried it with electric as well, and my-my, does it work! Reverbs and delays are more than enjoyable to use, especially if you have some kind of external pedal already on. Wonderful little amp, with a potential to be used as something much more than just an acoustic amp.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gustavo Cerati uses AER Compact 60 III

Gustavo Cerati

Singer, Guitarist

Soda Stereo

...
Verified via Fbcdn

As can be seen in the touring rig of 2009 source, Gustavo Cerati used the AER Compact 60 III acoustic amp.

See how Tommy Emmanuel uses AER Compact 60 III

Tommy Emmanuel

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

At around 15:00 in this video, Tommy talks about the Compact 60.

See how John Etheridge uses AER Compact 60 III

John Etheridge

Guitarist

The Secret Police

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"I also use a Yamaha SA2000 semi-hollowbody or a Martyn Booth solidbody on some songs. My amplifier is a two-channel AER Compact 60, which has built-in reverb and chorus."

See how Becca Stevens uses AER Compact 60 III

Becca Stevens

Singer, Guitarist

The Lighthouse Band

...
Verified via YouTube

Used live for guitar with the Becca Stevens Band, as is listed in this 2015 web rider for the band. One can be seen behind Stevens in this January 29, 2015 performance at the Cotton Club in Japan starting at 0:05.

See how Miguel Talavera uses AER Compact 60 III

Miguel Talavera

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via reverb.com

Miguel Talavera uses the AER Compact 60 III amplifier with his acoustic and resonator guitars, as noted on Reverb.

See how Stephen Magnusson uses AER Compact 60 III

Stephen Magnusson

Guitarist

MAGNET

...
Verified via Stephen Magnusson

Stephen Magnusson uses the AER Compact 60 III amplifier for teaching, as noted on his teaching page.

See how Stéphane Wrembel uses AER Compact 60 III

Stéphane Wrembel

Guitarist

...
Verified via guitarworld

When it comes to his guitars and gear, Wrembel has one adage: Keep it simple. For years, he’s played two Bob Holo-designed acoustics, each outfitted with a Stimer magnetic pickup from the 1940s (“They’re the same pickups Django used; they have so much character”) and an Ischell acoustic pickup, that he runs into a combination of an AER Compact 60 amp and a small Fender amp (“I don’t know which one it is; I got it for $100”).

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use AER Compact 60 III, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Fulltone Full-Drive2 Mosfet
Fulltone Full-Drive2 Mosfet Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Boss RC-30 Loop Station
Boss RC-30 Loop Station Looper Effects Pedals
1
Line 6 POD XT Live
Line 6 POD XT Live Multi Effects Pedals
1
ZVEX Vexter Box of Rock
ZVEX Vexter Box of Rock Distortion Effects Pedals
1
Maton EBG808
Maton EBG808 Acoustic-Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

Show yours
pitchy

pitchy

Gear IQ 387

1 alternative for AER Compact 60 III, curated by the Equipboard community.

More AER Combo Guitar Amplifiers

Accessories & Related Items

Gear Guides