Crate Limo 50w buskers amp - battery powered

[garybaldy]

Has any one used the Crate TX50D? I've just bought an old one which has a few minor (to me) issues. I haven't tried it or collected it yet, but loads of helpful info from the seller. It's the 2nd version made in USA in the plastic enclosure prior to the Chinese version.

[John A.]

Has any one used the Crate TX50D? I've just bought an old one which has a few minor (to me) issues. I haven't tried it or collected it yet, but loads of helpful info from the seller. It's the 2nd version made in USA in the plastic enclosure prior to the Chinese version.

A friend of mine has one and I’ve used it. Very useful and good sounding bit of gear.

[garybaldy]

A friend of mine has one and I’ve used it. Very useful and good sounding bit of gear.

Thanks.
I rarely do a gig without power but I have a 15w Peavey Solo battery amp (the old Solo) which works well. When searching for a suitable amp the Limo seemed to be a well regarded option but I couldn't source one so got the Peavey from fb marketplace which happened to be local to me. I've tried a couple of portable PAs and the Roland streets but don't like the processed kind of sound from them with my floating magnetic pu on my Loar or any mag pu gtr.
I think the Limo I've purchased is basically good apart from minor issues with the DSP part, so should be OK for what I need.
But I do know a great guy that can fix anything.

[Woody Sound]

I've always been curious to try one. Had a Lectrosonics Mouse, wasn't really impressed with it.

[Brian859]

I've always been curious to try one. Had a Lectrosonics Mouse, wasn't really impressed with it.

There just happens to be a usa built ine up for bids on...wait for it...shopgoodwill.com. little risky as it doesnt have a power cord, but looks in good shape. It looks like it runs on a 19v adapter, or a 12v car cigarette light adapter.
Crate Taxi Amplifier | ShopGoodwill.com

[garybaldy]

There just happens to be a usa built ine up for bids on...wait for it...shopgoodwill.com. little risky as it doesnt have a power cord, but looks in good shape. It looks like it runs on a 19v adapter, or a 12v car cigarette light adapter.
Crate Taxi Amplifier | ShopGoodwill.com

That looks in better nick than the one I've bought (which I'm collecting next week). There were two versions with the metal corners. The first version had the corners and was built in USA. The second version didn't have the corners ,was plastic and also made in USA. The 3rd version went back to metal corners and was built in China - some say with USA parts.

[Cavalier]

I have a USA and Chinese version from way back. The sound and features are really good. The construction quality and reliability? Not as good. And no advantage between USA and China. The DSP section is a whole card (good news! Makes it easy to switch) and for whatever reason the weakest part. I used to order spares from Crate while they were still in business. Still, if you can resolder one in search of cold joints these can be great amps. Battery life with the security light battery is good, a car battery can go all day. The volume when using gain is twitchy sensitive but the tone is good. Clean is fantastic, class D. Some people unplug the tweeter for guitar. Really too.bad these aren't made anymore. 50 real watts, they can play very loud.
Why 2? The idea was stereo, the reality was needing a spare.

[garybaldy]

I have a USA and Chinese version from way back. The sound and features are really good. The construction quality and reliability? Not as good. And no advantage between USA and China. The DSP section is a whole card (good news! Makes it easy to switch) and for whatever reason the weakest part. I used to order spares from Crate while they were still in business. Still, if you can resolder one in search of cold joints these can be great amps. Battery life with the security light battery is good, a car battery can go all day. The volume when using gain is twitchy sensitive but the tone is good. Clean is fantastic, class D. Some people unplug the tweeter for guitar. Really too.bad these aren't made anymore. 50 real watts, they can play very loud.
Why 2? The idea was stereo, the reality was needing a spare.

Great info thanks. I think the DSP on the one I've bought has issues but I'm only looking for a 50w clean battery amp.

[Woody Sound]

Just be careful not to buy the 15W version by mistake.

[garybaldy]

Just be careful not to buy the 15W version by mistake.

Theortically, from the Ebay listing, I've bought the 50w Limo but I won't know until I see it in the flesh next Tuesday. I'm pretty confident though.
I have a 15w Peavey Solo battery amp with an upgraded speaker - 8" Jensen which is quite loud.

[Cavalier]

The Limo does have a insert style effects loop which makes up for the DSP card. The 2 channels have different EQ which is nice.

[garybaldy]

The Limo does have a insert style effects loop which makes up for the DSP card. The 2 channels have different EQ which is nice.

Yeah, the loop will be handy. I have a similar type (ie one jack) on my Musicman 65rp 1x12. I made up a cable for it but it's lost now!

[garybaldy]

Just an update!
I collected the Limo on Monday but owing to my being away and then under the weather for a couple of days, I've only just plugged a guitar and mic in. Wasn't the ideal test as it was in my house and fairly quiet but my initial impression is good.
It's definitely the 50w and my gut feel is that it will go very loud. I used my SG and the tone was not disappointing.
Being under the impression that the DSP didn't work I was pleasantly surprised that it works on all channels. The DSP 'send' needs to be quite high but that may be different at a gig.
Channel 1 on the instrument channel gives helluva boost but doesn't seem to produce much distortion. I never use high gain on an amp though.
One thing that doesn't work is the headphone socket. I've tried switch cleaner but as the speaker doesn't disengage I think it could be the socket itself.
And the one oddity is that on the instrument channel if the DSP is set to bypass there is an audible note like a flute. With the DSP on any other setting it's fine so if you don't want an effect you just have to have the 'send' at zero.
So on the whole it does what I want it to do. I may take it to the guy that does my repairs just for a once over.

[garybaldy]

I have a USA and Chinese version from way back. The sound and features are really good. The construction quality and reliability? Not as good. And no advantage between USA and China. The DSP section is a whole card (good news! Makes it easy to switch) and for whatever reason the weakest part. I used to order spares from Crate while they were still in business. Still, if you can resolder one in search of cold joints these can be great amps. Battery life with the security light battery is good, a car battery can go all day. The volume when using gain is twitchy sensitive but the tone is good. Clean is fantastic, class D. Some people unplug the tweeter for guitar. Really too.bad these aren't made anymore. 50 real watts, they can play very loud.
Why 2? The idea was stereo, the reality was needing a spare.

Thanks Cavalier.
Since further messing about with this amp I've found the following.
Guitar in the mic channel high z input is louder than guitar in inst. input channel 2. Also the 3 tone controls to ch. 2 are less effective than mic channel.
Plus, using the gain channel (ch. 1) with channel select button down the channel 2 controls, including the vol, still affect the sound.
Do you know if this is normal? The manual states channels 1 and 2 are totally independent of each other.
ps the channel button is a bit temperamental. Thanks

[garybaldy]

I found another of these on Ebay UK which, by coincidence, I was potentially able to collect whilst on a planned day trip. It seemed to be in perfect condition and I ended up 'winning' it for the opening bid of £32.50! It's the Chinese made version with the wooden cabinet so slightly heavier, but it is in perfect condition with a brand new battery that was apparently £80. The seller was a pro guitarist and teacher and a real gent so I had no good reason not to believe him.
Guess I should've waited for this one to come along.

[Cavalier]

Now you can have a battery powered stereo PA/amp rig! That is what I do for some things. The Limo can really get loud so will cover a lot of bases.

[garybaldy]

I'll be buying a pull along truck next!

[Cavalier]

Get a folding one.