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Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator

^# 21

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$38.78 Price Tier: Standard

3.5 (15)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

$124.44 - $164.99

4.0 (74)

Find out who is using Boss AC-2

2 community setups

3 wishlisted

36 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

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5.0 (31)

$38.78 58 available Used

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Average Price: $58

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Equalizer Effects Pedals category, Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

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Description

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Step into the world of acoustic tones without ever having to switch guitars with the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator. Designed for the guitarist who craves versatility, this pedal transforms your electric guitar's signal into the warm, resonant tones of a jumbo, standard, or piezo-equipped acoustic guitar. Whether you're gigging in a cozy bar or recording in a home studio, the AC-2 brings the essence of acoustic soundscapes to your fingertips, minus the hassle of multiple guitars. Its intuitive design and user-friendly interface guarantee that you'll find the perfect acoustic simulation to complement your musical endeavors, making it an indispensable tool in your sonic arsenal.

Key Features:

Four simulation modes provide a range of acoustic sounds: Jumbo, Standard, Piezo, and Enhanced.
Easy-to-use interface with intuitive controls for Level, Body, and Top, allowing for precise tonal shaping.
Compact and durable design, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of touring and frequent use.
Versatile functionality makes it perfect for live performances, recording sessions, and practice.

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	AC-2 Acoustic Simulator (Silver Label)
Finish	Yellow
Year	1997 - 2006
Made In	Taiwan
Categories	Filter and Wah Pedals

FAQs

What does the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator do?: The Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator is designed to transform the sound of an electric guitar into that of an acoustic-electric guitar, offering a range of acoustic tones.
Can the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator be used with a bass guitar?: While the Boss AC-2 is primarily designed for electric guitars, it can also be used with a bass guitar, though the results may vary and might not fully replicate an acoustic bass sound.
What are the main controls on the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator?: The Boss AC-2 features controls for Top, Body, and Level, allowing you to shape the acoustic tone and adjust the output volume to suit your playing style and setup.
Does the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator require a specific power supply?: The Boss AC-2 can be powered by a 9V battery or a standard Boss PSA-120 AC adapter, offering flexibility for different performance situations.
Is the Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss AC-2 is suitable for live performances, providing electric guitarists with versatile acoustic tones that can be easily adjusted on stage.

Videos

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gearwire

Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator: Stompbox Walkthrough Video

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AC-2 Acoustic Simulator by BOSS (Guitar effect pedal demo)

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Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator

Dave V

Boss Acoustic Simulator Review: Boss AC-2 VS Boss AC-3 Sound Comparison

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Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator - one of Boss’s most misunderstood pedals

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Boss Acoustic Simulator AC2 Guitar Pedal NO TALKING Demo

tellycastin

BOSS AC-2 Acoustic Simulator

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BOSS AC-2 Acoustic Simulator 1997 Vintage Guitar Effects Pedal MIT PSA

Honpo Nori-chan

Reviews

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PROS

Affordable and simple to use
Unique tonal shaping capabilities for guitars and synths
Can produce an interesting crystalline pluck sound
Offers a range of sound from 6 to 12 string acoustic simulations
Enhances the sound of acoustic electric guitars well
Encourages creative and experimental use
Works well for atmospheric or clean tone work

CONS

Can sound tinny and sitar-like without careful adjustment
Does not perfectly simulate an acoustic guitar
Significant volume drop when engaged
May require additional pedals (boost and noise gate) to compensate for volume and noise issues
Limited utility on a gigging board due to pedal footprint increase

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator.

Features and functionality

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The AC-2 includes modes like Standard and Jumbo, which sound similar, with Standard being slightly less muddy.
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The Body control is often set to zero due to muddy lows, while the Top control is maxed for acoustic tone, especially with humbuckers.
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The pedal's design process involved ear-tuning the circuit to mimic brands like Gibson, Martin, and Ovation, rather than using mathematical models.
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Use cases and applications

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Works well for live settings with quick transitions, such as from acoustic-like tones to heavy distortion in songs like "My Name is Jonas."
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Ideal setup involves routing directly to a PA with a DI box and possibly adding reverb for a more authentic acoustic feel.
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The pedal is particularly effective in a band setting when used with multiple guitarists to add acoustic flavor.
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It's suggested that the AD-2 works better with piezo pickups, while the AC-3 is more suited for electrics trying to mimic acoustics.
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User experience

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Users report the pedal is quiet, necessitating the Level knob to be set full or high.
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Some players find the pedal lacks effectiveness in a band mix, though it can be passable in solo bedroom play.
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Owners reported the AC-3 can cause feedback and an overly boomy sound when plugged into an acoustic, especially at living room volumes.
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Comparisons

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The AC-2 is often preferred over the AC-3 for its sound, despite the latter having COSM technology and reverb.
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Users report that the pedal performs better when used direct to a PA or through an acoustic amp, rather than an electric guitar amp.
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The AC-3 model is noted as part of the Katana's acoustic setting, useful for transitioning from distorted electric to clean acoustic in live gigs.
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The AD-2 is mentioned as having a mini reverb and a notch filter, enhancing the sound of plugged-in acoustics, unlike the AC-3.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some users pair it with octave and delay pedals to create unique sounds beyond simulating an acoustic guitar.
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For those seeking more EQ control, a Tech 21 Paradriver or Behringer equivalent is recommended as an alternative to the AC-3 or AD-2.
Source

Critic Reviews

AC-2 Acoustic Simulator Review | Boss | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator receives mixed reactions. While praised for its versatility in transforming electric guitar tones with four distinct modes and dual outputs, it's not universally acclaimed, with a user score of 6.4. Enthusiasts laud its ability to cover genres from blues to hard rock, making it a valuable tool for some. However, the lukewarm user reception suggests that it might not meet everyone's expectations. At $69, it provides a cost-effective option for those seeking acoustic simulation, but potential buyers should temper expectations regarding its authenticity and effectiveness.

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Full Review

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

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sonicbeat89

892

about 7 years ago

Love The Pedal for What It Is, Not What People Want It to Be, But The AC-3 Is Better.

Loved the tone of this pedal. Many people complain about how it fails to sound like an actual acoustic guitar, but I found that the crystalline plucks that come out of it to be a very interesting and useful sound when paired with more atmospheric work. It works best when you think outside the box in how to use it.

My only complaints about this specific model are that, 1: there is a substantial volume drop when the pedal is engaged, so I found myself having to run a boost pedal in order to compensate. Unfortunately, this leads to problem 2: boosting the signal also makes the pedal noisy. Running a Noise Reduction pedal or other such noise gate alleviates this, but now you've increased your pedal footprint by adding two more pedals to your chain. In studio, this is not too big of a problem, but for limited use on a gigging board, that may be too much of a sacrifice if you have no other use for the Boost and Noise Gate.

I have read that the AC-3 version of this pedal has corrected these issues, and added an on-board reverb as well. I am looking to buy the updated version and have thus parted with the older AC-2 model.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

zachary_mitchell_her...

over 8 years ago

Great if you don't own a proper acoustic guitar

I use this a lot for brainstorming sessions when I want to mess around with clean tones. It gives me that great thick acoustic sound, especially when paired with my Gretsch!