Crate BV120H Blue Voodoo

The reverb is actually pretty good, seperate reverb knob for each channel. Distortion can go from crunchy to heavy but not super fuzzy.

Distortion sounds pretty good, clean channel highs are brittle at high volumes.

Only had it for a few months.

Never dealt with them

Can't beat it, $300 used for this 100 watt tube head...

2 channels: clean and distortion, 2 reverbs and a presence control. that's good enough for me.

I'm playing over an Ibanez GRG270B with stock pups. At first the amp sounded very muddy no clarity whatsoever. Clean channel was ok, way louder than the distortion channel. Distortion was actually pretty good but as I said, very muddy and fuzzy when gain was more than 7.

After a while I wasn't satisfied anymore by the sound. So, i put 4 TAD 6L6GC-STR's in the poweramp and 4 Electro Harmonix 12ax7 in the preamp. => WOOOOW, this amp's tone has gone from "good" to almost perfection. I play mostly hardcore/metalcore and it just sounds amazing. I haven't tried it with a better guitar yet cause mine is crap, but i bet a good guitar with EMG's or duncans will improve the sound so much more. And it's already near perfection for me! I'll give it a 7 because sound wasn't so goo dbefore I changed tubes.

No problems so far. Could probably drop it and it'll still work great.

haven't dealt with Crate so far.

Overall it's a pretty good amp even with the stock Groove Tubes in it. But it sounds way better if you change your tubes like I did.

All the features and power a guitar needs for just about anything.

I am writing this to follow up on my 2/26/05 review. My basic review is unchanged: great clean; good distortion; and the amp can be tweaked with the right combination of tubes.

I have gone to JAN Philips 12AX7WAs for V1. These tubes deliver a very nice, detailed clean in these amps while maintaining their character when overdriven. Like I suggested before, V2 is best driven with a 5751 instead of a 12AX7. A nice one will give you just enough taming while not robbing the amp of its character. The JJ ECC81 (12AT7 equivalent) I had in V4 was fine, but it tested electrically weaker and of inferior quality to better 12AT7 offerings. I upgraded to a JAN Philip 12AT7. I stuck with it, but I also was pleased with the results I got using a 5751 for the phase inverter.

The other testing has been with the power tubes. I have experimented with both JJ 6L6GCs and SEDs. Both sound good. The JJs have less bass. The SEDs give you more of a Fender kind of clean.

I have enjoyed experimenting with this amp and seeing and hearing what it can do.

Had it a year. No problems at all. And I have owned 7 Crate amps at one time or another. They have been reliable.

Having owned 7 of their amps, I have on occasion needed warranty service. On those few occasions, Crate was great about honoring their warranty and making available to me whatever service was needed.

I can't stress enough how good their service has been. Many companies talk about their warranty but then do everything they can to not honor it if you ever have a claim. They invent bogus exceptions. They allege that you abused the amp. They'll always tell you the problem is tube related and not covered by the warranty. Then they'll make the actual repair but charge you a fortune for the "tube" repair. This kind of dishonesty is unfortunately becoming more of the norm.

Crate, on the other hand, has been exemplary. They have never resorted to some of the dishonesty I have seen from other amp manufacturers. They have honored their warranty consistently without playing games or hardball. I hope they never loss this quality. As long as they continue to back their products, I'm going to continue to buy them.

I've got 10 amps and something like 22 guitars, which I have accumulated over about 25 years. I didn't need this amp, but the $479 blow out price was too good a deal to pass up on. It is a good sounding amp. For the money, this was a fantastic deal.

Amp has 2 channels with separate reverb and master. Has effects loop with footswitch for channel switching. I play in a rock and metal band, plenty of gain and plenty of volume, loud enough for any gig.

This is an excellent amp for rock or metal. Some say it is just for metal but just turn down the gain to around 3 or 4 and it sounds great also. It really has a great sound for metal and has a nice thick midrange. I play through a 5150 cab and it's real thick sounding. The clean channel is excellent, just watch the highs. The reverb on the clean souds different than other amps, real nice and deep. I don't know why some people really rag this amp, didn't you play on it before you bought it? If the amp was in a Marshall chassis all you would hear is how great it is. I've had many amps Marshall DSL 2000, both versions of the 5150, VTM 120, triple xxx, classic 30, several fenders. I've been playing 25 years, this isn't a bad amp.

I haven't had it that long so I won't rate it.

Never dealt with Crate but I hear they are alright.

I got this amp in a trade for a triple xxx, I also got the crate celestion vintage 30 cab with the trade, I would buy this amp if I needed a decent amp, they are selling cheap on ebay. It can do any kind of rock from 70's to this nu-metal crap. I'm more into 80's sounds and it does these sounds great, think Lynch, Ratt, any kind of 80's metal. There isn't anything bad I can say about the amp

DO NOT BUY THE CRATE CABINET WITH THE AMERICAN VINTAGE SPEAKERS LIKE I DID!!! It is the worst sounding cabinet I have ever heard. I thought it was the amp when I first brought it home and just couldn't believe how bad it sounded. I switched guitars, pickups, cables, everything. Still the weakest, thinnest sound ever. Then I tried switching with a friends cab one day. Oh My God! What a difference a cabinet can make. I eneded up buying a cheap B-52 cab and it still sounds 100 times better than the Crate. I have heard the Crate cab with e the celestions is good though.

don't know what year it was made,i have two blue voodoo amps,two channels,one is gain the other clean,footswitch,nice light show changed the color of mine to red and purple,it has everything you need-thats the bottom line!!!!!
i play acid 60's,70's,80's,90's and the new stuff they call music! LOL-its all good
100 watts if that isn't enuff power,i'm losing my hearing,and yes,with a pair i run them in stereo

first off,when you get a used amp,and you don't have it checked out,you really can't submitt a opinion,it could be bais hot or cold,who knows until you have it checked out,any used amp is gone thru of mine,first off,groove tubes are way over-rated!!i put some JJ 6L6's wow what a difference,even against a brand new BV 120,side by side test,the preamp tubes is a players personel taste,i like the jj's,so need less to say,they both are tubed with all JJ's Tubes,these amps are a bargain,you tweak'em a little,they are simply awsome,i play with guitarist friend{true story}a true mars/hall die hard,he plays a old marshall super lead,we just changed heads,played thru the same cab,and i quote-THE CRATE MAKES MY MARSHALL SOUND LAME-i about had a heart attack,if my amp tech was'nt there to comfirm this,i would say i was hearing things,but this amp carries the water,it does everything you want it do

when they are new, St Louis Music puts a 5 year warranty on it,for a rocking tube amp,i have bought both of mine used for 1 for 300.00 dollars the other was 350.00,other than retubing them,they are work horses,they are tube amps,tubes themselves can go bad,you should see what kind of protective fuses they have,that some of these high priced amps don't think of,they were built for the drunks that load them everynite,my amp tech loves them,easy to work on if you have too,crate did there homework when they built this one

before i bought my first Crate,i called the company,put them thru the ringer,aways nice,aways had the right answer,no BS

first off here,you can't go wrong with these amps,they are just as heavy as any other 100 watt tube head i ever had owned-borrowed,rented you get the point.if you don't like the sound of the amp,change your cab,it may not be the amp,i don't care for most cabinets out{i don't care what they say on them Mars/halls-boogies-carvins etc} there except for Genz Benz G Flex's,some cab designs hav'nt changed in years 40 years or better,i learn the hard way,i have given away just about all my cabs except the GB G flex's,if you want a great amp,and not go broke buying one,even new these a bargain,used is a steal,you can't go wrong,oh yea couple guys say there clean channel suks,change your tubes,then your cab,now i been playing guitar since around 73,guitars,yea i got the les pauls{4} the strat-only 1,2 BC RICH Bich's,1 335,this amp walks and talks,just remember-the guitarist makes the amp,not the amp makes the guitar player,you can buy one of these,save yourself lots of money,and have everything you need,unless you are one of them guitarist that chase the name brands,a fool and there money are soon parted-ROCK-ON!!!!!!!!!

Pretty simple rig. Two channels, independent reverb for each channel, effects loop with remote switch, 8 or 16 ohm impedence selector, line out, presence, etc etc. Judging by the tarnished brass hardware, I believe I have an older model. It's got all I need.

Oh, and it's loud as hell.

I was a bit disappointed when I first plugged this thing in at home. I didn't have the advantage of an in-store test drive because I bought it off eBay. No worries, though. I followed the advice of a few previous reviewers and I retubed it with Chinese 12AX7 preamp tubes, and Electro Harmonix EL34 power tubes, ran an EQ through the FX loop, and it's been resurrected! I play mostly metal and hard rock, and I like a tight bottom end for palm muting. Before I retubed it, the overdrive was not brutal enough for me. It sounded too ragged, and the bottom end was loose and flabby. A good sound if you're into classic rock, surf, or blues, but not a favorable metal tone. After the retubing, it's perfectly well suited for what I play. I don't even need to keep the 10 anymore! I think the chinese preamp tubes made the biggest difference over the old Sovteks they had in there. I replaced those first for a sound comparison, and already it was much improved. The Electro Harmonix EL34s just further rounded out the sound.
Pre retubing: I'd give it a 7. Post-retubing: 9

I admit, it's a bit rough around the edges (ESPECIALLY STOCK!), but for 400 bucks? Shit man, I'll take that! Consider it a work in progress. The only other issue I've had with it is the reverb. When I have the reverb turned up on channel one, channel two will make quiet funky noises that kind of sound like when you have water in your ears. I'm not sure what that's about, but I can live with it. I just keep channel one's reverb down.

Some advice for the haters:
If you don't like the shrillness, ease up on the presence, or run an EQ through the fx loop. It makes a big difference.

My arsenal:
Schecter A-7 Diamond Series
Ibanez RG 220 with a DiMarzio [something or other]in the bridge
Heavily modified Kramer [something or other] with EMG selects

Never had a problem with Crate.

No idea.

I think the main thing that makes this amp unfavorable to a lot of people is the big old "CRATE" logo on the front. This is a good solid amp, and I got my money's worth.

new 2005.Clean channel is pretty lame.It has a efx loop but Im thinkin if ya wanna fuck with the sound this makes, buy something else.This thing is all about super high gain monster tone.

I use LP custom,LP voodoo,sometimes SG, mostly the ESP truckster.The rythm guy in my band has a jmp without a master.He's loud.I tried my plexi, mesa heartbreaker, and even a randall and couldnt be herd over him without using brute force volume.I finally tried this BV120 and fell in love.I aint gotta be so loud, it cuts real nicely.Has a killer hi gain sound thats not for everyone, but for me its the one.Pretty much useless for recording, practicing, thank god I got a guy to move the thing It weighs a ton.Get a light road case for it,I did and aint had no problems

I fear the circuitboard may someday fry.Came with GT's.I travel alot with it,all kinds of climates,all kinds of drunks handling it.In and outta the van.So far it's holdin up like new (about 6 months. cant say my other amps are any better)

who knows? st luis music company.... sounds sketchy

Look,this is the thing sammy hagar uses.He's a has been who aint really got a sound to remember right.What it does is super high gain.Actually a more powerful sound then my EL34 based amps.It's got a gay ass built in light show, its practically impossible to read the knobs in all but the brightest light,it weighs more then my mother in law, and let's face it, it's got absolutly no prestiege whatsoever. I LOVE THE STINKIN THING. I plan to be buried in it someday

Ok waited a long time before writing this, bought the amp last year brand new. Like many of you i tought it sounded great in the store, but back home i went hmmmm, and with my band went uh oh... This sound familiar ? So bought an EQ put it in the effects loops, better but still not what i wanted. Played around with the EQ for a month, bought a distortion pedal still not what i wanted, and finally ended up playind trought a pod 2.0 in the effects loop. After bout 8 months of this just for the fun of it i unplugged the pod and played the amp, i then realized how much digital the pod sounded and missed the real thing..

So here's the solution to all you BV heads... V1 12at7 to warm up the clean, GT 12ax7 mullard in the V2 gain stage and the rest i put in 12ax7 Electro Harmonix. For the power tubes ordered a matched quartet of TAD 12ax7GC-STR from tubes store, and had the bias recalibrated by a technician... Went back to the band and fired this baby up still with an EQ trought the FX loop, everybody just went HOLY SHIT !!! Just wish i had done this 8 months ago loll. Before the new tubes my EQ settings were like so Bass 8 mid 1 treble 3 presence 0, gain on 5.5 volume on 7 with the band and it sounded wayyy to thin, the distortion was so shitty, no harmonic content, no balls... Now i got Bass on 7 mid on 4.5 and treble on 6, presence on 1, gain on 4 and volume on 4 and man does it have balls ! The more you turn the volume up the better it sounds !! We play stuff like Godsmack, Disturbed, Creed, Alter Bridge, Velvet Revolver, Staind... With this settings it's got the exact same tone has Godsmack who by the way play on Boogies...And i wont even talk about the clean execpt that you wont need a fender twin anymore.

Been playin for 13-14 years, my axe his a PRS Tremonti. It's all in there guys, just can't understand why Crate puts in such shitty tubes. So do yourself a favor change the tubes like i did, if your into the same kinda music try my tube configuration you'll thank me, you'll sound like a god damn freight train in your band, your bandmates wont believe your tone suddenly, huge and powerfull with plenty of punch.

So found a way to turn this baby into a monster tone machine and am not affraid to AB this amp with any other amp out there. You can definitly sound like the big boys with this amp. Would've given this amp a 5 a couple of months ago, but it's a 10 it just needs a little tweakin' Good luck !

You know, if not keep reading!!
only reason this gets a seven is due to the increasing number of 3 and more channel amps with effects which adds diversity, although i use a modeling system so this is of no matter But its a tube head and usually they have no effects, and there are still plenty of 1 and 2 channel heads!! I think it looks sharp, some people think it is tacky. Most people who are not guitarists think it looks cool, and once i overheard some guy yappin about "crate sux" and "my marshall would piss on it". It reminded me of when that guy in the beat-ass camaro said...Mitsubishi eclipse? Thats a chick car 4 cylinder?? Race!! Sure!!!!(as he laughed) Easiest 200$ I ever made.(this occured in the late ninetys before the import boom(i.e. the Fast and tha Furious!) happened. He had no way of knowing that a turbo 4 cylinder was capable of close to 300 hp, and all wheel drive gave me the holeshot by far!!

Th clean is awesome. Loud as hell. Breaks up nice if you want. For me that is great. I run a boss gt-8. into the pa its blah. Into a solid state amp its pretty good. Into the crate- I love it. The tube tone gives the modeled sounds Bite and Flavor(not to mention brutal punch!!) The distortion mode is pretty nice. Its good enough for metal and sounds great for classic rock. All the arguments about it not being true tube, im not sure. dont know why it needs 4 preamp tubes if its not all-tube. Now it goes pretty low, but you need speakers. This needs a good cab to punch. I had the cheapo crate cab for years, and got by, but was definately not the dominating setup on stage. But I now have 4 eminence black powders in that cab and it does get down there without much fuss. I recommend keeping the gain low(under half, i have it at about 10 o'clock, for metal!!) as it just gets too muddy too high. I'd say the distortion is better than all cheap heads(solid state), and some other tube heads. Its not quite marshall/mesa, but at only 700$ new, it shouldn't be. But its a good middle ground, and a wonderful option for intermediate or poor guitarists who need more than a practice amp or no name amp. In my case its incredible, and with the mesa rectifier patch on my boss GT-8, it's a firebreathing MONSTER!!!! My gear snobby guitarist no longer thinks modeling sux!!! souds a 7, but gets an 8 for value/sound!!

I have had this amp since I got it new in early 2001.(4 1/2 years ago!) It has hundreds of hours of full volume jamming on it, and I only just this week put new tubes in it!!(didn't think it was bad until I heard it with the new tubes!!Forgot it was this loud!!) I do not own a road case, and usually chuck it on the floor in my old jeep. It has sat in damp basements and garages, been frozen(heater died in 10 below winter days!!) and has not skipped a beat. 50$ in new sovtek wxt plus's and the thing ROARS!!

never had to deal with em

It gets a nine for being the best 700$ I ever spent, and gave me the ability to explore modeling. If i had a marshall, i wouldnt ever use modeling, and trust me it's nice to have 10 different distortion and 10 cleans. all in one handy pedal!!