- Jun 19, 2004
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- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
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The magical Crate PowerBlock
- Thread starter fenderhutz
- Start date
Unless it would cost 200 bucks new, I don't think so.
Would I pay Carvin prices for Markbass if I lived in Italy?
Would I pay Carvin prices for Markbass if I lived in Italy?
You only get an amplifier's rated output power out when the input is driven enough to cause it to happen (and other conditions allow it (load impedance, etc.).
Since the volume knob (and thank you for spelling knob correctly!!!) on the MXR is controlling your overall loudness, it too is controlling the output power of your amp.
Given the interesting nature of business and taxes, it wouldn't surprise me if Markbass gear is more expensive in Italy than it is here in the US...we're very, very spoiled!
You mean, a Markbass LMII?
In fact, that's a very good point. I think that Crate missed the boat.
My "power block" turns out to be an EA Micro300 head that I won on the TB Classifieds.
Do you think that SLM would have put out an amp like that under the Crate name rather than Ampeg? They tried the Ampeg route with the little Portabass head (PB-250) but it didn't last long. Perhaps a Crate amp would have been a better plan.
There WAS a bass block (Crate) in planning. I passed a link here to the guy that designed it, just for fun. He was amused........
The PB250 is not the same..... it has a conventional power supply, and a class-D amp. The powerblock has SMPS and class-D.
The only problem with the PB250 really was the speakers sold with it... They stank, efficiency wise.
I (with others) could NOT get that into the thick and dense skulls (dense on this subject, anyhow) of the product managers the fact that the speakers made the amp sound like 60 watts, and needed changed... They were mesmerized by the couple local really good upright players who loved it.
Eventually, grudgingly and apparently almost secretly, the speakers were changed, and then when it still didn't sell (because of the overwhelming bad rap it already had for low volume), they all said "told you so!"...... totally forgetting that they had stalled and blocked all prior efforts, and didn't "market" the new speakers at all..... so nobody knew about them.
Loud killed the bass Block, which is probably one reason their stock is now at $4.60 and not at the $19 it was at when they bought out SLM.
I use mine as a practice amp, through my custom 12" 250W@8Ohm, driven by my MXR-80+ into the FX Return. Also take it along as backup on gigs.
Pic of Crate on top of a couple of small Fender SS amps (the old Studio 85 with Celestion G12-65 is a gem).
Pic of Digitech GNX-1 which I also use direct into the FX Return
12" is under the Ashdown:
Pic of Crate on top of a couple of small Fender SS amps (the old Studio 85 with Celestion G12-65 is a gem).
Pic of Digitech GNX-1 which I also use direct into the FX Return
12" is under the Ashdown:
Thread revival time...
I have a PowerBlock on the way to act as a stereo power amp between a Tech21 VT Bass pedal and a pair of Ampeg SVT-810s. Should be interesting!
Oh...this PowerBlock comes rack mounted...
I have a PowerBlock on the way to act as a stereo power amp between a Tech21 VT Bass pedal and a pair of Ampeg SVT-810s. Should be interesting!
Oh...this PowerBlock comes rack mounted...
Taylor Livingston
Commercial User
Revived again. How did this turn out? I'm thinking of doing the same and would like to know if it's possible to dial out the PowerBock's distortion.
If you go into the RCA inputs of the PowerBlock it bypasses the preamp entirely and has the most output I have found. BTW, there is one for sale in the TB classifieds right now.
Actually, I did that so long ago (the January 2010 edit of my post was to remove the image) that I don't remember the results other than I was kind of disappointed that it wasn't the amazing sounding I thought it would be. I sold one of the 810s, bought a Bugera 1960 head for the other and have the PowerBlock sitting in its bag in storage.
These could be the next power block as a power amp replacement
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Not shipping yet. External power supply - yuck.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Not shipping yet. External power supply - yuck.
i have a power block on the way to me as we speak. of course i'll be in LA when it gets here...stupid work!
the gentleman who sold it to me told me it works better if you use a pre into the return jack, which i guess is an rca jack. i'll be using it as a backup/tiny rig with my vt, but a part of me really wants it to work by itself as well.
the gentleman who sold it to me told me it works better if you use a pre into the return jack, which i guess is an rca jack. i'll be using it as a backup/tiny rig with my vt, but a part of me really wants it to work by itself as well.
Taylor Livingston
Commercial User
Hey, now that's neat as heck. It would actually work better than the Crate for my needs. I plan to build a preamp similar to the Sansamp VT, but with a semi-parametric 3- or 4-band EQ, and pair this preamp with a little power module like that. External power supply's no issue for me. I will be eagerly awaiting it...
Thanks for the link.
The RCA jacks are the CD input, which is the input to the power amp. There is a 1/4" effects loop jack, but inconveniently it's the send and return in a single jack - you're supposed to use a Y-cable to connect effects. Looking at the diagram in the manual, it looks like you can plug a mono 1/4" cable into the effects loop jack and use that as an input - the return is the tip of the Y-cable. But, the effects loop is post-preamp (good!) but pre-cab simulation (bad IMO) so it's not perfect.
Try just plugging the output of your VT into that effects loop. If it doesn't work right, or the cab simulation makes it sound junky, you'll have to use a 1/4"-to-RCA adapter and plug into the CD input. I'm really curious to see how this goes, so do let us know how it goes and what you think of the sound.
Don't hold your breath.... that may be history now.
I looked up Tripath Technology, and their website is gone..... All the google hits are DIY audio stuff, and the one link through to the company I found was from 2008, with a dead site linked.
I had heard the company went broke, and the apparent lack of a website seems to confirm that. So the "class-T" stuff may be a think of the past.
right on...thanks for the tips cj...i will certainly let you all know what happens when i get back.
I tried the Power Block back probably about the time this thread was started. With the cab I intended to use it with it wasn't loud enough. Fast forward a couple of years and the GB Shuttle 6.0 is smaller and does what I was hoping I could coax the Power Block into doing.
The PB was a neat enough idea, but for the size (even in its day), it didn't do enough.
This is all just my impression of it. If it works well for any of you, great. If I were you, Jimmy, I'd be looking at the VT/Putnam thread we're both subscribed to and get him to put a VT and a ICEPower amp in a small box. It'd do more for you, IMO.
Still, for the price you're probably paying, it's an interesting experiment.
KO
The PB was a neat enough idea, but for the size (even in its day), it didn't do enough.
This is all just my impression of it. If it works well for any of you, great. If I were you, Jimmy, I'd be looking at the VT/Putnam thread we're both subscribed to and get him to put a VT and a ICEPower amp in a small box. It'd do more for you, IMO.
Still, for the price you're probably paying, it's an interesting experiment.
KO
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