Question about Crate Amps

[dynny]

(1) Crate V Series V18-212 18W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

(2) Crate V Series V50-112 50W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

 

Which one of the above is better?

 

(3) Tech 21 Trademark 30 30W Guitar Combo/DI Amplifer

 

Out of the three listed which one is the best.

[Thundergod]

Tech 21... AXE swears by them so they are good to me and to you.

 

Between those crates... the 1x12 is a little less heavy.

[SRV-Zeppelin]

I don't know a lot about Crate amps... but judging by the descriptions, I'd say the 2nd Crate amp is the better of the two (but go with Tech 21.) 50W through one cabinet will give you way more kick than 18W through two cabinets. It'll probably sound better, too.

[deepblue]

I had a Crate Blue Voodoo.

It was the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned.

It started out well, but then started to sound tinny. Like an a.m. radio.

The electrical system shorted out and had to be replaced, and to top it

off...It ATE tubes. I went through 3 sets in a little over a year.

 

Ill never own one again.

[Thundergod]

The only CRATE I like is the Powerblock... solid state, portable, and sounds ok, recieves pedalboards, preamps and multifx very well. Too bad they discontinued them... they used to sell for 150 bucks... I got mine used for 90 bucks from evil bay... last time I checked they were selling for 99-200 depending on the day.

[bobv]

The fifty watter is probably too much for most bar gigs where you'd be down around 3 or 4 and you are only hearing the preamp distortion. On the other hand you'd be guaranteed to have the 18 watter cranking so you'll be hearing the real output stage gain; plus when it's going through two 12" speakers you're going to fill the room plenty. There's a lot to be said for low-wattage amp on 10 compared to a big amp on 2. Ever hear a five watt Epiphone Jr. plugged into a 4x12 cabinet? Huge.

 

Having said that, there are so many boutique 30 watt one-by-twelves that this seems to be a winning formula in terms of an amp that can be loud enough yet still be straining so it sounds its best. For what it's worth, I like my old Crate VC3112 (30 watt, class A, one 12" speaker).

 

As for Crate build quality, it's about the same as any other factory produced amp: printed circuitboards with knobs and jacks directly soldered to the board. Mine has a tendency to rattle quietly when it's cranked. A friend of mine who's a touring jazz musician said "Oh, yeah, sounds like a tray of champagne glasses tinkling - all tube amps sound like that at one time or another." Crate uses Eminence speakers which are made in the USA.

 

By the way, you didn't say what kind of gain territory you like to travel in - are we talking about blues, metal, or dual-stage, triple-rectifier, Santana-doesn't-even-crank-it-that-far tone?

[saturn]

I had a Crate Blue Voodoo.

It was the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned.

It started out well' date=' but then started to sound tinny. Like an a.m. radio.

The electrical system shorted out and had to be replaced, and to top it

off...It ATE tubes. I went through 3 sets in a little over a year.

 

Ill never own one again.[/quote']

 

I also had the BV 6212. Got it used and it was good for about 1 year, then went up twice in about a 6 month period. I finally removed the tubes and speakers and trashed the rest.

[deepblue]

I also had the BV 6212. Got it used and it was good for about 1 year, then went up twice in about a 6 month period. I finally removed the tubes and speakers and trashed the rest.

 

Yep...Thats the model I had.

[MikeRom]

The fifty watter is probably too much for most bar gigs where you'd be down around 3 or 4 and you are only hearing the preamp distortion. On the other hand you'd be guaranteed to have the 18 watter cranking so you'll be hearing the real output stage gain; plus when it's going through two 12" speakers you're going to fill the room plenty. There's a lot to be said for low-wattage amp on 10 compared to a big amp on 2. Ever hear a five watt Epiphone Jr. plugged into a 4x12 cabinet? Huge.

 

Having said that' date=' there are so many boutique 30 watt one-by-twelves that this seems to be a winning formula in terms of an amp that can be loud enough yet still be straining so it sounds its best. For what it's worth, I like my old Crate VC3112 (30 watt, class A, one 12" speaker).

 

As for Crate build quality, it's about the same as any other factory produced amp: printed circuitboards with knobs and jacks directly soldered to the board. Mine has a tendency to rattle quietly when it's cranked. A friend of mine who's a touring jazz musician said "Oh, yeah, sounds like a tray of champagne glasses tinkling - all tube amps sound like that at one time or another." Crate uses Eminence speakers which are made in the USA.

 

By the way, you didn't say what kind of gain territory you like to travel in - are we talking about blues, metal, or dual-stage, triple-rectifier, Santana-doesn't-even-crank-it-that-far tone?[/quote']

 

That rattle is usually the fault of the power tube(s). Even my little V8 did it. Replaced the tube, rattle's gone.

 

You didn't where you play or what you play but the 50 watter even with one speaker is probably a bit too much. I'd go for the 18 with 2/12's

[cajunman831]

Crate rules.I had a small 15 watt Crate amp with DSP.I bought in 2001 and gave it to a good friend recently,he,s still using it.I don,t know about

their newer products.They are made very good,a small independent company.I would,ve bought another,but all i have is my G-DEC and my new

65 Twin Reverb Reissue.

[tats4fun]

I've used Crate amps for about 12 years now and can't say a darn thing bad about them. I recently bought a V33-212 and now use my old GX-40C for vocals and talk box. I have to agree about one thing, it's hard to turn up past 2 if your playing in a small area, for 33 watts this thing kick's but. I thought about the 50 watter also but did not read very good reviews on it from people that had bought from Musicians Friend. You might want to go read these yourself and make your discision from there.

[elessar820]

I used to have a Crate MX65R. Solid state, 65 watts with three channels plus reverb. Very good amp and pretty powerful. It became too much after a while just to putz around with at home.

[Old Deadhead]

I've got a V15 that rocks.15 tube wattts into a 12"celestian breaks up nicely. Great rig for bar gigs. The older ones were made by SLM who also make Ampegs.

[retrosurfer1959]

very different amps with different sounds but don't underestimate a 18 watt sound, i have numerous amps and a 18 watt Marshall from 74 is my favorite across the board perfect size great tone.