Crate V33: To Mod or to Sell?

[GuitarDigs]

Hello everyone, this is my first post so bare with me please.

I bought a used Crate V33 2x12 combo for $250 two weeks ago. It came with casters. I "like" the clean channel. It sounds great with a strat. I replaced the necessary 12AX7 with a JJ 12AU7 in order to decrease the over powering of channel 2.

My dilemma is this: I got my ESP Eclipse back from our local luthier (frets replaced, re-crowning, rewire, setup) and I cannot dial in a decent tone on this thing.

This video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd1R_DDDV58 demonstrates the overdriven tone quite accurately using my OCD pedal and Zakk Wylde Dunlop Wah. I posted this video essentially for the purpose of reaching out and asking for ideas. I love cheap amps that sound good and I thought this one would sound better. You can hear the clean tones of this amp in my strat demo vids I did for a builder friend of mine, Steve Reuter.

Do I mod or do I sell? I am not capable of soldering and do not want to drop too much money into this thing if indeed the tone-chase is pointless.

I appreciate your thoughts/input.

 

[boost]

There are posts on the Gear Page about modding these things to hell. Tons of technical information and it seems you can get SLo type tones out of these, but you need to know what you're doing and spend LOTS of time listening, soldering, and fine tuning the amp. In the end, you may have an amp that sounds good, but how reliable will it be? That's the part that scares me.

I have a Crate Palomino V32 which is the same as the black tolex covered V30. These amps sound good and can cover alot of sonic ground. When Loud Technologies took over Crate, they changed the look, sound and construction of these amps and called it the V33. This was not for the better. IMO the V30 and V32 were the best sounding amps Crate ever made. Then they went and fucked that up. Brilliant.

I am not sure what type of sound you're looking for or what you want out of the amp. The V30/32 can get a nice clean and gets into the voxy/marshally range too. I'ts worked for me from everything from Rick Springfield and Cheap Trick to Sabbath and Motorhead. This thing won't do the scooped metal thing convincingly without a pedal if that's what you're after. It can handle the 70's and 80's hair band tones fairly well though.

If the above is what you're looking for, I would dump the 33 and look for a 30 or 32. If you went with a 1 X12 combo, keep in mine the V15/16 has quite a bit smaller cabinet than the V30/32 even though they are both 12 inch speakers.

The Palomino head and 2 X12 cabinet has to be the coolest looking piggyback amp set up I have ever seen. In my experience with this amp I like it better with an open back cab than closed. More of an airy sound. Sounds to constricted through a Marshall 4 X12.

Hope this helps.

 

[GuitarDigs]

Thanks Boost!

I owned two Crate GT500H heads. That is the tone I am looking for in a combo. I saw a V50 combo on Ebay this morning.

I got rid of the GT500H heads because I wanted the Egnater Renegade and needed the money. I still want an inexpensive combo however, for easy transportation to band rehearsal and back into my home jam-space.

I like to play Hendrix, Sabbath, Clapton and ZZ Top as well as metal. I LOVE Timmons' tone on Resolution. I love Petrucci's tone on Images and Words. I am not huge into the scooped metal sound but if it is available I take advantage of it now and again.

I am thinking of selling the V33 combo and saving up for an Orange Dual Terror head and 2x12 cab with V30's. Maybe I am done with chasing inexpensive tone.

 

[boost]

I've never played one, but heard a V50 a few times live. They sounded good. A bit more modern sounding than the V32, but in a good way. 2 X 12 combos can be a bitch if you're hauling them alot though.

The 1 X12's are definitely easier to transport. Mine has gone through all sorts of weather, done indoor and outdoor gigs, was used a as a main guitar amp for an open mic night, and never had any problems with it except for a pilot light that went out. That was an easy fix and the amp still worked without it. The amps do get quite hot though.

The V series (even the V50) will get you into the sonic territory you want. If you find a deal on one, pick one up. Here's a tip - The Palomino's were made in USA but then switched to being made in Vietnam. Nothing changed on them and the construction seems just as solid. But due to the fact they went overseas, the USA models are a little more desireable. People may use that as a way to bump up the price. You could also use it to knock down the price of one made in Vietnam.

The only things I don't like about the amp is that the revereb is useless, and you can't access the tubes easily so make sure you have quality ones in there. You're not changing one of these between songs if one goes bad. Other than that, I like the amp. It's a nice cheap grab and go amp that sounds good. I have a Marshall 4 X12 that awaits a head. That's my 'expensive' rig but I just haven't decided on the head yet.

 

[GuitarDigs]

So you are recommending a Palomino as well? What is the exact model?

Thank you so much!


UPDATE:

I re-read your post and see that the V32 is the Palomino 1x12 combo. I looked on Ebay and saw one for sale. I will look for youtube demos. Thanks again.

 

[boost]

No problem. The V30 and V32 are the same amp, different cosmetics. The Palomino was a GC exclusive. It will be a different sound than the Renegade that you have coming, might compliment it well. Then you'll have a class AB and a class A (close) amp. Different tubes, different power, different tones. Mix it up a bit.