Krank - anyone?

[RW James]

I play in a small church (approx 200 people) with a good sound system. I have no problem micing the amp and turning down appropriately. But I want to be able to turn it up at times and have some fun.

I don't want a bunch of heavy gear to haul around - so no 4x12s. And quite honestly, full size tube heads are too big for me now (trying to save my back).

I have a Line 6 modeling amp and a Hartke 60w guitar head, and I love the sound I get from these. But I want to get something different - again thinking light weight.

Anyway the "different" would seem to be a tube amp. I've never had one and I think I would like to try it. I looked at the Epiphone Jr and the Blackheart - both 5 watters. I know nothing about the Blackheart (new kid on the block) and I've heard pros and cons about the Epiphone Jr. But I'm concerned about the whole 5 watt thing. Tube watts are louder than solid state watts - but still - 5 seems like a really small number.

So I saw the Krank Rev Jr Mini Stack and I have to tell you, the specs look interesting. It's 20 watts, which I'm thinking is more than enough. The weight is reasonable. I like that the 12" speakers are in two cabs which gives me options.

I don't know anything about Krank - and a search here turned up nothing.

So I'm asking -
1. Any thoughts on this amp?
2. Anyone play a Krank (any size)?
3. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[Hoss]

Re: Krank - anyone?

first time i've seen it...but it looks AWESOME!!! LOVE IT!!!

 

[Pierre]

Re: Krank - anyone?

5W is LOUD. Way too loud for bedroom use if you crank to up, and I mean WAY too loud. No clue about a church. But it's loud.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Krank - anyone?

i'd recommend a thd univalve. 15w, is set up to take ANY type of tube and features a built in attenuator. sure the krank comes with 2 speaker cabinets but i seriously doubt it will sound as sweet as a thd.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/THD-UniValve-15W-Class-A-Amplifier-Head?sku=481282

 

[RW James]

Re: Krank - anyone?

5W is LOUD. Way too loud for bedroom use if you crank to up, and I mean WAY too loud. No clue about a church. But it's loud.

That's interesting - I really like the Blackheart as well - and they have a Hand-wired Turret Board Upgrade from Mojo Music Supply - plus the price is about a third of the Krank.

 

[RW James]

Re: Krank - anyone?

i'd recommend a thd univalve. 15w, is set up to take ANY type of tube and features a built in attenuator. sure the krank comes with 2 speaker cabinets but i seriously doubt it will sound as sweet as a thd.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/THD-UniValve-15W-Class-A-Amplifier-Head?sku=481282

I agree - it does look nice - I like the hot plate option. I saw this amp listed on the Avatar Speakers site - so I could probably get a good match from them. But dang, the price is getting up there. I guess I'll have to see how much I have to work with.

 

[rivera213]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Krank's just plain suck.

I've spoken to alot of people who use Kranks and every single 1 has independently said these amps are poor.

What type of music do you play?

 

[rashayritto]

Re: Krank - anyone?

5 watts is pretty loud, about half as loud as a 50 watt tube amp. my buddies all use solid states in the 50 watt range and they hate it when i crank my valve jr up

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Krank - anyone?

I've heard kranks played by a lot of metal bands... never heard of a guy in church using them though ...

I like the way they look but have no clue about how they sound...sorry.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Krank's just plain suck.

I've spoken to alot of people who use Kranks and every single 1 has independently said these amps are poor.

What type of music do you play?

I use a Rev 1 and I love the thing.

Though, unless you put a few pedals in front of it, it's not going to be very versatile. It's got a great clean channel, and excels at the whole high-gain thing, but there's not really a whole lotta ground in-between. Dunno about the Rev Jr. specifically though.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Get a Soldano Astroverb.

Jesus doesn't like Kranks. They're the Devil's amp. A little too menacing for an altar! LOL

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Soldano-Astroverb-SingleChannel-Amp-Head?sku=489109

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Jesus doesn't like Kranks. They're the Devil's amp.

:headbang:

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Krank - anyone?

I think the Krank mini-stack looks interesting, but a recent review (in Guitar World Magazine, I think) pointed out some flaws that have made me dubious.

I would look at the Mesa Express 5:25 and 5:50, Mesa F-30, Maverick, DC-2, or DC-3 for a small channel switching amp.

Even the Fender Blues Junior or Blues Deluxe, or the Deluxe Reverb Reissue should get you close to where you need to be.

Bill

 

[RW James]

Re: Krank - anyone?

I think the Krank mini-stack looks interesting, but a recent review (in Guitar World Magazine, I think) pointed out some flaws that have made me dubious.

I would look at the Mesa Express 5:25 and 5:50, Mesa F-30, Maverick, DC-2, or DC-3 for a small channel switching amp.

Even the Fender Blues Junior or Blues Deluxe, or the Deluxe Reverb Reissue should get you close to where you need to be.

Bill

Yeah, I read a review from Guitar Player that wasn't that good... and I'm sorry but Krankguitarist doesn't even sound all that excited about it.

I'm seriously considering the THD (maybe I should start a new thread).

But the Mesa Express looks interesting (the others must be discontinued?). Anyway, where can you buy them? The only dealer they list in my state is a Guitar Center in Las Vegas, but GC (or MF) online doesn't list them. I went through five pages of Google without finding a US dealer. How much do they run?

 

[some_dude]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Mesa Lone Star Special.

5, 15, and 30w / channel.

So, you could set your clean channel up for maximum headroom by using the 30w mode, and have your lead channel on 5 or 15w mode so you get a bit more compression.

Since size/weight is of importance to you, it comes in both 1x12 and 2x12 combo versions.

It also looks a bit more churchy in it's nice beige coverings.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Lonestar/LonestarSpecial.htm

 

[J Moose]

Re: Krank - anyone?

But the Mesa Express looks interesting (the others must be discontinued?). Anyway, where can you buy them? The only dealer they list in my state is a Guitar Center in Las Vegas, but GC (or MF) online doesn't list them. I went through five pages of Google without finding a US dealer. How much do they run?

Boogies aren't available on-line unless you buy used or call a brick & mortar dealer and have it shipped. That's their trip... dealer policy.

I played an Express 5:50 a few weeks ago and really dug it. Made me realize that I want/need another Boogie in the arsenal again. I dunno if the Express will be "it" or not... maybe a Rect-O-Verb or an old Trem-O-Verb... but the versatility & tonal quality in those amps is superb. Build quality too... the whole nine. They have a unique voice that isn't Fender, not Marshall... but rooted in those worlds.

The little Express 25 combo is $1050... head is $1k. You generally won't ever see them on-sale or get a discount... again, policy dictated by Boogie.

I think they sell direct as well. Or at least used to.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Krank - anyone?

Yeah, I read a review from Guitar Player that wasn't that good... and I'm sorry but Krankguitarist doesn't even sound all that excited about it.

It's all application...I'd personally love to have one to kick around the studio, but I can't imagine it being the best choice for a church setting . Plenty of options out there though.