Crate BFX50

Ignoring the DSP for a bit, the 4 tone control's (Lo, Lo Mid, Hi Mid, Hi) and sweepable contour control (which can be switched in or out) give plenty control over the tonal range for bass, even on my 5 string, allowing you to dial in any sound you need.

The DSP though not studio quality, or at least I wouldn't record it, is fine for live work, practice, composing and so on, Crate have done a nice job with the presets, and although if you just ram up the DSP level full it's going to sound cheesy, put it around 3.5 for a nice blend of most of the effects.

Using this with a 5 string active bass, and an el cheapo 4 string uber short scale (26") bass. The amp itself is quiet as you'd expect from a solid state, but has a nice warm sound and is not tinny, the gain control can be pushed to distort a little, probably sounds best (for a dirty sound) with a high input gain and some of the chorus from the DSP. It's no Matamp (I wish), but has a nice wide range, I play a little of everything from dub to blues to punk to grindcore and although I have a Coloursound Sustain for a nastier sound, I rarely need to use it.

Amp has performed fine for me, I am at least it's second owner, it's been in the back of multiple cars, on back seats, in trunks etc. Minor marring of the tolex, but it still works fine. Never had to have it repaired. Giving it a 9 as I can't speak for if it will last for years, and I don't know if the previous owner(s) may have had it repaired.

Not had to deal with them.

Been playing for 15 years on and off.

If it were stolen and one was available, I'd buy it. I wouldn't tear down heaven and earth trying to find another one, it's a good, does the job, amp.

I love the sound it makes, I hate the fact the handle is on the side. I'd also have liked it to have had a line out, I have a H&H S500-D running a Peavey 2x15 for larger things, but have no preamp currently, so a line out would have been nice.

Originally I was looking for an Ampeg BA110 which my store was out of. The salesman recomended this one which was used. I've been pleasantly surprised this is an incredible amp, especially for the price. I play mainly jazz/rock/improvisational this amp is perfect. What attracted me was the DSP which includes delay, echo, chorus, flange, funk/wah, octace, chorus/hall, RM, Hall. Quite a lot to play around with and lots of tone variation.Definatly not a one trick pony.
Also comes with a headphone jack and speaker out. Also comes with a switch for active pich-ups. This is used primarily as a practice amp and the occasional jam with friends. Four Band eq with gain, master volume, shape, and level for DSP. Solid State.

Playing an OLP mm2 5 string passive pup's This is a very quite amp(hum wise etc.) the sound quality is a+. Like I said above I was originally looking for a ampeg BA110 30w. This is a 50W which I thought might be a bit much for the ol' apartment but I actually can play lower volumes with better sound than my 15 W guitar practice amp.
Have not tried distortion settings yet as I mainly play clean. I also plan on playing some guitar through this as some previous reviews stated .

Well it's solid state and most S.S. things are pretty dang reliable and seeing how it's not going gigging it should last a long time. I bought this used and it had some wear on the top vinal cover, so I'm asuming it might not have had the greatest care in the world, and seeing how great it sounds I'm guessing it's a work horse. The speaker cover is somewhat flimsy so I'm giving an 8.

The warranty is 5 years to original owner. Since I ain't the original owner it won't do me much good. Never dealt with them. I'll give them a 6

I been playing guitar 4 years and just took up bass(hence the need for this amp. Other gear I own are a Squire fat strat, Epiphone Les paul standard, Voxpathfinder 15W amp, numerous pedals and assorted stuff, harmonicas, Djembe.
If this were lost or stolen I'd definatley get another. I compared it to an Ashdown EB180 but the price and features led me to believe this a better value for my hard earned money. The only thing I can think of that I wish it had was a Tilt back like the Ampeg. Overall probably one of the best purchases I've made(instrument related).

After playing this amp for over a year now I have found that the cable inputs are made of plastic.....I've had two fail so far......this has got to be the most rediculous thing I have ever seen......the repair company took 3 weeks to get the amp back.....the last one that failed was right on the bandstand in the middle of the gig.....I'am so pissed that I have changed my rating to a zero on these Crate amps.....if Crate cant put decent inputs in their amps they need to quit the business.....cheap shit.....cheap cheap cheap.....I'am so %#&@#*%@$mad I'am leaving my e-mail address goffbum@yahoo.com

This a follow up on the bfx50......I've now used it on several jobs for bass and lead guitar work and just like I first said its great for both and a good acoustic amp......Cant think of any thing else to say except its the best damn amp I've ever played through for the money........its unbelievable.........

This amp was made in 2000 I believe.......I bought it on a hunch that it would double as an acoustic amp for my Ovation........also all the affects attracted me.......this thing has got to be the best kept secret in the world......I love the slap back delay and the small hall large hall feature......my Ovation sounds just great thru this thing.. plenty of volume and its really great for playing lead......my strat and tele sound just fine also..........surprize surprize......they have quit making them......

This amp is very quiet.....no annoying hissing......I've been playing since 1957 and have had all kinds of amp.....this one is a performer.....my music is classic country and pure rock-a-billy.....needless to say my 67 precision sounds just fine thru it.....let me add I have not used this on stage yet but I will let you all know for sure......

I will have a backup just in case......I've had one or two bad experiences, if you get my drift.........

They seem friendly enough.....

Like I said I've been playing longer that muhammids been around......I own several Crates and Peaveys and an old Fender Quad Reverb......Now comes the bad news.....This amp and also the new Peaveys have the cheapest tolex covering I have ever seen.....just bump something and you'll know what I mean.....the covering was so bad that I removed it and sprayed the amp flat black.....loks great now.....I mean it was embarassing.......total shit covering......since the tolex was so cheap I will give this amp a 6......there makin em like they make cars with plastic bumpers......what a joke...........

I think this amp was made in 98 or 99 but I know Crate just started making these. This amp is great for the things I play, mainly rock like Stone Temple Pilots and Alice In Chains. Some channel switching it has is like to switch Contour on or off which is cool because it gives you some different tones. It's got 9 digital effects, it has Slapback Delay, Echo, Chorus, Flange, Funk-Wah, Octave Sub, Chorus w/ Hall Reverb, Room Reverb, and Large Hall Reverb. I mainly use this amp in my basement to practice with my band. It has lots of power, especially with it's many tones, and gets very loud!

I use this amp with a like 99 Squier P-Bass which has really cheap Squier humbucking pickups that are loud as hell, but that's the basses fault. The sounds and tones are GREAT for this. I play lots of Alice in Chains, and I got the tones I've been looking for! It's not too noisy in means of buzzing, that's just my crappy pickups. The amp has the Contour switch with mmmmmmany differnt tones on it when it's on, and you can turn it off to get another different tone. There's also gain which adds a slight distortion and makes it loud.

This amp is great for me. If I ever get good enough to get a gig, of course I would use it w/o a backup! It's never broken down yet, and it's got a 5 year warrenty, so I'm happy enough!

I've never dealt with Crate before, so I'm not sure ifthey help or not. My warrenty is 5 years, and I bought it from a place that's a service center.

I've been playing my bass on a small Squier BP-15 amp from June 2000 to early May 2001, and I recently got this amp. I would definitly buy this one or a bigger Crate if it were lost or stolen. I love it's sound and many effects, and really don't hate it at all. This, in my opinion, is one of the best bass amps ever created!~