Cab question

[MrStitch]

I was dinkin' around on the net the other day when I happen to come accross some Crate cabs for sale. The user reviews were pretty bad. People claiming that they're not loud enough, poor tone, etc.

Then it hit me - I happen to have a Crate cab. Could this be 'one' of the serious problems with my sound?

When I bought the thing, I noticed that it had Celestion speakers. At the time I thought 'Cool, I can get a rockin' cab for $500'.

Alas, experience should've told me that Crate has never produced anything useful.... countless hours have been spent trying to tweak that garbage without one single victory. I even played one of those Voodoo's and compared to my cheap solid state marshall.... they suck on every level.

So now I feel like an idiot. But where should I go from here? I don't know enough about speaker brands and types to figure out what I should buy to replace the ones I got.

On the other hand, should I suspect that the box is also garbage, and buy a whole new cab? Is Crate so bad that they can't even make a wooden box properly?

I primarily play hard rock, with an occasional metal tune thrown in. Suggestions?

 

[Slowrider]

I just bought a Crate bass cab and it sounds great. Haven't seen one like it. Has a 18" and 2 10s in the same bottom. Running a Peavey 150 watt amp and using the Crate as an extension speaker. So, I would say thumbs up for Crate; even though I've heard bad things about them.

 

[travelin travis]

i have heard (tried out too) crate cabs that sounded fine. there are alot of variables to consider. if you're on a quest for your own sound, you'll have to try out alot of gear.

 

[Outlaws]

I was dinkin' around on the net the other day when I happen to come accross some Crate cabs for sale. The user reviews were pretty bad. People claiming that they're not loud enough, poor tone, etc.

Then it hit me - I happen to have a Crate cab. Could this be 'one' of the serious problems with my sound?

When I bought the thing, I noticed that it had Celestion speakers. At the time I thought 'Cool, I can get a rockin' cab for $500'.

Alas, experience should've told me that Crate has never produced anything useful.... countless hours have been spent trying to tweak that garbage without one single victory. I even played one of those Voodoo's and compared to my cheap solid state marshall.... they suck on every level.

So now I feel like an idiot. But where should I go from here? I don't know enough about speaker brands and types to figure out what I should buy to replace the ones I got.

On the other hand, should I suspect that the box is also garbage, and buy a whole new cab? Is Crate so bad that they can't even make a wooden box properly?

I primarily play hard rock, with an occasional metal tune thrown in. Suggestions?

What kind of amp and guitar are you using.

 

[MrStitch]

An Ibanez Radius, and Marshall MG 100CD (i think).

I'll have to go back and look at the amp model again.

I also thought about building my own cab. I've got all the necessary tools, and a Menards card that hasn't been broken in yet.

 

[travelin travis]

so you are playing a marshall solid state thru a crate cab? would it be one of the smaller size cabs? anyway, no wonder you're struggling man. you can twist knobs until next year and nothings gonna change. also, don't let the "celestion" name fool you. there are plenty of crappy celestions out there.

speakers matter but imo, the amp matters more. see if you can try out some cabs at a local store using your amp to see if things improve. otherwise, you're still gonna be knob twisting.

 

[MrStitch]

It's a half stack with four 10" celestions. I know the amp is definately an issue, and have plans to have that replaced by next year.... hopefully with a Mesa, or some other tube amp.

Recently I've hooked up an S100 effects processor. It's not the best, but it adds just enough color to make the over all sound pretty good. Not great, but good.

Volume has been the killer lately. I run the amp at about 7-8, which is about it's peak before either feedback issues, or before the sound quality really takes a dive.

I found some setting's on-line, and will try them the next practice. Still will hunt for a cab in the future.

 

[ZoSo58LP]

why does everyone hate crate so much? lol..i have a gfx212 combo amp , solid state, 120 watts..and i love the sound it gets, clean or distorted..and i have a marshall lil practice tube amp too and i love that sound..its 2 completley diff sounds and i never rag on my ol reliable crate!

 

[travelin travis]

why does everyone hate crate so much? lol..i have a gfx212 combo amp , solid state, 120 watts..and i love the sound it gets, clean or distorted..and i have a marshall lil practice tube amp too and i love that sound..its 2 completley diff sounds and i never rag on my ol reliable crate!

reasons people rag on crate:

1. the majority of crate amps suck (including yours.....yes i know but it's true)

2. ragger has been exposed to nice amps

3. ragger had a bad experience with a crate or crates and assumes they're all bad.

4. ragger is spouting hearsay

5. ragger is a gear elitist

 

[soundchaser59]

Go to the nearest GC and do side-by-side compares of all the amps, including the crates. Odds are when youa re done, you will not walk out of there believing that the crate really sounded that great compared to all the other amps. Even the crate tube amps, which are much better than the crate solid state amps, dont sound that great compared to the Vox's and the Fenders and the Oranges and the Traynors and the Mesa's......

They aren't the worst amps available, but they could do a lot better......

 

[Scotty]

Volume has been the killer lately. I run the amp at about 7-8, which is about it's peak before either feedback issues, or before the sound quality really takes a dive.

Check out the Marshall FAQ. If the amplifier output power is rated for 8 ohms (or higher) and your cab is 4 ohms, you'll hear distortion before you get to 10. That might aggravate the feedback, too.

 

[MrStitch]

I'll have to check what setting the cab is on for ohms. I have a selector switch in the back to do xx ohms stereo, xx ohms mono. I think I've been running it in stereo... which brings up a whole new topic.

I have to find the manual and see if the effects loop out is stereo or mono, otherwise i'm seriously not taking advantage of half my effects box.

TravisInFlorida.... I fall in catagories 2 and 3.

I've heard better, AND been exposed/dealtWith lots of crate equipment. I'm still trying to find that one piece of crate product that screams 'YES! We in fact DO make something good!"