Is the crate flexwave half stack a reliable amp? And is it powerfull enough to be herd over/with a peavy XXL,ampeg hlf 410, and drum set? IS it worth buying at all hahaha ?
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Is the crate flexwave half stack a reliable amp? And is it powerfull enough to be herd over/with a peavy XXL,ampeg hlf 410, and drum set? IS it worth buying at all hahaha ?
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any amp with the word "crate" on it is not a good amp.
Crate Flexwave Half Stack
As for being able to be heard, it should be fine for live sound indoors. Outdoors, it's okay, but you may want an additional cab (or a different half stack) to get a larger sound.
I tested two flexwave amp heads last night at a local shop. The first one seemed broken -- the reverb and digital effects would not turn off. The second one had an issue where in one instance, the reverb turned on without touching anything, and when switched to the overdrive/solo channels, a very annoying fake wavey tube sound would pair up with any sustaining note. It was not anything that I would purchase and I was very dissapointed by both heads. You may not be though; Your best bet is to try one at your local store. You may have a different experience.
That's not to say that Crate amplifiers aren't good -- I have an 120w 2x12" combo (a bit older, no digital effects) that just plain kicks. From my experience, though, I would be very hesitant about purchasing that half-stack or any similar amplifiers.
eh crate isn't all that great compared to some of the other amplifiers out there.
It might be powerful enough but I'd get something else or at least get a bigger one
What is the wattage on the head? I used to have the 120 watt fx or x version of the head it sounds cool but is not very powerful. The features and effects on the head are very good but suck a lot of power out of your potential output, like the head would be great to record with because the tone is excellent, just not that loud. Mine eventually ended up breaking from wear so I got the Crate Excalibur which is only 90 watts but pushes out so much more sound than the 120 its rediculous. The excalibur has like virtually no extras but sounds great and is very powerful! It is good for hard rock/ metal stuff like I play. I play it out of two cabinets a peavy 412 and a b52 412. I'd recommend the b52 its got a great clean and distorted tones while being very affordable. I use that half stack combo live (the excalibur with the one b52 412) and I am usually too loud. The peavy cabinet distorted is so crunchy its amazing, but you pay for it, and the b52 is a step up from the peavy on clean tones though.
410 are generally quieter cabinets, just because of the mere size of the speakers. To sum all that up...depending on what you currently have, I'd look at other options because while the effects and on board tuner are nice and convenient, you have a greater control using stomp pedals than the built in effects. For example the delay on the head is sweet, but decays too quickly for me so I had to get a delay pedal despite the built in one being pretty good.
Depending on the use for the half stack, if you are just playing in a studio and want to come up with cool stuff then it will do the job but if you want to play loud live this wouldnt really be the way to go.