How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

[Skarekrough]

Well, I'm glad you asked...

Took the whole rig to the second audition last night; PodXT, PowerBlock and a Marshall 2 x 12 cab. I was floored to find that both the Pod and the PowerBlock fit into this briefcase I typically use for cables, guitar stands and other stuff.

Got it in, got to look sheepish while the other guitar player was checking the set up out and then got down to business.

I had the output at about 60% and it was plenty loud. Considering it was a 2 x 12 I think it would probably be decent on stage. if I was looking for something where I knew I would need "more" then I think a 4 x 12 would probably be the thing to change up, which is nice.

I'd spent some time agonizing and stripping down some patches for use specifically in that setting and I was VERY pleased with the results. The Plexi model sounded just straight-out gorgeous and everyone kind of looked over and took notice when I played something with it the first time.

All in all I'd say it did great. It isn't that it's a good unit for a hundred bucks, but it's a good unit in and of itself. I also like the idea that for expandability I could probaly also run two PowerBlocks into two different cabs from the outputs of the Pod.

So yeah....damned shame they got discontinued but I very much think I might pick up another one and I'm almost definetley going to hang onto the one I have.

The question now, if I get this gig, will be if I hang onto the Marshall 2 x 12 or whether I get an Avatar 2 x 12 or some other cab.

 

[tone4days]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

glad it worked out

so did you need to do something else to get the volume issue (from the last thread) resolved? or was this a question of your 'impression' of the volume

i hope the audition turns out the way you want it to

t4d

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

I think alot of it was my impression of the volume.

I had it in my studio which tends to be a little boomy sounding due to the hardwood floors. I was also on a seat that was above the cab and it was right at my knees. I think that combination put me at a point where it just didn't seem very loud.

Still...it doesn't sound exactly like the advertised 150 watts. But then again, I think we may start getting into a conversation about tube watts versus solid state watts.

There's also the the issue of the cab, which I picked up on short order and know almost nothing about. I didn't really get the chance to take it for a test drive in the shop so everything I know about it has been from using it with the PowerBlock. Considering it's used it's dubious; there could be anything wrong with it that isn't obvious and I wouldn't know.

Suffice to say my first instinct would be to plop the money on an Avatar if I do get the gig and return the Marshall and keep my eyes open for a 4 x 12 which is likely to come up pretty cheap in the general Boston area, especially around the holidays with the college kids moving out. Hell, I've seen three come up on CraigsList in the past few weeks for under 2 bills, and one was a really nice Mesa 4 x 10!

The other half of this is making it easy to transport. In my mind I have a few ideas for a way of being able to mount both the Pod and the PowerBlock and make a case for it.

 

[JeffB]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Skarey...what speakers are in your Marshall 2x12?

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Skarey...what speakers are in your Marshall 2x12?

Hard to say...it's a closed back JCM 900, and a used one at that, so it could be almost anything in there. I'll find out later on today.

 

[JeffB]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

prolly 75s..

my thinking was you could buy some eminence celstion "clones" with a higher wattage rating, and get some more volume outta the box. Cheaper in the long run than a new cab.

 

[ErikH]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Nice. Glad to hear it worked out. I can tell you from experience, although brief, the PB is incredible through a 4x12. I checked it out just plugged straight in to the PB at GC when I was amp shopping several months back. The only time I played a PODxt through it was at low volumes but it was still very impressive.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

prolly 75s..

my thinking was you could buy some eminence celstion "clones" with a higher wattage rating, and get some more volume outta the box. Cheaper in the long run than a new cab.

...not for what I paid for this cab.

You'd think that there's a state law against 2 x 12's the way I wasn't finding any around here!

And besides...I'm not totally in love with the cab...for the same money I at least get to start with something new and I get to pick some of the appointments on it such as tolex color and grill cloth color.

 

[DankStar]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

I love that lead-in to the thread.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Nice. Glad to hear it worked out. I can tell you from experience, although brief, the PB is incredible through a 4x12. I checked it out just plugged straight in to the PB at GC when I was amp shopping several months back. The only time I played a PODxt through it was at low volumes but it was still very impressive.

I was decently impressed with the tone stack when I was plugged in directly. Someone described it as "very AC/DC" and they're right on in my opinion. It was kinda dry and you could dial in that tone, but with a little more kick it really got heavier.

All in all I'm very impressed with the results with the Pod. Even cranked it didn't really get weird on me at all; all the tonal characteristics of the Pod were there without it adding much of anything but volume. And I do have to admit, the effectiveness of using the "Volume" knob on the Pod and seeing the knobs on the front of the PowerBlock not do anything, kinda had that entire feel of something that was connected via MIDI or USB. It was done really well and was VERY responsive to the Pod.

Of course, it will be interesting to see what I think in a bunch of months if this pans out.

 

[devastone]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

prolly 75s..

my thinking was you could buy some eminence celstion "clones" with a higher wattage rating, and get some more volume outta the box. Cheaper in the long run than a new cab.

You mean higher sensitivity ratings to get more volume, just because a speaker is rated to handle more watts doesn't mean it's louder. The Wizard is one of the most sensitive speakers Eminence has, but it's not the highest wattage rating. Sensitivity is basically "output per watt".

Yeah, those Marshalls usually have G12T-75s which sound great IMHO, but aren't the most sensitive speakers (which in some situations is a good thing), my Avatars with Eminences can be exceptionally loud, which with my tube amp, I would like to be able to crank it a little more before they get up that loud, but they still sound great.

Sorry for the OT, just wanted to clarify, back to the original discussion...

 

[34029324079]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Of course, it will be interesting to see what I think in a bunch of months if this pans out.

I am happy to hear you like it so far with the POD - sounds like an awesome way to have the PODxt for recording and then plug it into an awesome 100$ amp that you can put under your carseat as a backup later on if you wanted. Sweet!

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Cool. I was this close to getting a PB until this happened:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=88146

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: How'd the Crate PowerBlock Work Out?

Cool. I was this close to getting a PB until this happened:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=88146

I considered the Roland but didn't see one locally.

One of the problems I was experiencing was that I needed to get something together in a short span of time and if the gig didn't work out then I could easily not be obligated financially to it.

One other aspect was that I really like the idea of being able to use different or multiple cabs.

But I still wish I had one of those around to A/B it.