54stratlover
New member
I gave a disappointed review of the Crate Power Block earlier. the review was based on a non functioning unit. I went ahead and took your advice and sent it back. The replacement arrived quite promptly (approx 2 days).
I am using it to amplify a Line 6 tone port. I have used 2 different 2x12 cabinets, one loaded with celestions (vintage 30 & g12h) the other has vintage jensens in it. What I am finding is that the power block is a great way to amplify a line 6 product. I am not sure that is will be an effective way to amplify it in a live playing situation. I did a comparison, more later. To use the line 6 tone port one needs to connect it via an rca connection. I used a cheap rca chord that was available here at home. It amplified the line 6 wonderfully. I have never run the line 6 into a board, so I cannot compare to that tone, but regardless I felt that the power block does an excellent job in this regard. I feel that the key is cabinet and speaker selection. I would really like to try the newer celestion g12 century with the Neodymium magnet. I have tried those speaker in different settings, and they really peaked my interest. I feel they would have great potential in this setting. So I five it a thumbs up for this use.
Next I ran a LP '58 reissue into it for a tone review. I was really impressed for a 50-75 dollar unit. My tonal impression was that of an overdriven bassman, or maybe a jcm 800. I was turned off to solid state units in the late 80s early 90s. the tone just wasn't there. then there was the digital hiss. This unit did not have those problems. It does a good immitation of tube response. I initially set it up at 50% drive, and master at 100%. this was the bassman type response. The tone controls were very responsive. I then set the drive at 100%, then brought the master level up to a usable level. this was really dictated by the cabinet. when I went to high, I could tell that the speaker cabinet was getting stressed. 150w into a 90 watt cabinet. so there it is. regardless I liked the tones, with the latter settings, it was reminiscent of a jcm 800 or a jmp. think AC/DC.
Now for the comparison that I mentioned earlier. I think that when the rca was used the output was around 80-90% of the front input (using it as an amp) even with that I was very impressed.
In summation, I like the unit. for either powering an effects unit, or as a stand alone amp. I would be nervous using it live due to potential "technical difficulty" problems. I have read all of the H.C. reviews, and what I am figuring is there is about a 30-40 percent failure rate, some identical to the problem I had. I would have no qualms using it as a practice unit. With that in mind, I would like to see Crate build a "bullet-proof" version of this unit, with high quality internal components. I would feel more comfortable if it said "made in U.S.A.", or Japan, or even Korea. the China thing does not inspire confidence, due to the predominance of "throw away" products that come from there. Overall I retract my prior evaluation of this unit, and give it a 6.5-7 out of 10.
Craig
Craig
I am using it to amplify a Line 6 tone port. I have used 2 different 2x12 cabinets, one loaded with celestions (vintage 30 & g12h) the other has vintage jensens in it. What I am finding is that the power block is a great way to amplify a line 6 product. I am not sure that is will be an effective way to amplify it in a live playing situation. I did a comparison, more later. To use the line 6 tone port one needs to connect it via an rca connection. I used a cheap rca chord that was available here at home. It amplified the line 6 wonderfully. I have never run the line 6 into a board, so I cannot compare to that tone, but regardless I felt that the power block does an excellent job in this regard. I feel that the key is cabinet and speaker selection. I would really like to try the newer celestion g12 century with the Neodymium magnet. I have tried those speaker in different settings, and they really peaked my interest. I feel they would have great potential in this setting. So I five it a thumbs up for this use.
Next I ran a LP '58 reissue into it for a tone review. I was really impressed for a 50-75 dollar unit. My tonal impression was that of an overdriven bassman, or maybe a jcm 800. I was turned off to solid state units in the late 80s early 90s. the tone just wasn't there. then there was the digital hiss. This unit did not have those problems. It does a good immitation of tube response. I initially set it up at 50% drive, and master at 100%. this was the bassman type response. The tone controls were very responsive. I then set the drive at 100%, then brought the master level up to a usable level. this was really dictated by the cabinet. when I went to high, I could tell that the speaker cabinet was getting stressed. 150w into a 90 watt cabinet. so there it is. regardless I liked the tones, with the latter settings, it was reminiscent of a jcm 800 or a jmp. think AC/DC.
Now for the comparison that I mentioned earlier. I think that when the rca was used the output was around 80-90% of the front input (using it as an amp) even with that I was very impressed.
In summation, I like the unit. for either powering an effects unit, or as a stand alone amp. I would be nervous using it live due to potential "technical difficulty" problems. I have read all of the H.C. reviews, and what I am figuring is there is about a 30-40 percent failure rate, some identical to the problem I had. I would have no qualms using it as a practice unit. With that in mind, I would like to see Crate build a "bullet-proof" version of this unit, with high quality internal components. I would feel more comfortable if it said "made in U.S.A.", or Japan, or even Korea. the China thing does not inspire confidence, due to the predominance of "throw away" products that come from there. Overall I retract my prior evaluation of this unit, and give it a 6.5-7 out of 10.
Craig
Craig
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