Review: Tech 21 Acoustic Fly Rig

Since being introduced commercially in 1989 by Tech 21 founder B. Andrew Barta, SansAmp has become a brand associated with quality direct boxes like Band-Aid has for adhesive bandages. Tech 21 has won awards from GP for its electric Fly Rigs—all-in-one pedal strips consisting of a SansAmp plus overdrive and effects sections—and now there’s a Fly Rig aimed at the acoustic performer on the go. In addition to an all-analog SansAmp that automatically converts guitar signals to low impedance, ensuring a lively direct tone even from magnetic pickups, the Acoustic Fly Rig ($299 street) features Comp and EFX sections with compression, delay or chorus, reverb, and a tuner loaded in an astonishingly compact package.

I was expecting something the size of, say, a triple BOSS pedal, but the copper colored AFR is actually much smaller, shorter, and lighter. Just longer than a ruler and weighing less than two pounds, the Acoustic Fly Rig is comparable to a typical household power strip, and easily stashable in a backpack, gig bag, or guitar case. The tiny yet firm-feeling controls light up when each section is engaged: blue for effects, red for EQ, yellow for compression, and a purple Volume. Groovy!

I auditioned the Acoustic Fly Rig using a few different guitars through a couple of different amps, and it became clear that the AFR is designed to help deliver your tone—not force a particular color upon you. Using the balanced XLR output delivers a bold signal to a mixer or a powered P.A. speaker, and the unbalanced 1/4” is ideal for feeding the front end of an acoustic amplifier. A Taylor 514ce with its onboard Fishman Prefix preamp controls set