So you've got your guitar, but you want to play to a crowd.
Whether you're playing an acoustic and using a microphone or plugging in directly with an electro acoustic, it's important to get the right amplifier.
Acoustic Amplifiers are specifically designed to emulate the sound of the guitar. They do not emphasise certain frequencies like electric guitar amps but try and retain the acoustic properties of the guitar, making them ideal not only for acoustics but also for vocals and even other acoustic instruments.
It's easy to use a condenser microphone if you don't have a pickup built in to the guitar. Some think a microphone offers a more 'natural' sound.
Much like with other amplifiers, however, it does simply come down to what sort of specification you want. As a general guide, the more you pay the bigger the wattage output of the speaker(s) will be and the quality of the sound will be better.
For home practice and small gigs or 'plug and play' style events, I'd recommend the Rocket 20AA 20 watt Acoustic Amplifier. Easily portable, a 3 band EQ and an AUX input for mp3 players or portable music devices make this a brilliant little amplifier on a budget. Also available in 10, 40 and 60 watt versions.
For the professional looking for a superb sound coupled with lots of versatility and the option to perform almost anywhere, I'd recommend the Roland AC60RW 60 watt Acoustic Amplifier. The award-winning AC-series Acoustic Chorus guitar amplifiers are beloved for their rich, natural tone and lush stereo/multi-band chorus. The attractive woodgrain styling perfectly matches the atmosphere of your living room or studio, as well as the aesthetic of your acoustic guitars. The AC60 is an innovative stereo amp that uses sophisticated signal processing to deliver a crisp sound with lush stereo/multi-band chorus — including Wide mode — plus delay/reverb and impressive Auto Anti-Feedback control - the stereo is achieved with 2 30 watt speakers hidden in the attractive casing. And with its two-channel XLR - 1/4" inputs, it's perfect for using in conjunction with a microphone. Also available in a 30 watt version.