Crate V33H V-Series Tube Guitar Amplifier Head (33 Watts)

Feature:
The most useful feature is the great clean tones you can get. Aside from that... it's lacking. However, that's what I expected, so I'm not terribly disappointed. The reverb is awful and just about unusable past 2. The overdrive should really only be used to get a little extra breakup. Not really usable with the gain cranked. The amp seems to lose definition and get really muddy with the overdrive cranked. Also, my other gripe is that the effects loop on the back isn't padded correctly for running a seperate pre-amp in. I had our amp tech mod that for me and it works great now. Stock, though, it should only be used for effects pedals and multi effect units.

Quality:
These amps are built pretty sturdy. I haven't gigged with mine, but I've lugged it around to a few jams and it hasn't given me any problems. We had one come into our store in a box that had taken a good shot. The front of the combo had a deep dent in it, but it worked flawlessly and nothing had come loose. I've seen higher end amps take similar abuse and quit, so I guess that's saying something.

Value:
These amps are definitely a good value. You get a tough, decent-sounding tube amp that's a great platform for a customized amp (third-party mods are out there on the 'net and easy enough to install) for a whole lot less money than any of the big name amps.

Desirability:
Very clean, classy looking amp. Love the vintage styling and no-nonsense, no frills and no diamond plate looks.

Sound:
A pretty decent amp on its own. For the money, it's a steal. I work at a small music store and ordered the head and a 2x12 cab at cost when the price dropped. It was well worth it. Great clean tones, and plenty loud. I recently jammed with a buddy who plays a Fender custom shop relic strat through a '65 Deluxe Reverb. I was shocked when my Ibanez S540FM sounded just as fat and creamy through the V33 on the clean channel. This amp seems to really like neck position pickups. Very responsive. The overdrive channel leaves quite a bit to be desired, however. Very thin sounding. I don't use it. Instead, I use my Soldano SP-77 into the modded effects loop in the back. More about that later. About the Crate V series amps: They come with really low quality speakers. Trust me, get a V series, immediately rip out the speaker and through in an Eminence. You wouldn't believe the difference. The amps sound good on their own, and 1,000X better with a high quality speaker. We A/Bed two V5's. One with the stock speaker, the other with an Eminence Lil' Buddy. No comparison. The amp with the new speaker sounded like a vintage combo with a creamy low end and smoothed out highs. The amp with the stock speaker sounded farty in the low end with really ratty highs. Horrible.

Ease of Use:
Very simple to use. It's a tube amp with 7 knobs and two switches. Hook it up to a cab, dial in your sound and play.

Support:
Our rep at Loudtech is tops. However, I have the benefit of a direct line to the company. The end user's experience may be completely different.

Overall:
I like this amp. It sounds good cranked, and with a few mods and some upgraded speakers, you have a great sounding amp for very cheap. A great value, just don't expect the moon and stars and you'll be happy.