NAD Incoming - Crate BV150H

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ZEEGLER

ZEEGLER

Well-known member
I know, I know. I actually had a BV120 years ago. It was my first foray back to tube amps after playing a couple of SS heads. It sounded good in the store at lower volumes. As soon as I used it at rehearsal, I realized that it was never going to compete with my friend's 5150. At higher volumes it sounded anemic and fizzy. The bottom end just disappeared and the mids had zero balls. I'd have that thing turned up to 7 1/2 while my buddy's 5150 was at 2 and he still buried me.

However, I've always heard that the 150s are MUCH better amps, but I've never tried one, so when this one popped up locally for fucking-around type money, I figured I'd get it and try it out before I pass it on.

Or, if the urge strikes me, maybe I'll mod the shit out of it.

Anyone else have one of these things?


CRATE BV150 1.jpg
 
Curious to hear, the 150s are supposed to be much better, there’s a few good sounding vids I’ve seen
 
Yup, got a 150 and a 300. Much different than the 120.

I won't blow smoke and claim the 150 and 300 are top tier amps; they're not. I do feel like they are solid workhorse amps that you can get a good sound out of and can hold their own well. The 150 was my main amp for near a decade and I didn't have any problems keeping up with other amps.

The 150 has a sorta rectoish vibe on the crunch channel , but doesn't fully sound like a recto. I get more of a Marshall vibe from Ch3, but like Ch2 doesn't really sound like a Marshall. Don't know if that make sense at all.

I get the same vibes with the 300 but with more girth behind it. The 300 uses an Ampeg SVT power section; Just a few minor component changes, but otherwise a carbon copy. It works extremely well as a bass amp. That's how I've been using mine. I use both the amp itsels along with a couple of bass rack preamps into the FX return.

One thing to note on both the 150 and 300 is the way the frequency knob works on each channel.
Ch1 Selects the frequency the mid knob adjusts
Ch2 is a 4-5 dB bump in that frequency
Ch3 selects the frequency the high knob adjusts.

If someone can tell me how to attach a pdf file to a post... Since you mentioned possible modding I can upload the schematics and manual for the 150.

1720198491489.png
 
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Those BV 4x12's were killer. They came out with a Hagar Red Rocker version, I have always wanted one.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
Yup, got a 150 and a 300. Much different than the 120.

I won't blow smoke and claim the 150 and 300 are top tier amps; they're not. I do feel like they are solid workhorse amps that you can get a good sound out of and can hold their own well. The 150 was my main amp for near a decade and I didn't have any problems keeping up with other amps.

The 150 has a sorta rectoish vibe on the crunch channel , but doesn't fully sound like a recto. I get more of a Marshall vibe from Ch3, but like Ch2 doesn't really sound like a Marshall. Don't know if that make sense at all.

I get the same vibes with the 300 but with more girth behind it. The 300 uses an Ampeg SVT power section; Just a few minor component changes, but otherwise a carbon copy. It works extremely well as a bass amp. That's how I've been using mine. I use both the amp itsels along with a couple of bass rack preamps into the FX return.

One thing to note on both the 150 and 300 is the way the frequency knob works on each channel.
Ch1 Selects the frequency the mid knob adjusts
Ch2 is a 4-5 dB bump in that frequency
Ch3 selects the frequency the high knob adjusts.

If someone can tell me how to attach a pdf file to a post... Since you mentioned possible modding I can upload the schematics and manual for the 150.

View attachment 322611
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. The schematic and manual would definitely be handy.
 
ZEEGLER said:
Thanks for the info. The schematic and manual would definitely be handy.
Click to expand...

I figured out how to attach a file. I was looking at the top and didn't see the attach button at the bottom. Duh.

The only thing I didn't have is the power amp schematic. The preamp schematic is for the BV300, but should be the exact same for the 150.
 

Attachments

japetus said:
Those BV 4x12's were killer. They came out with a Hagar Red Rocker version, I have always wanted one.
Click to expand...
The cabs themselves are pretty solid and made of birch ply. You have to pay attention to the speakers though. One came with generic Crate speakers and the other that had Vintage 30's. The V30 cab had a plate on the bottom right of the grill that said "Vintage 30 Equipped"

A lot of their entry level cabs are MDF junk, but there are several Crate cabs that are sleepers. If you know what you're looking for you can get the good ones dirt cheap. The GT50/100 Stealth cabs for instance were really solid too and came with V30's

I've never see one in person before, but I've heard the BV 2x15 cabs were damn good. I'd love to finally come across one to try out.

1720215443962.png
 
Hell yeah congrats man!! Excited to see how you like it in a band setting over the 120 you had that wasn’t fitting the bill.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
The cabs themselves are pretty solid and made of birch ply. You have to pay attention to the speakers though. One came with generic Crate speakers and the other that had Vintage 30's. The V30 cab had a plate on the bottom right of the grill that said "Vintage 30 Equipped"

A lot of their entry level cabs are MDF junk, but there are several Crate cabs that are sleepers. If you know what you're looking for you can get the good ones dirt cheap. The GT50/100 Stealth cabs for instance were really solid too and came with V30's

I've never see one in person before, but I've heard the BV 2x15 cabs were damn good. I'd love to finally come across one to try out.

View attachment 322695
Click to expand...


i been looking for one of these for years
 
MadAsAHatter said:
The cabs themselves are pretty solid and made of birch ply. You have to pay attention to the speakers though. One came with generic Crate speakers and the other that had Vintage 30's. The V30 cab had a plate on the bottom right of the grill that said "Vintage 30 Equipped"

A lot of their entry level cabs are MDF junk, but there are several Crate cabs that are sleepers. If you know what you're looking for you can get the good ones dirt cheap. The GT50/100 Stealth cabs for instance were really solid too and came with V30's

I've never see one in person before, but I've heard the BV 2x15 cabs were damn good. I'd love to finally come across one to try out.

View attachment 322695
Click to expand...
My main cab I have had and used is a Lee Jackson era 90's Ampeg with 75's, I would not trade it for anything
 
MadAsAHatter said:
I figured out how to attach a file. I was looking at the top and didn't see the attach button at the bottom. Duh.

The only thing I didn't have is the power amp schematic. The preamp schematic is for the BV300, but should be the exact same for the 150.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's really helpful!
 
Well, this thing has me kinda confused. First off, it's absolutely nothing like my old BV120. That's a good thing. I'm confused because this thing is a legitimately good amp. It's easy to dial in, and sounds great at all volume levels. Starting with the high gain channel 3, the "high frequency select" knob makes the amp almost infinitely versatile. In the 8k setting, this thing sounds incredibly similar to a rectifier. 6k and 4k are progressively more Marshally. That control coupled with the "eek" and "ugh" controls (yeah the names are stupid) allow for a huge pallet of tonal options. Channel 2 is the crunch channel and it's a great sounding and versatile low to mid gain channel with its own mid-boost control which allows you to choose which frequency you're boosting. Channel 1 is the clean channel, this time with a mid-frequency control. It's a decent enough clean channel, although I haven't spent much time with it yet.

I can't help but think that this amp would have been much more successful if not for the Blue Voodoo name, and probably the Crate brand too. It's definitely not a one trick pony. I could gig with this amp and cover anything.

The only issue I have with this particular amp is the pots need a good spraying. Some of them cut in and out. I'll get to that soon. Other than that, it functions perfectly and runs pretty damn quiet.

So if you see one of these for sale for a good price, I'd recommend giving it a try. Don't judge it by the name!
 
everyone says the 150/300 are killer and different from the 120's and 60's. I would love to have one myself.
 
JackBootedThug said:
everyone says the 150/300 are killer and different from the 120's and 60's. I would love to have one myself.
Click to expand...
If you can find one, get one!

I forgot to mention that it really likes a TS in front as a boost.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
Yup, got a 150 and a 300. Much different than the 120.

I won't blow smoke and claim the 150 and 300 are top tier amps; they're not. I do feel like they are solid workhorse amps that you can get a good sound out of and can hold their own well. The 150 was my main amp for near a decade and I didn't have any problems keeping up with other amps.

The 150 has a sorta rectoish vibe on the crunch channel , but doesn't fully sound like a recto. I get more of a Marshall vibe from Ch3, but like Ch2 doesn't really sound like a Marshall. Don't know if that make sense at all.

I get the same vibes with the 300 but with more girth behind it. The 300 uses an Ampeg SVT power section; Just a few minor component changes, but otherwise a carbon copy. It works extremely well as a bass amp. That's how I've been using mine. I use both the amp itsels along with a couple of bass rack preamps into the FX return.

One thing to note on both the 150 and 300 is the way the frequency knob works on each channel.
Ch1 Selects the frequency the mid knob adjusts
Ch2 is a 4-5 dB bump in that frequency
Ch3 selects the frequency the high knob adjusts.

If someone can tell me how to attach a pdf file to a post... Since you mentioned possible modding I can upload the schematics and manual for the 150.

View attachment 322611
Click to expand...
Dude that is fucking awesome
 
ZEEGLER said:
Well, this thing has me kinda confused. First off, it's absolutely nothing like my old BV120. That's a good thing. I'm confused because this thing is a legitimately good amp. It's easy to dial in, and sounds great at all volume levels. Starting with the high gain channel 3, the "high frequency select" knob makes the amp almost infinitely versatile. In the 8k setting, this thing sounds incredibly similar to a rectifier. 6k and 4k are progressively more Marshally. That control coupled with the "eek" and "ugh" controls (yeah the names are stupid) allow for a huge pallet of tonal options. Channel 2 is the crunch channel and it's a great sounding and versatile low to mid gain channel with its own mid-boost control which allows you to choose which frequency you're boosting. Channel 1 is the clean channel, this time with a mid-frequency control. It's a decent enough clean channel, although I haven't spent much time with it yet.

I can't help but think that this amp would have been much more successful if not for the Blue Voodoo name, and probably the Crate brand too. It's definitely not a one trick pony. I could gig with this amp and cover anything.

The only issue I have with this particular amp is the pots need a good spraying. Some of them cut in and out. I'll get to that soon. Other than that, it functions perfectly and runs pretty damn quiet.

So if you see one of these for sale for a good price, I'd recommend giving it a try. Don't judge it by the name!
Click to expand...

Glad you're liking it. Most people see the Blue Voodoo name and associate the 150 & 300 with the crappy 60 & 120, but they're completely different amps. If there were a few more of the floating around for people to actually play they could have solid status as a sleeper amp. Too bad they're rather rare to see in the wild; maybe one per year at best. And you hardly ever see a 300 come up for sale.

If you ever do see a 300 come up at a good price, grab it. It's very similar to the 150, but with more girth. Of course you're bound to have a bit more ass behind the sound running a sextet of 6550's. And it can get ungodly loud.

Like I mentioned in my earlier post, it's not going to out class a top tier amp, but it'll for sure hold it's own more than well enough. The 150 was my main amp for near a decade between '06 & '16 with my 300 as a backup and for large outdoor gigs. I went up against Peavey JSX & XXX, DSL's, even 5150's and Recto's and it did just fine. The frequency select knobs do a lot for versatility, sitting in the mix and not having to fight for tonal space.

A little extra tidbit about the BV300 to show how loud this thing can be. I was able to drown out everyone else in a 5 piece band with the volume up a little over half way. From time to time during practice I'd sneak the volume up when no one was looking. The only bit you you could here was a small audible ping from the crash cymbals. It probably annoyed everyone else, but I got a good laugh out of it.
 
Weren’t the 120/60 solid state power section? I remember hearing that…. (I’ve got my support story on standby lol)
 
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