crate all tube amps: v33212 and v212b 2x12

Crate v33212 all tube class A 2x12 combo amp

ok, ams had these amps at ridiculously low blowout prices, the 33 watt 2ch 2x12 combo amp had 3 12ax7 preamp tubes and 4 el84 power tubes and 2 12" speakers with f/x loop, boost, presence and extension speaker jacks for $xxx.00 list is somewhere between $599 or more, similar all tube combo amps are easily $800 or more and if handwired boutique amp then prices range from $1000-3500. So I was very skeptical. I went ahead and ordered one but was thinking I would get some toy tiny practice amp I could play around with while watching TV; I couldn't have been more wrong!!

The amp arrived and as I unpacked it, I couldn't come over the size of the amp, I mean it is a full size combo amp. IT looked great and was as solid as could be. Has a power and standby toggle switches and I plugged it in and was blow away!! The clean channel was as clean as could be, glassy almost chimey as any quality tube amp (think jimi H's little wing or Wind crys mary), it has plent y of bass and mids and high's and I was expecting a puny sound, instead , you would swear you were playing a 4x12 cabinet. The clean channel can also be overdriven and has a 3 band eq and reverb. The reverb was a simple spring reverb and is the weakest link of this amp, but usable at about 1 or 2 settings, but the f/x loop and an external f/x unit would take care of that easily. anyway, any kind of clean sound is easily attainable and reminds me of a fender twin or a vitnage marshall.

Then the lead channel, now here is where I was really amazed!! This amp is a total beast, I mean it is loud as can be, I mean it reminds me immediately of a 100wt vintage marshall, the overdrive is all tube and it sounds like it, it reminds me of a marshall jtm 45 1/2 stack or a marshall jcm 900, (think old sabbath,ac/dc,judas priest, jmi hendrix) more than a hotrodded marshall jcm 800 ala van halen, just a thick growling marshall tone, the speakers were clear and handled any volume with ease. the tube warmth was amazing,. For any modern metal sounds you would need to add a distortion pedal. I was just amazed, I could not turn it past 3 at the most and that shook the walls of my house.

I then tried it with my pod xt live and compared it to the solid states I was using, WOW!!! The line 6 offered the exact same preamp sound as the amp, however my 2x12 solid states amp could not provide the tube amp dynamics and growl that the crate tube amp could. I was sold.You just cant imitate the sound of a tube power amp and the speakers broke up at just the right time.

Overall, these are the most amazing amps and reminds most of all like a true "vintage" marshall amp!! yet they are $xxx.00 (the price of about 2 12" speakers?). They should have called this amp "the poor man's Marshall".I liked them so much I have an other on order.

Crate v2112b 2x12 speaker cabinet
Equally as impressive is the crate v2112b 2x12 speaker cabinet. Comes with two crate 2x12 speakers wired for 8ohm mono and 16 ohm stereo. Again, I was amazed at the price and even more amazed by the sound and size of these cabs. Blowout price new was $xxx.00 (about the price of one raw celestion speaker?!!). These cabs are as big as the v332112 amp and sound just as good. ?I was afraid they would put some poor sounding speakers in these but instead I got 2 outstanding sounding speakers that are firm, warm and clean sounding. the cab reminds me of a 4x12 cab in that it has that bassy sound that most 2x12's do not. just a great deal!!!!


Overall
The crate v series of tube amps and cabs have made my guitar setup sound so much better that I cant wait to record with them, all tube!!!! great!!

Mackie 32x8x2 8-buss mixing console
I have been using a 14channel mackie 14ch mixing board which is tiny and was doubling in my guitar rig and also as a mic preamp for my studio recording setup. Well no more!! Mackie came out with these new onyx mixing consoles which sent the price of their analog mixing consoles plummeting, yet the quality is superb sound wise!!I found a used mackie 32x8x2 mixing console used for $xxx +xx s/h, not bad for a board that new sells for $3699.00 (even now on sale?!).32 as in 32 channels, 8 as in 8 buss and It is huge, about 4 feet across and looks so cool, but more importantly is the sound, great mic pre's and super quiet operation. So it will work great with my digital recorders. I love the mackie analog sound!!!I use my little 14 ch mackie ,but now it can go back to my guitar setup.

I had tried to replace my mackie 1402 mixer with a behringer but the difference was terrible, so bad that I immediately took back the behringer. The mackie is just a great sounding board. I plan to use the board for recording of course, but into my roland digital recorders, adats and emu emulator x with sonar. Best of all for me is I can record several different amps at one time and mix those amps into one buss which will feed one of the digital recorders. super cool!! It will just be the centerpiece of my home studio. It should arrive soon then I will know much more.

Optionally it has a meter bridge which is about $500 and give led metering on all channels, Mine doesn't has the meter bridge, but I may add it if I find for a decent price in the future.