Crate BX100 FlexWave Personal Bass Amplifier

Crate 15 in. Speaker. 100 Watts RMS. 8-band graphic EQ to 16kHz. Limiter.

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Crate BX100 FlexWave Personal Bass Amplifier reviews

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25 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

 

5 People wrote reviews

Read all Crate BX100 FlexWave Personal Bass Amplifier reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"Get it before it's gone!"

Feature:
The graphic EQ and Contour controls are what make this amp. You can keep it flat or shape it every which way. The built-in 15" speaker sounds good. I do wish the extension speaker and lineout jacks were on the rear of the unit.

Quality:
Seems very roadworthy; it's been moved around quite a bit and is in fine shape. Well-built. The front panel has a strip of plastic which indicates what knob does what, and I could that plastic strip catching on something and breaking. But every other part seems solid.

Value:
It is less expensive AND sounds better than the 120w Hartke Kickback15, and other comparable amps are all $100 higher (or more). The updated version (BFX100 - has built-in effects) still sells below its competition.

Desirability:
I wouldn't consider this a 'sexy' amp. It just sounds good and is reliable. It's certainly not ugly at all - but it was price & sound that hooked me, not visual appeal.

Sound:
On its own, this amp sounds really good. Add a 4x10 extension cab, and it sounds great! Works for heavy rock, prog, fusion, pop... handles every bass we'vethrown at it (AND a Chapman Stick). It is loud enough, provided you're not competing with multiple Marshall stacks.

Overall:
Perhaps one day I will replace this with a different configuration (more powerful amp, separate 15" cab). But I'm in no hurry, since this thing sounds great and works in every context I've used it in; it's just as likely this is the last bass amp I ever buy. I could also supplement it. The preamp is what makes it, so I could easily purchase a power amp to get more clean power while retaining the tonal character. I'd only do that if I found it absolutely neccessary.

Submitted: 10/6/2003

Style of Music: rock, prog, fusion, pop, clubdate

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Solid value for money"

Best of small combos other than Trace/Elliot and SWR for 2/3 of the price. features and EQ give you a lot to play with to make up for lack of sheer volume/grunt, great for practice, small gigs, and any gig where you've got DL into PA.

Submitted: 7/28/2002

Style of Music: rock/pop

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Read all Crate BX100 FlexWave Personal Bass Amplifier reviews...

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About This Product!
Description
This is an amp for a serious musician. With a Crate 15 in. bass driver and 100 watts of power, this amp delivers loud, deep bottom end, versatile mids, and clean highs. Features include an 8-band graphic EQ for intensely flexible control over tone. A padded input allows for active or passive pickup systems. Gain controls levels of distortion.

A contour circuit quickly sweeps mid range frequencies for instant "warmth" and distinct individuality. A limiter allows users to peak the amp, without distorting the output. A headphone jack allows users privacy when testing settings or practicing. An external speaker jack lets users expand their rig for more volume and a wider variety of tones. An effects loop lets users "mix" effects into their sound, without signal degradation. A XLR Pre/Post line out allows users to mix their sound directly to a P.A. or console mixers before or after preamp and effects. The BX100 delivers time tested, solid to the core - tone and performance. This is a serious amp.

Crate Bass systems come in a variety of flavors for every type of player. But, what makes them so special? Well, we test each unit in real-world gigs. (Would you believe the Crate Product Manager is a bass player?) From entry-level combos to higher-end designed units with pro features like contour circuits, XLR line out with level and optional JBL speakers, our bass systems hold the bottom line every time. Crate Your Own Sound.

Technical Info

Output Power Rating: 100 watts RMS @ 1% THD, 4 ohms 120 VAC

Speaker Size and Rating: (1) Crate Custom Design 15 in., 150 watts, 2 in. voice coil

Graphic EQ: 24dB range @ 50Hz, 100Hz, 225Hz, 625Hz, 1.6kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz, 16kHz

Input Impedance: 200k ohms

Maximum Signal Accepted: 15 volts peak to peak

Gain: 65dB with EQ flat, contour off @ 1kHz

Line Output Jack: 2 volts peak to peak @ full rated power

Balanced Line Out Jack: 2 volts peak to peak @ full rated power with 600 ohm load

Signal to Noise: 65dB below full power, tones flat, contour off, gain and level @ 10

Power Requirements: 120VAC, 60Hz, 115VA; 110/115VAC, 50/60Hz, 115VA; 230VAC, 50/60Hz, 115VA

Dimensions (H x W x D): 25 x 20.75 x 15.75 in.
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