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Description

Unleash your creativity on stage with the Crate Flexwave 120h guitar amplifier head, a versatile powerhouse designed for both the professional and the passionate musician. Harnessing the innovative FlexWave Evolution 5 preamp, this amp head delivers a robust 120 watts of dynamic power, making it the ideal companion for large venues and high-energy performances. The patented Sequential Cascading Gain technology ensures that every note is infused with rich, articulate tone, whether you're dialing in pristine cleans or searing high-gain leads.

With three distinct channels, you can effortlessly switch between clean, overdrive, and high-gain modes using the included remote, allowing for seamless transitions during live performances. The built-in digital signal processing (DSP) effects and Channel Tracking technology let you customize your sound with precision, while the proprietary Shape Control circuit offers the flexibility to craft unique, spine-tingling leads that cut through the mix.

The Crate Flexwave 120h also features a built-in tuner, ensuring you remain perfectly in tune throughout your set. Perfectly paired with Crate's G412A/B 4x12 cabinets, this amp head is a testament to over 25 years of engineering expertise, delivering a responsive and roadworthy performance that stands the test of time.

Key Features:

  • 120W power output with FlexWave Evolution 5 preamp
  • Patented Sequential Cascading Gain technology
  • Three channels: clean, overdrive, and high-gain
  • Built-in DSP effects and Channel Tracking
  • Proprietary Shape Control circuit
  • Included remote for channel switching
  • Built-in tuner for on-the-fly tuning adjustments

FAQs

What type of music is the Crate Flexwave 120h amplifier head best suited for?

The Crate Flexwave 120h is ideal for rock and metal genres, offering powerful distortion and clear cleans that cater to aggressive playing styles.

Does the Crate Flexwave 120h have built-in effects?

Yes, the Crate Flexwave 120h features built-in DSP effects, providing a range of tonal options without needing additional pedals.

How many channels does the Crate Flexwave 120h amplifier head have?

The Crate Flexwave 120h has three channels, allowing for versatile sound switching between clean, rhythm, and lead tones.

Is the Crate Flexwave 120h suitable for live performances?

With 120 watts of power, the Crate Flexwave 120h is well-suited for live performances, providing ample volume and headroom for gigs.

Does the Crate Flexwave 120h come with an onboard tuner?

Yes, the Crate Flexwave 120h includes an onboard tuner, making it convenient to stay in tune during rehearsals and performances.

Chris Joao

Chris Joao

crate flexwave review proffesional quality

Video thumbnail for crate flexwave review  proffesional quality by Chris Joao

crate flexwave review proffesional quality

Chris Joao

Chris Joao

Video thumbnail for Crate Flexwave 120H amp demo by The Guitar Modder

Crate Flexwave 120H amp demo

The Guitar Modder

The Guitar Modder

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crate Flexwave 120h.

Features and functionality

  • The Crate Flexwave 120h has an INSERT jack on the back that functions as an FX loop, requiring a stereo splitter for return and send functionality.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The amplifier can have intermittent issues with effects engaging randomly, which may require adjusting the knobs or power cycling to resolve.

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User experience

  • Owners report that the clean tone is decent, with a solid amount of gain available for distortion, though it retains a "solid state amp" quality that some may find less desirable.

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  • Some users have experienced challenges with managing volume levels, indicating that both gain and level knobs significantly affect the output volume.

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  • Owners report achieving a convincing clean Metallica tone, making it a favorite among fans of the band for its clean sound capabilities.

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Other

  • An issue with a broken adapter head in the extra speaker jack can disable sound output, highlighting the importance of careful handling during modifications.

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Use cases and applications

  • The amp is praised for being a solid first stack, especially for those exploring solid-state options with a focus on clean metal tones.

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Comparisons

  • The Crate Flexwave 120h is compared favorably to the Blue Voodoo series in terms of underappreciated quality, though it's distinct as a solid-state option.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Users express interest in pairing the amp's clean channel with distortion pedals to enhance its sound, suggesting its clean channel is a strong foundation for pedal experimentation.

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1.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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brotherrat

Another Cheap Dud from Crate

This is probably one of the worst heads I've ever heard, got it in a combo deal with another cheap amp head. Yes you can get them cheap and yes they provide a sizable 120W into 4 ohms but I promise you there are better cheap gigging amps out there if you look a little harder. The cleans are stiff and completely lacking in dynamics, the overdrive and high gain modes are fizzy and unpleasant sounding to say the least. With some effort you can get some usable tones in high gain with the shape knob I guess. If you want to sound like those beginner guitarists on Instagram who have the gain dimed on their practice amps so they sound like pure fizz with ear-piercing high frequencies while playing Smells like Teen Spirit then this amp can get you there extremely quickly. Albeit this thing is suited more to mid scoopy stuff so maybe if you like that this will get you there but I would still advise against ever getting near this thing. The effects are mediocre at best and, well, i'm not sure why you would want effects like this built into a cheap amp anyways. Cheap chinese pedals that do the same thing better or even decent multieffects pedals aren't hard to find. For better or for worse this is certainly a relic of the early-to-mid 2000's, and, despite the circuit design being quite creative from looking at the service manual, the careful engineering didn't really translate into a good sounding amp. I hate to pick on Crate like everyone else since there are great Crate amps out there but they have their reputation for a reason.

Artist usage

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Kevin Shockley

Singer, Guitarist

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Verified via Photo

Kevin Shockley uses the Crate Flexwave 120h guitar amplifier head with all EQ settings at maximum and utilizes its built-in effects during jam sessions, as shown in the user-uploaded photo.

Genre Usage

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