Crate V-series and Palomino amp club....

I had a V-18, and now have a V33H, both went under the soldering iron to change up the preamps, using mods found at Blueguitar.org.

The V-33H underwent the "Soldano SLO" mods, it's now a 3-channel (actually 2-channel with a switchable boost on the clean that crunches it up) with usable B/M/T controls and the OD channel is smooth and has tons of overdrive on tap, and no mud...

I have a V1512, got a deal on one just shortly after they came out. I've played a lot of gigs with it, and it's been a great performer. I especially like the interactivity between the gain and the master volume allowing you to dial in just the right amount of pre-amp or power amp distortion. Which is why it's seen so many gigs. ;-) That and the fact it's a portable little package. :cool: CS

Always wanted a Crate when I tried one. It's just a bit expensive here in Australia. Always on the lookout for one on eBay.

I currently own a Palomino v8 I got brand new for 200,wondering if there are any fairly easy mods that might enhance this amp,this is my first tube amp and not sure of its potential any help is appreciated.

V33h chiming in, play it through 2 12 Jensen MODs. Haven't gotten to the Soldano SLO mods but will after i tackle a 6v6 texas blues special build. Pretty much only use it for the clean channel and run some amp modelling through it with my Korg ax3g. Heard great things about the SLO mods, can't wait to get to them.

hey eschle, ultralight here, how you liking the mod so far?

I have a V3112T and a V5.

Gotta join another club.
I got a USA made V32 Palomino. I use my Fenders mostly but sometimes this. When I get ambitious I A/B it with a Fender at a gig. Great amp that has it's own sound.

Crate V50-112 ... i found the custom creme tolex skins online ... http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YeJzt63xtWM/SUBJqDGqoZI/AAAAAAAAAJw/pz1lJZYyQik/s400/DSC00003.JPG

got a v33 head i need mods for, love the cleans on this! the gain sux, though, of course everyone already knows that .............this beast is loud too!!!!

I got a great deal on a "Made in USA" NOS Crate V1512T ($315, delivered, w/ 1-year factory warranty). Swapped out the Groove Tubes and Sovteks for JJs and EHs. Now she's ready to rock!

As Chris S. says, great tone in a simple, compact package.

I currently own a Palomino v8 I got brand new for 200,wondering if there are any fairly easy mods that might enhance this amp,this is my first tube amp and not sure of its potential any help is appreciated.

The Palomino V8 is a nice pickup for your first tube amp. Aside from a tube change and a speaker upgrade, I think the V8 is ready to rock-and-roll.

Check out the reviews on Harmony Central. If mods and upgrades are warranted, they'll be referenced in the reviews.

Enjoy it!

Always wanted a Crate when I tried one. It's just a bit expensive here in Australia. Always on the lookout for one on eBay.

There are several USA-made Crates on Ebay right now: V1512, V1512T and a V3112:

Crate V1512 & V3112 on Ebay (http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=crate+%28v1512%2C+v3112%29&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=crate+%28v1512%2C+v3112%2C+v16%29&_osacat=0)

There is great value in these amps.

US made Palomino V16. Lovin it.

I'm in:

Crate V18 1-12.

The stock speaker in my opinion was garbage, so I dropped a Warehouse Veteran 30 in there, and WOW! Totally loving it!

I got a V18 112 when Musician's Fiend was blowing them out. I upgraded the speaker and reverb tank (Weber signature and Accutronics, respectively) and I've been using it pretty heavily since then. I think I've got a particularly good one: there's a good amount of clean headroom on tap, and since I changed the speaker the bass is well within reasonable levels. I keep waiting for the power supply to blow up or something, but so far, so good.

V5 owner here, got mine in The Great GC Blowout hysteria of a while back. It's currently residing on the mods bench, awaiting the upgrades mentioned in this thread: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/145636-want-crate-v5-schematic.html

mud

I currently own a Palomino v8 I got brand new for 200,wondering if there are any fairly easy mods that might enhance this amp,this is my first tube amp and not sure of its potential any help is appreciated.

Honestly, the Palomino V8s I've heard/played all sounded great with just a guitar plugged in and the controls dimed. I can't say that there's anything I'd do to them....



V33h chiming in, play it through 2 12 Jensen MODs. Haven't gotten to the Soldano SLO mods but will after i tackle a 6v6 texas blues special build. Pretty much only use it for the clean channel and run some amp modelling through it with my Korg ax3g. Heard great things about the SLO mods, can't wait to get to them.

hey eschle, ultralight here, how you liking the mod so far?

I really like the mods on my V33H. Interestingly enough, the mods seemed to drop the available volume on the V18, but had no effect on available volume for the V33. The mods affected both channels, but if you install the resistor/cap/SPST switch (you do have to drill a hole in the faceplate) you have the option of toggling from crunch back to pretty much the original clean tone. If you don't do that part of the install, you basically put some crunch into the clean side that you can't really get out unless you run at low volumes.

The OD side was night and day. You'll just have to try it, but I can guarantee that if you are only using it on the clean channel because the OD channel sounds like crap, the SLO mods will definitely address that issue in a very good way. There's everything from hot blues to classic rock to 80's hair metal available on the OD side when all is said and done.

The mods took me less than 4 hours to do, including dismantling the amp and putting it back together, and I think I spent something like $14 on parts from Mouser (excl. shipping)...

I have a 3212.
Anybody have any thoughts about the solid state rectifier in this amp, and if it would be desireable...or even possible...to have a tube rectifier?

I got a V18 112 when Musician's Fiend was blowing them out. I upgraded the speaker and reverb tank (Weber signature and Accutronics, respectively) and I've been using it pretty heavily since then. I think I've got a particularly good one: there's a good amount of clean headroom on tap, and since I changed the speaker the bass is well within reasonable levels. I keep waiting for the power supply to blow up or something, but so far, so good.


V18 112 here too. Traded a pedal and paid $96 at local Sam Ash. Took the speaker from my dead AD50VT (vox/celestion), JJ pwr tubes and a 12 AT 7 in V1 and AU7 in V3. Been gigging the hell out of it for a year now. No issues (except the 'verb but I use delay instead), and I usually get compliments or asked to turn down in the bars I gig in.

Lots of clips at: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=783993

I have a Blues Jr. and SCXD too. Line out of the SCXD into the V18 = OH YEAH!!!

I got the V-5, for 69.99, thinking I'll get my feet wet learning how to mod an amp for the first time.

Should have known the project was doomed from the start. After I put the amp on layaway, my car needed 530 dollars to pass inspection. Then my mom had triple bypass surgery, then my cat got diagnosed with diabetes.

If I had a tele, I'd write a country song about it.:lol: I finally got some money from yard work and brought the amp home. My enthusiasm to mod it is about as good as the amp sounds right now, not so great. I've got this brand new amp, and it sounds like crap.

I have Crate VC5212W and Crate V50 palomino.I will change speakers in V50 to G12M25 in few days.And I will try to change EL34 to TAD tonebone adapter with EL84.I will write result of my testing.

I have an old VC 30 , I put Eminence Tonespotter in it. Changed the tubes to JJ`s in the power section and Tung Sols in the pre. This thing rocks!!

I purchased a new refurbished V32 112 and I like it so much I bought a second used one on eB@y.
I do not see any mods on either... but my refurbished one sounds much better. Just a beautiful chime!
I have compared it side by side with Matchless, Custom Collins, Custom Whitley, Marshall JTM45, Marshall 50 watt Plexi...
Man, It holds it's own! I am talking strictly clean ch... here of course.
They are both Vet made... I installed the same tubes and TT speakers in both.

This used eb@y one seems to have a touch of that inherent 500 to 800K ugly Peavey mid thing.
I'm thinking it could be the OT... and of course to much bass and gritty gain... etc...
Here are a list of mods I have found... Is there anything else I can do?

"C54 and R31 form a low boost in the tone stack, try a jumper across this network (R31)
"Jumper R31 to take out the Bass boost circuit, this will help to tighten the bottom end"
"Remove the damn Bass boost (jump R31)"

*******

"Clip C38 to smooth out the gain"
"Try different values or bypass the decoupling cap, that will clean up the gain a bit"

*******

"Change the slope resistor to 56K, this makes the tone stack controls work a little better"
"Change the slope resistor (I have 44K & 56K switchable) stock is 33K.

******

"Upgraded transformer from mercurymagnetntics.com"

I purchased a new refurbished V32 112 and I like it so much I bought a second used one on eB@y.
I do not see any mods on either... but my refurbished one sounds much better. Just a beautiful chime!
I have compared it side by side with Matchless, Custom Collins, Custom Whitley, Marshall JTM45, Marshall 50 watt Plexi...
Man, It holds it's own! I am talking strictly clean ch... here of course.
They are both Vet made... I installed the same tubes and TT speakers in both.Testdrove the V16 and V32 last year during the GC blowout, and wound up buying the V16 for my then-current needs. Those needs changed, and I just picked up a used V32 in Sept. I don't think I'm getting rid of the V16!


This used eb@y one seems to have a touch of that inherent 500 to 800K ugly Peavey mid thing.
I'm thinking it could be the OT... and of course to much bass and gritty gain... etc...

As for the Peavey thing, I was talking to my tech yesterday about some possible V32 mods, and he stated the Palomino's boost circuit was extremely similar to the Classic 30's, so maybe there are some inherent similiarities in the tone stack?

Here are a list of mods I have found... Is there anything else I can do?

"C54 and R31 form a low boost in the tone stack, try a jumper across this network (R31)
"Jumper R31 to take out the Bass boost circuit, this will help to tighten the bottom end"
"Remove the damn Bass boost (jump R31)"

*******

"Clip C38 to smooth out the gain"
"Try different values or bypass the decoupling cap, that will clean up the gain a bit"

*******

"Change the slope resistor to 56K, this makes the tone stack controls work a little better"
"Change the slope resistor (I have 44K & 56K switchable) stock is 33K.

******

"Upgraded transformer from mercurymagnetntics.com"Looks like the mods you've uncovered will help get rid of the the 'too much bass' and 'gritty gain' problems. If not, there is a huge thread over at The Gear Page started by rhythmrocker in the Amps And Cabs section that may be what you're looking for. (* I apologize in advance, as I'm fairly new here, in case there is some protocol about mentioning TGP, or other guitar sites in general. If necessary, I'll remove the reference from this post. *)