New [used] amp day - Crate Palomino V32 1x12

[Gear_Junky]

This was a bit of a crap shoot as GC used listings don't tell you much. I didn't know if the footswitch was included, if the speaker was original, if reverb worked, etc. Only said "great condition" or some such. And I didn't now if I'd get the "made in Vietnam" version that people talk about but I don't know if it really applies as people have conflated these and the regular Crate V-series (black tolex, same amps) with other Crate amps (also unhelpfully named V series) and the Vintage Clubs, etc.

Anyway, the amp came well packed, really good condition, with original speaker, original footswitch (and cable) and it's "made in USA". Original tubes, too (these are literally unmarked tubes, nothing is etched/written on the glass).

I'm quite happy. It sounds gorgeous, I think the clean channel truly is better than my V16 (which is like the overdrive channel). It is so musical and pleasing, it makes me want to learn to play guitar
Overdrive is nice and marshally. And this thing is LOUD. I knew this as I've played a 2x12 version of it before. I honestly wonder if at full crank there might be structural damage to the house. But I'd never need to do that - I like my ears. I sure wish I could have an amp like this as a lad.

Stock photo for now:

[skydawg]

Excellent!
I had the V32, V16 and now have the V8. Great little amps.

[fullonshred]

Beautiful amp. Great luck and happy for you. I may have to google some demos to hear it after your glowing description.

[mark_morton]

I had a V33 head. Great amp. Took pedals really well.

[Gear_Junky]

Excellent!
I had the V32, V16 and now have the V8. Great little amps.

I'd love to grab a V8 to round out the collection. I tend to shy away from amps without a reverb, but honestly, these sound so nice even without (and I HATE dry sound), I could probably use a little dano delay or echo pedal to make up for that. I imagine it'd be a great little recording amp.

[Gear_Junky]

Beautiful amp. Great luck and happy for you. I may have to google some demos to hear it after your glowing description.

Yep, there are enough to represent this amp. Just be sure you listen to a few. Funny, there's a guy demo-ing a mod where he made the tubes run cooler and his amp doesn't sound all that good at all! Look up Palomino V32 and also Crate V30 also known as V3112 - all the same amp that was offered as 1x12 and 2x12 combos and head + matching 2x12 cab.

[pratteman]

I had this amp, great sounds. Does run hot, get a fan.

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[Gear_Junky]

I had this amp, great sounds. Does run hot, get a fan.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Thank you, I knew this, i.e. my V16 does get pretty hot. I've only tried the V32 as an inspection and so maybe at 3 or so and for about a half-hour. It was only warm anywhere, not hot. I wonder if turning it up will get it hotter.

I've seen where some people say that this issue is blown out of proportion. For very light hobby use, like mine, I doubt it'll ever really cook the components (other than tubes) to cause issues. I don't know, a fan is certainly simple enough, so I haven't ruled it out.

Same for mods - it just sounds great to me, I don't see "needing" to mod it for tone. And I think I already mentioned that the one video I watched where the guy modded it to get the tubes to run colder - his actually sounds much worse to me. His was a Crate V30.

[dearlpitts]

Yep that amp does it all pretty much.
Congrats

[nomadh]

I love my v3112. It has scared me a few times though. Sometimes I get a low vol output then it jumps to normal vol as it warms up. Dont need that at a show

[Gear_Junky]

There is a great thread by the crate series designer about these amps. A great read. https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index ... st-4653392

The quote above is from a different thread but it's about this amp, I wonder if that works

Well, I finally finished reading through the 17 pages of that gear page thread, great info. I should find a similar thread on the V16.

Funny how people seem to be split into those who think these amps are the greatest thing since sliced bread, while the other group is vigorously modding it (not just trying different tubes and speakers, but replacing resistors, cutting gain stages, etc.).

Oh, well, I'll have to play with it more, it didn't run overly hot when I tried it for about a half hour. I wonder if tubes run hotter with higher volume.