player opinions
Crate VC2112R
Name: Francois Lacasse
-
Band: -----
-
Model Year: -----
-
Price Paid: $300
Performance
-
The amp has 15 Class A watts loaded with EL84 tubes like a VOX AC15. It’s easy to use for sure and it’s a very loud 15 watt amp. The reverb, I must say, is disappointing. Although it is tube driven, it doesn’t deliver the goods. But it’s there and it’s better than no reverb at all. The amp is a fairly quiet amp and makes a good recording amp as well as a decent practice amp. It’s definitely loud enough to use with a band. The amp also has a speaker out and headphone out which are nice features to have, I think. For the price, I think it delivers more than it promises in terms of features.
-
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
I play this amp with a Strat Plus and an Tele. It seems to like Teles better, not unlike most class A amplifiers. There are a few sweet spots, you can get good vintage British tones with it but don’t expect clean Fender twang from this little guy. It also sounds a bit thin sometimes depending on the settings. It cleans up beautifully when you roll off the guitar volume though. The gain is very usable and the sounds are generally warm when the amp is pushed hard and when the punch button is engaged. The punch is a mid boost and ads dimension. But I think the amp is a bit shy on bass I think. I must admit, it does a good Clapton tone, but SRV is not in the house. This amp gives you a good Brit blues sound and classic rock. It’s not good for country, jazz.
-
Sound Quality Rating: 8
Construction
-
There’s a good warranty. I don’t know about service yet. Construction is good for the price but I’ve seen better of course. The tubes rattle a bit at high volume but you can’t hear them when playing anyway at it stops quickly after the notes fade out. I think it’s a little normal for small production line amps to do that.
-
Construction Rating: 8
stats
Average Ratings
- Performance: 10
- Sound Quality: 8
- Construction: 8
Ratings Key
- 10: Excellent
- 0: Useless
Company
- Crate