Setting up my Crate the right way :D

Dev-Marco

Hey there

I recently got a MIM standard Fender strat. I own a Crate GT212. So I would like to know if someone can help and give some advice as to the best way to setup my guitar with this amp. Like guitar tone knobs and the amps settings as well. The amp has 3 channels: solo, rythem and clean. It comes with a foot switch as well.

Ideally I'm looking for a warm clean sound and a classic rock kinda distorion. I would prefer to use the footswitch as to switching the channels on the amp ?

Soz for the newbness, but nou ja...

Here is a link to the amp: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Crate_GT212_Review

Thanx

M

guidothepimmp

This is impossible unless we know exactly what you like and unless someone on here has the exact same kit as you..

Your best bet is trial and error by turning everything until you find something you like. Remember something I like, you may thinks sounds like @ss, and vice versa

Dev-Marco

True. Well that's why I'm just asking for some guidelines and I did specify which type of sounds I like/I'm looking for. Beside how I am to know no one on here has a GT212 + a MIM strat ?

Jack-Flash-Jr

Don't know the crate but set your EQ flat for each of the rhythm/lead/clean channels and tweak your guitar tone/pup selectors til you get to know what they do and the sound you like. Then play with the EQs on the amp until you get your sound - have fun!

Dev-Marco

Thanx man. Thats some constructive advice ?

MikeM

MIM strats don't all sound the same.

In general, the Crate just doesn't sound that nice man... Get a piggy bank and save up!!

guidothepimmp

Dev, inline with what Jack said, when you set everything flat, pay particular attention to how bass, mids, treb, contour, gain etc colour your sound. Once you have a clear idea of what does what, its easier to find what you like.

What I try when demoing an amp I don't know, I set everything to halfway and go backwards and forwards on each one until I find what I like

Dev-Marco

@MikeM ja I know. Can you maybe recommend something for just casual jamming at home, but something that at least has sound ?
@guidothepimmp thanx man I will try that.

Sean

MikeM wrote: MIM strats don't all sound the same.

In general, the Crate just doesn't sound that nice man... Get a piggy bank and save up!!

Hmm, ja :-\ That might be true, however, coming from you, that's like an oke with a Bentley Continental GT telling an oke in his Ford Fiesta, "They generally don't drive that nice... etc." :?
Let the guy mess around with what he's got now, there's plenty of time for gas later ?

AlanRatcliffe

Sean wrote:
MikeM wrote: MIM strats don't all sound the same.

In general, the Crate just doesn't sound that nice man... Get a piggy bank and save up!!
Hmm, ja :-\ That might be true, however, coming from you, that's like an oke with a Bentley Continental GT telling an oke in his Ford Fiesta, "They generally don't drive that nice... etc." :?
Let the guy mess around with what he's got now, there's plenty of time for gas later ?

+1.

DonovanB

I read about a trick where you set all your EQ to 0, then play a chord and turn each one until it just starts to swell. Sounds dof but you will hear what I mean.

I find anything more than that is overkill, but that's just me.

Dev|Marco wrote: @MikeM ja I know. Can you maybe recommend something for just casual jamming at home, but something that at least has sound ?

A cube*, cheap, decent tone and easy to operate. Although a new amp isn't always a great solution.

*I'm not just saying that cos I'm trying to sell one, for home a Cube 30 or 20 will be perfect. Its when you want to make a geraas when the bigger ones help...

MikeM

I'm not sure who of you have experience with this Crate. I do.

A Cube would be a huge upgrade.

Dev-Marco

Serious Mike? and I thought that the Crate is awesome. I went like "awesome 120watts, foot switch, 3 channel", but no it looks like this is not the case. I would something that I can use on stage as well, but not something like a cab. Can't believe a Roland cube 30watt is gonna be better!? What about a VOX?

Dev-Marco

This looks nice: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=441

DonovanB

The crate is ok. Not much tone IMO. Excellent if you have a GT8/10 cos they don't effect the tone much. Then you can gooi mieles and have a very loud jol. My mate has one, we use it as a PA...

Vox, the cheaper ones aren't so cool. very harsh, great cleans not much else.

Dev|Marco wrote: This looks nice: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=441

Thats mine... :-[ Love it to bits, but I need the cash for something else.

Dev-Marco

Well I will consider your amp ? I also saw this on gumtree: http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Marshall-valve-80watts-guitar-amp-W0QQAdIdZ353563525

Also not familiar with marshalls though, so I'm just taking random amps to get some opinions going. Just as long as its easy to operate, can be flexible in its uses and sound nice with my guitars (acoustic and the strat)

guidothepimmp

Oi vey, dude, unless you're swimming in cash and can happily buy kit no problemo, then don't discount your amp cos some users on a forum have an opinion that says the sound is crap. How does the old bird sound to you?

Also, as Donovan says, pedals in front of that thing will make it sound totally different..

I watched an established band play for years with a crate 212 live, he just had his boss gt8 through it, and his tone was fine..

Baby steps man, buying a prs isn't going to make you santana ( if you know what I mean).

Dev-Marco

Fiar enough. I have been playing guitar for a couple of years now, but mostly unplugged acoustic. In my opinion the clean channel of the amp sounds very nice on both my guitars. This is why I bought it. I figured that if you clean channel is sorted then there's nothing that effects cant fix ? Will most probably keep it cause I only use it for practice atm, only play through pa system when on stage. So no probs there.

Warren

Dev|Marco wrote: Fiar enough. I have been playing guitar for a couple of years now, but mostly unplugged acoustic. In my opinion the clean channel of the amp sounds very nice on both my guitars. This is why I bought it. I figured that if you clean channel is sorted then there's nothing that effects cant fix ? Will most probably keep it cause I only use it for practice atm, only play through pa system when on stage. So no probs there.

How do you play through the PA on stage? Does the amp have an ouput that you plug into the desk?

Dev-Marco

Don't you my amp on stage. I go to the desk as follows:

My Guitar - DI unit - Snake

My amp is solely for practicing at home, but I would like to be able to use an amp on stage with my electric ?