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Average Price: $35

Budget/Beginner

$300

$701+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Crate GX-15, a versatile combo guitar amplifier designed for both beginners and seasoned musicians. This compact yet powerful amp delivers 15 watts of solid-state power, making it ideal for practice sessions at home or small gigs. With its simple control layout, including gain, volume, and a 3-band EQ, you'll have no trouble dialing in the perfect tone to match your musical style. The GX-15 features a 6.5-inch speaker that provides clear sound and excellent projection, ensuring your guitar's voice is heard in any setting.

The Crate GX-15 stands out with its built-in overdrive, allowing you to switch from clean to gritty tones with ease. This feature is perfect for those who enjoy exploring different soundscapes without needing additional pedals. The headphone jack makes it convenient for silent practice, so you can play without disturbing others. Additionally, the external speaker output offers expanded versatility, enabling you to connect to larger cabinets when you're ready to take your performance to the next level.

Key Features:

  • 15 watts of solid-state power
  • 6.5-inch speaker for clear sound projection
  • Built-in overdrive for versatile sound options
  • Simple control layout: gain, volume, and 3-band EQ
  • Headphone jack for silent practice
  • External speaker output for expanded connectivity

Product specs

Brand Crate
Model GX-15 2-Channel 12-Watt 1x8" Guitar Practice Amp
Finish Black
Year 1990s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Color Family Black
Electronics Solid State
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 12
Power Tube Type None
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x8"

FAQs

What type of music is the Crate GX-15 best suited for?

The Crate GX-15 is ideal for practicing rock and blues genres, offering a solid-state sound with a gritty distortion channel that caters to these styles.

Does the Crate GX-15 have built-in effects like reverb?

No, the Crate GX-15 does not include built-in effects such as reverb. It focuses on delivering straightforward clean and overdriven tones.

How portable is the Crate GX-15 for practice sessions?

The Crate GX-15 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport for practice sessions or small jam sessions.

Can the Crate GX-15 handle pedal effects well?

Yes, the Crate GX-15 can work well with pedal effects, allowing you to expand its tonal capabilities by adding external effects to your setup.

Is the Crate GX-15 suitable for live performances?

The Crate GX-15 is primarily designed as a practice amp with 12 watts of power, making it less suitable for live performances in larger venues.

Anderson Abreu

Anderson Abreu

Review: Crate GX15 Guitar Amp

Video thumbnail for Review: Crate GX15 Guitar Amp by Anderson Abreu

Review: Crate GX15 Guitar Amp

Anderson Abreu

Anderson Abreu

Video thumbnail for $2000 ENGL Amp VS. $35 CRATE GX-15 (Was I wrong?) by The-Art-of-Guitar

$2000 ENGL Amp VS. $35 CRATE GX-15 (Was I wrong?)

The-Art-of-Guitar

The-Art-of-Guitar

Video thumbnail for Crate GX-15 Guitar Amp-Review by Seth Michael

Crate GX-15 Guitar Amp-Review

Seth Michael

Seth Michael

Video thumbnail for Crate GX-15 by gggone1

Crate GX-15

gggone1

gggone1

Reviews

PROS

  • Great for practicing in small spaces

  • Handles effects pedals well, like Wah and Metal Zone

  • Decent distortion for its size

  • Durable and holds up over time if well-maintained

  • Simple and easy to use, suitable for beginners

  • Compact size ideal for home studios

CONS

  • Overdrive can be harsh

  • Clean tone quality not the greatest

  • Limited equalization options

  • Not suitable for achieving high-quality scratchy distortion sounds

  • Tends to give out, suggesting reliability issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crate GX-15.

Mods and upgrades

  • An Alnico Jensen (P6V) speaker swap in similar amps significantly improved sound quality, suggesting potential gains with an 8” Weber CVA8 upgrade.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Crate GX-15R includes a 1/4" jack for external speakers, disconnecting the internal 8", 4-ohm speaker when used.

    Source
  • The Crate GX-15R is noted for its loud output compared to similar practice amps, equipped with an 8" woofer and reverb, making it suitable for high gain metal tones.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners recommend inspecting and cleaning solder work and jacks, as older Crate models often suffer from poor solder quality.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users believe Crate amps provide better sound than Peavey models, despite the latter's popularity and availability.

    Source
  • The Crate GX-15 was reportedly used by Billy Corgan to produce feedback effects on the song "Mayonnaise" by Smashing Pumpkins, highlighting its capability for creative sound manipulation.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners recall the Crate GX-15R's decent clean sound and consider it a "little gem" if in working condition, indicating a nostalgic value for beginners.

    Source
  • Users have fond memories of the Crate GX-15 for its nostalgic value and its ability to replicate feedback squeals effectively, despite its general reputation for poor tone.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The amp is praised for being a great pedal platform, especially for hard rock and metal, although not ideal for fast shredding due to definition issues.

    Source
  • The Crate GX-15 can achieve a scooped mids tone, which some users found suitable for learning and playing old school rock and metal styles.

    Source
Add

3.0 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
timmallon

Its an amp

It is an amp that serves one purpose: practicing. its a cheap practice amp. I got mine handed down from my dad and it is my first guitar amp. the overdrive is a bit harsh and the clean tone isn't the greatest but it does the job. You can run pedals through it and it sounds alright, I personally run a Wah and a Metal Zone through it and it handles it well. Keep in mind its a practice amp.

05darkwarrior

Decent for its price.

My first amp. Simple and easy to use. Has ok sound and decent distortion. Not many options for equalization, though. Good for a practice amp, and holds up over time if you treat it well.

bildawl

The worse of my two amps.

Not the best in the world, but it does its job. It isn't the best for scratchy distortion guitars, but if you are going for a clean OR crunchy, reggae feel; I'd recommend.

in_vested

simple and good

very basic and sturdy, but plays well for a small amp. i usually play acoustic through it, with no need for drive or reverb, so it is very good for simple, solo playing.

666metalhead666

amp

it is not good. more of a practice amp. But will give out.

lymber

Fair for the price

It's small and decent for practicing and home studio.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Crate GX-15, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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oneball

oneball

Gear IQ 183

oneball

oneball

Gear IQ 183

oneball

oneball

Gear IQ 183

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