Help with info on this Crate Amp!

[stevelust2001]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post, I'm looking for information
about this crate amplifier I have.
It says it's designation is : Crate 1D
On the back of the amp is a dial for Distortion.

I'm looking for some history on the 1D designation,
I'm sure the D is for distortion, I'm interested I any
history you all might have on this specific model.

I think it's from 78-79 but not positive!

Please share your knowledge!
Thank you all!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

From when they actually came in a crate!

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

I think it's from 78-79 but not positive!

That sounds right. I started playing about that time and I remember seeing these amps in ads in Guitar Player in those days.
Not long after (early 80's), they changed the cosmetics to look more like typical guitar amps.

 

[Condemnedsoul]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

I've owned several thorough the years. And with 'em, its been a love - hate - and its all I can afford at the time at the time relationship.

How does it sound to you? Would you mind telling your story and history with that old Crate.
It is a piece of Americana musical history.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

I think I saw one of those in an old sepia photo of my great, great grandfather from the late 1800's.

I kid, that amp looks cool as hell.

 

[Kac]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

that amp looks cool as hell.

agreed

 

[stevelust2001]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

I've owned this amp for about 7 years.
I refinished the wood and cleaned it up after I purchased it at
the Salvation Army store for $25. It looks to be all original, only missing
a back cross board. The speaker is a 12-15 inch early Emminence
speaker with the metal cap. Large square magnet in the back!
Believe it or not, I actually like how this amp sounds.
The bright switch works as do all other controls.
The Distortion knob in the back works, not sure how it's
adding distortion though, must be in the circuit itself.
The reason I posted this is because I've never seen
another Crate 1D amp, I usually see the CR-1 but not
this one.
Because of its uniqueness I plan on keeping it, it's
definitely like going back to the seventies!
Anyone else with knowledge on this model Crate 1D?

 

[ginormous]

Re: Help with info on this Crate Amp!

SLM = St. Louis Music, the corporate ancestor to Loud Technologies
(Ampeg, Mackie, Blackheart, Alvarez-Yairi, etc.)

Some of you may not realize what a find this is.
For, you see, this is... the One True Crate. The 1-D. The first built-in distortion model.
The Made In 'Murica (well, Puerto Rico, actually), bedroom/basement jammin', solid state, kid brother amp.
Crate doesn't even list this on their "discontinued models" page, and the only model older than this is the original Crate 1 (non-distortion).

You re-finished it? Ouch. In it's original, beat-up state, someone may have paid you money for it.