Crate V5?????????????

[Tele-Dave]

What does anyone think about the V5 as compared to the Champ 600???
Was wanting a small all tube for home practice.
For 0nly $99 is it worth it??
What about mods?

[studio1087]

I have a Champion 600 and this sounds pretty darn close (perhaps better)...


I just searched for fun and BestBuy is selling V5's for $89.

Crate V5 - $89 - Best Buy

I bought one of the V18's for $149 and it's been fun.

John

[mistermullens]

Sounds good. I've been eying these for a while. I probably don't need another practice amp. I've already got a Pathfinder 15R and an Epi VJr. The Epi has been getting seriously neglected since I got the Vox. The V5 does sound good though.

[charlie chitlin]

I haven't heard one, but the reviews are VERY mixed.
Some love it, some hate it, but most who took the time to change the speaker seem to like it.
I bet a Weber Sig would do wonders.
I've been trying to convince myself that my kid needs one, but he can use any one of my amps for the time being.
First and foremost...the Crate has a 10" speaker in a pretty big box, which makes it a totally different animal from the Champ.
To me, the Champ is strictly for recording and bedroom use.
For me, it was a great bench-top amp, and I used it for giving guitar lessons.
I think the Crate could probably be used for band rehearsals.
Also, the Crates are EL34 amps with a "British" voice, and the Fender is...well...Fender...6V6.
Also...I got lucky (as did the TDPRI member who bought it) because mine was pretty quiet and dependable (although it did eat a 12AX7 in less than a week...i guess it could have been a tube problem), but there have been a lot of bummed out Champ owners who couldn't get their amps to behave.
Both amps have a ton of available mods.
If I only had the Champ, I would want an outboard speaker cab so I could get more volume and "big box" sound so I could use it in higher volume situations (like band rehearsal) and to get rid of that boxy, little sound.
Mine sounded really cool with a 12 or a 2x10.
I would bet, though, that for the vast majority of owners, the cool looks and novelty of the little Champ wear off pretty fast.

[Tele-Dave]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

I haven't heard one, but the reviews are VERY mixed.
.

Yea, that is what im getting also on some of the other forums too. I guess it comes down to personal tastes and your tolerance level to what you precieve to be acceptable. still going to wait till others chime in who might have one to hear what they say about it.

I figure that for the price, if it is that bad, I could always just add it to the parts pile.

And i could always use the cab for one of my other low power amp builds.

[Chris S.]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

Also, the Crates are EL34 amps with a "British" voice, and the Fender is...well...Fender...6V6.

I believe the Crate V5 actually uses an EL84, but your main point is correct, it's a different flavor than the Fender. Hope it helps, CS :-)

[charlie chitlin]

Originally Posted by Chris S.

I believe the Crate V5 actually uses an EL84,-)

Wiseguy
You're correct, of course.
I always think the liddo tube should have the liddo number.

[SushiDanWah]

I have the Palamino V8 version of the amp, made in the US and really like it stock; I have been thinking about getting a V5 and a DD3 and running the amps together but have not pulled the trigger yet.

It seems that the "made in Vietnam" V5s have had more user "comments" made about them but after a set of good tubes and a new speaker, they are still a good value. I mean, a fun, light, 5 watt tube amp for the price of a 10-15w SS amp? C'mon now...

Dan

[nomadh]

If you are inclined to tinker it could be great for you. I don't know the current model 5 watter but I really liked the palomino model. If its similar I'd be happy if not its a cheap box to mod. Great kit for $89