Crate Review: BX50DLX

History:

Purchase: In need of a bigger amp for bigger sound, I forked over $269.00 to Guitar Center for this bad boy.

What I Like About This Crate BX50DLX: The sound. 50 watts doesn't sound like a lot. Hook it up in a small club or garage for practice, and barely turn it up to 25% volume and stuff starts falling off of the walls. This thing has proved to be very flexible as far as adjustability goes. The build quality is second to none. Turn it up all the way, and couples in the back of the club farthest away from the stage are going to have trouble talking over this thing. Getting heard over a live drummer? No problem. If you are in the market for a small gig amp. THIS is the amp you want to try. Customer service? They have been cool. Mine was missing stuff from the box when I got it. Missing owner's manual? Sent right off. Missing foot pedal? Sent right over. Crate has been totally cool with this stuff. And to top it all off. There is that tuner built into the top of the amp. Great for keeping tabs on how hard you are playing. One of the basses I play tends to get out of tune after being played too hard. Good way to stay in check. Did I mention the sound? Full and smoothe when you want it on the clean channel, and completely crunchy and wild on the distortion channel. Playing around with Jazz, Blues, Metal, Punk, and Country, this thing does it all with style and a great sound!

What I Do NOT Like About The Crate BX50DLX: The side mounted handle. Like all of the other amps this size, this thing is reasonably heavy at 45 plus pounds, and trying to keep all of that weight, along with trying to keep your power cord in check, while trying to rotate and pick it up without scuffing it is not fun.

Crate BX50DLX Quality Rating: It could probably take a nuclear blast with only minor nicks and scratches from flying debris.

Review Summary: Two things. Yes I know this is my second review of this amp. I felt the first one left out too much. If you want an amp for doing the small club, party, church band thing, this is THE amp you want. If you are looking at doing anything bigger then you need to look at a bigger amp. I see this particular amp in use by a lot of local bands, and after having had mine for a while now, I know why. Buy one, be happy, play well, get bigger gigs, buy a bigger amp...

Rating of this Crate product: 5

This Crate BX50DLX Bass Guitar Amplifiers Review Submitted By: Super Dave 3006

Review Date: 2003-09-29