GT212 Review

Compact, powerful, and tough - there is no better value than Crate's new solid-state GT amps. Featuring Twin Crate Custom 12" speakers, 120 watts RMS, the GT212 is a powerhouse of tone.

Features:	8.6
Sound:	8.6
Reliability:	9.7
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	8.7
Comments:	12

overall: 8.5

Reviewed by: ^Slash^, on april 13, 2007

Price paid: $ 237

Purchased from: Act One Music

Features: This amp model I beleive was started in 2004/2005. The GT212 is a solid state amp. The amp is some what versitile. I have trouble trying to get a nice crunch classic rock sound like Zeppelin/Skynyrd which sorta sucks because Skynyrd is one of my favourite bands. Other than that the amp does metal, modern rock very well. The clean is very bassy, even with bass on 0-1 you get a very bassy sound. The amp has 3 channels: clean, rhythm (crunch), and solo (distortion). It comes with a footswitch and a headphones jack. I've gigged with this amp a few times and it held up fine. I use it to jam, in my room, and gigged with it. It has enough power for me. It can get super quiet too. Which is good, because my parents don't like it when it's loud. When the amp is turned up loud (past 5) the sound gets really screwy and I find the guitar doesn't go through as nicely as if it were on 1-3. But that's because it's a solid state. // 8

Sound: I use a Epiphone Elitist Les Paul Custom, and my only effect is a Dunlop Classic Wah pedal. The amp suits my style fine. But I could have probably got better. I play classic rock/metal/blues/funk/modern rock. It gets really broken up at loud volumes which sucks because teh guitar doesn't come through nicely. The clean channel is clear, but like I said, it's alittle bassy for my likings. The distortion is pretty good for the amp. Really suprised me. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I can depend on this amp without a backup. I've gigged with it before. Plus I don't even have a back up amp. The amp has never broken down once. I haven't dropped it. But sometimes you'll get a buzzing sound. I just turn the amp off and back on and it goes away. // 9

Impression: Like I said I play blues/classc rock/modern rock/metal/funk etc. It's a pretty good match. I've been playing for about 1 3/4 years. And had this amp for about 7 months. I own an MRW ETG34, Epiphone Elitist Les Paul Custom, and a Dunlop Classic Crybaby. There is nothing I wish I had asked about this amp. But I wish I had asked about tube amps. If it were stolen I'd try and beat the guy whole stole it. But I wouldn't buy it again since I'm buying a Marshall half stack soon. I like the distortion on this amp, it's very clear. Probably only channel I like on it. I never compared this amp to any other when I baught it. Overall, pretty good amp. Good price for 120 watts. If you're going to spend 300-400 on a solid state, you should buy a 20-30 watt tube amp. It'll sound better in the long run. // 8

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 05, 2007

Price paid: $ 474

Purchased from: Local Crate Dealer

Features: My first Crate GT 212 I bought was a 2006 and I have another of the same model but a 2007 and as much as I played and pushed the first one I purchased, it sounds just as much perfect as the new one I bought recently. They are incredible amplifiers for the price. They are well enough versatile for me with the three channels you get with them and very easy to control and effective at the same time. I play with local people in whatever situation it can be like in small rooms, garages or even small venues and the amps hold out more than what I can ask for (one is enough). The amps of course are solid state so I mean like the amp doesn't sound as saturated or warm as a tube but I mean if you get a couple of good pedals or even a multi effects pedal the tones you get out of the clean channel alone is well worth the money, almost a barrage. It has three seperate channels, a clean, a rhythmn and a solo, the rhytmn and solo both have a gain and the solo has a shape setting which does effectively work depending on what you want for tone. // 9

Sound: I use a OLP John Petrucci with a Dimarzio Evolution in the neck position and a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker in the bridge. I have a Boss GT-8 multi effects processor and split my signal stereo to each of my Crate GT 212's. I play mostly progressive rock or metal music or anything that changes my mood so I need a little versatility to my control. The Crates hold out well to what I deliver, they have the bottom end of what I want and the high middle settings that I love for noodling or soloing. They are vey quiet amps even with both or them halfway in volume in a 12 by 12 room with gain through my floor processor. I find that the amplifier would be well suited for Blues and genenral clean playing, the rhythmn section is strong enough for rock or hard rock with very little effort but for metal fans it lacks just a little more but the solo channel is really efficient and does it jobs like it's suppose too. // 8

Reliability & Durability: It's a tank. That's all I can say. When I can find some type of equipement that can take more than a few hits I'll love it. It's a simple cabinet design and the control panel is basic and what you need. I've never called for my amps to be serviced yet and you get a 5 year waranty for the amplifier itself and a 2 year for the speakers (or the other way around sorry). // 10

Impression: I'm very impressed by this amplifier I mean for the price you pay for it you can't go wrong with it at all. It's efficient, powerful and affordable. For what price your going to pay for a half stack tube amplifier, don't get me wrong I'd love to have a tube amplifier (Mesa all the way), but I'm on a budget but still not discouraged at all by a long shot because I'm going to tell you that if your not a super critic on tube and solid state this amp is well worth the money and the time to find the sounds that you want and I mean it because I've got two of them and I don't care for anything else in the world when those notes sing and surround me. Deffinitly try it out of you need power with a price to give you a smile. // 10

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: FreeManson15, on august 20, 2007

Price paid: $ 200

Features: This amp is versatile enough for the styles I play, which are blues, psychedelic, garage, folk, grunge, Indie, and noise. When I pair it with my effects, it sounds tolerable.Its has a clean, rhythm, and solo channel. The cleans on this amp could be better. The rhthym and solo channels are well enough once you learn to work the controls. I can't get a good sound through headphones but that could just be because of a lacking quality in my headphones. I do wish it had some built in effects besides reverb so I could record without hooking up all my pedals. I use this amp at home mostly, only because it's a pain in the ass to lug around to friends houses to Jam. Unfourtunately it is my only amp so I have no choice. It has 120 watts which is way more than enough power for me. I really wish I had just saved my money for a Vox ac30. This amp is a solid state but it has a tube simulator. // 6

Sound: I play through a Cort stratocaster with single coil pickups, which I have made modifications on, and and Ibanez of which I don't know the model name for, but it uses humbuckers. It suits most of my music styles fine, but my music styles don't really require too much. I haven't really had any problems with noise on this amp. It can make a pretty believeable Led Zeppelin tone on the rhythm section if you set it right, and the solo channel is good for metal. The clean channel can be good with the right settings but it's nothing amazing. The distortion can be brutal, but only if you don't know what your doing when setting the tone knobs. // 7

Reliability & Durability: The reliability and durability on this amp is great. I can depend on this amp for sure, it's built like a rock. I would probably use this amp for back up if I had another amp, but right now this is my only one. It hasn't broken down yet, but I've only had it since the beggining of summer. // 10

Impression: This amp is alright for my styles of music, but I could do much better, but this amp will do. I have been playing for only about a year most people say it sounds like I've been playing longer than that though. This is the only amp I own besides my Kustom 0 Watt practice amp. If it was stolen I'd probably just save my money and buy a nice Vox or Fender amp with less wattage. // 6

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 22, 2007

Price paid: $ 350

Purchased from: American Musical Supply

Features: I bought this amp as my first big amp. It's got drive, clean/reverb, and solo. I love it, though someone might look for an amp with more features. It has just what I need, and just what I use. It's also got a great 3 channel footswitch with it, which I love, it's really durrable and takes my foot pounding on it over and over again. Like most Crate amps. You can stack it too, with any speaker cabinet (Marshall, Krank, Crate, etc). // 9

Sound: I only play a Squier Strat through it, but I have played a Gibson les paul custom through it, the Squier Strat sounds like a lot better of a guitar than it really is, and it makes the Les Paul sounds awesome. I play a lot of punk music, I'm in a punk band, and it suites my style perfectly. It can be noisy, but that's just cause we practice on the second floor in a house, so it's expected with any amp. Otherwise there's very low static, and great control over the volume on it. The clean channel could be a little thicker, but it's still a great sound. The Drive is great, it fits my band perfectly. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I can totally depend on this amp. I wouldn't need a backup amp, though I'd probably like stacking it with a cabinet, but I don't need to right now and it's still a great amp eitiher way. The amp has never broken down on me, but then again I wouldn't exactly want to throw any amp down the stairs or treat it harshly to the extreme. However, it is durable and hasn't sustained any damage at the gigs I've played at, or by carrying it around where I go. // 10

Impression: Once again, I play a lot of punk, and this amp is a great match. I've been playing it for about a year, and I play a Squier Strat through a Zoom GFX foot pedal into it. Even with low quality guitars like that, it made it sound a lot better. If it were lost or stolen, I'll be honest and say if I had the money I'd buy a Marshall tube amp, but seeing as I don't have that money, I would totally buy it again. // 9

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on september 11, 2006

Price paid: $ 345

Purchased from: Local Music Store

Features: I beleive this amp is one of the newer series from Crate. It is a solid state 120 watt amp, with 2 Crate Custom L 12" speakers. The amp is very versatile for the styles I play which range from metal to classic rock, hard rock, and blues. It has 3 channels, solo, rythme, and clean. It comes with a foot Switch, no effects loop, and also comes with a headphone jack. I wish it had an effects loop, because I don't need to spend more money on pedals. You can also hook this amp up to another cab if you want some more power if you like. There is no feature on this amp I do not use. // 9

Sound: I use a MRW Copy les paul with nickel humbuckers. The sound you can get out of the amp can very very raw which I like. I like the raw sound from Guns N' Roses and Black Sabbath. But then I like the clean bluesy sound I can get out of it too. This amp has a very good down and dirty ryhtme, and solo channel. The Rythem channel is just more bassy. I've only played this amp in my room at just below one. So I'm sure if you like to gig this will be more than enough power. The clean channel is very warm, and I like teh bluesy tone I can get out of it. The distortionn as I said before is very down and dirty. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I can depend on this amp all the time when I use it. I would definetly gig with this amp without a back up. I haven't ever had a problem with the amp yet. I have droped it once, not from very high, I dropped while I carried it into the garage, and I looked at it, and everything was in place, and works like nothing ever happened, except a scratch on teh side. // 10

Impression: My overall impression is, I can get any tone I can get close to. I've been playing about 8/9 months, and I use my Dunlop Classic Crybaby a lot on this amp. If it were stolen or lost I would definetly buy another. I love the solo channel it gives you that extra. // 10

overall: 9

Reviewed by: lp_dude_2, on february 25, 2005

Price paid: $ 350

Purchased from: music123.com

Features: My first big amp. Before this I had a Drive CD300 which is a piece of crap 30 watt amp. This amp is pretty versatile. It's got good tube like distortion on the rhythm channel and cruncher SS distortion in the solo channel. 3 channels, clean, rhythm, and solo. Has reverb. Comes with a three button footswitch. Built in effects loop and cab extention. I wish the distortion was a little heavier, but I have a Metal Master so I set it to the clean channel, throw in my Metal Master and I'm set. This thing has 120 watts pumped through 2x12" speakers, this is defentally a gig capable amp. It is soild state but I perfer solid state, more reliable then tube. // 10

Sound: I use my Ibanez SZ320 guitar, DigiTech Metal Master Distortion pedal, and Digitech mutli-chours pedal. I play hard rock/metal and it suits me just fine. Almost no distortion on the clean channel at high volume. The distortion is justa little to tube like for my taste though. // 8

Reliability & Durability: Man this thing is a tank. I've gigged with it plenty of times. I actually had to turn it down one time because the drum set was ratteling so much that our drummer couldnt play. The amp has never broken down even though I've only had it for a few months. // 10

Impression: Defentally get this amp. Second best amp Crate makes, Blue Voodoo being the first. The GT series rules. I also have a GT15R for bedroom jaming. The only thing I dont like about it is the distortion isn't raw enough for my tastes and the damn thing is really heavy but thats expected, just look at the size of it. I compared it to a Marshall MG100HDFX Halfstack and the Crate just blew it out of the water. Defentally check this one out. // 8

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: TKG9876, on january 23, 2006

Price paid: $ 500

Purchased from: Clarks Music

Features: This amp has all the settings I need to play my styles of music: punk/metal. There is nothing more I could ask for, although I do play music that doesn't require much. I use this amp for jamming and playing with my bands. I believe it is definetly capable of blowing the doors off any gig it may encounter. The fact that it is a solid state is good, 'cause tubes bite. // 10

Sound: I play a Washburn WI-64DL with it's standard electric humbuckers. It suits my music style very well, with the rythm channell being perfect for punk, while the lead is great for metal. The clean is amazing as well. There is basiclly no feedback as long as you don't get too close, but that is true with any amp. This is where the sound is a little sketchy: range. There are pretty much 4 sounds it can make: Clean, Overdrive, Distortion and Reverb. The clean channel is fine, but this amp is loud enough to where I don't have ot turn it up too much. The distortion is perfect. Just right. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I would say it is very dependable. I've dropped it a couple times, smashed it into things and nothing is wrong yet, not even a tear on the viynl. It has never broken down, and I don't think any amount of neglect would do anything to this beast. // 10

Impression: This amp suites my music perfectly. I've been playing for about 4 years, and I own a Rouge Wah/Volume pedal, and my guitar, 'cause that's all I need with this amp. Nope. I would definetly buy it again. My favorite feature is the footswitch. It makes it so I don't need any pedals. // 10

overall: 8.5

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 20, 2004

Price paid: $ 500

Purchased from: Local Music Store

Features: This is a Sweet Amp. It doesn't come with any effects besides reverb. It works perfectly with the types of music i play, although I wish it had a deeper clean channel. It has 3 channels; clean, rhythm, and solo. They are all perfect(besides the clean but i already mentioned that). Its rythm is awesome, it is more of a lighter distortion, good for ac/dc and others like that. The Solo channel is the best. You can turn the shape up to like a death metal sound or you can turn it the other way and have a kickin solo sound. It has a effects loop and and External Speaker input to hook up another cab to it. It comes with a 3 channel footswith with reverb on it. I wish the amp was louder though...for 120 watts it should be knockin down the walls but its not quit that loud, but it is a solid state amp... // 8

Sound: Like I said earlier this amp has the perfect sound for me. I play a Epiphone Les Paul Custom with an EMG 81 and 85 in it. My sound is like metal and punk and melodic death metal. Its not that noisy when you have have it on the solo channel or the rythm channel. The clean channel gets really high pitched at high volume, but other than that you will have no problems with the sound. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This amp will NEVER quit on you. I've had it for 1 year and have done some serious giging and not one scratch, this thing is a tank. It has never broken down on me or my friends. Its reliable enough to last you for years without even having to service it for the usual tune up. I would definetly use it without a backup but i would by another cab for it though. // 8

Impression: My overall impression is wow. This thing is a beast and has no limitations. A perfect match for me and anyone else looking for a mean amp to add to their collection. If it were stolen I would definitely find the person who stole it and beat their ass. But if I couldnt find that person I would definetly buy another one...without a doubt. I have compared it with other amps of that power and price and it ranks on top, although the Marshall dgfx100 was nice... But I would still choose the Crate anyday. // 10

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 26, 2005

Price paid: $ 200

Features: This amp can play a variety of music genres. I listen to basically anything with a good guitarist (mostly older stuff) in it and I haven't had a problem coming up with certain sounds (Hendrix, Metallica, AC/DC, Ozzy etc). There are 3 channels: clean, solo, and overdrive. It came with a pedal to switch from channel to channel. There's also a button that switches on the reverb. I wish this amp had some effects on it. Anything really. My amp is up in my room. It's 120 watts so it's pretty damn loud. // 8

Sound: I'm using my Fender Standard Telecaster with my amp. You can get that jimi Hendrix sound very easily on the amp by tweaking around with the settings and putting on the rhythm pickup. You can also get that Metallica sound just by pressing the pedal. The overdrive setting gives a lot of screeching feedback if your not playing (I have to stand 3 ft from it because it's in my room) but when your playing it gives a sick ass sound. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Yes I would definately use this in a gig without a backup. // 10

Impression: Like I said before I play many types of music and this amp matches up to them pretty nicely. I've been playing for almost 3 years and I'm self-tought. I own an acoustic guitar that I bought at a garage sale (it actually was worth the 40$) and I own a Squier Strat that I don't use because Squiers are terrible. If it was stolen, I would buy this amp again. My favorite feature is the overdrive. I love playing distorted guitar. I wish it came with a wah wah pedal. // 10

Comments

[Canfudil666]

I have this amp, and you cn play all kind of style of music in this amp. And you can gig with it, the only problem with it is there no wheels under it, and the fx loop only work with a y cable

[ides-of-march]

This amp looks sick, ive always been looking towards crate for my next amp and this might be it. sweet

[MooCowFragger]

I have had this amp for over 2 years. Never failed me. It is extremely fricking loud! I can shake the walls easily. I sometimes forget the solo setting is made for "solo's" because it has some crunchy tones that totally belong in rythm metal songs anyway, so that is where it normally stays. I play this along with an Ibanez RG and a Jackson DKMG Dinky. With EMG pickups and Solo Setting, you basically have infinite sustain.

SICK.

[raulbitran]

ive recently got that amp, its great, i play it with a jackson kelly, its sounds like the heavenly gods
great amop!!!!

[RollingFree]

How much did you guys buy it for? I found it at zzounds for $200!

[mp3stalin]

RollingFree wrote:

How much did you guys buy it for? I found it at zzounds for $200!

yeah its had a price drop because they have a new amp series now... FM's i think? ...still a GREAT amp.

[Legolas_001]

I've only had this amp for about a month or so but and I can accurately say that I looove it already. You get a great range of tones out of it for pretty darn good price. It shits all over the Marshalls, fenders and other 212 combos (And i've played through an awful lot of 'em) This is my first real gigging amp, I've done a couple of gigs with it and it's plenty loud and doesnt distort even at higher volumes. I'd reccommend it to any guitarist who plays anywhere from Jazz to country to blues, rock and metal.

[DCP]

By what i here this sounds like a great amp and i am thinking about buying it but i'm not shor i'm making the right choice i don't know weather i should buy the crate 212 or the fender FM212R. please help me make my decision.

[guitarinchris]

This was my first gigable amp. I've upgraded to a tube half stack now, but this amp served me 30 gigs in a hard rock band. the lead channel could use some more flexibility--the EQ sharing between the rhythm and lead is a little annoying, and most of the gain isn't usable beyond the half way point unless you want a lot of noise.

The reverb is only good until shortly after the half-way point. After that it becomes a little too cluttered with the signal. The clean channel is great. I've dropped my amp about six times, including down stairs and it has never once shorted out on me.

the footswitch is also annoying--the nuts holding the jacks are made of a cheap plastic.

overall...sweet solid state amp for the price.

[guitarinchris]

mp3stalin wrote:

RollingFree wrote:

How much did you guys buy it for? I found it at zzounds for $200!


yeah its had a price drop because they have a new amp series now... FM's i think? ...still a GREAT amp.

FM is the fender series. Crate has the V and VTX series out now.

[!Schecter!]

Sorry my friend has this amp and it just sucks. the only reason NEARLY all music stores carry Crate amps is because they were distributed by the St. Louis Music Group because they are cheap, loud and have a lot of distortion. and really thats all people that really have no clue about amps look for. Distortion sounds like shit too.

[InerSha]

This is a nice amp to play if you're not a tone obsessed maniac. It has a very good distortion to it. I compared it to a friend's Boss Metalcore pedal and that trough the clean channel sounded identical to the solo channel. All in all a nice amp but a tiny bit heavy... Sadly the GT65 isn't available locally. Here in South Africa it retails for 3800 Rand. That's roughly $500. Clean channel is good as far as solid state cleans go. It has alot of bass. A little goes a long way :P. I play an Epiphone Les Paul Standard through it and i must say i can get a pretty close Killswitch Engage sound with the solo channel. As stated before the reverb is overkill past 12 o clock position. Im thinking of replacing the speakers with Celestion Vintage 30s and maybe the reverb tank, but then again that might just be half the price of a Valveking 112. To conclude: a nice solid state amp. Could do with a valve preamp for the cleans but the distortion doesn't disapoint. Could use a master volume. Also the rhythm channel leaves some to be desired.