[Harp-L] Ron Holmes modified Crate VC508

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A little while ago I reported that I sent my Crate VC508 to Ron Holmes 
at Holmes Engineering for modifications.  I've worked with the Crate 
VC508 Ron modified for me on a few occasions now, and here are my early 
impressions.

It's taken me a while to get used to the amp, because its behavior is SO 
different from what it used to be.  For a start, the mic that I used 
previously, the Labtec AM22, no longer sounds any good with the amp. The 
modded amp seems to expose all the crap in the Labtec's sound. I've 
switched over to my stock Astatic JT-30VC, which sounds bigger and 
better with this amp than it ever did with the unmodified Crate. I have 
yet to test my Shure 545 with the Crate -- that's next on the list, 
along with a test of the amp with a 12AX7 in it.  (Ron set it up for 
either 12AX7 or 12AY7, and the AY7 is what's in it now.)

The tone control is much more effective than it used to be.  The stock 
Crate uses a single control for both treble and bass, and you can't get 
maximum bass without maximum treble, so I never used that control.  The 
overall tone contour is now much smoother, without that harsh edge on 
the treble.

Ron set up the Gain control to handle both overall volume and gain, 
which is also very effective.  He assigned the Volume control to manage 
the volume of the line-out, which comes in two flavors, both post-amp 
stage (instead of post-preamp) -- 1/4" unbalanced and XLR balanced, an 
outstanding setup for recording in particular.

I've tested the line-outs, and they work very well -- using the volume 
control to manage the line output volume is very convenient. In fact, an 
excellent setup for bigger rooms is to run the 1/4" line-out to my 
Memory Man delay, then run the delay output to my Peavey keyboard amp. 
It's a BIG fat sound, and a perfect setup both for performances in 
larger rooms and for room recording.

However, I used to be able to run the delay from the Crate's line-out 
jack, which offers an effects loop when used with a TRS cable, and that 
no longer works (because the line-out is now post-amp stage, instead of 
being between the preamp and the amp -- in other words, there's nothing 
for an effects loop to loop into).  This could be a problem for 
performing in smaller rooms, where I don't want to lug the Peavey along 
with the Crate, and where I might not be going into a PA.

One solution would be to use the pedal mod kit Ron supplies to modify 
the Memory Man, but I'm loathe to mess with a classic delay unit, and I 
also want a solution that will fly with all my pedals, not just one.  I 
have an ART Tube MP preamp, and I'm going to try that between the mic 
and the delay pedal next. If that works, I'm sure it'll work with all my 
pedals.  If not, I'll go for an outboard box with appropriate resistors 
that I can park between the mic and the pedal, like the one Mike Curtis 
described in a post to Harp-L some time ago.  Other suggestions are welcome.

In summary, what Ron did is turn the Crate from a decent blues amp into 
a top-notch blues amp.  The amp is also much quieter than it used to be, 
and I wouldn't hesitate a second to bring this amp to sessions with the 
most demanding producers I know.

Count me well satisfied. Given the price of Ron's services (about 
$200-220 dollars including back and forth shipping) and the cost of a 
new or used Crate VC508, V58, or V8 Palomino, this is a very economical 
alternative for harp players who need a potent small blues amp. Before I 
sent the amp to Ron, it was spitting and hissing, and I was planning to 
have it serviced anyway at a cost of about $65, so I got a lot more 
value for a little more money. I also found Ron to be very helpful and 
responsive throughout the transaction.

I have no financial interest in Ron's success, though I do wish him 
well.  He can be found at http://www.holmeseng.com.

Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com