Crate amplifiers often get a bad rap, sometimes unfairly dismissed as budget-level gear. However, there’s a line of Crate amps that consistently surprises players with its quality and tone: the Vintage Club series. Specifically, the Crate Vintage Club 20 and Vintage Club 50 are two models that deserve a closer look, especially for guitarists seeking tube amp warmth without breaking the bank.
Both the Vintage Club 20 and Vintage Club 50 are designed as two-channel amplifiers, powered by EL84 tubes, a classic choice known for its warm and harmonically rich overdrive. The VC20 utilizes two EL84s, while its bigger brother, the VC50, packs four, promising more headroom and volume. One of the standout features of these amps is their surprisingly potent gain. Coupled with a master volume control on both models, they become remarkably versatile. You can achieve satisfying overdrive at lower volumes, making them suitable for home practice, yet they possess enough power to perform in band settings. The VC50, in particular, truly shines when pushed harder and louder, delivering its best tones in a live club environment where it can easily keep up with a drummer. Don’t underestimate the VC20 either; despite its lower wattage, it can drive larger speaker cabinets effectively, producing volumes that are more than adequate for home use and even small gigs.
Players often describe these amps as expressive and dynamic. They respond well to picking dynamics and guitar volume adjustments, allowing for a wide range of tones simply through playing style. A common modification among Vintage Club enthusiasts is swapping the 12AX7 tube in the V1 position (the preamp tube stage) with a 12AT7. This simple tube swap is reported to sweeten the amp’s tone slightly while retaining plenty of available gain, offering a refined edge to the overdrive character.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Crate Vintage Club amps is their affordability on the used market. The VC20 can often be found for around $200, and the VC50 typically sells for under $400. This makes them exceptionally attractive options for guitarists looking for genuine tube amp tone on a budget. In terms of reliability, anecdotal evidence suggests they are robust. Many users, including personal accounts, report years of consistent performance without any major issues. One minor drawback mentioned is the VC20’s cabinet construction, which uses pressboard. Some owners choose to address this by transplanting the chassis into custom-built cabinets for improved resonance and durability.
The fact that some guitarists dismiss all Crate amps as inferior actually works to the advantage of those in the know. It keeps the prices of gems like the Vintage Club series down, making them even more accessible to players seeking quality tube amplification without the premium price tag.
