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.
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.
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.
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.
Manufacturer 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.
The Wow Factor:
Very clean, classy looking amp. Love the vintage styling and no-nonsense, no frills and no diamond plate looks.
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.
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Sound:
At clean channel even without any "pre" tube change ( I recommend LPS for the first stage ) the sound is Fenderish - bluesy; without sparkles. Easy to reform your sound without any intermediate pedal when changing style or playing era. When I ( rarely ) use a pedal effect like Distortion or "angry" overdrive in the clean sound it reacts like it was designed for this particular amp. For gigs using the clean channel I use a 4x12" cab with alnico speakers inside. The "crunch" channel gives enough bite for British sound without barking or squeezing some octaves of the guitar audio spectrum. I prefere to play with a 4x12" Kustom cab. Believe me; this amp is "LOUD" for 200 m2 full of audience. In the studio I use a 1x12" Eminence TONKER miked by an AKG. The "crunch" channel is typical and a little "shy".
In accordance to change sound and headroom I use 12AX7LPS a 12AX7jj and a 12AT7WC in PI. Try some changes and you will discover that this amp gives you the opportunity to "make" your sound without any risk of harm.
Feature:
It has everything any guitar player requires and expects of an amp at that price. Seven tubes; seven knobs; seven jacks (the footswitch is double). No hum; no clicks; no pops; no heat. The reverb is average to good enough. Time will proove pots quality or failure. I wish it had a little switch for changing capacitors at first stage's cathode for FAT and LEAD and different values in MID'S pot and capacitors for expanded sound colouring without any other change.
Ease of Use:
It plays beside a Super Reverb without problem. They are not the same but it has it's own colour and presentation that is very acceptable by musicians and audience. In the studio is much better than any even higher price "transistorized" amp. Of course; the better the speaker the better the sound. I suppose that alnico's made for it. Do not expect to play Jazz as a12SL7 / 6V6 or roar as EL34B for Thruss.
This amp made to play music but not for extremeties.
Quality:
It will never ashame you. Except the failure of the diodes in power unit (rarely ofcourse) and that after long time playing without sufficient air stream. It looks good; it works good; it's very easy to handle and carry. The power wire should be extractable from the back chassis.
Value:
Yes; it's a very honnest product ( enven made in China ). The result is a good amplifier; easy to operate and gives you back much more than the price you paid to buy it. The only BIG QUESTION is : WHY is it discontinued? and : WHEN will come back to production?
Manufacturer Support:
No comment.
The Wow Factor:
I already own two of them moded for different sound eras but I hate to answer always : No, I am not selling none of them! I would like to have a couple more ( at the same price of course ) for further sound experimentation and more smiley fellows in the group.
Overall:
It has nothing less than other much much more "pricy" amps. Hunting for the new the best the cheaper ( in price only ) is a never ending game.
There are a few minor changes could be added just for difference not for the character of the amp, e.g. coloured chicken head knobs, 90 sec. timer before high tension "ON", some other colours of the "leather" etc.
In short, is an unbeatable tube amp that could be VERY appreciated to the musicians not only as the easy working mule but as the amp that easily can be changed to their own sound.
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