$200-$250 Range...Suggestion?

[SpacemanSpiff]

The Crate V50 costs 385,00 Euros here in Lisbon, Portugal... that's 100,00 more than the SCXD. Was about to try it in the store but didn't when I saw the price.

The store guy couldn't say enough good things about it...

[Barz]

Originally Posted by charlie cash

If you don't really want to buy a new amp, you may be able to fix the drive switch with a squirt of electrical contact cleaner.

I was told about this before. Seems to be a VERY common problem with the 25R's. But unfortunately I already tried it and it didn't work. I also have a Guitar Research T60R Solo Tube which i believe sounds better than the fender. But it starts humming for no reason some times. I wish I could just fix it, and put a new speaker in it. I would be happy with that. Speaking of, anyone know how to fix that problem?

[giantslayer]

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably grab a one of those V50s. Getting an amp like that in that price range is the kind of awesome deal that doesn't come around every day. It'll probably sound better than most of your options in that price range. Plus, if you really somehow hate it, you could probably recover most of your money on it by reselling it, especially if you wait 'till after all the stores clearing them out run out and ebay's the only place to get 'em.

[Barz]

I just ran across this video from GearWire. It's a video of them Demo'ing the V50. I've been debating pulling the trigger on one. Especially in the last hour or so. Lol. I hate spending money. Anyways, here's the video....


http://www.gearwire.com/media/crate-v50112-demo.wmv

[Duffy]

According to the pro amp tech I go to the V50 is very much like the old V50 and the V50 Palamino. All of them according to him are very nearly the same.

It is an awesome sounding amp, clean and on the drive channel.

Duffy

Playing my inexpensive 99 dollar '07 Crate ss Flexwave 15R and it too is great sounding both clean and has a great overdrive channel and a 12 inch speaker!. A speaker upgrade with a big old magnet would make this an awesome amp, especially a speaker with a 100 plus dB rating.

Duffy

[Hoodster]

"All of them according to him are very nearly the same."

This is most definitely NOT the case. On The Gear Page There are posts by the original designer of the V-Series that go into way more technical detail than I understand, but the biggest change was when then shipped production to Asia they redesigned the V18 and V33 to NOT include a power tranny, replacing it with a switch.

From Crate's press release on HC:

"One enhancement common to all of the new models is a power-switching power supply, which presents two unique and distinct advantages. First, a voltage switch on each amplifier's back panel now allows the guitarist to play virtually anywhere in the world without having to invest in expensive and bulky voltage transformers. The second benefit is a drastic reduction in overall amplifier weight--up to 20 percent."

Despite this marketing hype most folks seem to think having a traditional power transformer is preferable.

Here's the Crate guy's quote:

"The new V18, V33 have switching power supplies. In my testing of these products, the supply had very minimal "sag" or voltage drop under load, like 10 volts drop from idle to full bore. This would make for a tighter cleaner amp, but not neccesarily what sounds good. The Output transformer on these amps was designed by the Chinese engineers, to me it looked overspec as well...lots of headroom, again, maybe not what sounds good. The amp sounded more clean, but perhaps with no "vibe". The circuit was pretty much retained and used from the V32, V16, etc....but the powersupply and OT were different. These components make a big change in the sound so thats why I would recommend the older V16, V32, or even older yet, the first generation cream colored VC3112, etc....Those transformers have typical linear supply characteristics, ie, sag under load that is good sounding. If you don't have a rectifier tube, some Vdrop can be built into the power x....the outputs on the original, cream and black VC units were made in Chicago with papaer formers and insulation based upon a tweed style winding layer technique...94-268-01 was the part number. A little higher primary impedance, around 5K i think....makes it a bit softer. Most of the Palomino stuff had chassis that were subcontracted to an asian supplier so they have all asian components, but we were using most of them anyway so not much difference...the OT being the main diff. I did change the board to a double sided design on the Asian chass assys to have more reliable solder connections across the board. "

[giantslayer]

Originally Posted by Hoodster

"All of them according to him are very nearly the same."

This is most definitely NOT the case. On The Gear Page There are posts by the original designer of the V-Series that go into way more technical detail than I understand, but the biggest change was when then shipped production to Asia they redesigned the V18 and V33 to NOT include a power tranny, replacing it with a switch.

From Crate's press release on HC:

"One enhancement common to all of the new models is a power-switching power supply, which presents two unique and distinct advantages. First, a voltage switch on each amplifier's back panel now allows the guitarist to play virtually anywhere in the world without having to invest in expensive and bulky voltage transformers. The second benefit is a drastic reduction in overall amplifier weight--up to 20 percent."

Despite this marketing hype most folks seem to think having a traditional power transformer is preferable.

Here's the Crate guy's quote:

"The new V18, V33 have switching power supplies. In my testing of these products, the supply had very minimal "sag" or voltage drop under load, like 10 volts drop from idle to full bore. This would make for a tighter cleaner amp, but not neccesarily what sounds good. The Output transformer on these amps was designed by the Chinese engineers, to me it looked overspec as well...lots of headroom, again, maybe not what sounds good. The amp sounded more clean, but perhaps with no "vibe". The circuit was pretty much retained and used from the V32, V16, etc....but the powersupply and OT were different. These components make a big change in the sound so thats why I would recommend the older V16, V32, or even older yet, the first generation cream colored VC3112, etc....Those transformers have typical linear supply characteristics, ie, sag under load that is good sounding. If you don't have a rectifier tube, some Vdrop can be built into the power x....the outputs on the original, cream and black VC units were made in Chicago with papaer formers and insulation based upon a tweed style winding layer technique...94-268-01 was the part number. A little higher primary impedance, around 5K i think....makes it a bit softer. Most of the Palomino stuff had chassis that were subcontracted to an asian supplier so they have all asian components, but we were using most of them anyway so not much difference...the OT being the main diff. I did change the board to a double sided design on the Asian chass assys to have more reliable solder connections across the board. "

Just in case anyone forgot, people here are mostly talking about the V50, not the V16 or 33.

[Duffy]

I believe the V50 has the switching power supply as well but I can't say for sure without checking.

It has "vibe" in my opinion. Really chimey clean tone to the ceiling, really smooth great sounding vintage type drive channel and even the reverb I really like. It is really rich in tone.

Maybe I just got a good one but I bet there are a lot of good ones out there.

Apparently, aside from the power supply the design is actually quite similar to the old V series amps, like the pro amp tech in Harrisburg I take my good stuff to when really difficult technical things need to be done. A super great guitar pro tech works there as well. They can do things that most techs I know are not capable of, no insult intended. That's why these guys are pros and a lot of serious equipment flows thru their hands getting put back right.

Duffy

[Singin' Dave]

I've got nothing to back me up on this, but my old Crate VC30 from St. Louis Music was entirely more toneful, touch-sensitive and ballsy than any V33, V18, V50 or any other Crate amp since production moved to Asia. I bought that amp for $220 w/ cover used and it was USA solid, clear as a bell and LOUD.

If I had $250 and needed a tube amp, I'd look for a used Peavey C30, Crate VC30, '70's Traynors, a few old 30w Pignose variations, a late 80's Super Champ or a whole lot of others over a new V-Series Crate.

[Duffy]

My V50 is super toneful, really touch sensitive, hard hitting. It rings like a bell and chimes real sweet, but it roars like a lion. No wimpy amp here.

Buy what you want and let your hands and ears feedback. You'll find the right one, just like the right puppy. You will know it when you find it.

Duffy

[jh45gun]

Glad you like it Duffy but I think your outvoted on how good of an amp it is. Myself the only way I will take a crate amp if it is FREE then I figure it MIGHT be worth fixing or messing with.

[Duffy]

Yeah I've heard that before, but it is somewhat of a thing of the past and a stigma that in some cases will not be outgrown; however, the newer Crates are remarkably better quality than the old ones you are probably familiar with.

Mine sounds awesome. Even compared to my Hot Rod Deluxe and Delta Blues 15.

A neat little amp I have though is the Fender Super Champ XD. Has great models and is tube pre and power amp. The bassman model is great and the tweeds are great, lots of the models are great. Who would know how to model Fenders better than Fender? They have like 11 different Fender amps in there along with the obligatory British models and the acoustasonic. Plus some real good effects, but not too many, like 11 maybe with parameters and a level knob for the selected effects or combination effects. Also the clean channel is independent of the models and has its own tone which is pure Fender clean all the way to the ceiling, chimes like a bell; especially with the new Eminence Ragin' Cajun speaker I put in it, high dB sensitivity and Loud plus sweet tone.

There's another great option for 299, scratch and dent for less. Even the Vibro Champ XD for 50 dollars less is a cool little amp with only an 8 inch speaker though. Less watts too I'm sure. Probably 5 where the SCXD is 15 - 20 tube watts.

Duffy

[houseman]

I have a danelectro nifty fifty and it's the best chinese I've ever had. Does all sorts of styles at all sorts of volumes (it's loud for its 15 watts, I even use it with a drummer, with the volume at 5!). They don't have them new over here in Belgium, but I hope to find one as backup.

[DMace]

I'd go for a used Pro Jr. or Blues Jr.. In this economy, if you're patient, I'm sure you'd be able to find one locally for $250. They sound great for the size and money, are versatile, relatively lightweight, and if you want to move up to a better or bigger amp down the road, they are easy to resell.

[charlie chitlin]

I just had a weak moment combined with a couple Christmas checks and ordered a V3212 for what, as far as I can tell, is probably being sold below cost. I'm in a serious EL84 phase, and I was missing that 2x12 sound.
I'll keep y'all posted.

[Hoodster]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

If I had $250 and needed a tube amp, I'd look for a used Peavey C30, Crate VC30, '70's Traynors, a few old 30w Pignose variations, a late 80's Super Champ or a whole lot of others over a new V-Series Crate.

Agreed on all but one--original Super Champs have been commanding INSANE prices on the used market for a good ten years. I bought one in 02 for $550 and sold it for $650 2 years later. The XD model has done nothing to temper the madness--an original went for $760 last week and I've seen them for a grand on TGP. VERY over-rated amp, IMO. I'd take a Rivera Clubster or PRRI over them any day.

[Odie251]

For a do everything bedroom amp eventhough its solid state the Roland Cube 30 is nice for what it does But it is not a tube amp. Just adding an option.

[bluzjamer]

Ok guys, maybhe you saw this maybe you didn't. I've bought a few of these dogs that won't hunt before but this makes me want to give it another shot, at least before the tooth fairy runs away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-z_qNNcVz8

[popthree]

so was that the crate factory ? is that the final test before they box the amp up and send it out ?

did you like the tone he was getting ?

[charlie chitlin]

They have a nice, long warranty, too.
5 years, is it?
I don't remember...it's at least 3.
I mainly took a chance on one because I have a service center about 3 miles away.
I always bring a spare amp to gigs anyway...