• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Crate head w/ pyramid speakers

T

TimmyGT

May 19, 2008
120
0
42
#1
ok, so I know pyramid speakers aren't the best but I was thinking about picking up this half stack for my cousin who wants to learn bass. it comes with 160W crate head and 4-12" Pyramid cab. she is asking $150 for all of it and I wanted to know if the crate heads are good heads and then just maybe replace the cab at a later date if he likes playing his bass.

let me know what you think!
 
#2
Crate is not a a top amplifier company, however, if he is starting out, it's going to do the job really well and for 150$ it's pretty much the only head/cab combination you'll have. On the plus side, with a 4x12 and a 160w amp, he'll be able to jam with some friends when he is ready.

If he likes playing bass, he could always upgrade later.

As I said, that amp is going to be plenty nice for someone that is starting, especially at that price.
 
#3
JustOpenYourMind said:
Crate is not a a top amplifier company, however, if he is starting out, it's going to do the job really well and for 150$ it's pretty much the only head/cab combination you'll have. On the plus side, with a 4x12 and a 160w amp, he'll be able to jam with some friends when he is ready.

If he likes playing bass, he could always upgrade later.

As I said, that amp is going to be plenty nice for someone that is starting, especially at that price.
Click to expand...

yeah, thats what I was thinking! it will be more then enough power for a bass noob. plus when he meets with his friends and they are on their little 30w practice amps he can blow them away! hahaha :bassist:

but really when it comes down to it most people are asking that much just for a head so the cab is like a bonus add on!
 
#5
Crate head? 4x12 cabinet loaded with P-P-P-P-Pyramids?? $160.00? After I laughed my snobby *** off for about a half hour, I would then proceed to run far, far away from it. Seriously, there are plenty of Peavey combos or better to be had for that much money. You'll get waaaaay better sound, reliability, and save your cousin a lot of future heckling, even from his other beginner friends.
 
#6
I had a Crate head years ago, mostly because thats all I could afford at the time. One of those "got the job done but not that great" kind of thing. I basically threw it in the trash when I moved into my new house even though it worked fine.

I would leave this set up as a worst case scenario and shop around a little. Used Peavey gear, like was said earlier, makes stuff in that price range that could be better (although I have had plenty of Peavey stuff and it was no better than the Crate...about the same really)
 
#8
well the only thing that I have found for that cheap was a little 20-30 watt amp with an 8" speaker for $100. I don't know where you are all getting your stuff from but I told my cousin I would keep it under $150! so far I have been looking online at craigslist and in music-go-round. I was going to stop by guitar center but I know they wouldn't have anything that I would want for that price range.
 
#10
TimmyGT said:
also try to keep in mind that he is only like 12 years old too! it doesn't need to be the best, just work for him to find out if he likes playing it or not.
Click to expand...

Understandable.

However, you need to realize that the cab is not even loaded with musical speakers.

It will most likely sound like yesterdays re-warmed crap.

I don't know how that would effect a 12 year olds opinion of playing, but it might have a very negative effect.
 
#11
Bass_Pounder said:
Understandable.

However, you need to realize that the cab is not even loaded with musical speakers.

It will most likely sound like yesterdays re-warmed crap.

I don't know how that would effect a 12 year olds opinion of playing, but it might have a very negative effect.
Click to expand...

well it is a old pyramid cab and everything! they have there name on the handles and a label on the front. its not like some home made cab with car subs in it or anything.
 
#14
Bass_Pounder said:
Can you "try before you buy" ?

I guess for the money (and as long as you realize it may have no resale), as long as it does not sound like complete crap, it should be fine.
Click to expand...

yeah, I can go play it. it is just someone local to where I live. I was just guessing he could play it tell the speakers blow and if the head is still in good working shape then just go get a newer, better cab.
 
#15
I don't know where you live, but for 150, I could score much better and music stores (people in general) around here are pretty greedy. Generally, decent enough combos with a single 15" speaker will sell for about that much.

The thing that sucks the most right now is the speakers. They are bad. Very bad, but the Crate head, albeit not a fine piece of equipment, is probably a work horse and a decent enough amplifier. Offer 80$ for the head and then buy some kind of cheap Behringer 115 or 112 for sub 100$. That will be giggable in small places.
 
#16
BillyRay said:
I don't know where you live, but for 150, I could score much better and music stores (people in general) around here are pretty greedy. Generally, decent enough combos with a single 15" speaker will sell for about that much.

The thing that sucks the most right now is the speakers. They are bad. Very bad, but the Crate head, albeit not a fine piece of equipment, is probably a work horse and a decent enough amplifier. Offer 80$ for the head and then buy some kind of cheap Behringer 115 or 112 for sub 100$. That will be giggable in small places.
Click to expand...

well everything that I have found around here like that is in the $200-$250+ range! I'll be going to try it and maybe I'll see if they would sell just the head for cheap.
 
#20
Why can't you spend a little more and get something that will be livable/gigable for a while ? I know that your cousin is young, but if you can't spare at least 200-250 for an amp, expect low quality combos and not being loud enough for anything more than bedroom practice. At this stage even a headphone amp would be much better than plonking money at something that will probably break/sound very meh. I'm pretty sure you can pick up something like a Crate BX-100, Peavey TKO or Ampeg B-100r for around 220. That's not a lot more than your current budget.

My current rig cost me a grand total of 400$ (400rb into 215D-BW) and I can probably play loud small rock gigs or medium sized blues gig with it.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back