VTX212B's three-channel operation offers stunning tonal flexibility. The Clean channel features a low-gain FlexWave Evolution 5 preamp, providing sparkling clean tones. The medium-gain FlexWave circuit in the Rhythm channel adds just a little distortion and crunch.
VTX212B
Reviewed by:
jblittlefield, on august 06, 2008 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 299
Purchased from: American Musical Supply
Features: The VTX212B features full 3-channel operation with independent gain level and tone shaping circuits for each channel. The DSP section has 15 Multi effects including chorus, flange, phase shift, vibrato, octave down, touch-wah, and reverse wah. Each of these can be set for depth plus the Tap button on the front controls speed. The VTX212B also has 15 Delays with adjustments for single delay with 4 levels Echo delay with 4 levels Tape delay with 4 levels and echo/effects combo with 3 levels. Each of these effects can be set with the Tap button for speed as well. A separate reverb control is also included. Front panel RCA CD Input jacks allow you to play along with your favorite CD or tape. The rear panel Insert Jack allows you to connect your own effects for greater flexibility. Channel switching and DSP may be controlled by means of a footswitch (included) which also allows access to two DSP presets on each of the three channels. There's also a top-mounted electronic tuner that is active any time the amplifier is on. You may change the DSP settings by rotating the DSP controls, these changes will remain active until a different channel is selected but will not be there for later use unless they are saved. To save a new DSP preset to a channel first make the desired DSP changes. Then press and hold the save/tap button for about three seconds. The save/tap LED will flash through three quick sequences indicating the preset was saved. The new preset is stored for that channel and will remain in memory until a new preset is stored for that channel or the factory presets are restored. The Crate 3-button footswitch allows access to an additional DSP preset for each channel of the amplifier. When the footswitch is connected to the amplifier as shown below the "original" DSP presets are active for each channel when the #3 footswitch LED is illuminated. These are referred to as "DSP Bank A'." When the #3 button is switched and the LED is out a second DSP preset may be stored and recalled for each channel, "DSP Bank B'." // 10
Sound: I currently run a Jim Root Signature Telecaster (with EMG 61/80 pups), an Ibanez AFS75 hollowbody (with stock pups), and a highly modified Squier Affinity Strat (with Seymour Duncan Hot Rails and a JB4 HB - all coil-tapped) through a pedal board consisting of an ISP Decimator, MXR SuperComp, Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff With Top Boost, DigiTech Grunge, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, Boss CH-1 Super Chorus, and a BBE Sonic Stomp. I also run a second Decimator and a Boss GE-7 EQ through the FX loop. Slight hum that increases with gain increase, but easily controlled with the Decimators. Clean channel is amazing, one of the best I've ever heard. Both the crunch and lead channels require a bit of tweaking to get the sounds you want, but I mainly keep it clean and use my pedals for different sounds. I play classic rock, blues, alternative rock, and a bit of numetal. This amp handles 'em all. As for being loud? The windows in the garage shake on "3." // 10
Reliability & Durability: This was a factory-sealed second (normal retail is around $450) which I thoroughly inspected and found no issues. Tolex covered, metal corner protectors, four wheeled casters included, recessed rear-mounted control panel. Seems quite sturdy to me. In the past six months I've had no issues as far as reliability and durability are concerned. // 10
Impression: One of the best solid-state amps I've ever owned. I prefer it over my Vox AD100VT 2x12 and my Kustom Quad 100. The only solid-state amps I've played that is better (IMHO) is the JC-120. If it were lost/stolen, I'd definitely replace it without batting an eye! In fact, I just picked up a second one to leave at the rehearsal space. // 10
VTX212B
Reviewed by:
Hunter2081, on august 05, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: € 129
Purchased from: Pro Musica Ireland
Features: I'm not sure when this amplifier was made if I'm honest. This is a very versitile amplifier, 120 watts, 2x12 Crate designed speakers. It has many effects, although not all are usuable in my opinion. I wish it had a looper, though to be honest that would be asking much of an amp, as you expect that as a pedal really.
I use this amp at home, at practise, and gigging, it's more then loud enough for any occasion, and is not dull sounding at all at lower volumes. // 8
Sound: I use this guitar with many different types of guitars (Strats, Telecaster, Melody Maker, Les Paul), and overall it delivers the sounds I want. I play everything under the sun, though as a gigging artist I rely on this for pop-punk, punk, rock, and accoustic guitar sounds. It does nearly everything perfectly. The clean channel is by far the best part of this amp, although the mid-gain crunch is very sonicaly enjoyable. // 8
Reliability & Durability: This amp was sold to me slightly damaged, that's why I recieved it for so cheap (even though I am the first owner). Because of this, channel switching could only be done using the footswitch. Apart from this, this amp has never let me down, and with my past experience with crate, I reckon it won't let me down any time soon.
One thing to take note of is that this amp weighs a tonne (I say this as a strong person who goes to the gym very regulary). // 9
Impression: I play everything. This amp shines at metal, punk, classic rock, and anything clean (yup, that's alot of things). I've been playing 4 and a half years, to the point where I outplay many more experienced guitarists.
If this amp was stolen, I'll be honest and say that I'd replace it with a Fender Blues Junior 2x12, but that being said, this amp has made me happy since the day I bought it, 6 months ago.
I don't hate much about it to be honest, and I find the built in tuner handy for on the fly tuning mid-gig. This is probably one of the best solid state amps that you can play, in my opinion at least. // 9
VTX212B
Reviewed by:
sugapablo, on july 29, 2008 0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 299.97
Purchased from: American Musical Supply
Features: I play rock/blues/jam and this amp seems to be able to handle anything I want. It has 3 channels (clean/rhythm/solo), three button footswitch, no headphone jack, DSP effects that include flanger, phaser, chorus, reverb, vibrato, octave, auto-wah, reverse wah, and delay. Two bank memory save on effects and settings. Two 12" speakers. Size and Weight: 21" H x 27-1/2" W x 11 1/4" D 50 lbs. 120W. Built in tuner. // 10
Sound: I use this amp with my MIM Fender Stratocaster. The clean channel is fantastic. The solo channel can dish some serious gained distortion, and the rhythm channel is tricky to get a good "not too distorted" crunchiness, but after playing around with it, I got some nice sound. Bottom line, with so much going on, to get the sound you want, you gotta play with it, but once you get the hang of it, the sound is damned good. I'm rating this "6" in comparison with some high end amps from the likes of Fender or Marshall that just sound amazing with much less effort. // 6
Reliability & Durability: I haven't owned this amp long enough or beaten it up enough to give an educated opinion. I give it a "5" meaning "untested". // 5
Impression: I know Crates get bashed, but owning this amp, I can't tell why. Sure, it has so much stuff going on that it might take some time to get the tone and sound you want, but it's there if you play around with it. And bottom line, for the money, it's awesome! "8" might seem high for an amp of this price, but I'm basing it on value of the amp versus the price paid. // 8
I have this amp!! I think Crates get a bad wrap because their lower end amps sound like ass. The VTX series are actually quite good, especially for being solid state.
I've had mine for a little over a year. I've hauled it to many dozens of band practices, gigged it several times, and recorded with it. It has held up fine and worked great for everything I need it for.
I have this amp!! I think Crates get a bad wrap because their lower end amps sound like ass. The VTX series are actually quite good, especially for being solid state.
I've had mine for a little over a year. I've hauled it to many dozens of band practices, gigged it several times, and recorded with it. It has held up fine and worked great for everything I need it for.
I agree. I have played on quite a few Crates that would bury the Marshall MG series amps, yet no one gives Marshall for coming out with a cheap amp. Crate doesn't deserve a bad rep.
AlexAvarice wrote:
I agree. I have played on quite a few Crates that would bury the Marshall MG series ampsAnything would bury an MG.
A literal can of angry bees would bury an MG.
ive got a crate and i love it. its very similar to this one. i agree with what he said about it being tricky to dial in the sound, but as unexperianced as i was, i figured it out in about 2 days. if u know what you're doing, it's not hard at all.
FLEX WAVES SUCK!!!! sorry, but i just got home from the music store, and i wanted a high gain amp... and i tried it, and almost dropped the ibanez because it sounded so bad...
I think some people will always have a bug up their butt about Crates, based on their past products that may have been less than stellar, but if you look around the internet at reviews for this model, you'll see that people who bought and/or played with this amp are absolutely loving it.
Yeah, I've got a VTX 350 Head which is just a 350 watt Head version of this amp and I run it through a Fender Metal Head cab. It's a freaking beast! It is the best amp in its price range I have ever played. I would buy this amp for its clean channel alone, but no, the crunch and lead channels are just as amazing! I can nail the EVH brown sound with this amp, plus get an almost Mesa-like tone out of the lead channel!
I bought this amp as an upgrade from a piece of shit little practice box amp. So this is my first real amp and I have to say, I have never had one problem with it. The built in tuner is helpful because I play in three different tunings on one guitar. I own three guitars and I use one for each channel when recording. I use a Washburn for leads and heavy rhythm. Epiphone Les Paul for lighter rhythm and a Strat for clean tones. Sonic combination for the win! This amp has never let me down and is perfect for live or studio recordings. I would definitely buy it again!
I would just like to mention that I have since changed my mind since I have reviewed this amplifier. Avoid it like the plague, it's muddy and indistinct. Save up for a good blackstar/marshal/fender/vox etc, you'll thank me later. This amp is probably aimed at intermediate players anyways as the power is insane for a beginner, so you owe it to yourself to invest in a good tube amp, you are really unlikely to achieve your tone from this amp.
yep... but its ok cuz ther bigger stuff looks/sounds cool