Crate Blue Voodoo

[zippy]

Ok, in my constant searching for a new tube amp, I have come across Crate Blue Voodoos. I have never really heard much about these, but they are pretty cheap. They are all tube, and 60w 2x12 comboes go for like 300 on ebay. Has anyone ever used these? What I mainly would like to know is, what is the gain channel like? Is it a good tone for 80's thrash? Thanks in advance. :headbang:

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

It's a great budget amp, or first tube amp, used at least. I'd go for a head if you can. For 300, it sounds pretty good, but for the 800-900 they want new...no.

 

[zippy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

It's a great budget amp, or first tube amp, used at least. I'd go for a head if you can. For 300, it sounds pretty good, but for the 800-900 they want new...no.

The only thing about a stack is, it would negate the cost-saving effect. I could get a used 5150 for less than BV stack. I'd really like to have enough left over to upgrade my pup's too. And, that brings me to the other question of, is the BV a big enough upgrade over my SS crate (XT120R) to warrant the hassel? (yeah, I know that last one is a really stupid question, but I worry about stuff. heh)

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Honestly, if you can get the 5150, dear God, go with that! The BV is more of a super budget amp, and actually probably wouldnt be too much of an upgrade over your current.

 

[zippy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Honestly, if you can get the 5150, dear God, go with that! The BV is more of a super budget amp, and actually probably wouldnt be too much of an upgrade over your current.

Ah, thanks bro.. that's what I've really been leaning toward anyway. Just saw the BV.. and, well, gotta try to save money anyway ya can. :arms: Thanks, again:beerchug:

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

A lot of people are quick to bash Crates, but the truth is, the Blue Voodoo is a very decent amp. It has a better clean channel than some amps I've played in the $800 range. The distortion would be great for thrash. It's not near as bad as their solid states are. Cheaper than a 5150 and while the 5150 will deliver with distortion, it doesn't really have cleans to back it up. I'd say while you're new to tube amps, you'd be happy with the BV and certainly for the price, you really can't go wrong.

Also, if you like Marty Friedman (from Megadeth) and Sammy Haggar, bear in mind they use the BV.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

BV is very decent for the price. Terrific cleans IMO. The distortion can be a bit high and upper-mid focused, but that works for a lot of guitarists.

 

[zippy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Thanks guys, but I've Got another question ... would it be more worth it to go for the 5150, and blow all my money? Or would it be more worthwhile to save the 200+ bucks, get a Blue Voodoo combo, and upgrade the pickups in my guitar (from duncan detonator to probably and F-spaced Dimarzio Evolution for the bridge) Heh, gotta think about every angle, eh? :laugh2:

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

go with the 5150.

I have a Crate V-series combo that blows the doors off any marshall I've ever played. But it's a completely different animal than the blue voodoo. Crate is good stuff. The Blue Voodoo isn't bad, and it ain't good either.

I just got a Carvin Legacy today

 

[Biu]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

I'm with DSS on this one, 5150!!! *cough*my sig*cough* :laugh2:

 

[strat_master]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

a little bit off topic, but has anyone seen that 600(or 300 i cant rmeber) watt tube amp by crate? I saw it on the NAMM cd previews and tis nuts! it has like 25+ tubes i think, and the cabinet whihc wasa half stack has like 16, 12 inch speakers!

But back on topic, i say that is a good deal for a tube amp actually.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

I'm no fan of Crate but the BV ain't that bad. I have a buddy who recorded some clips with one. Whenever he finds people talking **** about it he posts a clip and tells them its a bogner or what ever they are praising and inevitably they respond with "hell yeah, thats what a real amp sounds like" or something similar. The reality is 4 out of 5 couldn't tell the difference in a blind test but more importantly the BV is a very serviceable amp. That said, if I was you I would shoot for the 5150 as well.

 

[zippy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Hmm... ok, I see too that there are some Peavey XXX 40w combos that seem to be goin on Ebay for like 450. What do you guys know about these? And, are they loud enough to gig with?

 

[FretFire]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

The only BV I've played on was owned by a friend of mine and it seemed very very noisy on the gain channel. Of course, he's one to max his bass, treble, and gain and zero the mids, so who knows if it was really the amps fault .

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Not bad amps, but I think it's always best to hold off till you score a real good deal on a more expensive amp. I'd probably opt for a cheap deal on a DSL 50, 5150, Soldano Hotrod 50+, or piece together a rack setup like a JMP-1/Peavey 60/60, which would give you 100 channels of tube tone for a moderate price. Never overlook Peavey tube guitar power amps like the 50/50, 60/60, or 100/100. Only one step below a Mesa in sound quality.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

i've played one, 100 watt version, not bad, the gain is a little too buzzy for my tastes

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

The XXX's are quite excellent, but I wouldn't get the 40watt combo. It has the crunch and clean channels share the EQ, and it's a passive EQ instead of active. go with the 60W 1x12. And yes, I use the crunch channel as my main sound.

 

[zippy]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

Not bad amps, but I think it's always best to hold off till you score a real good deal on a more expensive amp. I'd probably opt for a cheap deal on a DSL 50, 5150, Soldano Hotrod 50+, or piece together a rack setup like a JMP-1/Peavey 60/60, which would give you 100 channels of tube tone for a moderate price. Never overlook Peavey tube guitar power amps like the 50/50, 60/60, or 100/100. Only one step below a Mesa in sound quality.

You mentioned the DSL 50.. what about the DSL 401 combo? It's more in my price range..

 

[34029324079]

Re: Crate Blue Voodoo

yo, DSL is more of a sound for hard rock; it can do metal, but...

if you want metal, go 5150 and don't look back...no-one will ever say you don't have the gear for metal, and it will sound great