Crate V18-112 review.

[LoFiBrian]

So i ordered this amp last week(Friday) on a whim. $134.95 shipped from ZZsounds.com. It came this afternoon while i was at work. I got home all excited and as i was walking in the back door I saw the box!!!

I then saw it said V18-212...

They sent me the larger more expensive 2x12 version. this thing is as big as my old traynor ycv80. not quite the smaller 2xel84 amp i was hoping to mess around on. it weighs about 50lbs im guessing too...

I'm pissed!!! I really didnt want the 2x12...What should i do? ADVICE?

I plugged her in and made sure all was working and its really not too bad. a little dark and gainey and the reverb is a little much early on the dial.

but its a cool marshally flavor on the cheap...I'll get to crank it tomorrow afternoon before work. thats when the real fun begins.

-Brian

 

[marvar]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

I have the 1x12 version, I've changed the speaker to a celestion G12H30, but still, it sounds small, and sorta' thin, nothing like a small Fender 1x12. I've also changed tubes.
this amp sounds best when I plug it into my 2x12 cab, then, it absolutly kills.
I also changed the V1 tube to an old NOS 12au7, so it could do clean,(I then set the pre gain to about 6) then get my grit with a tube screamer when crunch is called for. V2 is a JJecc83, the PI is a balanced JJecc83, output tubes are JJ also. Folks rave about that little amp.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

I called them up and the woman was clueless but nice. she said she didnt know how it happened and said that this was the only warehouse reseal they had and that they are not getting anymore V series amps for ahwile if at all.

I told her: i had a little korean car and this chinese abortion was not going to fit. I ordered this because i had little intimate show to play this weekend and wanted portable el84 tones cheaply. that im wondering if I order a open box LP studio if they will send me a flamey standard?

I kinda got nasty and said it was a hassle to be home all day for the UPS man to return this beast and that i would like to talk to their "returns specialist" tomorrow when they are open.

I think they should take this thing back and give me some kidn of break for thier screw up.

-Brian

If you go to mcdonalds and they **** up your big mac they will prob. refund your money and make it right.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

here are a few pics. to show how massive this thing is...

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

can i get some advice here folks. maybe a what you would do scenario?

 

[marvar]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

Reallly, in my opinion-
I'd keep it and live with it, knowing you got a good deal, plus, as I said before, I don't think you would like a 1x12. I've tried both a G12H30, and a V30, and the stock speaker, and it still just doesn't cut it- you really need the 2x12 with that amp to have a good tone.
I'm sure with a bit of creativity, you could pack it into your car- I used to have a GEO storm, and I could pack my Marshall 2x12, a 2x12 cab, 3 guitars, amp stand, pedalborad, et al in it,. of course, there wasn't room for anything else but me in it.
or you can always trade cars! lol

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

Reallly, in my opinion-
I'd keep it and live with it, knowing you got a good deal, plus, as I said before, I don't think you would like a 1x12. I've tried both a G12H30, and a V30, and the stock speaker, and it still just doesn't cut it- you really need the 2x12 with that amp to have a good tone.
I'm sure with a bit of creativity, you could pack it into your car- I used to have a GEO storm, and I could pack my Marshall 2x12, a 2x12 cab, 3 guitars, amp stand, pedalborad, et al in it,. of course, there wasn't room for anything else but me in it.
or you can always trade cars! lol

wanna trade me amps? :1:

 

[heymcz]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

Hey, I've got one on backorder from MF. If they can't deliver, I might buy yours off you for what you paid plus a reasonable shipping cost...I'm supposed to find out mid-late Sept.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

Man, that looks real nice. I wish I had something to trade you for it.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

all they wanna do is return it. send me a RMA shipping label and the UPS man will come and grab it. and they have told me they will not get anymore of these V18's at all. which not hold alot of hope for people waiting for theirs...

I think maybe ill keep it and respect the deal i got @$135...prob the best deal on the net for one of these? I can always sell it for a profit later i think...

-B

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

all they wanna do is return it. send me a RMA shipping label and the UPS man will come and grab it. and they have told me they will not get anymore of these V18's at all. which not hold alot of hope for people waiting for theirs...

I think maybe ill keep it and respect the deal i got @$135...prob the best deal on the net for one of these? I can always sell it for a profit later i think...

-B

Keep it. If you need to .... sell it later and use the money towards a 1x12.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

its going back as of today i noticed some damage to one of the amp corner protectors and I just dont have room for something this size...

they offered to discount it further. I'm hoping they get me into a blackheart head or something el84 toned...

 

[RW James]

Re: Crate V18-112 review.

I'd keep it if I were you. Many years ago I ordered a combo amp from MF and they shipped a really nice head unit. I didn't have speaker cab and I really wanted the combo amp, so I returned it. But years later I regretted it.

Could you take it to a local music store and try to exchange it for something you might like better? At least then you could test drive it.