my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

R

rguser

New member
last weekend I went to a local store and tried a boogie F50 and a fender deluxe reverb. now the dirty channel on the F50 was awesome as expected. the clean channels on the F50 and the fender just sounded so boring compared to my crate V16's clean. by boring I mean, very open and very punchy and fast. now I totally understand why they say classA clean sound is elastic, seductive or sensual, or you feel in the blank.
if I had a bigger space, I am definitely getting a V30 head and tone tubby cab!
how much is boogie's lone star special? that's the only classA from them right?
marshall doesn't make classA, does it?
a crate V30 half stack with a twin tube pedal should give the lonestar special a run for the money, I think...
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

Hmm I love my V-30!! I was lookin' at the tone tubby cab, that thing is expensive... So I'll stick with my mesa cabinet.

ROCK ON ~ kac
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

I believe they are cathode biased like a Vox AC 30. It don't matter to me what class it is.....mine sounds good.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

don't shop for things just because they say class A. There are many other things that effect the sound so much more. Consider every amp equally untill you try them. Most amps including the Crate (which is an awesome amp) are not actually true class A which is a single ended amp (only one power tube) they are actually class A/B amps with a specific bias voltage system called cathode bias that effects the sound. Its not that one is better than the other, there are good amps out there with any label. Components and quality construction matter much more in the scheme of things. try everything you see because you are going to feel like a moron if you pass up the amp of your dreams because it isn't class A. That Crate is a great amp (I own a Crate and its smoking) and it sounds like it is the right thing for you but just keep in mind, theres more to an amp than the class, dont let a simple marketing gimmic/myth cloud your judgement. Tone is a sound not a title.

EDIT: im no tech so if I got any of this incorrect please tell me, this is just what i've picked up during this forums recurring Class A vs. Class A/B arguments
 
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Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

callous_frigid_chill said:
I'ts actually not class a, it's just a marketing gimmick. The five watt one is.
Click to expand...

Finally, somebody got in before me or Scott. Just what we need, a new "Class A Nazi".

Most of the push-pull amps termed "Class A" are really cathode biased, Class AB. There are a very few Class A push-pull amps, but they have low wattage compared to similar Class AB models. Single-ended amps are Class A.

But as you said it really doesn't matter. Whatever sounds good.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

Y'all need to play the Mesa Maverick. I need to get one. :burnout:
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

I didn't like the Maverick much...but the Blue Angel sounded a lot better- that is the one I bought. I am not sure if it is pure class A or AB (the marketing says A), but i just plugged in and loved the tone, so that is what matters.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

Which did you play, the 2x12 or 4x10? I played the 4x10 and fell in love with the spacoisness of the tone. The high gain tones might be better on the 2x12, but the clean to medium gain sounds were fab. :)
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

+1 for the Maverick! I really like my 212 combo.

I just spent part of the weekend jamming with a guy who hates Mavericks, or well, he used to hate Mavericks. Seems he had one and sold it 'cause he could never make it sound good. After hearing and playing mine, he's kicking himself, big-time.

Seems he's a, "...turn-everything-on-TEN-and-go-for-it!" kinda guy--and that's not the way to get the best tone out of a Maverick--or any Mesa, for that matter.

Bill
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

As stated above, a lot of the 'Class A' termed amps aren't really Class A, but more of a marketing gimmick. In the end, it doesn't really matter. Use your ears to determine whether or not an amp is right for you. Not marketing terms. Glad your enjoying the amp you have.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

As a person that builds amps (and Rich kinda summed it up) but the general public associates Cathode Bias with class A. So, if you are marketing an amp that is cathode biased (which usually just plain sounds better to my ears than fixed bias), the public won't recognize what you are intending. So, many say Class A in an effort to get their point across.

I have no problem calling the matchless clones I'm building Class A. It gets the point across to the general masses. Is it really? I let the class A nazi's fight it out on that one. I could really care a less these days. As long as I get my point across, I'm happy.

Randall Aiken has a great write up on his website on this subject. It really gets down to splitting hairs and if you're into that, rock on!

Cathode-biased stuff has a better tone for me. Of course, you can always crank up your bias on the A/B stuff and give it a bit of a hot boost. That will get you closer.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

To be really strict about it: a true class A amp would be an amp like a Fender Champ with only one cathode biased output tube.

But I agree with Scott...call it class A if it's cathode biased if you want to.

I prefer cathode biased amps myself...both of my Matchless amps are cathode biased and it's a much more touch sensitive design that allows for more expression depending on the picking attack.

I can really shape the note and squeeze it out with cathode biased amps like my Champ or my Matchless Amps.

Lew
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

one big diff I know of is efficiency.
mesa F30 with 2 EL84 and class A/B gives 30 watts.
but my V16 and other "classA"/cathode biased with 2 EL84 gives 15 watts.
mine is much hotter and burns tubes faster because currents run thru them constantly so they use the middle of the "I/U" curve to amplify both halves of a sine wave.
classA/B uses the "root" of the "I/U" curve to amplify one half of a sine wave with each tube. (then they are pieced together for output)
what I want to know is how are the currents from 2 tubes in a cathode biased amp combined into one signal for output? anyone?
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

I find that cathode biased amps are more controlled by the player as in it is more of a tool then an amplifier thats y there aren't many good cathode amp emulations by digital amps they cant copy that feel.
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

James Rock said:
I find that cathode biased amps are more controlled by the player as in it is more of a tool then an amplifier thats y there aren't many good cathode amp emulations by digital amps they cant copy that feel.
Click to expand...
+1!
they all sound like digitaly sampled one note with digitaly modified pitch and picking strength. the real thing is more dimensional that that!
 
Re: my classA crate V16's ruined classA/B for me :)

callous_frigid_chill said:
I'ts actually not class a, it's just a marketing gimmick. The five watt one is.
Click to expand...
And it's not "Class A/B", it's "Class AB". :grumble:
 
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