Who would've thought Crate would make an amp that sounds good!

Casey · 12-29-2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

You can do much better, even SS wise than Tech 21...

why do you say this? which products of theirs have you used extensively?

And metropolis, don't you own and use a Variax, along with being a champion of line 6 and their products?

**thesteve** · 12-29-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

And metropolis, don't you own and use a Variax, along with being a champion of line 6 and their products?

I think you might be thinking of former member PacerX...metropolis is in the process (perhaps just sold) his POD XTL.

**Gustin** · 12-29-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

Yeah, it's a nice amp. Crate has a few other nice ones, you just have to stay away from their solid state practice amps.

I disagree. My Crate practice amp is probably my favorite sounding solid state amp.

metropolis4 · 12-29-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

why do you say this? which products of theirs have you used extensively?

And metropolis, don't you own and use a Variax, along with being a champion of line 6 and their products?

ACtually that was me... until a few months ago

I was really big into the versatility of the digital stuff and used a variax into POD XTL setup extensively for a few years. I came to realize though that I wasn't happy with playing through this set up. IT souns great especially in a setting where you need low stage volume and lots of versatility, and I LOVE the alternate tuning capability of the variax as that is a big part of my playing. But it just doesn't have the feel that playing through a good tube amp has.

I preferr to play through a tube amp (preferably CLass A) that is just on the verge of breaking up, so that I can hit it with a boost like the boost side of my Box of Rock and push it into overdrive. For me that is a sound that no solid state amp can produce. Solid state can emulate it, but it lacks the depth, character and sweetness of tubes. Solid state can be great if you want a good high watt clean tone, or solid low end for metal... But for more rootsy type stuff I just find that you need that extra low-fi type of sound with good sag. I've yet to find a solid state amp that has that sound.
So, Solid State can be great, and if it works for you then thats great. Tone is all about personal taste and finding what works best for you, for me I've found that what works best is a good tube amp and a few good pedals.

...On a side note, just because I've switched back to tubes doesn't mean that I've lost my appreciation for inexpensive gear! I'm still a BIG believer in tone being in the hands of the player. I think a good player can get great tone out of cheap gear and I love playing through inexpensive gear... I'm actually looking at buying a Crate Palomino, or an Epiphone Blues 30 as my next gigging amp! (a couple years ago I would've laughed at the thought of playing through any sub $1000 amp

)

shreadhead · 01-04-2007, 06:57 PM

I have owned a couple of the tube Crate Stealth amps ( a head and a combo ) over the years. Tubed out right those things will surprize ya

!!

Mattlock · 01-04-2007, 07:09 PM

I have a Crate tube amp (VC-50)

It's great for cleans and if you're looking for a dark tone. It actually has little headroom, which I like about it. When saturated it sounds great.

When I'm practicing, my distorted tone is iffy, but in a band setting it's great.

That said, it is a little too dark for my taste, and I'm much more of a fan of the bright-Fender styled amps. Also, the tremelo and reverb have a lot of problems, such as there's a breif cut of volume when you turn the trem. off if it's past 8 intensity, and the reverb apparently only works when it feels like it... Which is rarely.