Acoustic Control Corporation
An American musical-instrument amplification manufacturer remembered for high-power bass and guitar amplifiers, especially the Acoustic 360/361 system.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Acoustic Control Corporation was an American manufacturer of musical-instrument amplifiers and related equipment, generally marketed under the shorter Acoustic name. Founded by Steve Marks with help from his father, the company began in the Los Angeles area and was later based in Van Nuys, California. Its early premises were reportedly a small structure on Sunset Boulevard, reflecting the modest beginnings of a company that would become associated with the development of powerful solid-state amplification for electric guitar and electric bass. Most Acoustic amplifiers were solid-state designs, although the company introduced a limited number of valve-based models later in its production history. Its product range included guitar amplifier heads, combo amplifiers, bass amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and integrated amplification systems. The company's best-known achievement was the Acoustic 360/361 bass stack. The 360 served as the bass preamplifier, while the 361 W-bin cabinet incorporated a 200-watt RMS amplifier and a rear-facing 18-inch Cerwin-Vega loudspeaker. The arrangement was intended to produce substantial low-frequency output for large venues and became one of the defining products in the company's historical identity. Acoustic's guitar products also gained visibility through professional users. Robby Krieger of The Doors was an early and particularly prominent user of the Acoustic 260 head and 261 cabinet, helping give the young company exposure among touring and recording musicians. Other guitarists associated with Acoustic equipment included Albert King, Chuck Berry, Frank Marino, Frank Zappa, Pete Townshend, Ernie Isley, and Pat Metheny. Bass users associated with Acoustic systems included Jaco Pastorius, Larry Graham, John Paul Jones, John McVie, John Deacon, Flea, Gary Thain, Carl Radle, and other touring or studio performers. These associations connected the brand with rock, funk, soul, jazz, and progressive music rather than with a single genre. The company also briefly entered the instrument market. From 1972 to 1975, it produced the Black Widow electric guitar and electric bass. These instruments were based on designs used by Paul Barth for Bartell guitars and basses. Most were manufactured in Japan, while Semi Moseley, known for his connection with Mosrite, claimed to have built the final 200 instruments. Larry Coryell had an endorsement relationship with the Black Widow line, and Jimmy Nolen of James Brown's band was also associated with the instruments. Acoustic Control Corporation went out of business during the 1980s. Its technological and personnel legacy continued through later ventures and related names. Former employee and designer Steve Rabe subsequently founded SWR in 1984, followed by Raven Labs in 1998. The Acoustic name later reappeared through True Tone Audio, which produced public-address amplifiers, and through Acoustic Amplification, which returned in 2007 with models including the B20 and AB50. A further branch, Acoustic USA, was founded by George Grexa in 2011 and introduced a redesigned version of the 360/361 bass system, along with speaker cabinets and a power amplifier. These later activities should be distinguished from the original corporation, which is principally remembered as a historical amplifier manufacturer.
History
Acoustic Control Corporation was established by Steve Marks with assistance from his father and operated from the Los Angeles area, eventually being based in Van Nuys, California. The company's original location was described as a small shack on Sunset Boulevard. It developed a product identity around musical-instrument amplification, initially concentrating largely on solid-state designs for electric guitar and electric bass. A small number of valve amplifiers appeared later in the production history. The first Acoustic models included the 260 amplifier head and 261 cabinet. Robby Krieger of The Doors became a prominent early user, providing important visibility for the young company. Albert King and Chuck Berry were also associated with the 260/261 combination. Acoustic subsequently expanded its guitar-amplifier range with models such as the 270 and 134. The 270 was used by musicians including Frank Marino and Frank Zappa, while Pete Townshend and Ernie Isley were also associated with Acoustic equipment. Pat Metheny used an Acoustic 134 combo amplifier. Acoustic became especially well known for bass amplification. Its central historical product was the 360/361 system: the 360 bass preamplifier was paired with one or two 361 W-bin cabinets. Each 361 incorporated a 200-watt RMS power amplifier and a rear-facing 18-inch Cerwin-Vega loudspeaker. The system's high output and distinctive cabinet arrangement made it suitable for large live performances. Jaco Pastorius was a famous user who performed with two 360/361 units. Other bassists associated with Acoustic included Gary Thain, Larry Graham, Jimmie Randall, John Paul Jones, Carl Radle, Kelly Groucutt, Ric Grech, John McVie, Tony Stevens, Peter Overend Watts, Danny Sheridan, Rod Ellicott, Flea, John Deacon, and Kirk Powers. Members of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and musicians from Focus were also linked with Acoustic amplifiers. Between 1972 and 1975, the company produced the Black Widow electric guitar and electric bass. The instruments drew on designs used by Paul Barth for Bartell instruments. Most were built in Japan, although Semi Moseley claimed responsibility for the last 200 guitars. Larry Coryell had an endorsement arrangement connected with the Black Widow, and Jimmy Nolen was another notable user. Acoustic Control Corporation went out of business in the 1980s. Its influence continued through people and successor or revival ventures associated with the name. Steve Rabe, a former employee and designer, founded SWR in 1984 and Raven Labs in 1998. The Acoustic name later appeared under True Tone Audio for public-address amplifiers. Acoustic Amplification relaunched in 2007 with the B20 and AB50. In 2011, Acoustic USA, founded by George Grexa and manufactured by The G.P.G. Co, introduced a redesigned 360/361 system, additional speaker cabinets, and a power amplifier. These later activities represent revivals or related branches rather than an uninterrupted continuation of the original corporation.
- 2011
Acoustic USA launched a redesigned 360/361
[1]Acoustic USA introduced a new version of the 360/361 bass system as well as speaker cabinets and a power amplifier.
- 2007
Acoustic Amplification revival
[1]The Acoustic name returned through Acoustic Amplification, which introduced models including the B20 and AB50.
- 1998
Steve Rabe established Raven Labs
[1]Steve Rabe later founded Raven Labs, extending the career and design legacy associated with his work at Acoustic.
- 1984
Steve Rabe founded SWR
[1]Former Acoustic employee and designer Steve Rabe established SWR, a specialist bass-amplifier manufacturer.
- 1980
Original company ceased operations
[1]Acoustic Control Corporation went out of business during the 1980s; the available reference does not specify a more precise year.
- 1975
Black Widow production ended
[1]Production of the Acoustic Black Widow electric guitar and bass range ended after its 1972–1975 run.
- 1972
Black Widow instruments entered production
[1]Acoustic began producing the Black Widow electric guitar and electric bass line, which remained in production through 1975.
Acoustic Control Corporation founded
[1]Steve Marks founded the company with help from his father. The business began in the Los Angeles area and later operated from Van Nuys, California.
Acoustic 260 and 261 introduced
[1]The 260 head and 261 cabinet were among the first models produced by the company and gained visibility through professional users including Robby Krieger.
Products and positioning
A historical professional amplification brand focused on high-output electric-bass and electric-guitar equipment for touring, stage, and studio musicians.
Electric-bass amplification system
Acoustic 360/361
The 360/361 was Acoustic's signature bass stack. The 360 functioned as the bass preamplifier, while the 361 W-bin cabinet included a 200-watt RMS power amplifier and a rear-facing 18-inch Cerwin-Vega loudspeaker. The system was designed for high-output live performance and became strongly associated with professional bassists, including Jaco Pastorius.
Electric-guitar amplifier system
Acoustic 260/261
The 260 head and 261 cabinet were among the first amplifier models produced by Acoustic. Their visibility was increased by professional users such as Robby Krieger of The Doors, Albert King, and Chuck Berry. The pair represents the company's early guitar-amplification platform.
Electric-guitar amplifier
Acoustic 270
The 270 was a guitar amplifier model associated with performers including Frank Marino and Frank Zappa. It formed part of Acoustic's broader range of solid-state guitar amplification and helped extend the brand beyond its best-known bass products.
Combo guitar amplifier
Acoustic 134
The 134 was a combo guitar amplifier used by Pat Metheny. It illustrates Acoustic's production of integrated amplifier-and-speaker formats in addition to separate amplifier heads and cabinets.
Electric guitar and electric bass · 1972
Black Widow
The Black Widow was Acoustic's short-lived instrument range, produced from 1972 to 1975. The guitars and basses were based on designs used by Paul Barth for Bartell instruments. Most were made in Japan, while Semi Moseley claimed to have built the final 200 guitars.
Amplifier · 2007
Acoustic B20
The B20 was one of the models introduced when the Acoustic name returned through Acoustic Amplification in 2007. The available reference identifies the model as part of the revival range but does not provide detailed specifications.
Amplifier · 2007
Acoustic AB50
The AB50 was introduced alongside the B20 during the 2007 Acoustic Amplification revival. Available reference material confirms its inclusion in the relaunch but does not establish additional technical details.
Brand decisions
2011
Acoustic USA redesigned the 360/361 bass systemGeneration changeBackground
The historic 360/361 system was one of Acoustic's most recognizable products and had strong associations with professional bass amplification.
Action taken
Acoustic USA introduced a redesigned 360/361 system together with speaker cabinets and a power amplifier.
Aftermath
The redesign extended the product legacy of the original system into a later revival branch. The source does not provide sales or broader market results.
2007
Acoustic name revived through Acoustic AmplificationStrategyBackground
Following the original corporation's demise in the 1980s, the Acoustic name was reintroduced through a later business using the Acoustic Amplification name.
Action taken
Acoustic Amplification launched products including the B20 and AB50.
Aftermath
The revival demonstrated continued commercial interest in the historic Acoustic identity, but the available reference does not establish whether it represented a legal continuation of the original corporation.
1972
Acoustic entered the electric-instrument market with Black WidowProduct launchBackground
Acoustic was principally known as an amplifier manufacturer but expanded into electric guitars and basses during the 1970s.
Action taken
The company produced the Black Widow electric guitar and electric bass from 1972 through 1975, using designs associated with Paul Barth's Bartell instruments.
Aftermath
The instrument line was discontinued after a relatively short production period and is now part of the brand's historical product record.
Recent events
- 2011
Acoustic USA introduced a redesigned 360/361 system[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Acoustic USA, founded by George Grexa and manufactured by The G.P.G. Co, launched a redesigned version of the historic 360/361 bass amplifier system along with cabinets and a power amplifier.
- 2007
Acoustic Amplification relaunched the brand[1]
Product launch
Acoustic returned under the Acoustic Amplification name with products including the B20 and AB50 amplifiers.
- 1980
Acoustic Control Corporation went out of business[1]
Bankruptcy
The original Acoustic Control Corporation ceased operating during the 1980s after its period as a musical-instrument amplifier manufacturer.
Acoustic name returned through True Tone Audio[1]
Other
After the original company ended operations, the Acoustic name returned under True Tone Audio, which manufactured public-address amplifiers.
Sources1 sources
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