Members lunarian1 Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 I own a crate V3112 , which I totally love , but it died on me last week at a gig . This is my first tube amp and I don't know if this will happen fairly often or what , anyway I 've put it in to get fixed . but heres the deal if it costs a lot I might have to go solid state again ,as I cannot afford to pay up often .... I'd be really sad but needs must . if this is the case what Solid state should I go for ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FDZ Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 There is nothing inherently unreliable about tube amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angus_old Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 why did it break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lunarian1 Posted November 29, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 dunno it was working before I left home , travelled about 20mins by car to the gig . Plugged it in and it sounded like a turtle fart , looked inside and one the tubes was glowing bright red ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members angus_old Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 a tube probably just came loose, push it back in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cheese Grits Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Hard to go wrong with a Roland JC120... but it's heavy. Here's to hoping you just had a bum tube or a bad connection. Edit: You might want to check out the section of your user's manual on proper biasing: http://www.crateamps.com/product/manuals/V31121.pdfCheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ZachOmega Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 I don't mean to sound like an ass, but the problem is that it is/was a Crate tube amp. All SLM amps are built like junk. All of the parts are on circuit boards which don't like being constantly heated and cooled down. Older amps built point to point or on turrets/tag strips/fish paper all hold up infinitely better than modern tube amps or solid state amps because they can handle the thermal conditions as well as everyday bumps and jolts. I've never known anybody with a Crate tubey that didn't eventually develop some issue or another. Keep in mind that solid state is not immune to damage as well. -Zach Omega Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ScreamCage Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Originally posted by Grits con Queso Hard to go wrong with a Roland JC120... but it's heavy. Here's to hoping you just had a bum tube or a bad connection. I was about to say the same thing. You can get the head (which I seriously want), and stick it with any cab you want. No where near as heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wacopacco Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 tube amps are horrible. They break all the time. No one famous uses them. There inferior technology. solid state all the way baby.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lunarian1 Posted November 29, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 so modern tube amps like my V3112 are {censored} and solid states are not immune to breakage , hmm. what's a guy to do ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wacopacco Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Originally posted by lunarian1 so modern tube amps like my V3112 are {censored} and solid states are not immune to breakage , hmm. what's a guy to do ... get a 'good' tube amp. Theres a reason why Fenders are so popular. Theres MANY great tube amps out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wilbo26 Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 My Blues Jr. has been running on the stock tubes since I bought it new in December of 2000. I've giged with it, hauled it around, spilled {censored} on it, knocked it over, and its still going strong. There are definitely very reliable tube amps out there...just not ones currently made by Crate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cheese Grits Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 My brother-in-law has been gigging with a Crate vintage club 212 since about 1995, and he doesn't complain. It might have been to the tube tech once, but it's still his number 1 amp today. So, you might say that Crate's QC is not stellar, but some of their amps DO hold up. That's cool to know about the JC 120 head, by the way. I might look into owning one of those after I pick up an Avatar 212 cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members english_bob Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Originally posted by lunarian1 so modern tube amps like my V3112 are {censored} and solid states are not immune to breakage , hmm. what's a guy to do ... It's worth budgeting for replacement tubes every year or so to keep it in top condition (you can wait for one to die, but why risk it?). Get a reputable repairman to give it the once over every so often and maybe even consider keeping a bit of money stashed for any unexpected expensive repairs. Don't buy the cheapest valves, but you don't have to go nuts and buy NOS tubes to get good sound. General stuff: Make sure that you travel with the amp either face up or face down to avoid damaging the speaker, and check that the valves are all securely seated every so often (cover your hand with something, as skin oils can speed up wear on valves, apparently). Always put the amp in standby to warm up when you first turn it on. NEVER run a valve amp without a speaker plugged in. I can't comment on the reliability of Crate amps myself (never had one), but if you want to get rid of it, you could always read up on some of the "sleeper" old amps out there (Traynors, SF Fenders etc) then keep an eye on any local pawn shops etc. for a bargain on one. Even the so-called POS valve amps of the 60s and 70s are often point-to-point wired and well built, but may well be in need of some repair to get them going to start with- new components to replace those that go awry with age and a general clean-up most likely. There are still some nice "vintage" amps to be had on a budget if you're knowledgeable about what is and isn't worth having. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wilbo26 Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Originally posted by Grits con Queso My brother-in-law has been gigging with a Crate vintage club 212 since about 1995, and he doesn't complain. It might have been to the tube tech once, but it's still his number 1 amp today. So, you might say that Crate's QC is not stellar, but some of their amps DO hold up. That's cool to know about the JC 120 head, by the way. I might look into owning one of those after I pick up an Avatar 212 cab. The Crate Vintage Club series is the diamond in the rough of the Crate line. Its the only Crate amp I would buy...and if I ever get back into gigging and can't afford a good Bassman I probably will buy one. I'm a big fan of the sounds you can get out of them...and they're a steal at around $250 usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lunarian1 Posted November 29, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 I'll find out what the damage is tommorrow , fingers crossed . really I'd be gutted to lose this amp. hate to lower the tone , but lets talk SS. what's a giggable good SS that will take pedals well and be heard in a back line ? I've heard good things about the Roland Cube 60 , and mixed about the Vox AD50 (not loud enough and reliability probs) what else is out there ? haven't looked around in a long time and I feel I should perhaps do my homework now ... cheers . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wilbo26 Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 If I were to go solid state I would look no further than the Roland Jazz Chorus amps. They do well with pedals...especially something like a Big Muff...and have nice clean sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonny guitar Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 I have been told by several techs that SS amps are only more realialbe if they are parked in a basement and don't move. Trunk to stage to trunk to house = tubes more realiable. I have a 3-4 tube amps from pre 1973 that have never needed a service and two still have the oringinal tubes in them. Nothing wrong with a good tube amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lunarian1 Posted November 29, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 probably need something a bit more portable ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The*Ataris Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 Originally posted by lunarian1 I'll find out what the damage is tommorrow , fingers crossed . really I'd be gutted to lose this amp. hate to lower the tone , but lets talk SS. what's a giggable good SS that will take pedals well and be heard in a back line ? I've heard good things about the Roland Cube 60 , and mixed about the Vox AD50 (not loud enough and reliability probs) what else is out there ? haven't looked around in a long time and I feel I should perhaps do my homework now ... cheers . I've owned three amps: a 70's Marshall (tube), a 70's Fender (tube), and a 90's Peavey Transtube 2x12 thing (SS...first amp). Which one screwed up in the middle of a set? The Peavey. I've never had to worry about the other two which have seen A LOT more work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mistersuperfly Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 I've broken more solid states than tube amps... in fact none of my 4 tube amps have ever had an issue. My Goldtone has seen more abuse over the last 4 years than any amp should (you know that thump you hear when you have something heavy in your trunk, and you take a turn... yeah a lot of that kind of abuse... I was 16 what's a guy to do!) and it still has the original tubes and everything. Works great... I think it's just that Crate's aren't considered the most reliable of amps... and every now and then, amps just break. EDIT: I've never HAD to change a tube either... in fact, I've never changed a tube except some NOS preamp tubes just to try out in my Valvetech... I probably should change the tubes in my Fender, just because they are used and mismatched. But it still works fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Collapse Posted November 29, 2006 Members Share Posted November 29, 2006 How hot do those circuit boards get, actually? They're made of silicon and copper, neither of which are particularly susceptible to heat damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ZachOmega Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 My friend has a Roland Bass Cube sitting in his basement that doesn't work anymore. He switched over to an Ampeg V4B (tube). -Zach OmegaOriginally posted by lunarian1 I'll find out what the damage is tommorrow , fingers crossed . really I'd be gutted to lose this amp. hate to lower the tone , but lets talk SS. what's a giggable good SS that will take pedals well and be heard in a back line ? I've heard good things about the Roland Cube 60 , and mixed about the Vox AD50 (not loud enough and reliability probs) what else is out there ? haven't looked around in a long time and I feel I should perhaps do my homework now ... cheers . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ZachOmega Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Speaking of closing trunks with amps in them...I once (and thankfully only once) closed a trunk on my 1954 Gibson GA77...and I mean closed on it literally...as in the trunk popped right back up after smacking my amp. No damage done. Point to point wiring is nearly indestructable. -Zach OmegaOriginally posted by Mistersuperfly I've broken more solid states than tube amps... in fact none of my 4 tube amps have ever had an issue.My Goldtone has seen more abuse over the last 4 years than any amp should (you know that thump you hear when you have something heavy in your trunk, and you take a turn... yeah a lot of that kind of abuse... I was 16 what's a guy to do!) and it still has the original tubes and everything. Works great... I think it's just that Crate's aren't considered the most reliable of amps... and every now and then, amps just break.EDIT: I've never HAD to change a tube either... in fact, I've never changed a tube except some NOS preamp tubes just to try out in my Valvetech... I probably should change the tubes in my Fender, just because they are used and mismatched. But it still works fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members erksin Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Originally posted by lunarian1 probably need something a bit more portable ... Crate Power Block and a cab of your choosing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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