Crate VC508

The Crate VC 508 is a very small tube guitar combination amplifier. The VC 508 has one EL84 tube, and a single 8" speaker. It has a 1/4" input for your instrument as well as a 1/4" output/insert jack. It will only deliver 5 watts of power, but it is definitely the loudest 5 watts that I have heard!

UTILIZATION

There isn't too much to work with in terms of parameters with the Crate VC 508, but there is enough. The amp simply has knobs for gain, tone, and master volume, and that's it. You obviously don't need to have too much experience with guitar amps in order to use this amp, but as always it helps. I don't believe that under any circumstance that you'd need a manual, although I haven't seen it so I can't say what it looks like.

SOUNDS

The Crate VC 508 definitely packs a lot of punch for only a five watt amp! I wasn't expecting to be able to get it too loud, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it could not only get pretty loud but also that I only needed to have the volume up a little bit less than half way. I've used the amp with a Fender Telecaster for a recording - I wasn't playing, I was the assistant engineer. We were all very pleased with the end tone, as the amp sounds full even if it isn't the most versatile...

OVERALL OPINION

As far as five watt guitar amps go, the Crate VC 508 is one of the better ones that I've used. I would only recommend it for recording and practicing, but I guess I could also see it being used for very small venues performances. The price is pretty reasonable for the VC 508, but isn't as cheap as you'd expect for a 5 watt Crate amp for sure. I'd recommend looking around at small amps to see what will work best for you, but the VC 508 definitely wouldn't be a bad way to go.

2 small bulbs ampli Class A. TL072 op amp in a floor of between a 12AX7 and an EL84 in prampli in amplifier.
5W power. 8-inch Celestion speaker.
Output line-out that can serve as effects loop (without rglage).
Rglages three buttons: Gain (acts on the gain of the op amp and thus the distortion), Tone (right up the bass and treble to the left up the mdium), volume (the more we have the most up distortion of the lamp power).
Great look, small but super sturdy construction (the grid show kicks).
If we tinker a little electronic dcrivant there are sites of possible changes.
Note because it is basic but adequate in the context.

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple trs trs few rglages. But old-fashioned lamps amps is that each rglage affect other! I think it's the charm of the Amps lamps, some may not like, I love searching for "my" sound.

You can find sounds great but you have to spend some time playing with to find a simple test can be dcevant 5 minutes.

Rglages trs efficient well clean the fuzzy distortion. Prsence the back of the op amp will integrate a boost pedals into the amp directly.

SOUNDS

THE FIRST surprise when discovering this amp is that it is trs sound, it is difficult Exceeds 2 in the apartment. I recall that 5W is about two times less volume than 50W (logarithmic progression of auditory perception).

At low volume, alone in his room, the sound is outstanding, you really feel the sound lamps. When pushed it quickly becomes trs strong but the sound is a bit of the same cudgel notable lack of bass, HP 8 "and requires small volume. I made a change to be able to connect an external speaker . On a 4x12 Marshall's great! is a completely different amplifier under these conditions.
For the blues / pop / rock I should trs well, made good with humbuckers or single microphone.

My rating is laying according to intended use.

OVERALL OPINION

This little amp is a good trs ticket to get into the world of amps lights very low price. Quite rare in France, it's a pity, one finds plenty of opportunity for US.
The sound reproduction is not worth it sr 10/10 (it's not a Hot Rod, a VHT or Bogner). But it's a great little amp trs trs fun and engaging.

5 watt all-tube amp (X2), class A, driven by a volume, one tone and a gain between guitar and a line out for connecting an external speaker. One HP 8 'brand Celestion.
A small, lightweight and portable aisment.
Question look, it's simple, it is black.
Manufacture all US ST LOUIS.
That's it!

UTILIZATION

Amateur's blues rock you will be filled.
The sound is less clear his thing (Fender are the kings in this area). The crunch comes quickly to rev up quickly distortion APRS "7" of the gain knob.
It will not take questions rglages the head, a ring quickly and well.

SOUNDS

CRATE is the hallmark of ZZ TOP. Indeed for this style of music is nickel. It is sending, a growl, it's warm and round, a good grainy crunch (thank you lamps). The distortion of moving ct good old 70's rock (Led Zep ...).

I play it with a gibson Blueshawk P90 and a team of US fender stratocaster standard. The fender is fully expressed with this little amp.

For mtal, it will add a distortion pedals.
For the famous 5 watts, a smile can do, but make no mistake, adgage enough to play in groups (rpetitions). For home, the volume does Exceeds rarely "4" on 10.

I RPET crystal clear clean sounds are limited, so I put 9.

OVERALL OPINION

I test the small Valbee ibanez 5 watts lamps. It is well and poyvalent but fewer characters than CRATE. Beware the CRATE is not in the same price range (suprieure), it is not made in China, is a 100% US.
The highlight of the CRATE is the warm and muscle that comes out.

Transplanted on a HP External Diameter great, it must be trs trs good.
A good choice to have his lights at home or in small groups.
on the other hand, it is difficult to find a MODEL in time, it is quite rare in France.