Crate Power Block
I've been considering one of these. Has anyone used one?? I have some concearns per reviews read from users!!
1. Durability seems they don't hold up well per some of these reviews??
2. Can not get a good clean sound at any real significant volume level, only at lower levels it is clean??
3.Rated at 150W mono which is way more than I need anyhow but none the less many complain no way does this thing come close to that!! That it is not very loud at all and can't figure how someone could even think of using it in Stereo??
Anyhow any feedback would be much appreciated!!!!
Thanks & God Bless!!!!
1. Durability seems they don't hold up well per some of these reviews??
2. Can not get a good clean sound at any real significant volume level, only at lower levels it is clean??
3.Rated at 150W mono which is way more than I need anyhow but none the less many complain no way does this thing come close to that!! That it is not very loud at all and can't figure how someone could even think of using it in Stereo??
Anyhow any feedback would be much appreciated!!!!
Thanks & God Bless!!!!
Comments
There is no clean channel. The gain control is single ended (not a multi channel amp). Starts clean and gets dirty. The volume is plenty to blast a loud drummer. Don't pay attn to amp ratings on SS amps. Even the Mode 4 350W amp is NOT 350W..maybe peak power but not RMS. The delivery of the Power Block's power is solely dependent on your cabinet. It will drive a 4x12, we do it all the time.
There are stereo channel options but you lose the front panel controls since it simply bypasses the preamp. For 199.00 it's a nice Book sized backup amp. I know and have seen several use them as part of their rig as well.
Thanks for your Response!! This would be used for me to drive my Platform Monitor 1 12 equiped with Eminence Modeling 12 Sub. So it would be used mono and I would presume with the GNX on the front end as a preamp my gain could be set to nothing and tones eq's flat and just to use the volume as my monitor level?? So if the patch was say nice clean tube I would get nice clean tube out?? If I enable mod with a stompbox then I would get dirty overdriven sound right?? Anyhow the thought was the other Monitor I would keep at home and just tote the Power Block back and forth to rehersal and Worship and my Rig if you would will be Identical at home and Church. Also this should give a truer read on what my actuall tone is thru the house full range system?? Sometimes I think my tone sounds very sharp in my MG30 on the platform but others tell how well things sound out in the Sanctuary. Plus from practice time at home to Worship time at Church should now sound the same right?? Same Amp, Same Speakers Should sound Identical?? Anyhow thats my plan to use this thing do you think that will be a good setup?? Thanks again!!!
If anyone says it's not loud...they're probably deaf cause these things will crank!
So far this setup is perfect for my needs. Since our guitarists alternate between acoustic and electric, I have used the GNX4 through the front input with great results and have also plugged in my Ovation acoustic into the back and used the pre-amp settings on the guitar .
The other plus is I have a XLR that goes right to the house PA!
1. I can't comment on durability since I haven't had it that long, but this thing is a BRICK and seems very solid...and you can't beat the size/weight.
2. I have no problem with a clean sound at any volume, I usually set all the knobs at 12 O'clock...if I need any extra dirt I can turn up the gain.
Overall I am very happy with my rig right now and also thanks to Guitar3456 and LuredMaul for their input and suggestions.
Peace.
That was the feedback I was looking for!! I will probably try the setup both ways: thru the input, and also thru the FX loop. Only small question I still have with the FX loop way of hooking it up is the Y cable adaptor?? why do I need this?? Or do I even need this?? I thought that would be were I plug in say left side 1/4\" out to left side 1/4\" fx in on the Block right?? So what is the deal with that Y cable?? I don't quite understand that?? Hey thanks again!!! God Bless you!!! Talk to you all later.
As far as I can tell I don't really need it for my configuration since I just wanted to bypass the amp.
What I have discovered is if you run the GNX4 through the rear input all of your volume control and tones come from the pedal, the Powerblock controls are bypassed.
If you need the extra \"juice\" you can run it through the front input with the knobs @ 12 O'clock for \"neutral\" sound and boost the level higher if you need to.
Both ways work great for me!
Good luck!
Peace,
Tim
God Bless you as you Worship him & lead others into his presence!!! Man it's gret to be used of God in that way!!!!