This is a review of the Crate Blue Voodoo 120 watt amplifier.
The Blue Voodoo Series is the most popular Crate Amplifier line ever created. The Blue Voodoos are available in a range of sizes, including the 50 watt, 60 watt, 120 watt, 150 watt, and 300 watt models. I will talk about the BV120H model which is perhaps the most famous of these models.
Review Summary
Four 6L6/5881 power tubes and four 12AX7 preamp tubes power the Blue Voodoo’s strong clean tones and varied, smooth to gritty overdrive tones. This is a powerful head with a power output of 120 watts, making it excellent for driving full- and half-stack rigs. It is also sufficient to power a whole stack. It also features dual reverb, a line out, and an effects loop that could be switched on and off.
Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about the crate blue voodoo amplifier.
Product Overview
Check out the Voodoo Series if you want to rock and need some power. They boast a powerful tube sound, strong clean tones, tremendous distortion, and cool stage aesthetics in black, blue, and red. Before your next gig, get one. Add Celestion or Crate-loaded speaker cabinets, and your band and fans will be grateful.
The Blue Voodoo Head is a Class AB all-tube amp that marks the pinnacle of the range for professional performers who require the extra kick of a tube amp on stage. Current metal and rock need the intensity and tonal diversity that Blue Voodoo amps provide.
Specifications
- Output Power Rating: 100 Watts RMS at 5% THD, 8 or 16 Ohm load, 120 VAC
- Input Impedance: 1M ohm
- Headphone Impedance: 600 Ohms minimum
- Dimensions (inches): 30.25 W x12 H x 10 D
- Weight: 50 lbs.
Features of the Crate Blue Voodoo 120 watt amplifier
Usage
Simply plug in and play. It’s incredibly easy to use.
On channel one, the cleans are fantastic. The clarity and richness are excellent. It sounds like a Fender clean with a twangy or jazzy tone.
The gain channel is just insane and it can develop a good crunch. The manual is well-written and sufficient for everyday use.
One of the disadvantages is that the bias adjustment is located on the chassis’s bottom and requires some effort to get to.
Sound
This amp prefers humbuckers since it’s a beast.
Singles, on the other hand, sound fantastic via the clean channel and even better through the gain channel with the gain dialed way back. The gainy channel has more gain on tap than other amps, and if played too much, it can become squeaky and bubbly. This isn’t one of those amps that sounds fantastic with the gain knob wide open.
Assé’s distortion is adaptable. For a while, everything seems to be going great. The cleanliness is excellent, and it exudes a positive aura. The sound is clean and bouncy, and the lead channel sounds fantastic…worth it’s noting, however, that the original tubes do not do the amp credit, in fact, they damage its sound quite a little.
The reverb is pleasant and not too obtrusive. The inbuilt EQ is straightforward yet effective.
The manual includes some fantastic settings for a variety of types.
Where To Buy The Amp From?
The Crate BV100 can be found and purchased on websites like ebay, reverb, musicians friends, and guitar centre.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Voodoo series is an excellent way to get into classic tube tone and power at a low cost. These amps were also designed for the road, featuring thick, robust tolex in blue, black, and red. And because it’s from Crate, you can be sure it’ll last a long time.
The Blue Voodoo BV120HB’s supernova power gives this tube amp some real firepower. Its gleaming clear tones, throaty rhythm shapes, and gain-fueled drive vastly increase the potential of the coveted tube sound.
Where can I buy the Crate Blue Voodoo amplifier?
You can buy a used Crate Blue Voodoo 120 watt amplifier on ebay, amazon or on reverb.