Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator Pedal

The AC-3 lets you get convincing acoustic guitar tones from your electric without switching instruments mid-set. Four modeling modes — Standard, Jumbo, Enhanced, and Piezo — cover a range of acoustic body types, and each responds naturally to your picking dynamics and playing style. It won’t fool a recording engineer, but in a live context through a PA, the results are surprisingly usable.

The beauty of the AC-3 is convenience. Running an acoustic and electric rig on stage means two instruments, two signal chains, and a lot of tap-dancing. With this pedal, you can get a serviceable acoustic tone from your electric for that one ballad in your set, then stomp it off and you’re back to your regular tone. The controls are simple — mode, level, top, and body — and it tracks well across the full fretboard. A practical problem-solver for gigging guitarists.