Crate BFX15

[Beginner Bass]

A friend is offering to sell me a Crate BFX15. I haven't had the chance to try it, but I was wondering if anyone else here has tried this amplifier, and what their opinions were on it.

[Jay Ralston]

I have had 3 Crate amps. My first was a BX 80 that I had for about 2 years. It was a great amp and I never had an issue with it. Next was the BX 100 that was an even better amp with a few more features. I had that one for quite a few years and also never had an issue with it either. Then around 94' I bought a Crate BXE 215 Thunderbass cab with a Crate 440 Head. The 2x15 cab has been a monster. I still own it and it has done everything from tour to studio work to being my main rig at church. I have also never had an issue with it or my head and both are around 16 years old right now and in excellent condition. I also own a Crate GFX 212 guitar amp that has also toured with me, been in the studio and has played at my church. It too has never had a single problem. While I do not own any new Crate amps, I can say the ones from the 90's are great if they have not been abused. If your friends amp is in good condition and you need a good practice amp for your room or something, I say go for it. With the BFX15, it is a very small amp so don't expect much from it and don't pay a lot of money either. I know that new they go for around $200.00 but in all honesty, for that money I would buy a different amp with better features. Look at the Acoustic B 100. It is $50.00 more brand new and is about 100 times better of an amp. It puts out 100 watts with a 15" speaker and is a very light amp. The Crate BFX15 only puts out about 15 watts with an 8" speaker and is only good for maybe your bedroom. The acoustic is something you can even do smaller venue shows with and because it can handle more power and has a bigger speaker, it sounds so much better.

Here is a link to the Acoustic B100.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....mbo?sku=482900

Here is a link to a Crate BFX15 that is being sold new on ebay. As you can see, there really is no comparison between the two and the Acoustic is only a little more in cost.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayisapi.dll...=263602_304642

[Beginner Bass]

I'm trying to negotiate down to around $50 or $60. I actually lied when I said it was a friend. It's actually a CL post, but I wanted to get rid of my location on TB before I gave it away. He wants $80, but I can't do it. The listing is 9 days old, so I can only hope it's still on the market.

[Jay Ralston]

I wouldn't pay more than $50.00 and even that is pushing it and is assuming the amp in in at least excellent condition. Those little amps that only put out 15 watts just aren't good for anything other than playing in your room and even then, the tone is horrible.

[SurferJoe46]

Crate is a good name - I have (yet) one of their Short Stacks for guitar - a GFX1200H & GX412XR cabs that runs first time-every time all the time. Great gear and ultra trustworthy - ultra powerful for a guitar.

I've also owned a Blue Voodoo and dual 412s for that that could melt bricks. Great gear - never any problems at all.

The Crate BFX15 is a solid performer if you don't ask it to do much. It will fart if you push it just like my old Fender BP-15 does. I won't push a bass through it at all - but it makes a great harmonica amp!

Still, much more than $25.00 is asking a lot. They're cute, but really, just a toy.

[Beginner Bass]

I only need a practice amp that I can use for my weekly lesson. It only will have to push through a keyboard. But what should I ask for it? I have a gigging amp. Should I pursue this, or should I just patrol the pawn shops. I found another listing in nearby area for the same amp that listed for $25. I can probably use that as a bargaining chip.

[SurferJoe46]

Good fortune to you if you can bend that first guy over. I find that most times these people have very inflated evaluations of the worth of their gear and won't budge.

Try it and see what happens.

Worst case you can get the other that's posted - right?

$25.00 seems about right.

[Beginner Bass]

The second is pretty far away for me to go for no reason other than to pick up an amp.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Still have it as a back-up to a back-up practice amp..or use it for anything I need amplified...if he's selling it for $80, it will still be there. $30 at the most.

[nutdog]

If you're not in a hurry something else will pop up. $80 seems a little steep for this. I see people dumping their whole starter bass/amp package for $80.

I just sold a crate BFX100 for $125. It's a different animal, not very portable, but would actually produce bass.

I think $25 for a little amp that won't produce a low G without breaking up is about right.

[Beginner Bass]

Well then here's the situation. I'm looking for a light, inexpensive amp that I can use for my weekly lesson. Really all I need is a clean tone and a light amp. My teacher says I need a new amp because my Behringer 10-Watt "Sounds like a cardboard box". And I believe I agree. I don't need anything really loud, just a practice amp. I'm looking at the Acoustic B10, but it's out of my price range when it's new. So if I have a $50-$60 price range, how much used amp could I get for that? Or should I just wait until I have a larger budget?

[SurferJoe46]

This choice won't be any better than a cardboard box either - that's exactly what I need for a harmonica - but playing a bass requires more Watts and driver surface area - not to mention a bigger cab in the first place.

Spending $80.00 to take you to a minimally higher plateau with that Low Watt amp is a bad trade for what you've already got.

Less than saving for a bigger/better combo, you're between a rock and a box here I think. (I'd play the rock if I had my druthers though!)

Even in this area where prices are pretty high, I can find that same amp for $35.00 ::: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/msg/2035698811.html