Crate Tube Amp Blowouts!

[MTM105]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...Head?sku=487052

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...-Amp?sku=487054

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...-Amp?sku=487051

Crate is having blowout deals (again). What's the catch?? Cheaper components and workmanship. But you get an ass kicking sound, IMO.

The Amp Head doesn't have positive reviews all around. But I've been tampering with an Epi Valve Jr. so I am beginning to learn the trade.

I think it beats the 1W Killer Ant from BlackHeart/Crate I was entertaining for the same price.

The 33W head plugs only into 8 Ohm.

[bubs_42]

These I believe are the China amps. If you want a good Crate Amp, guitar center has ALOT if left over Palimino (USA) Class A Crates. Great amps. My GC has 2 15 watts for $150. and a 30 watt head for $300 and a 2x12 $? can't remember the price.

[MTM105]

Yes, I know China. I've also read Vietnam.

I don't know what it is like playing through three pre-amps tubes and 4 tubes, with the head model. I would imagine the tone is crunchy muncy. I would be EVH personfied.

I read the distortion channel is poor. But I can read up an mod it.

I just wonder if it's poor Sovtek tubes.

I'm don't think one can go completely wrong. Even with the 5W model for under $90.

[DavidE]

I bought two, the 18 watt 2x12 and the 33 watt 2x12. The 18 watter arrived with a broken logo which was a good thing because MF paid for the return shipping (or I could have gotten $30 back on my credit card). I sent it back yesterday. It wasn't terrible but it had no clean headroom.

Now the 33 watt channel switcher is better. Plenty of headroom in the clean channel with decent, not great, tone. The reverb is strong. Maybe a little too strong. Just keep it low. The gain channel isn't Budda or Bogner, but it's not too bad. It doesn't come with a footswitch (which works the channel switching and a mid boost) and the two channels share one set of tone controls. I bought it to leave at our reharsal space (not that we ever rehearse) but I could gig with it if I had to. Just add some pedals up front and in the loop and you're good to go. $250 shipped... not bad.....

[MTM105]

Now the 33 watt channel switcher is better. Plenty of headroom in the clean channel with decent, not great, tone. The reverb is strong. Maybe a little too strong. Just keep it low. The gain channel isn't Budda or Bogner, but it's not too bad. It doesn't come with a footswitch (which works the channel switching and a mid boost) and the two channels share one set of tone controls. I bought it to leave at our reharsal space (not that we ever rehearse) but I could gig with it if I had to. Just add some pedals up front and in the loop and you're good to go. $250 shipped... not bad.....

you paid too much. click the link. $179.00

my question is what is the quality of the tubes. If its Sovteks, I'll throw them in the garbage. I read the only reason they put them in is for shipping, they can take a beating. Any recommendations, anyone?

I read the gain channel is bad on that site. But 2 or 3 tranny changes might fix the problem. (that is if I knew where to change them).

OK. I was stupid. I bought it. I have a 16 Ohm Cab and a set of 12 inch 4 Ohm Black Widows. How do I configure the 33W with a 8 Ohm feed????

[DavidE]

you paid too much. click the link. $179.00

Nope. THat's the head. I got the 2x12 combo which they're listing again for $450.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...-Amp?sku=487056

[MCChris]

you paid too much. click the link. $179.00

Silly rabbit. DavidE NEVER pays too much!

[bruce919]

2X12 Speaker CAB loaded for $119. Now thats cheap.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...inet?sku=487053

[harry65]

the american made v30 head that preceeded this was incredible, i had one, traded it and wished i hadn't, superb warm cleans and screaming overdrive, i've heard these new far east made ones don't live up to it.............................................

[tomteriffic]

the american made v30 head that preceeded this was incredible, i had one, traded it and wished i hadn't, superb warm cleans and screaming overdrive, i've heard these new far east made ones don't live up to it.............................................

Ditto, I had the US Vintage Club V30 1 x 12 combo and the 50 watt head. Both great-sounding workhorses. Come to think of it, I still have 'em. Too bad they've sullied the image of their previous products with this stuff, if the reviews are anything to go by.

[harry65]

the american made v30 head that preceeded this was incredible, i had one, traded it and wished i hadn't, superb warm cleans and screaming overdrive, i've heard these new far east made ones don't live up to it.............................................

Ditto, I had the US Vintage Club V30 1 x 12 combo and the 50 watt head. Both great-sounding workhorses. Come to think of it, I still have 'em. Too bad they've sullied the image of their previous products with this stuff, if the reviews are anything to go by.

been lookin for one of those 50 watt heads for a while,let me know if you wanna move it anytime, be cool........................

[MTM105]

Musician's Friend is now dumping 32W Paliminos for $299.

[elduave]

We have a couple of V50 112's in. Worst sounding tube amp I've ever played through.

[holLoWskull]

Musician's Friend is now dumping 32W Paliminos for $299.

Even some of the Palomino stuff (later I'm assuming) was made in Vietnam. Gotta make sure to check/ask to make sure the tag on the back says Designed and Manufactured in the U.S.A.

[DaveinSF]

I have the Crate V58 and I like it. Supposed to be like the V8 Palomino, but I believe with a slightly smaller cab and smaller-- what is it-- 8" Celestion speaker.

I just hung onto it, especially after they stopped selling them. It's made and designed in the US (at least the rear panel says so) and built very solidly.