Crate Powerblock

[myboss57]

Who owns one? I'm thinking of getting one after I blew a fuse the other night on my OD120 - since I think it's smart to have a backup anyways. I hate the idea of lugging around two heads to a gig, so the lightweight portability of the Crate sounds like a winner.

Also, my OD120 is at the shop this week and I may need something for band practice and have nothing other than a 20watt Orange Crush.

Looks like they have Gain, volume, and Eq knobs and that's about it. Seems simple enough as a good backup.

Thoughts anyone?

[30secs]

They're awesome. So many uses.. just Google the user's manual online. I actually have one FS if you're interested.

[OrangePaul]

Never heard one but it seems like a good portable idea.
Tiny Terror springs to mind too as an alternative...

[myboss57]

Never heard one but it seems like a good portable idea.
Tiny Terror springs to mind too as an alternative...

I'd love to have a Tiny Terror! I just don't have the $$$ laying around and the Powerblock's are used for around $100-120.

They're awesome. So many uses.. just Google the user's manual online. I actually have one FS if you're interested.

Oh yeah? Are you near Baltimore? I was going to head up to GC today or this weekend as they have some used in stock at various stores - so I may just do that. What are you asking for it?
I'm also hoping to grab one this weekend as I may need it next week if my amp ain't done yet.

[30secs]

Never heard one but it seems like a good portable idea.
Tiny Terror springs to mind too as an alternative...

I'd love to have a Tiny Terror! I just don't have the $$$ laying around and the Powerblock's are used for around $100-120.

They're awesome. So many uses.. just Google the user's manual online. I actually have one FS if you're interested.

Oh yeah? Are you near Baltimore? I was going to head up to GC today or this weekend as they have some used in stock at various stores - so I may just do that. What are you asking for it?
I'm also hoping to grab one this weekend as I may need it next week if my amp ain't done yet.

Sent you a PM.

[Randy Bass]

They really do sound good for what they are. They actually behave like a tube amp. You have to turn them up a bit to get a decent amount of gain (unless you use pedals), so they are best when played live and loud. I have thought about picking up another one every time I see them on Craigslist. I think they are a great deal for $100, which is what they usually sell for in my area. I have heard suggestions that they stopped making them due to a high warranty return rate, but I have always treated mine well and it has been reliable (though it is used sparingly).

[a.hun]

Yeah I have one. It does sound decent enough for guitar or bass, and makes an ideal backup amp for either. Can also be used as a small stereo PA amp (75W / side) if needed, so well handy. The overdrive sound and feel are both pretty fair for a cheap amp head, not boutique amp standards but definitely more useful than a few valve amps I've plugged into.

Yes I've heard about reliability issues too. I'd imagine they are often true. There is some advanced technology in there, but they were definitely built to a price. But mine has worked without a hiccup so far, and frankly if it fails I've had fair enough use out of it. For what they cost (especially when they were selling them off cheap at the end!) you really can't complain.

Be careful to stick to the impedance advice on the back panel (/ MANUAL) for mono / stereo use. (Who knows, maybe the reason for many blow ups was people not doing that. Just a thought.)


Andy.

[myboss57]

Yeah, I think it'll be great for a backup. I'm getting one from my wife's uncle - with bag and barely ever used (actually been sitting unused in my father-in-law's studio for a year) for $125, which is about what they are going for used around me.

[myboss57]

So, I picked up the Powerblock yesterday - $125 - and used it this morning at band practice. I was really impressed by how it sounded and set into the mix. I am definitely glad I picked one up! A great backup for sure!

[OU818]

I think I may try and hunt one of these down. I currently have no backup amp which is a dangerous thing no matter how reliable your tube amp is.

[indianDYsummer]

I've been thinking if getting one of those EHX magnum 44 pedals. 44w solid state through a reasonable cab seems practical as a backup if you're being mic'd and only takes up a pedal as a footprint. I'd just throw it my cables/strings/tubes/tools bag.

The powerblock seems cool and is pretty small too. Plus, 150w is a huge improvement.

[DoctorJay]

I'd second everything Andy said about them. Mine was used for bass for ages, worked well for that too, DI to house, into its 112 was perhaps the weak link. Guitar made a decent backup.

[myboss57]

Never heard of that Magnum thing - sounds very portable and useful too. I definitely like the portability factor of this - and the gain it has sounds good enough that I think most people at a gig - if I was using this - wouldn't even really hear the difference.

Don't plan on using it for bass - but I think it's kind of exciting knowing that it could work for that as well!

[DoctorJay]

Oops, to clarify I meant a.hun, not the other Andy. I've never played the .44, but wn a power block.

[a.hun]

Oops, to clarify I meant a.hun, not the other Andy.

Cheers. Good suggestion from 'other Andy' too though!

I haven't tried the Magnum amp-pedals either, but I imagine it'd be a cool backup, and yeah, well portable. Handy.

So, I picked up the Powerblock yesterday - $125 - and used it this morning at band practice. I was really impressed by how it sounded and set into the mix. I am definitely glad I picked one up! A great backup for sure!

Yeah, they are pretty usable. You can get some pretty decent sounds out of it, clean or distorted. I actually like solid state amps if they sound decent, and this one does.

Don't plan on using it for bass - but I think it's kind of exciting knowing that it could work for that as well!

Ever thought of trying bass? With a half decent amp it's good fun, and the CPB150 is definitely up to it. Just borrow a mates bass and a decent 8 ohm cab sometime and you've got 150W worth of fun!

Either way good luck with the amp!


Andy.