Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

[Texas Jack]

A couple months ago, I came across what I thougth was a Super Deal ($200) on a USA built (St. Louis) Crate VC30 2-channel amp. First impressions: It's big, covered in creme colored Tolex, LOUD with a capital "L" and has a creamy vintage tube sound that has been compared to a Marshall/Vox mix. I like the sound of the amp... except when the volume spikes unexpectedly and the toggle switch between clean and dirty channels doesn't work properly. I hear that these amps can be prone to jack issues, which may account for some of my experiences.

The guy I bought it from, bought it new (I have the original sales receipt; over $500 with tax). He took care of his stuff and never abused it that I know of. Cosmetically it's perfect except for a little dust build up because it sat unused for a few years (The original owner passed away). The pots seem to work without issue. I always let the tubes warm up for a few mintues before I use it.

Crate guitar amps are like a lot of other things, some people like them some hate them. From what I've seen Crate amps are pretty capable and offer features and performance similar to way more expensive amps, but still come in around $400 new.

I've seen other threads about changing out tubes, resoldering jacks, replacing jacks and toggles. Bottom line, are the parts and labor (An electrical engineer I am not), which I'm sure will add up to more than I spent for the amp, be worth the hassle? Or should I trade it off and get something a little newer, more modern, more reliable, probably solid state?

Your thoughts?....

 

[jtougas]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

I've got a VC18 1x12 and, while I love the sound of the amp (it responds well to tube swaps, and better speakers, btw), the internals are not the most durable. It'll never be a collectible, but I'd say it's worth swapping out the kind of components you mention : the switching, the jacks, etc., to make it more durable.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

A couple months ago, I came across what I thougth was a Super Deal ($200) on a USA built (St. Louis) Crate VC30 2-channel amp. First impressions: It's big, covered in creme colored Tolex, LOUD with a capital "L" and has a creamy vintage tube sound that has been compared to a Marshall/Vox mix. I like the sound of the amp... except when the volume spikes unexpectedly and the toggle switch between clean and dirty channels doesn't work properly. I hear that these amps can be prone to jack issues, which may account for some of my experiences.

The guy I bought it from, bought it new (I have the original sales receipt; over $500 with tax). He took care of his stuff and never abused it that I know of. Cosmetically it's perfect except for a little dust build up because it sat unused for a few years (The original owner passed away). The pots seem to work without issue. I always let the tubes warm up for a few mintues before I use it.

Crate guitar amps are like a lot of other things, some people like them some hate them. From what I've seen Crate amps are pretty capable and offer features and performance similar to way more expensive amps, but still come in around $400 new.

I've seen other threads about changing out tubes, resoldering jacks, replacing jacks and toggles. Bottom line, are the parts and labor (An electrical engineer I am not), which I'm sure will add up to more than I spent for the amp, be worth the hassle? Or should I trade it off and get something a little newer, more modern, more reliable, probably solid state?

Your thoughts?....

welcome to the forum!
your thread may get moved to the amp section where it will get more views.
I'd suggest getting those parts fixed too, but not for any sort of resale value unless you want to get out from under it. Those amps sound pretty nice and it'd be worthwhile to keep it around.

 

[ALowerDeep]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

I had a VC50 head and combo and they sounded killer....but mine had issues with the input jacks,replaced them,had a tech fix it and still had issues,just sold them for parts,but thought it sounded great....

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

I don't know about quality/longevity of Crate amps, but I know the ones I've experienced all sounded great. To me, if you absolutely love the sound/tone, then it shouldn't matter if its "worth" it to keep it up and running.

 

[FRANKTHEDOG]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

I had a couple of old Crate Vintage Club 20s that had stock 12" speakers (most had 10's) and they were killer amps. They are real gems if you can find them (usually in the <$200 range)

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Years upon years ago I had a V32 Palomino. If it wasn't for the cheap cabinet, that amp kicked some serious ass. Great cleans, great overdrive and even a solid lead tone all foot switchable. If I was thinking clearly, I would have measured the chassis and gotten a custom cabinet made for it like I did my Super Reverb. That one was a fun amp and it was a way better amp than any one had given it credit for. Heck, it blew away my custom boutique Fargen that ended up going into the shop around the same time.

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Go get yourself a can of DeOxit. Spray some on the end of a guitar cable and cycle it through the 1/4 inch inputs re-applying the DeOxit for each one. This will break up any corrosion. Forget about the micro push switch (it is a POS) and just get an inexpensive single channel foot switch, which will bypass the onboard switch. When you get around to changing out the tubes you will have to pull the chassis. When you pull the chassis make sure to spray some DeOxit in the little holes in the back of the pots and cycle them back and forth a few times to keep them clean.

This should take care of most of your problems. See if a fan behind the amp helps with volume spike as your circuit board inside the amp might be flexing when getting hot so it might correct that too.An amp tech would be need if the fan doesn't fix your problem. If you do have it in for repair get the tech to put a hidden toggle in line with the capacitor that acts as a high frequency bypass. It will give you a similar effect as the Vox AC30 top boost and will make playing single coils more controllable.

Otherwise enjoy a killer amp!

 

[DTrane]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

theyre junk but they sound nice, especially through a 2x12 8ohm cab.

I removed the speaker and back panel, seems to help them from burning up

 

[marvar]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

I had a couple of old Crate Vintage Club 20s that had stock 12" speakers (most had 10's) and they were killer amps. They are real gems if you can find them (usually in the <$200 range)

Yep, I've had one of these around for years, I don't use it much, mostly as a utility amp, but, if mic'd, can sound pretty good.
I didin't like the gain structure, so I put a lower gain tube in V1, and put in a G12H30 speaker I had lying around. It sounds ok, I would rather not gig with it, the cab is so small, it can sound boxey, put thru another cab, sounds better, but its a cool little practice amp.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

The VC series was one of the best sounding tube amps out there (I've got the VC5212). The clean channel is what initially sold me on them at the time.

 

[Tony Vee]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

This is a very late reply - but I've owned more than one of these amps and they have been generally bullet proof and sound GREAT when pushed. The problem with the channel switching is some bad engineering/component selection with the actually switch and the mounting on the board. The good news is that if you use a TRS type foot switch, it cuts the switch out of the circuit and it should channel switch properly with out the drop outs you are experiencing. The alternative is to have the switch removed and an aftermarket one installed hard wired from the board points. Its a bit simpler to just use a footswitch. Good Luck - and I hope you read this (and still have the amp!).

 

[iama]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Great sounding amps with way too many issues to bother with. I've had the Vintage Club and the Palomino. Loved them but they had to go. If you buy one, expect to go down the repair rabbit hole. Btw, it never ends.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Wattage]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Never owned a vc30 but I know they have some heat issues on top of the other quirks they're known for.

IMO they sound pretty damn good. My buddy gigged his for years with no real issues to speak of. They don't take abuse well though that is for sure.

I have a 20 that I just got back again after a few years with my bass player. I loved it and I missed it, very psyched to have it again. A good tech can clean up most of the solder issues pretty easily. Other than eating an odd tube or 2 every once in a while I have had to get the pots cleaned up and the input jack fixed a couple of times in the past, never anything chronic though.

 

[dspiffy]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Always loved the sound of my Crate Vintage Club 50 (might be 30, I cant recall) with 3 10's. I had a 2x12 version but I didnt like the sound as much.

I needed a smaller amp so a few days ago I bought the 1x12 version. Did NOT like it with the stock 12. My tech gave me a JBL K120 to try and it sounds AMAZING now.

before:

 

[dspiffy]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

after:

 

[dspiffy]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

Number one problem with these amps: the input and insert jacks. Spray the hell out of them with deoxit, plug/unplug a cable into them multiple times, will fix most issues.

Number two problem with these amps: bad solder joints on the board, probably from the heat from having the tubes right on the board.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Crate VC30 Treasure or Trash?

The reverb circuit in mine keeps flaking out, even after changing the tank to one that actually fits the specs.