Crate Palomino V16...

joshigh · May 7th, 2006, 02:25 PM

I just picked up one of these at GC. I've had my eye out for a nice small amp that I can grab and run with, without wheeling out the 120lbs Bad Cat rig. I didn't really care what the brand was, or what it looked like, but, I saw these sitting in the Crate section, and I was impressed by the looks. I then saw that there was a used one for sale, for 269. So, I went to buy it, and they told me it was on a 30 day trade in police hold, to make sure it wasn't stolen. I asked the guy if I could take it home, and bring it back if they needed me to. He said it was county law, so no. Instead, he gave me a brand new one, for the same price. They sell for 399. I took it to a small gig, acoustic, fiddle, electric thing. It started making this horrible popping noise, like a bad input jack or something. Totally unbearable. I had to run home, get my other amp, and hurry back to the gig. I took the Crate back the next day, and they swapped me out one that just came in. In the box and everything. So far, it's doing it's job. I like the size, and sound of it. I have a Bad Cat Black Cat, so I'm a fan of the Class A el84 sound, and this Palomino is right in line with that. The only thing I don't like is how they have the build out. It's nearly impossible to get to the tubes for swapping. I wish they had them hanging in the back, like most combos. These sit parallel with the floor, behind the circuit board. I would have never considered Crate for a tube purchase, I guess I'm a snob, but, they hit the nail on the head with this one. I believe these are sold only through GC, rebranded from the GV series with the identical specs. They both list for the same price.

May 7th, 2006, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
joshigh Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 185	Crate Palomino V16... I just picked up one of these at GC. I've had my eye out for a nice small amp that I can grab and run with, without wheeling out the 120lbs Bad Cat rig. I didn't really care what the brand was, or what it looked like, but, I saw these sitting in the Crate section, and I was impressed by the looks. I then saw that there was a used one for sale, for 269. So, I went to buy it, and they told me it was on a 30 day trade in police hold, to make sure it wasn't stolen. I asked the guy if I could take it home, and bring it back if they needed me to. He said it was county law, so no. Instead, he gave me a brand new one, for the same price. They sell for 399. I took it to a small gig, acoustic, fiddle, electric thing. It started making this horrible popping noise, like a bad input jack or something. Totally unbearable. I had to run home, get my other amp, and hurry back to the gig. I took the Crate back the next day, and they swapped me out one that just came in. In the box and everything. So far, it's doing it's job. I like the size, and sound of it. I have a Bad Cat Black Cat, so I'm a fan of the Class A el84 sound, and this Palomino is right in line with that. The only thing I don't like is how they have the build out. It's nearly impossible to get to the tubes for swapping. I wish they had them hanging in the back, like most combos. These sit parallel with the floor, behind the circuit board. I would have never considered Crate for a tube purchase, I guess I'm a snob, but, they hit the nail on the head with this one. I believe these are sold only through GC, rebranded from the GV series with the identical specs. They both list for the same price.