Sound:
This iss the best sounding amp I have ever played for the price, I own lots of vintage amps even a matchless c-30 and I never thought of crate as a quality amp. I strted reading reviews on the new v series, I was wanting to buy a combo and willing to spend 2k or more for a "ROAD" amp.
I played the v-30 palomino and I was shocked, what a great sound and cheap too. I read ABOUT THE VFX5212 and it sounded like just what I was looking for, I ordered one on a whim and I have to say this thing is one of the best sounding amps I have ever heared......at any price!
It sounds like a marshall plexi yet it has almost a mesa balls yet like a xox ac-30 or almost like my matchless not quite but very close.
The clean channel is sweet afender twang and crystal clear sparkle and with the dig effects like an old roland jazz chorus.
I cant beleive I got it for 670.00 out the door it even looks good, there is no "crate" name anywhere to be found on the visable parts of the amp. The digital effects are pretty good, although not adjustable they are close to what I would set them at and they sound pretty damn good. At higher volumes and using the effects there is a bit of noise which is the only "con" I can find for this amp.
My matchless cost me almost 3k and for the money this amp would be my first choice, if I only had 3k to spend for equip I wouuld buy the crate, a epiphone LP 56 goldtop and an epiphone firebird v and I'd still have a good grand left over. I've been playing 30+ years and have also done reec engineering and I take pride in getting killer guitar tones in the studio.
I have to say if you think crate is crap like I did, try a v series and you will pee your pants I am still amazed at what a great verstille sound that the v series gives.
I've already sold a couple fenders,marsshall,musicman and silvertone amps I owned. I dont need thewm anymore as this amp covers all those tones and more.
I have let a few of my critical guitar buddies play thru it amd they were very impressed as well. I'm still keeping my matchless and my line 6 vetta though but this is my new "gig" amp.
Feature:
I wish the effects were adjustable aqand if only you could switch between class a and a/b circuitry.
Quality:
It's solid and made well in the USA, I have owned it less than 6 months but I have accedently left it on for almost a week when going on vacation and no problems yet.
Value:
for the price, you will not get a better sound/features.
I was bent on the fender hot rod deville which sounds damn good, but this crate sounds way better all the way around and has great effects to boot.
The crate is cleaner,twangier,louder,ballsier and can be dirtier than the fender.
For all you hard rockers, put it next to your favorite marshall or boogie and you will be shocked, the cool thing is that Malcolm Young AC/DC sound is almost effortless
Manufacturer Support:
NA
The Wow Factor:
looks totally vintage/botique
Overall:
in 30 years I havent found a better value.
7 of 7 people
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Sound:
Both channels on this amp sound great. The clean channel is very crisp and produces a very full tone with a great bottom end. The distortion channel has a very wide range of tones from a very good bluesy overdrive to marshall crunch and heavier. In live situations this amp has more than enough power to drive most clubs.
Feature:
I was skeptical of the built in effects but have them to be as good or better than any stomp box out there with the exception of the high dollar units. I also like the fact that you can program two seperate effects for each channel. I have boxed up all of my other effects and now just use the amp! Makes setup a breeze!
Quality:
I have owned mine for 1.5 years and it has performed flawlessly. I have not had to touch the amp other than to plug in and play.
Value:
This has to be one of the best 50 watt 2x12" tube combo amps on the market for the money. Sure you can spend more, but what are you paying for?
Manufacturer Support:
Have not had to use them.
The Wow Factor:
This amp has a classic look to it, from the chrome V50 emblem to the grill material and silver piping around it. Most people have not seen nor heard a V5212 and are really surprised to learn it's a Crate.
Overall:
Overall I have to give this amp a 10. It has never let me down, looks cool and sounds great. I hope Crate keeps making this amp because when this one wears out, I'll buy another.
4 of 4 people
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Sound:
Great Crunch/Metal sound...Not NuMetal Crap. The clean channel is awesome. A tube amp(EL34s)with pretty good built-in digital effects for around $750 is outstanding. It's well built, looks great and sounds great on Both Channels. Try it out, you will like it.
Feature:
The amp comes with foot-switch which can be programmed for 2 effects per channel. Have you seen another amp that can does this for about $750?
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use...let the tubes warm up for about 5 minutes, turn it up and enjoy. Don't let the Crate name fool you, St. Louis Music has done an outstanding job putting this complete amp package together. You will regret if you don't at least try it out.
Quality:
No Problems. Well built tube amp.
Value:
Great amp. Just my opionion of course but you must try it out. It has a number of features that make a really solid tube amp even better. Do Not let the Crate name make you run the other way. Do not be a follower and listen to what others say, try it for yourself!!!
Manufacturer Support:
I have not had to contact them but if they're anthing like VFX5212 I shouldn't have to contact them.
The Wow Factor:
I own it and would buy another. The black material with real chrome emblem up front and the nice effects knobs are cool looking.
Overall:
A really, really good tube amp. You must try it and decide for yourself.
2 of 2 people
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Sound:
the sound is great! clean channel that breaks up well when pushed and full thick distortion
Feature:
cool features... needs casters because it is very heavy but it has nice effects that are easy to use
Ease of Use:
very simple to use
Quality:
this is where i began to have problems. 3 weeks after i purchased it it made a loud screech sound when i palm muted and had a loud harmonic distortion sound on clean that that made it not much fun to play. i was told by my local guitar shop that my pickups had gone microphonic so i replaced them with new seymour duncans(great pickups by the way) but i still had the noise. i sent it to an amp tech and he said there was nothing wrong. i brought it back to the guitar shop and let them hear the noise and so now it is back to the amp tech
Value:
if it worked like it did the first 3 weeks i had it... then it is a great value.. sounded just as good as my friends deville on clean and very loud, crisp sound.
Manufacturer Support:
the warranty says if you want a replacement it needs to be to an amp tech 3 times... Are you kidding me?!
The Wow Factor:
the black toilex on the outside is awesome and tough. the chrome on it looks awesome as well... definitly a good looking amp.
Overall:
if i exclude the recent problems i have been having the amp is great.. good sound.. solid.. heard well over loud drummers and will drive any venue you play at. there is no need for a huge cab when this combo sounds just as good. great amp for professionals
Sound:
Fantastic while it worked. Best clean channel EVER. Then,boom.
Quality:
The time came to change the tubes. The sockets were so tight that I even heard the solder joints creak as I tried to wiggle the tubes out.Well as it goes, all of the sockets were like this and it became a $300. job at the local shop to repair. VERY FLIMSY circuit PCB. The separate circuit PCB that the in jack is attached to can't be purchased alone. You have to buy the entire PCB Assy for $250. so dont remove the jack.
Manufacturer Support:
They wont even give you a schematic for the thing, so the tech had to buy that and charge me for that as well.
2 of 2 people
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