Crate V series amps
- Thread starter Sykes
- Start date
Re: Crate V series amps
I tried the 2x12 30 watt version some months back. Not too shabby. Same company makes Ampeg amps. I have an ampeg. It has wonderful tone, but fairly crappy construction inside. I can only assume the same techniques apply to the Crate stuff. (flimsy circuit boards, tube sockets soldered directly to the board, stuff like that...)
But, bang for the buck factor seems to be there.
I tried the 2x12 30 watt version some months back. Not too shabby. Same company makes Ampeg amps. I have an ampeg. It has wonderful tone, but fairly crappy construction inside. I can only assume the same techniques apply to the Crate stuff. (flimsy circuit boards, tube sockets soldered directly to the board, stuff like that...)
But, bang for the buck factor seems to be there.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Crate V series amps
I tried the V3112 a few weeks ago and it had a ToneTubby speaker in it (made of hemp). I could not believe how great it sounded. The speaker makes all the difference. I played another one with the stock speaker a week later and that one didn't sound near as good. If you can find one with the ToneTubby speaker, grab it. These are really nice amps. Lots of folks are raving over them (Billy Gibbons being one of them).
I tried the V3112 a few weeks ago and it had a ToneTubby speaker in it (made of hemp). I could not believe how great it sounded. The speaker makes all the difference. I played another one with the stock speaker a week later and that one didn't sound near as good. If you can find one with the ToneTubby speaker, grab it. These are really nice amps. Lots of folks are raving over them (Billy Gibbons being one of them).
James Rock
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
Good to hear cos this is the amp i have been looking amp and the speakers sounded like an interesting idea and im glad to hear they sound good.
gt5litre
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
The EL34 based V-Series use sockets that mount to the chassis and like recent Mesa amps use a type of twist lock connection to the board. I had the 50-watt 2X12 amp with digital effects. Great sounding amp tha can do hi-gain Marshall-like tones similar to a 50 watt SLX 900 series; actually the tone is somewhere between a first series 2204 JCM800 and the SLX.
The clean channel can go from BF Fender to Vox-tones. The Tone controls have a lot of range. The 2x12 has a double-sided circuit board, uses good sized output transformer that uses vintage-style paper dielectric and interleaved windings. The power transformer may be a bit undersized, but the amp can get quite loud without getting harsh on the clean channel, so it seems to be up to the task. Amp runs a conservative 425 volts on the plates
The only issue I came across was a buzz in the chassis. Actually seems to come from a support for the middle of the circuit board. It touches the board, but is not connect to the board or through it. A bit of silicone or duct tape on the end of the plastic support takes care of it. The ones I repaired/modded were early production models. It may not exist on more recent versions. If I were to get another I would try rear-mounting the speakers and I think the Eminence Private Jack would be a good match for this amp. The recent 5212s use 70/80s, while earlier models came with an OEM Eminence that is close to a Vintage 30. The stock Emi has a better clean tone than the Emi Governor. I had installed a pair of GB12s, a Greenback-like speaker that was one of their best before the more recent Patriot/Red Coat series was produced.
I can get my old one back for 350 or so and I may just do that. Darn good amp, although my Rivera S120 head and Rivera H212 2X12 cab loaded with Alnico EV SROs cover a similar sonic territory.
Right now I am back to playing MS Bedroom;actually playing primarily acoustic;picked up a Martin D-18V and learning Bluegrass licks. Wife tore up her knee so I am home a lot at present.
gt5litre
The EL34 based V-Series use sockets that mount to the chassis and like recent Mesa amps use a type of twist lock connection to the board. I had the 50-watt 2X12 amp with digital effects. Great sounding amp tha can do hi-gain Marshall-like tones similar to a 50 watt SLX 900 series; actually the tone is somewhere between a first series 2204 JCM800 and the SLX.
The clean channel can go from BF Fender to Vox-tones. The Tone controls have a lot of range. The 2x12 has a double-sided circuit board, uses good sized output transformer that uses vintage-style paper dielectric and interleaved windings. The power transformer may be a bit undersized, but the amp can get quite loud without getting harsh on the clean channel, so it seems to be up to the task. Amp runs a conservative 425 volts on the plates
The only issue I came across was a buzz in the chassis. Actually seems to come from a support for the middle of the circuit board. It touches the board, but is not connect to the board or through it. A bit of silicone or duct tape on the end of the plastic support takes care of it. The ones I repaired/modded were early production models. It may not exist on more recent versions. If I were to get another I would try rear-mounting the speakers and I think the Eminence Private Jack would be a good match for this amp. The recent 5212s use 70/80s, while earlier models came with an OEM Eminence that is close to a Vintage 30. The stock Emi has a better clean tone than the Emi Governor. I had installed a pair of GB12s, a Greenback-like speaker that was one of their best before the more recent Patriot/Red Coat series was produced.
I can get my old one back for 350 or so and I may just do that. Darn good amp, although my Rivera S120 head and Rivera H212 2X12 cab loaded with Alnico EV SROs cover a similar sonic territory.
Right now I am back to playing MS Bedroom;actually playing primarily acoustic;picked up a Martin D-18V and learning Bluegrass licks. Wife tore up her knee so I am home a lot at present.
gt5litre
gt5litre
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
Hey James, I had an Ash American series Tele, Ric 360 12-string with the Vintage Pickups and a Laney VC30. The Laney sounds good with a Ric or a Tele. It has a very compressed tone, good cleans, good reverb and a decent OD that is just a bit dark. Rics need compression usually provided by a pedal to sound their best. The VC30 does not need a pedal.
IMHO the VC30 could do with a larger and lighter cab. The stock cab is made from MDF, is a little short (mine was a 2X10) and is way to heavy for its size. Probably the use of MDF; if it were made from Baltic Birch ply it would be lighter and have more interior volume for better bass easier to do things like maintenence and swap speakers.
gt5litre
Hey James, I had an Ash American series Tele, Ric 360 12-string with the Vintage Pickups and a Laney VC30. The Laney sounds good with a Ric or a Tele. It has a very compressed tone, good cleans, good reverb and a decent OD that is just a bit dark. Rics need compression usually provided by a pedal to sound their best. The VC30 does not need a pedal.
IMHO the VC30 could do with a larger and lighter cab. The stock cab is made from MDF, is a little short (mine was a 2X10) and is way to heavy for its size. Probably the use of MDF; if it were made from Baltic Birch ply it would be lighter and have more interior volume for better bass easier to do things like maintenence and swap speakers.
gt5litre
gt5litre
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
I wanted to add I now have the V1512 and that is a great little amp. It can be a little Vox-ish, but turn up the gain and you are into Marshall-land. The reverb is so-so and the tubes, like most EL84 amps (including Mesa) plug into sockets mounted to the circuit board. The Laney VC30 uses chassis-mounted sockets; just an FYI.
I may try a Tone Tubby or a Cannabis Rex. The Governor and Red Fang do sound pretty good in this amp IMO. Although I do think the amp is voiced to sound better with a ceramic-magnet speaker.
gt5litre
I wanted to add I now have the V1512 and that is a great little amp. It can be a little Vox-ish, but turn up the gain and you are into Marshall-land. The reverb is so-so and the tubes, like most EL84 amps (including Mesa) plug into sockets mounted to the circuit board. The Laney VC30 uses chassis-mounted sockets; just an FYI.
I may try a Tone Tubby or a Cannabis Rex. The Governor and Red Fang do sound pretty good in this amp IMO. Although I do think the amp is voiced to sound better with a ceramic-magnet speaker.
gt5litre
Jeffrec
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
I've played the 50wt version, and it has killer tone whether you're using the gain channel or pushing the power tubes (EL34). Great value. I've had the older Vintage Club 50wt version (EL84) for years and love it. Crate makes good tube amps, but so does Fender & Peavey inthe same price range.
I've played the 50wt version, and it has killer tone whether you're using the gain channel or pushing the power tubes (EL34). Great value. I've had the older Vintage Club 50wt version (EL84) for years and love it. Crate makes good tube amps, but so does Fender & Peavey inthe same price range.
F
FenderStratRock3
Guest
Re: Crate V series amps
I love mine! Just got it and it's fantastic.
I love mine! Just got it and it's fantastic.
bungalowbill
Luckybastidologist
Re: Crate V series amps
Mine has a great tone, although I might upgrade the speaker to tighten up the low end a little. IMHO the V series might be the most bang for the buck amps out at this time. Good stuff on the cheap.
Mine has a great tone, although I might upgrade the speaker to tighten up the low end a little. IMHO the V series might be the most bang for the buck amps out at this time. Good stuff on the cheap.
Re: Crate V series amps
i have one that an old bandmate left years ago and now nothing comes out when its turned on it was kinda scratchy when she brought it but then after a bit it would cut on or have weird swells in volume sounded damn good with my old les paul jr but now i wish it was still working or somehow to get it back to life cause its a good amp and it was free
i have one that an old bandmate left years ago and now nothing comes out when its turned on it was kinda scratchy when she brought it but then after a bit it would cut on or have weird swells in volume sounded damn good with my old les paul jr but now i wish it was still working or somehow to get it back to life cause its a good amp and it was free
James Rock
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
So r u saying the VC30 is more like a Vox AC30 then the V3112 ( i want a good drive channel 2)
sitamoia50
New member
Re: Crate V series amps
havent been on this forum for a while.But I can help you with this question.I just bought the crate vfx5212 and in all seriousness I am addicted to this amp.I cant stop playin this thing.......,Ive owned my share of Marshall combos (always sounded thin to me),and the last 2x12 combo I had was the 100 wt JCM900.This thing blows it away (not even close).I am not even really a huge advocate of crate amps but the VC's (had a few of these also)and the new VFX's just friggin rock.There's no other way to put it.Tone heaven.If your thinkin of buyin one all i could suggest is to jus play one for a bit,I can garantee it'll pretty much speak for itself.OH,and the best part of course besides the tone is the price!!!!!!
havent been on this forum for a while.But I can help you with this question.I just bought the crate vfx5212 and in all seriousness I am addicted to this amp.I cant stop playin this thing.......,Ive owned my share of Marshall combos (always sounded thin to me),and the last 2x12 combo I had was the 100 wt JCM900.This thing blows it away (not even close).I am not even really a huge advocate of crate amps but the VC's (had a few of these also)and the new VFX's just friggin rock.There's no other way to put it.Tone heaven.If your thinkin of buyin one all i could suggest is to jus play one for a bit,I can garantee it'll pretty much speak for itself.OH,and the best part of course besides the tone is the price!!!!!!
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