Fender is a well-known brand when it comes to guitar equipment. It is the top choice for many guitarists who perform professionally or start as beginners. This mainly comes from years of manufacturing great quality guitars and amps that users have always raved about.
The Fender Acoustasonic SFX II is one such device under this brand name that guitarists look forward to adding to their collection. This is an acoustic guitar amplifier that enables you to use an acoustic guitar and a dynamic microphone at the same time. It has two channels so that you can use any combination according to your preference.
It combines Stereo Field Expansion and size-firing speaker technology in one amazing product. This amp can take your performance to the top level. However, the amp might encounter minor issues that can hamper your performance. Let’s take a look at some plausible solutions:
Fender Acoustasonic SFX II Problems
- Cutting For Short Intervals
An issue commonly occurring with this amp is that after prolonged usage, it may go silent for a few seconds and then work for a minute, only to go out again. This is called cutting, and it can become extremely annoying if this happens during a professional performance.
The first thing that you need to do is to rule all other things that could be causing this issue except the amp itself. Make sure there is no problem with the pickup (test this using a different amp), and check to ascertain that the phase buttons are turned on, and the feedback knob is set off.
If the problem persists after you have performed all the above-mentioned checks, the issue could be with the amp itself. Try to recall if the amp had been left on and idling for a long time before the problem started. The device must’ve overheated, and that could have caused the outer covering of the electrolytic capacitors to melt, shrink and bend.
In this case, the capacitors will have to be changed. This is a technical task that should be done by someone who is an expert in guitar repairs. Another reason could also be overheating cables. Check all the wires and cables around your guitar and amps system.
If any of them show signs of wear and tear, then get them replaced. This might also solve your amp’s sound-cutting issue.
- Control Placement
This is another common issue that most guitarists feel when they start using the Fender Acoustasonic SFX II. It is merely a design issue that can become difficult to handle for some users. All the keys on this amp are cramped at the front of the device.
This can become quite irritating when you try to press a certain control, but another one gets pressed by mistake. The only thing you can do in this situation is to be extra careful while turning a knob or pressing a key. It is more suitable for people with thin and nimble fingers.
- Heavy Weight
The Fender amps are usually quite heavy, making it difficult for guitarists to move the equipment from one place to another. This has been quite an important deciding factor for most guitarists when they are thinking about making the purchase.
If you have already bought a Fender Acoustasonic SFX II and find it a nuisance to carry it around like a bunch of heavy bowling balls at one time, then there’s a solution for you. You can buy a foldable luggage cart. They are lightweight and compact.
You can simply use it to carry your amp from your car to the actual venue and back. With this one issue out of the way, the actual amp is an excellent device that a seasoned guitarist must-have.
- Power Supply Failure
Another issue that can occur is a power supply failure. This usually happens if your amp experience a sudden voltage surge or an electricity cut-off. In these two situations, the power supply can give up. The system comes with a sturdy power system and does not get fried randomly for any reason.
In this case, the only solution is to get the power supply replaced with a new one. This will resolve all the issues related to the amp’s power supply.
- Distortion
Distortion is not, by default, the amp’s fault. This is a common issue that you will encounter on most amps. At times the placement of the device itself, the volume intensity, and the overlapping of cables can also produce this issue. There are ways through which you can avoid distortion on your Fender Acoustasonic SFX II.
You will have to put the master volume at exceptionally high levels and relax on the gain a bit for each channel. This will reduce distortion when you use effects on your amp.
- Humming Sound
Sometimes the amp might stop giving any output, and it will only let out a faint humming sound. This could be due to many reasons, so you must perform some checks. Firstly you need to check the batteries on your amp. If you have changed them recently and feel they are not the issue, check the fuse and the output speaker.
If the problem is not with any of those things, it could be a blown-out power supply. In that case, you will have to replace the power supply with a new one. However, this is a tricky situation, so if you feel like you cannot handle it, call the customer support department at Fender to help you out.
If your device is still under warranty, they will perform all the checks and repairs free of cost according to their terms and conditions.
The Bottomline
Fender amps are the best option available in the market. It is a coveted device that is the dream of every true guitarist. Most guitarists look forward to saving up enough to buy one eventually. It can get a little overwhelming when your favorite guitar amp encounters a problem.
The solutions listed above will surely help you out with the most common issues that can occur.