Bought a Crate V 16 but taking it back...

Yesterday at GC I bought a Palomino v16. I like it real well but I don't think it will be enough for a gig un-mic'ed. Something else that bothers me about it is that a couple of knobs were not pointing the right direction and I pulled them off to reset and some of the shafts are plastic and some of them are metal. I am thinking this may of been a refurb amp because of this. If they have a v-32 I think I will pick one up as I feel it should be enough for my small club gigs. Anyone out there using a v32 on gigs????

Not sure if the v32 is exactly the same, but i have the v3112 Crate version that was made in the USA and it is more than enough for gigs. I've heard the Palominos are basically the same circuit, so they should be pretty close. I've also heard the ones made overseas are using some cheaper components, that may be what you experienced on the v16..?? I've been looking and asking around if the ones made overseas are really that bad. So far what I can find is, yes they are made with cheaper components but they still sound pretty good. Best bet - if you can find one made in the USA - get it, I think you'll be happy with it. Or since you are buying at GC, maybe you could try out one made overseas if they don't have any USA ones and see what you find. IF you do, post back on here, I'd like to hear what you find.

@ GC last week, i pulled one of the V32 Palominos off the shelf and hauled it to the little quiet room so i could hear it. i walked in convinced that i was really going to like the amp, but i was very suprised to find that it just did not have the voice i was expecting. no character.... and very weak reverb.

also, i dont know, maybe it had some sort of issue, but i had a terrible feedback problem with it at any volume past 3.

the peavey classics sound so much better to me.

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Crate/Palomino+v16+112+Combo/10/1

You can always use the "line out" to "mic" that amp. And 15 tube watts is still pretty loud in most band situations.

Having said that, I agree with "popthree". I have a couple of buddies who play Crate tube amps...I simply like my Peavey Delta Blues better.

Unless you're dead set on buying an amp at GC, consider the Vox AC15. Those Crate amps were made to emulate the Vox sound, and they do replicate it pretty well. But you can find a real Vox AC15 used for around $400. I thought about one of those Palaminos, but decided to spend a little more for the real thing. The 15 watts are plenty loud for bass and drums. The only time you might have a problem is if there's another guitar player who tries to be macho by cranking a stack or Twin or diming something like a Hot Rod or Blues Deluxe. But even a against a stack, the single 12" will cut through the mix pretty well, especially if you start cranking up the treble on the top boost. I'm assuming the V16 will perform similarly. I think the quality issue is probably something that you'll risk running into with any of the new breed of low cost tube amps made in Asia. You can avoid that with the Fender Hot Rod series, but they won't give you the same sound.

MF has a refurb V3112 for $450 right now. Or a Peavey Classic 30 would do the trick, and it has two channels. Well, one channel put through a second circuit. So you can set up one channel for clean and one for crunch.

I have a Crate V3112T and it's crazy loud. I've never had the clean channel past 9 o'clock and dirty past 10 o'clock. After that, you can't hear the drummer.

Yes is it made overseas, every Crate they had was. First impressions at home is I like it very well....I do like the vox ac 15 but to my ears they don't have enough kick...I think the Crate is similiar to the Peavey Classic 30. One thing for sure it is very loud indeed.....I would rather by something made here in the USA but when I went test driving amps I went with an open mind and tried everything that I felt I might like. I tried the Blues Jr, AC15, Classic 30, DRRI, Bassman LTD (I liked it the best but loud and heavy)...I seem to like the el84 tube amps the best for the most part. The longer I own it I probably will see its shortcomings, but for now I am happy with my purchase. I do think it will be a keeper (along with my HR Deluxe, Les Paul Jr, Epiphone Valve Jr, and Pignose)...lol Down the road I want a Boogie, Bassman, Rivera, Dr. Z and another Pignose.....................

doubling the watts is only going to get you a few more decibels. Your best bet would be to use better higher output speakers, IMO.
bw

doubling the watts is only going to get you a few more decibels.

Yep... most people think twice the watts = twice as loud. Not even close.

Yep... most people think twice the watts = twice as loud. Not even close.

Yep. Doubling the wattage only gets you 2dB's.

In the clean area...Don't know why but its got more bottom end and alot more clean loud...Maybe the speaker is different? Maybe its got something to do with the tone pots? On overdrive there may not be alot of difference but clean loud is what I was after.

Yesterday at GC I bought a Palomino v16. I like it real well but I don't think it will be enough for a gig un-mic'ed. ..

where u playing?

i love-love-love mine, and it's plenty loud :mrgreen:

I bought the V32 from GC several months ago. Loved the look & got alot of compliments on it. Really liked the tones i got from it. Always kept a small fan blowing in the back of the cabinet cause it does run hot. Just feel of the control panel after its been on for awhile.
Anyway, kept it for about 45 days...a little past GC's exchange period but I just felt that the bottom end crapped out too early. I play mostly rhythm, some lead and I need good clean at stage volume. And I know.... we have a loud stage volume most of the time.... louder than we need to but not too loud to irritate the audience. Could have tried speaker swap but I took it back and they gave me almost full price exchange cause we do alot of business there. Exchanged for a Blues Deluxe RI but it had some cutout problem & chnl switching problem after 2 days. Exchange for Hot Rod Dlx and so far I'm happy (never entirely happy) after 6 months.:lol:

... cause it does run hot. ....:

boy howdy!