Crate V1512 Users...opinions please

JohnK24 · September 7th, 2003, 08:33 PM

I'm torn between a Blues Jr. and the new V1512 amps. I had a Blues Jr., so I know what to expect. I changed the speaker and tubes (Weber C12NS and JJ/Teslas) to achieve a really nice sound, nothing stellar, but a good Vox meets Tweed tone vibe (on a real budget mind you).

So, the Crate, give me some opinions please...also, I really want to know does it delivery withOUT mods. I'd rather not spring for a new speaker and tubes right away (financial situation, so I'm looking for a good CHEAP little tube amp), if dollars didn't matter, I'd be all over a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia, that's the tone I love, raw Vox/Marshall goes a little tweedy

Thanks,
JK

Anonymous · September 7th, 2003, 10:59 PM

We've not been keeping up with the posts here of late, have we? ;-)

The last time I posted about this amp some brain donor got all bent out of shape that I could actually like anything made by Crate:

http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?p...ghlight=#58806

So I'll just say that I own lots of amps, including vintage Fenders, modern Fenders, Dr. Z., Laney, Peavey, Trace Elliott, and others... and sometimes I like to use the Crate V1512 for gigs. The combination of the gain (volume) and level (master) controls allow you to dial in the just the amount of grit you want for a variety of situations.

Really, the only things it has going for it are that it sounds great, is highly "touch" responsive, appears well-built, is very portable, highly versatile, doesn't cost much, and even looks kinda cool. Aside from that, it totally sucks.

Hope this helps, CS :-)

P.S. You can also find out what TDP'ers think about lots of topics by doing a "search." You can get to the search function by clicking on the word "Search" at the top of this page under "The Review Zone," between "FAQ" and "Profile." But here's the link:

http://www.tdpri.com/search.php

trag-o-caster · September 8th, 2003, 02:41 AM

... I liked it at first, and played many gigs with it. I grew tired of it after a while. The one I had never really seemed to clean up. With the volume up and the gain low it still had some graininess to it. At low volume with the gain up, it seemed kinda ratty. When turned up it sweetened up, but it always had a kind of raspiness that I didn't care for. Lots of low end thought. Extremely loud 15 watts, and too loud for many small clubs. I personally dig the Pro Jr. more, but that's just me. Overall, a good sounding amp, but it's a personal thing.

Who cares if it's a Crate, Peavey, or whatever? If you like it, use it. At one time my whole rig was:

Fernandes Tele copy used $250
Peavey Classic 20 used $150
Peavey Classic 410E cab used $200 (or less, I forgot)

My setup then cost less than $600, sounded great, and I didn't care what anybody thought! I still have all of the above, and will probably use it all again, I'm sure.

channelcat · September 8th, 2003, 09:40 AM

I had become frustrated trying to get the sound I wanted out of my California series Tele through my Fender Princeton Chorus, that I went out searching for a used, or good deal on a new, humbucker based guitar. When playing a few through a Fender Hod Rod deluxe, and comparing to my tele, I knew the way to go was to replace my amp, not my guitar. Guitar Center had great deals on the Crates, and I went ahead and went for the 5112 (50W, 1x12). Liked both 5112 and the 1512 but in the end felt like the bigger amp was a better deal.( only $90.00 more)

Very pleased with the purchase fo far.Love the clean channel, and the built in effects, while I'll probably never use them performing, aren't too bad. I looked on Harmony Central after the purchase, and all reviews I saw there were positive.

My only thought is that I might regret the purchase from a resale point of view, but don't intend to sell this amp, .....today.

buglecorps · September 8th, 2003, 09:11 PM

That SLM continues to use the "Crate" name...I remember when the originals came out..the ones that were in wooden crates..It was just so weird..and this was the '70s! Most of the products are no worse than any one elses stuff..they just seem cursed.. one miscue after another. I worked in a shop that was a Crate dealer for years..I can't ever remeber selling much retail..it just seemed to be almost given away to sell guitars in combo deals,..about the only sales were institutuonal..churches, schools ect. that required bids. They have had a few nice things over the years; the Vintage Club was a nice try, OK sound, interesting styling but did they need to be WHITE?..and they weighed a ton...we blew those out for around $100.00 for the little guy. It just seems to be such bad karma, I don't know how they stay in business, everybody seems to stock the things, but no one uses them!..Hopefuly they have a winner with this new line..great styling, (I notice the Crate logo is conspicious in it's absence..) and many folks seem to like them..I'm sure the folks who work there take things seriously, and are long overdue for a home run.

Bluedawg · September 8th, 2003, 09:53 PM

I have no opinion on the amp,other than I don't like it.
I tried all of the new Crates and didn't care for them.

Especially the small one,but I don't particularly care for EL84's.

Since our last debate,I've had a chance to spend a lot of time with the new Crate amps.
The 50 watt model,is ok I guess,but there are better amps out there for the money..

But its not about what I like,its about what you like.

I'd wait and catch one used for about $150.00

Chrismeyer · September 9th, 2003, 07:15 PM

DON'T GET A CRATE!!!!DON'T GET A CRATE!!!!
PLEASE DON'T DO IT!!!!!FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!!!!
#1.It's gonna break
#2.It's GONNA break
Look,I loved the sound of my Crate Vintage club series heads and combo's,but Reliability?
There is NONE! They tear up,that's just what they do..ALL of them!
Thank God I was getting them at a severly cut rate!
Do yourself a favor and get a Marshall,or a Blues Jr.
Or IF you can find one a Sunn(made by fender)model T.THEY RULE! I don't have one but if I could afford it I would,although you'll have to LOOK for one.
P.S.CRATE SUCKS!!

JohnK24 · September 9th, 2003, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrismeyer

DON'T GET A CRATE!!!!DON'T GET A CRATE!!!!
PLEASE DON'T DO IT!!!!!FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!!!!
#1.It's gonna break
#2.It's GONNA break
Look,I loved the sound of my Crate Vintage club series heads and combo's,but Reliability?
There is NONE! They tear up,that's just what they do..ALL of them!
Thank God I was getting them at a severly cut rate!
Do yourself a favor and get a Marshall,or a Blues Jr.
Or IF you can find one a Sunn(made by fender)model T.THEY RULE! I don't have one but if I could afford it I would,although you'll have to LOOK for one.
P.S.CRATE SUCKS!!

So, let me get this straight...I'm to avoid the Crate amp ?...ok, got it. :?

don.m · September 9th, 2003, 11:08 PM

I just purchased the YCV-40, & couldn't be more pleased. I have owned many Fender & Marshall amps, along with other less known brands, but was advised to try these out from some other players. I tried this next to the HR deluxe, & RI deluxe, & the sound seemed more defined to me, more like one of the boutique amps. I only gig weekends, so I can't justify the$$ for a Top Hat, but this amp does the job. I'm also told by other players who use them that they have been reliable. I'm not sure, but I've heard that the current line of Crate amps have been very reliable also, & they have their own sound also. If you like the tone, ask other players who use them. If it's what you like, buy it!! I also use a Line6, & it has played out with me almost every weekend for 4 years. If you go by what many people on this site have said, Line6 is unreliable. Can't prove that by me. Buy with YOUR ears & wallet......don

September 7th, 2003, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnK24 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saxonburg,PA Posts: 1,387	Crate V1512 Users...opinions please I'm torn between a Blues Jr. and the new V1512 amps. I had a Blues Jr., so I know what to expect. I changed the speaker and tubes (Weber C12NS and JJ/Teslas) to achieve a really nice sound, nothing stellar, but a good Vox meets Tweed tone vibe (on a real budget mind you). So, the Crate, give me some opinions please...also, I really want to know does it delivery withOUT mods. I'd rather not spring for a new speaker and tubes right away (financial situation, so I'm looking for a good CHEAP little tube amp), if dollars didn't matter, I'd be all over a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia, that's the tone I love, raw Vox/Marshall goes a little tweedy Thanks, JK __________________ Got Twang ?!

September 7th, 2003, 10:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	Ha! We've not been keeping up with the posts here of late, have we? ;-) The last time I posted about this amp some brain donor got all bent out of shape that I could actually like anything made by Crate: http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?p...ghlight=#58806 So I'll just say that I own lots of amps, including vintage Fenders, modern Fenders, Dr. Z., Laney, Peavey, Trace Elliott, and others... and sometimes I like to use the Crate V1512 for gigs. The combination of the gain (volume) and level (master) controls allow you to dial in the just the amount of grit you want for a variety of situations. Really, the only things it has going for it are that it sounds great, is highly "touch" responsive, appears well-built, is very portable, highly versatile, doesn't cost much, and even looks kinda cool. Aside from that, it totally sucks. Hope this helps, CS :-) P.S. You can also find out what TDP'ers think about lots of topics by doing a "search." You can get to the search function by clicking on the word "Search" at the top of this page under "The Review Zone," between "FAQ" and "Profile." But here's the link: http://www.tdpri.com/search.php

September 8th, 2003, 02:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,438	From my experience... ... I liked it at first, and played many gigs with it. I grew tired of it after a while. The one I had never really seemed to clean up. With the volume up and the gain low it still had some graininess to it. At low volume with the gain up, it seemed kinda ratty. When turned up it sweetened up, but it always had a kind of raspiness that I didn't care for. Lots of low end thought. Extremely loud 15 watts, and too loud for many small clubs. I personally dig the Pro Jr. more, but that's just me. Overall, a good sounding amp, but it's a personal thing. Who cares if it's a Crate, Peavey, or whatever? If you like it, use it. At one time my whole rig was: Fernandes Tele copy used $250 Peavey Classic 20 used $150 Peavey Classic 410E cab used $200 (or less, I forgot) My setup then cost less than $600, sounded great, and I didn't care what anybody thought! I still have all of the above, and will probably use it all again, I'm sure. __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

September 8th, 2003, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
channelcat NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1	Crate V5112 I had become frustrated trying to get the sound I wanted out of my California series Tele through my Fender Princeton Chorus, that I went out searching for a used, or good deal on a new, humbucker based guitar. When playing a few through a Fender Hod Rod deluxe, and comparing to my tele, I knew the way to go was to replace my amp, not my guitar. Guitar Center had great deals on the Crates, and I went ahead and went for the 5112 (50W, 1x12). Liked both 5112 and the 1512 but in the end felt like the bigger amp was a better deal.( only $90.00 more) Very pleased with the purchase fo far.Love the clean channel, and the built in effects, while I'll probably never use them performing, aren't too bad. I looked on Harmony Central after the purchase, and all reviews I saw there were positive. My only thought is that I might regret the purchase from a resale point of view, but don't intend to sell this amp, .....today.

September 8th, 2003, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
buglecorps Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Suburban Twang Town Posts: 753	It still amazes me.. That SLM continues to use the "Crate" name...I remember when the originals came out..the ones that were in wooden crates..It was just so weird..and this was the '70s! Most of the products are no worse than any one elses stuff..they just seem cursed.. one miscue after another. I worked in a shop that was a Crate dealer for years..I can't ever remeber selling much retail..it just seemed to be almost given away to sell guitars in combo deals,..about the only sales were institutuonal..churches, schools ect. that required bids. They have had a few nice things over the years; the Vintage Club was a nice try, OK sound, interesting styling but did they need to be WHITE?..and they weighed a ton...we blew those out for around $100.00 for the little guy. It just seems to be such bad karma, I don't know how they stay in business, everybody seems to stock the things, but no one uses them!..Hopefuly they have a winner with this new line..great styling, (I notice the Crate logo is conspicious in it's absence..) and many folks seem to like them..I'm sure the folks who work there take things seriously, and are long overdue for a home run. __________________ Loud is Good...

September 8th, 2003, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bluedawg Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mid-Atlantic,US Posts: 196	Brain Donor here..... I have no opinion on the amp,other than I don't like it. I tried all of the new Crates and didn't care for them. Especially the small one,but I don't particularly care for EL84's. Since our last debate,I've had a chance to spend a lot of time with the new Crate amps. The 50 watt model,is ok I guess,but there are better amps out there for the money.. But its not about what I like,its about what you like. I'd wait and catch one used for about $150.00 __________________ Boom,Boom,Boom,Boom -J.L. Hooker

September 9th, 2003, 07:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chrismeyer Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Age: 33 Posts: 594	Keep in mind that I actually had a Crate endorsement at one DON'T GET A CRATE!!!!DON'T GET A CRATE!!!! PLEASE DON'T DO IT!!!!!FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!!!! #1.It's gonna break #2.It's GONNA break Look,I loved the sound of my Crate Vintage club series heads and combo's,but Reliability? There is NONE! They tear up,that's just what they do..ALL of them! Thank God I was getting them at a severly cut rate! Do yourself a favor and get a Marshall,or a Blues Jr. Or IF you can find one a Sunn(made by fender)model T.THEY RULE! I don't have one but if I could afford it I would,although you'll have to LOOK for one. P.S.CRATE SUCKS!!

September 9th, 2003, 11:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
don.m TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: ct Posts: 45	You may also want to look at the Traynor line..... I just purchased the YCV-40, & couldn't be more pleased. I have owned many Fender & Marshall amps, along with other less known brands, but was advised to try these out from some other players. I tried this next to the HR deluxe, & RI deluxe, & the sound seemed more defined to me, more like one of the boutique amps. I only gig weekends, so I can't justify the$$ for a Top Hat, but this amp does the job. I'm also told by other players who use them that they have been reliable. I'm not sure, but I've heard that the current line of Crate amps have been very reliable also, & they have their own sound also. If you like the tone, ask other players who use them. If it's what you like, buy it!! I also use a Line6, & it has played out with me almost every weekend for 4 years. If you go by what many people on this site have said, Line6 is unreliable. Can't prove that by me. Buy with YOUR ears & wallet......don