crate half stack?

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oh_the_blood

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my friends offering me one for about 250. he says its a tube amp.

thoughts?
 
oh_the_blood said:
my friends offering me one for about 250. he says its a tube amp.

thoughts?
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If it has a mixture of large AND small tubes, then it is a tube amp. If its just one size then it is probably small tubes an that is just a tube preamp.

Not the same thing.

But if it sounds good then get it. What the hell ya know.

Just be ready for the maintenance ($$) involved if tubes blow.
 
tubes expensive at all?
how often do they need to be replaced?
 
oh_the_blood said:
tubes expensive at all?
how often do they need to be replaced?
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lol

Depends. Most power tubes (the big ones) are like $20-30 for a pair of the so so brand. They should last a while if you treat them right.

The preamp tubes are about $10 each and should last a year or so if driven hard (lots of distortion).

Most high gain amps have 3-5 preamp tubes. 50 watters tend to have 2 power tubes and 100 watters tend to have 4. 50 is a shit load though in the tube world.

Anyway you cut it, its a chunck of change. Its worth it for the sound IMO, and the Crate BlueVoodoo line of amps is supposed to be decent.

Power tubes should last a while if the amp isn't on 10 all the time.
 
i'm guessing for that cheap the 4x12 isin't celestion's.

but for the money, it'd be a decent setup. i'm guess you're looking for an entry level halfstack, since you're thinking about crate.

if it's a blue voodoo, the head is probably worth the $250 alone.

it's probably a crate hybrid. but even then, if it sounds good..it's cheap enough to give a try.
 
Dude, most of those big loud marshals that are so coveted are only 50 watts. A 50 watt tube amp is very loud.
 
oh_the_blood said:
turns out its only 50 watts.

ehh, too much to be lugging around for only 50 watts. ill find something ewlse, maybe a peavey bandit 112
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Are you kidding? Was it a real tube amp? You won't tell the volume difference between a 50 watt tube amp and a 100watt tube amp.

You won't. I promise.
 
i agree with outlaws, i have a fender Roc Pro 1000 which is rated at just under 100 watts. Its a hybrid but you just don;t put it past 5, you just don;t. What will you be using the amp for? Recording?
 
ill be using it for live shows and need it to keep up with a 100 watt non tube.
 
In case that wasn't clear, you friend will be telling you to turn it down cause he can't turn his up any further.

Behold the power of the tube.
 
haha really?

welllll heres the model, you tell me

Crate GT 500H and then just a 4x12 crate slanted cab.

now any more thoughts?
 
oh_the_blood said:
haha really?

welllll heres the model, you tell me

Crate GT 500H and then just a 4x12 crate slanted cab.

now any more thoughts?
Click to expand...

Here is the technical goods if you care.
http://www.stlouismusic.com/downloads/crate/owners_manuals/GT50H.PDF

EL84 is your power section. Those samll tubes compared to most, but 50 tube watts is still 50 tube watts. You will get plenty of distortion very easily. It should have a decent clean head room too since there are 4 of them.

Check if the cab in mono is 8ohms or 16ohms. If there are 4 speakers at 8 ohms, they will pound out more power than your solidstate buddy will tolerate. If they are 4 16ohm speakers, you will still be alright.

Either way, I think you will sit good with the amp. Not a bad setup for the money.

If it was a Crate solidstate I would stay away, but their tube stuff seems to get good comments for the price.

I say go for it.
 
Also, if it doesn't stay clean long enough when turning up the volume, you can change some of the preamp tubes from the stock 12ax7 to 12at7 and you will get a bit more headroom.
 
I guess I might as well give you 'tube n00b' run down.


1. Turn on the power switch.
2. Wait 2 minutes, or more.
3. Flip the other switch (standby) upward to begin playing.

(this is where you rock out)

4. Turn on 'standby' when you are done playing. (that means flip it downward)
5. Wait a couple minutes.
6. Turn off the power switch.
7. Wait a couple minutes.
8. Go ahead and pack up.


Those are the steps to maximum tube life. If you move the amp while the tubes are hot you will shorten their life causing you to need new tubes if and when they blow.

Also, don't turn the amp on without a speaker connected. (and the speaker better match. there are exceptions, but like I said, this is just a rundown for the 'tube n00b'.) :D
 
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