[Harp-L] Crate VC-508 Tube Amp

[Richard Hunter]

George Miklas wrote:
<Is anybody using a crate VC-508 Tube Amp for harp?
<If so, what's your review of it?

I own a Crate VC-508, and Paul Messinger uses one too, or was the last time
I talked to him about his rig.  I think Paul's is basically stock.  I had
Ron Holmes work mine over about a decade ago; he modified the circuit so
the gain control affected both the preamp (12AX7) and the amp (6L6) tubes,
a la the original Fender Champ circuit.  I replaced the speaker with a
Weber H cap too.

Whether you mod it or not, the Crate VC-508 (and its successor the V8) are
fine 5 watt tube amps, and a bargain in that class.  It has an output jack
that can be used for an FX loop, or for running a 1/4" line to the PA.  (I
had Ron Holmes install an XLR out after the amp stage for a line-out to a
PA or recording console.)  The only other mod I recommend is to fit the
corners with steel corner protectors.  The wooden case of the VC-508 is
made of particle board, and the corners will chip if dropped.  Easy and
inexpensive to fit those corners with protectors.

I usually use my Digitech RP500 nowadays, but I will never sell that
Crate.  I use it every once in a while, and it always delivers a big blues
tone.

Regards, Richard Hunter

-- 
Check out our 21st Century rock harmonica record "The Lucky One" at
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardhunter

Author, "Jazz Harp" (Oak Publications, NYC)
Latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
Twitter: @lightninrick­­­‪­‪­­­‪‪­­‪­‪­‪­­­­‪­­‪‪‪­‪‪­­­‪­‪­­­­‪‪­­‪­‪­­­­