Double Bass Crate BT-350...Interesting Surprise

[sean_on_bass]

After reading the Sarno threads i started getting giddy about running my bass through tubes. But then the onset of financial depression set in as I have recently acquired new gear and the ole gear budget is pretty much dust at this point. I then remembered I had an old head sitting in the corner that i bought from a friends dad like 10 years ago.

Enter the Crate BT-350. A solid state head with a tube preamp made in the 90's. I believe in the same factory as Ampeg's at the time. Heavy as all get out and built like a tank. Below are the specs:

After a few beers i decided what the hell, i will plug my Upton Ply with a copper Realist into this bad boy and see what happens. I used the accompanying Crate 2x10 which is a 200w cab at 8 ohms. After cranking the tube drive and getting some feedback, i engaged the graphic EQ and made sharp cuts at 40Hz and 250Hz. That eliminated the feedback as well as piezo honk. Sounds nice honestly. I can sense some of the natural tube compression and am getting what seems to be a very useable tone in the bedroom. Better than my GK MB200. Definitely going to take this on a gig and see what happens.

Face of the head...i really like the option of using the graphic EQ.

 

[unbrokenchain]

Those old usa-made crate heads are total beasts! Long as you have the muscle to lug 'em around.. the plastic 1/4" jacks can be replaced if you really want to rely on it

 

[sean_on_bass]

Those old usa-made crate heads are total beasts! Long as you have the muscle to lug 'em around.. the plastic 1/4" jacks can be replaced if you really want to rely on it

Yes if it has one thing going against it, that would be the shear size. This one has metal jacks, not sure if the previous owner had them replaced at some point. I recall him saying he had some changes made by his amp guy, like replacing the tube etc.

Due to the size...i have a gig today i will NOT be taking this on, a gig tomorrow & Saturday i MIGHT take it on, and gig on Sunday i WILL be taking it on.

 

[scuzzy]

I had one of these for a couple years, I can see how it would be a great double bass amplifier. It was a nice amp for EB. Lots of thump for little $$$. BUT man the weight...

 

[Wasnex]

After reading the Sarno threads i started getting giddy about running my bass through tubes. But then the onset of financial depression set in as I have recently acquired new gear and the ole gear budget is pretty much dust at this point. I then remembered I had an old head sitting in the corner that i bought from a friends dad like 10 years ago.

Enter the Crate BT-350. A solid state head with a tube preamp made in the 90's. I believe in the same factory as Ampeg's at the time. Heavy as all get out and built like a tank. Below are the specs:


After a few beers i decided what the hell, i will plug my Upton Ply with a copper Realist into this bad boy and see what happens. I used the accompanying Crate 2x10 which is a 200w cab at 8 ohms. After cranking the tube drive and getting some feedback, i engaged the graphic EQ and made sharp cuts at 40Hz and 250Hz. That eliminated the feedback as well as piezo honk. Sounds nice honestly. I can sense some of the natural tube compression and am getting what seems to be a very useable tone in the bedroom. Better than my GK MB200. Definitely going to take this on a gig and see what happens.

Face of the head...i really like the option of using the graphic EQ.

I previewed the preamp schematic on ElectroTanya. Looks like the input impedance is 1Meg on the passive input, so I would expect it to work fine with a piezo. It has pretty much a Fender style tone stack. Typically with this type of tone stack, the flattest response is with the Bass and Treble controls really low and the Mid control turned up 2/3rds or more. In this instance, "tube drive" is just the term Crate use for "input gain."

 

[shwashwa]

throw a hfp in the effects loop and you're really love it

 

[Jazz Ad]

A lovely amp, very ample chorus. Size to power ratio is a bit laughable these days but who cares?

 

[sean_on_bass]

throw a hfp in the effects loop and you're really love it

I need to try that. I also just found that this thing functions as a fantastic jazz guitar amp. My archtop has never sounded better.

 

[Ric Vice]

Over the years, Crate built a lot of very interesting one off's that just didn't take sell i.e.
the Crate Power Block.