Crate BX100 FlexWave Personal Bass Amplifier
Crate 15 in. Speaker. 100 Watts RMS. 8-band graphic EQ to 16kHz. Limiter.
Overall User Ratings (based on 25 ratings)
Submitted October 6, 2003 by a customer from rocketmail.com
"Get it before it's gone!"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Perhaps one day I will replace this with a different configuration (more powerful amp, separate 15" cab). But I'm in no hurry, since this thing sounds great and works in every context I've used it in; it's just as likely this is the last bass amp I ever buy.
I could also supplement it. The preamp is what makes it, so I could easily purchase a power amp to get more clean power while retaining the tonal character. I'd only do that if I found it absolutely neccessary.
Sound
On its own, this amp sounds really good. Add a 4x10 extension cab, and it sounds great! Works for heavy rock, prog, fusion, pop... handles every bass we'vethrown at it (AND a Chapman Stick). It is loud enough, provided you're not competing with multiple Marshall stacks.
Features
The graphic EQ and Contour controls are what make this amp. You can keep it flat or shape it every which way. The built-in 15" speaker sounds good.
I do wish the extension speaker and lineout jacks were on the rear of the unit.
Quality
Seems very roadworthy; it's been moved around quite a bit and is in fine shape. Well-built. The front panel has a strip of plastic which indicates what knob does what, and I could that plastic strip catching on something and breaking. But every other part seems solid.
Value
It is less expensive AND sounds better than the 120w Hartke Kickback15, and other comparable amps are all $100 higher (or more). The updated version (BFX100 - has built-in effects) still sells below its competition.
The Wow Factor
I wouldn't consider this a 'sexy' amp. It just sounds good and is reliable. It's certainly not ugly at all - but it was price & sound that hooked me, not visual appeal.
Musical Style:
rock, prog, fusion, pop, clubdate
5 of 5 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Please wait.