Crate CA60

I bought this amp in Dec of 2003. They were phasing this model out so I got a good deal - $399. This is the CA60-D model with chorus and the DSP digital delay and reverb settings - also came with foot controller. The amp has two (30Wx2) independent channels - CH-1 has a high impedance 1/4" instrument input, CH-2 has both an XLR and 1/4" high z inputs. Ch-1 has an input selector for an active or piezo pickup system. Has two 8? woofers and a tweeter. Tweeter can be turned on/off via switch on the back.

I play acoustic rock, singer/songwriter, and layered-funk a la my Boomerang pedal. I play a Martin DC-16GTE with Fishman PRO piezo system and use a Shure SM-58 for the vocals. I appreciate the DSP for solo applications because all you need is your guitar, mic, stand, and amp to gig - no additional effects. The chorus is controlled through CH-1 and can not be used independently in Ch-2. (You can turn the effect level down to 0 on Ch-1, but you lose the DSP.) This kinda sucks, but I really don?t like the sound of the chorus over the vocals anyway. The feedback elimination is only on Ch-1 also. This also blows because I have a lot of problems with feedback on the vocals (I really need a compressor or a condenser mic ? Ch-2 input supplies phantom power! Nice plus.)

The effects loop is VERY noisy. I was running my Rang through (which can be noisy at times) which may have been the problem. But there are both XLR and 1/4? line outs, which is very nice and sounds good through a PA.

I love CH-1 on this amp. It sounds great with my Martin (and surprisingly not too bad with my Mustang) and the DSP/Chorus effects sound great in my opinion ? it may take some some tweaking, but with the 15 plus DSP settings, variable Chorus, and overall effect level adjustment for each channel, there are a lot of good tones to be found. My only beef is with Ch-2 -- I cannot seem to get good sounding vocal tones out of this amp. Of course this is with my SM-58 alone. I think a condenser mic or a vocal compressor would improve the sound substantially (next purchase!) I would still like to see more versatility in Ch-2, hence the 9 rating.

I'm using a Martin DC-16GTE with Fishman PRO electronics and an SM-58 for vocals. As I said above, I use Boomerang Plus looping pedal, and I'll occasionally throw in a riff from my Fender Mustang. My other effects include a TS-9, a Dunlop Wah, and a Digitech RP-5, which I primarily use on the Mustang.

The Crate CA-60 suits my acoustic rock, loopy-funk, jamman style fairly well. [Ideally I would need two amps for this setup as the CA-60 is not well suited for electric playing (No kidding!?!)] This amp is perfect for small solo gigs and works well playing with a band though you will probably want to run it through the PA too.

I haven't noticed alot of noise, but the amp is not silent. The onboard effects, when activated, definitely make it noisier (and the effects loop was horrible.) I've never cranked it past 12 o'clock. I usually have the main volume at 5, Ch-1 gain at 3 or 4, Ch-2 at about 4 and this is plenty loud enough for most applications. I would think that it would sound distorted at very high levels (8-10.)

The tone is pretty smooth. Not alot of character, but a well-rounded, full-spectrum of very responsive sounds (aside from the vocal channel which I can seem to tweak to my liking.) I like the DSP and Chorus for the most part, though I could probably have done with about 5 DSP settings - who needs 15 reverbs? They add alot of character. They do sound digital (hey they are digital) but not trashy by any means. I give it a 7 on sounds.

I've never had an issue with this amp. Of course I've never done heavy touring with it, but I would trust it... I guess... I think. No tubes to worry about.

Never dealt with Crate, but the amp has a nice warranty with it.

I've been playing for about 11 yrs. I listed my other gear above. I've had alot of equipment over the years... I decided to minimize a couple years ago and went pretty much acoustic. This is my first acoustic amp and I like it. I test drove alot before I bought it - Fender, Peavey, Laney, and I thought Crate offered a very well-rounded package with great sounds. The amp really picks up on subtleties and in my opinion does a fine job in recreating an acoustic tone. Many people prefer active pickups or mic'd acoustic for a true reproduction... but with a nice piezo system, the Crate CA-60D and a nice condenser mic, you'll be putting out professional sounds that will truly be appreciated.

(I really do recommend a condenser mic or a compressor for your mic!)

All and all a great 2-channel acoustic amp for a nice price.

My CA-60 is about a Y2K vintage, and I've used it several times per week for about the last four years. For a compact box, this thing is very versatile, with controllable line out, footswitchable effects (Chorus & Reverb). There are two channels, one dedicated to the instrument, one vocal channel with XLR or 1/4" input that can be used a number of different ways. Has an effects loop (I don't use it), no headphone jack, but it's an acoustic amp, so simply playing your guitar without the amp would be too loud to make a headphone jack very useful. I use this amp as a stage monitor, and send a signal to the PA board. It's plenty loud for that, and has been plenty powerful on "one man band" small room gigs. Feedback elimination circuit works well, and you can bias the input for Piezo or Active pickups with the push of a button. I'll rate this a nine (instead of a ten) only because I'd have liked a cutout switch for the tweeter for versatility.

I use this mostly with an Ovation Custom Legend, I've used a late 80's USA HM Strat with it as well, occasionally a mid 80's Guild D-15 with a Mag-Mic pickup (Seymour Duncan). The Ovation always sings beautifully with this amp, the Strat works OK for a darker bluesy clean sound, and the Guild sounds high end as well (as it should). I play many styles of music, from pop, to classic rock, blues to folky traditional. You do have to be careful with your EQ settings to avoid hiss in a quiet environment (I've used this at Church too, where quiet at times is important). If you EQ it correctly, it will sound good all the way around.

As stated earlier, it's seen regular duty for about four years, and never a hicccup. Strong and reliable amp.

I've never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for about 30 years, and own the guitars noted earlier in this review, along with a Trace Elliot Supertramp amp for my electric guitar stage monitor. I really don't need super large amps (they are no fun to transport from gig to gig), as nearly everything I do involves a PA system. If it were lost or stolen, I'd probably want to look at what was new at that moment B-4 deciding what to buy. It's been a good amp overall, I love the versatility, portability, and appearance, there's nothing I "hate" about it. It's a solid musicians tool. I actually wanted a Trace Elliot when I bought this, and went so far as to purchase two Traces B-4. Both Traces had power board issues right away (TA60/TA70), so I shifted gears towards the Crates for reliability.

I purchased my CA60 in 1996. I've used it at least once a week on gigs since then. I play acoustic/country/pop stuff, and it's versatile enough for those styles and loud enough, although prone to feedback with my Takamine EGC-330, for the small club where I play most often. In larger venues, I use an SM-57 to boost the volume. The second 1/4 inch input has a muffled sound, but that's not a big deal because I rarely use it. The mic input is o.k., but my Fender Princeton Chorus has a sound much closer to PA quality than the CA-60. The sound quality is fair but a bit harsh, especially at higher levels. There's plenty of power, but I have trouble squelching the feedback if I crank it up. Maybe it's me.

I like a clean acoustic sound, and the CA-60 does a fair job at producing it. I use it with the EGC-330 and a Fender acoustic with a Dean Markley saddle-type pickup I've installed. The Fender actually produces a truer acoustic sound but, as always, there's a trade-off. In this case, it's the feedback thing again. The reverb is a little weak. The chorus is good, but I rarely use it.

This has been a rock-solid performer since I took it out of the box, er, crate. It was my only amp for about three years and it performed flawlessly every time. I've never had it serviced since I bought it. I'm careful with my gear, but there have been the inevitable flops in the back of the van and bumps on doorways and such, but it hasn't seemed to flinch at all. This is the outstanding feature of this unit.

I tried to purchase a cover for it, but the dealer said they didn't make one. If they don't make one, that's foolish. Also, for the few bucks it would cost them and the tons of goodwill it would earn the company, they should throw in the footswitch.

I've been playing for 23 years, but in situations where I've needed an amp for about four. I also own a Fender Princeton Chorus that I use with a Squier Stratocaster and a Telecaster. If it were lost, stolen or fell off the end of the van, I would probably look for a used one at $150-$200 or buy a new Trace Elliott or Fender Acoustasonic, depending on my financial situation at the time. My brother owned a Crate amp for many years that seemed to be a pretty good box, so I trusted the name. I compared it to Trace Elliott amps but the TAs were awfully pricey for what they seemed to offer. In all honesty, I think a TA would have been a better choice, although the CA-60 is not a bad product. The Fender Princeton Chorus is not as good at producing acoustic guitar sounds, but it's head and shoulders above it for projecting clear, bright vocals. Since some people will pay to hear me sing before putting their money down for my picking, I choose the Fender when I'm doing a little gig that doesn't require the PA. The vocals sounds full and warm through the Fender, while it comes through kind of thin and whiny on the Crate. The acoustic amps seem to tout their ability to be used as a mini PA, but this doesn't work for me. If I want the best of both worlds, I have to lug both amps. I'm thinking about buying a tiny Trace Elliott for practice and maybe for use on the little gigs.

2 Channels 30W each. Channel 1 has active/passive switch, channel two has XLR input for Mic. Footswitchable Reverb and Chorus. FX Loop. Variable XLR or 1/4 inch line out (pre FX)

The internal Chorus is too noisy. The amp it'self is a bit noisy too, but It's fine when in a lound environment. Could use a little more low end. Line out is too noisy to use on a normal PA. Overall, it definitely sounds better than an electric amp used on an acoustic. I use it with a Seagull S6 flame maple cutaway with a passive Fishman AG-125 installed.

Sure... It's heavy enough... just ask my back :)

I've dealt with Crate significantly because my first amp was damaged in shipping (UPS) :( ... They were very helpful

I wouldn't buy it again because I would rather have a nice preamp/pedal and just use the PA where it's available. I love the portability, I hate the noise and the weight.