Crate BX50

Very basic. I haven't found a use for the contour, it just makes the sound muddy. The speaker out disengages the internal speaker, so I can't figure where that would be useful either. Why would you lug this thing around if you're just going to plug it into a different cab. A direct out, or even just a line out would be infinately more useful for sending a signal to the house PA or another amp.

Bassic, clean sound. It's acceptable, but not very versitle. Doesn't reporduce enough highs to be useful for use with a modeling unit. The low end rolls off dramatically below low D on my 5 string. This amp is obviously voiced with a 4 string in mind.

Totally reliable, although the knobs fall off in transit if you're not careful, which is why I'm giving it a 9 instead of a 10.

Ordered replacement knobs. Friendly and fast service.

I've been using this amp with various church groups about 3 times a month for the past 10 years. It always works and is small and light enough to carry with one hand (although not comfortably). This amp should suffice for 90% of situations most amatures will use it for. Solid and made in the USA, you can't go wrong!

Pretty standard stuff. Two 1/4 inputs, headphone, countour control, standard EQ. However, what I really like is the speaker out. This amp is good for starters, but the speaker out allows you to build your equipment without having to pay more than you really need to. I ran this thing into a '71 Traynor and it sounded delicious. (Limit light is definitely a plus, too)

I've used this with both jazz and precision-style pickups. It sounds great both ways. It's a little dry, but it can put out good sound. A little low in volume, though. It's good for very small, unmiced stage stuff, and if you're going through an enclosure, anything, really. Also good for a vocal amp if you're too cheap to get a PA.

Built like a rock. No problems. Ever.

Never called.

Great starter amp and has room to build. Sound's alright, but could be better. Only beef with it is that the speaker out is in the front. ...Strange place to put it.

I bought this about in 1994 when i was about 15. It was the first amp I ever bought. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for it, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $200.

The features are pretty basic on this amp:
2 Input channels (0db, -15db)
Gain
Contour
4 EQ's (Low/Low-Mid/High-Mid/High)
Master Volume
Headphone Output
Speaker Output

Like I said very basic features, but I didn't buy it for features.

When I first bought this amp I needed it to do 2 things. I needed something I could lug around to practice in 2 different basements. I also needed something that I could use on stage in smaller venues.

It handles as a practice amp great. I never was drowned out and it is easy to cart around. It had a harder time keeping up on stage however. It still performed well, but not as loud as I would have liked. It performed very well though in smaller situations where nothing was miked.

The sound is pretty clean and I never use the contour feature. The equalizer is sufficient enough, overall a solid sound.

I will say this, it is built like a rock. Over the last 10 or so years its taken quite a beating. I've knocked it over, dropped it, spilled on it and it still performs as well as it did when I first bought it. Never had to worry about it.

Never had to deal with customer support.

I've been playing for about ten years now. I bought it as my first amp that I could use in several situations. I now have a Fender Bassman which I love and use that on stage but I still use my Crate as a practice amp. It's more portable and durable. I definately got my money's worth out of it and am very satisfied. I would recommend as a starter amp to anyone.

I bought this unit new in 1999. Since that time it has been 100% dead reliable. Has active and passive inputs, power indicator LED, a switchable contour control, 4-band eq, headphone jack, external speaker jack (why??), overload indicator. power switch. All of these are on the front. 12" driver and 50 watts.

The power cable does not detach; it does not have a CD input or effects loop. No footswitch (there's nothing to control with it...). Speaker cavity is sealed, though the top where the power amp's located is open in the back - good place to stash a cable or two (be careful not to rip out the speaker leads that are exposed there - they're not delicate but it could happen). Single strap handle on one side; sturdy plastic (not brittle) corner protectors. This model does not have any fancy digital effects (I think this is a plus...). If you want a good, basic small combo, this is your unit.

I have used this with an old 70's Gibson SE bass and a recent G&L ASAT bass with active electronics. This box is surprisingly loud and clean for its size. It is a definite step up in depth and quality from a 8" or 10" smaller practice amp, and it can still be carried around without busting a nut. Has a solid but dry solid-state sound - does not have the warmth of, say, an Ampeg (solid-state) unit. Seems tolerant of a wide range of styles. Loud enough to be heard over an un-miked drum kit and guitarists using small to medium combo amps. Don't expect it to sound like a 4x10, or a combo with a 15" driver and 200 watts, and you won't be disappointed. Also makes an excellent mid-size keyboard amp.

I have carried this thing all over and moved twice with it. It has never burped, crackled, quit, or hesitated. Cabinet seems to be very solid. "Tolex" covering is very durable though not indestructable. I never abuse electronic equipment or instruments, but I have pushed the volume some a few times - it doesn't seem to complain though the sound can get overly harsh. I have never known the power amp to get very warm, so it must have a pretty efficient circuit design.

This unit has never had a fault, so I have never had to deal with customer service. This is the best form of customer service, in my book!

I bought this unit as a relatively new player almost 5 years ago - I assumed it would sound much better than a cheapie practice amp, and I was not disappointed. I am now getting rid of it because I've moved up to a nice Ampeg 200 w combo - the Ampeg has an incredible warmth and depth that this Crate unit never will. However, I'm a bit sad to see this unit move on because it has been so reliable, predictable, and easy to use. If you are looking for this size combo amp, I don't think you will go wrong with this honest Crate unit.

I bought my amp in 2001
2 Channels
-One Standard
-One -15 dB
Headphone Jack
Output to speaker channel
It has just enough power to overpower drums but not when it is combined with guitar. Great volume for when you're alone

I use a Music Man Stingray 3Eq. I play slap, and it works very well with it, but after a while, it starts to sound plain. Theres somthing missing. I think it may need some more low-end punch. It distorts when you turn the gain and volume all the way up.

It is very reliable. Hasn't broken, but I don't travel around with it enough to tell. It seems very durable though.

Havent had to use it

If it got stolen, I would get a more powerful amp. Its a good starter amp. Rather expensive though.

I bought this new in December 2002 and have nothing bad to say about it.

50 watts RMS
4 Band EQ (Low/Low-Mid/High-Mid/High)
2 Input Jacks: (0dB/-15dB)
Gain
Contour Shape
Master Level
Headphone Jack
Speaker Out
47 lbs.

I used this with a Jay Turser Beatle Bass just as a learning setup. I've played guitar for a few years and thought I would just pick up the bass and play around and I tell you, I underestimated the depth of this box. Also with an Ibanez k5 it even kicks it up a notch for some all out Rock 'N Roll.

It doesn't distort very easily but with a pedal and overdriving it you can get some great sound (think Type O Negative)

I've never had any problem with it and is great for a practice amp (more than enough power, actually) and works well in a small venue, going through a monitor.

Never needed to use it.

Great 50 watt amp. I've tested a few before trying this one and for the money it's one of the best out there. I would definitely pick up another one if something were to happen to this one and I needed to replace it.

Rock on.

I don't know what year it was made in, but it was in the US. I've had it for about three mounths now. It has a normal and -15 dB input, shape control; low, mid, and high, a limiter, an external speaker jack, as well as a headphone jack. Good enough for a practice amp. I use it with other band members and it struggles to keep up with a loud drum set and 100W tube guitar amp (2x12). It has one handle (on the side?) and is probibly a bit oversized, but it is still small enough to transport by myself.

I play a Rouge LX205B, and I have tried a few others in it. It really isn't as powerful as I'd like it to be, and the limiter goes off like nothing. As far as sound quality, it isn't punchy enough, even for the metal I play. It does buzz a little at high gain and/or volume.

It has never given me any trouble. I wouldn't gig with it because it is not loud enough, but for someone playing jazz or funk it would do fine.

Never had to deal with Crate. (which I guess is a good thing)

I've been playing for only a matter of mounths, and am already looking for something louder and better. It it was lost, I would get something else because it gets drownded out by the other instruments in my band, but it might be good enough for other people. It is about as big of an amp as you would want it you need to move it a lot. Or it would make a good secondary amp to use for practicing by yourself, as I plan on doing. A CD input would be nice. I think it was a pretty good buy for how much I payed, but I wouldn't pay more than $250 for it. It has short comings, but the truth will always be you get what you pay for.

2000 model, this amp doesn't do it for me. i play metal, hard rock, classic rock. single channel, headphone jack, speaker out, 4 eq knobs, low, low-mid, high-mid, high, 0 db/ +/-15 db input for passive/ active inputs, passive & active modes, limiter. it is rated at 50 watts rms but i doubt it really is 50 watts. i use this amp for home practice only because that's all its good for. definitely not loud enough if you practice with a drummer. but overall decent cheap home practice amp.

i play several basses thru this amp and most of them sound horrible thru it. the only bass i have that sounds somewhat ok thru this amp is my steinberger spirit. my ibanez and yamaha sounds like crap thru this amp. this amp has a very nasal sound to it even after months of fiddling with the eq. the manual recommends lowering the bass control knob to get clearer tone but even that didn't help. channel distorts at high volumes. you can't play it past volume level 4 because after 4, the limiter goes nuts telling you you better lower it, or the speaker will blow out.

i've had this amp for 2 years now. i would never use it for a gig. it's definitely not loud enough. it's just barely bearable to keep at home for personal practice. it hasn't broken down yet because i take good care of my equipment.

i never dealt with the company itself, but it comes with a 5 year warranty. i'll probably sell it before the warranty is up.

i've been playing bass for 8 years on/off. i own an ibanez soundgear bass, yamaha rbx bass, steinberger spirit bass, and this crate bx50 amp. i like it as a home practice amp because its loud enough for that but when i bring it over to my drummers garage it just doesn't have enough balls to be heard over the drums. my guitarist has a 50 watt amp and it sounds 2 times louder than this bass amp. somethings wrong with the rating of the volume on this amp.

A basic 50 watt bass combo, made in probably 1999 or 2000, I bought it used so I'm not sure of the year but Crate has been making the amp in this styling for about the last 4 years or so. It's got a 0db and -15db inputs,gain, shape(contour),low, low mid, high mid, high, master vol. and a headphone and ext. speaker jack. I bought this amp for my son to use at church with his teen Christian band. I will also use it to play bass with my mostly acoustic Christian Country/Blues/World beat group that I am getting going with a couple of local guys. It has enough power for these applications but OBVIOUSLY was'nt built to go head to head with some mainiac like Dimebag Darrel, OK !! It's a band practice or small gig amp and costs around 289.00 new not 1299.00 like some Gallien-Kruger monster. I give it an eight for what it is not for what some bloke "wishes" it was.

We are using it with a inexpensive but nice "generic" P bass. And it sounds very nice, Really good fundamental lows for a 12" speaker. It has a good Rock or "Dub" sound but its not real bright so It may not suit a funk or slap bassist. The contour control is really what makes this amp as you can shift the mids to vary the sound. I like the sound but I am a "hillbilly-roots rock" type not an "Downtown-funk slapper" type. I think it will sound good for the upbeat praise and ska that my son plays too. The neatest thing is it sounds really nice with my Acoustic/Electric Dean Exotica guitar. If you turn the contour knob to 8 or 9 o'clock, turn down the low, and turn the high up to about 2 o'clock it has a nice warm sound for the acoustic guitar. I'm not yet sold on the idea that for acoustic guitar "you have to have an acoustic amp" idea anyways. What did people do before these specialized acoustic amps came out? Played through regular guitar and bass amps!!!

I bought it in used "slightly worn" condition and It seems to work just fine. When I plug in an instrument and turn on the power switch I get SOUND, when I turn off the switch and unplug the instrument I don't get any more sound, simple huh ?

I have never dealt directly with Crate(St. Louis Music)

I have been playing about 3 years again after a long layoff ( I played guitar In my teens and early twenties) and picked it up again at 37 years old. I enjoy it much more now because I have no asperations of becoming a rock star like I did when I was 18. Now I do it because I enjoy music. And when I play at church or play Christian music it is a way for me to honor the Lord.

Think it's a '99. The controls are basic... bass, low-mid, high-mid, high. Has a headphone jack but buzzes. Also, speaker jack. I wish the contour knob was more useful. Good as long as guitars don't have half stacks.

I use it with a stnd jazz bass five. It hums pretty obnoxiously and when i hit my B string and sometimes the E string and it is muddy muddy muddy muddy. I turn the mid all the way down, but still mud. Then, it's not even loud enough. I got a used Hartke 3500 with tube/ solid state preamp and a 4x10 cab. Its got a condenser on it that makes those low strings sound so clean, no mud at all. That amp has mad punch too. The Crate has no punch at all. The only good use that I've had with it is letting my friend who has a Fender Strat play through it. It sounds wonderful then. It's a great sound for a heavy guitar, but its a bass amp.

I've ripped the lining on it, but thats my fault. This thing is rock solid.

Never had to deal with it.

I've been playing since '98. I own, as before mentioned, a Fender Standard J-Bass V and a Hartke 3500 with a 4x10 cab. The Fender sounded terrible in the Crate. I wanted to buy a new guitar. But the Hartke makes it sound like the American Series! If it was stolen, I got my Hartke so I would be mad but not buy another. If I could go back in time three years, I'd smack myself and buy the Ampeg 50 watt combo.