Pricing and availability

Average Price: $250

Budget/Beginner

$300

$701+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Discover the Crate V16 Palomino, a compact powerhouse designed to elevate your guitar tone with its rich, tube-driven sound. Perfect for musicians seeking a blend of classic warmth and modern clarity, this combo amplifier is a testament to both performance and portability. With onboard spring reverb and a meticulously crafted three-band EQ, it offers a palette of sonic textures that can cater to any genre. The Crate V16 Palomino is your go-to amp for gigs, rehearsals, or intimate studio sessions, marrying convenience with unmatched tonal quality.

Key Features:

  • 12AX7 preamp and EL84 power tubes for authentic tube amp sound
  • Built-in spring reverb for lush, ambient textures
  • Three-band EQ for detailed sound shaping
  • 12" Celestion speaker delivers clarity and punch
  • Compact and portable design for musicians on the move

Product specs

Brand Crate
Model Palomino V16 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Finish Cream
Year 2000s
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 15
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Crate V16 Palomino best suited for?

The Crate V16 Palomino is well-suited for blues, rock, and classic rock genres, thanks to its warm tube-driven tone and EL84 power tubes, which provide a rich, vintage sound.

Is the Crate V16 Palomino loud enough for small gigs?

With its 15-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, the Crate V16 Palomino offers sufficient volume for small gigs and rehearsals, especially in venues where mic'ing the amp is possible.

Does the Crate V16 Palomino work well with pedals?

Yes, the Crate V16 Palomino takes pedals well, making it a versatile choice for guitarists who use effects to shape their sound, thanks to its clean channel and tube-driven circuitry.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Crate V16 Palomino?

The Crate V16 Palomino features a warm, creamy tone with a classic tube-driven sound, characterized by its EL84 power tubes and spring reverb, suitable for both clean and slightly overdriven tones.

Does the Crate V16 Palomino have built-in effects?

The Crate V16 Palomino includes built-in spring reverb, which adds depth and ambiance to your sound, enhancing the overall playing experience.

Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals

Breathing new life into this old tube amp, the Palomino V16 from Crate

Video thumbnail for Breathing new life into this old tube amp, the Palomino V16 from Crate by Wampler Pedals

Breathing new life into this old tube amp, the Palomino V16 from Crate

Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals

Video thumbnail for Crate Palomino V16 Guitar Amplifier by lmull3

Crate Palomino V16 Guitar Amplifier

lmull3

lmull3

Video thumbnail for Crate Palomino V16 Amp /Telecaster /PRS CE 24 Demo by Edward Owen

Crate Palomino V16 Amp /Telecaster /PRS CE 24 Demo

Edward Owen

Edward Owen

Video thumbnail for Crate Palomino V16 Class A Tube Amp USA by johnnyangel69

Crate Palomino V16 Class A Tube Amp USA

johnnyangel69

johnnyangel69

Reviews

PROS

  • Great class A tube amp with rich clean tones

  • Gain knob allows warming up sounds nicely

  • Excels with no pedals, enhancing guitar's sound qualities

  • Versatile gain range from bluesy grit to metal

  • Features 12AX7s in pre-amp and EL84s in power section

  • Loaded with a quality Celestion 12-inch speaker

  • Offers super clean tones and capable of heavy shredding

CONS

  • Only has one channel, limiting versatility

  • Lacks a bit in bottom end

  • No longer in production, availability limited to used market

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crate V16 Palomino.

Features and functionality

  • The Crate V16 is noted for its excellent clean and edge-of-breakup tones, particularly with single-coil pickups like those on Stratocasters and Telecasters.

    Source
  • The spring reverb on the Crate V16 is often criticized for being subpar, though it doesn't significantly detract from the overall performance for some users.

    Source
  • Gold hardware on the V16 model matches the description of the Palomino V32, suggesting a design consistency across models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • This amplifier can reach volumes sufficient to compete with a drummer, making it suitable for band settings.

    Source
  • The 5W version is suitable for home use and practice but not for gigging due to its lower volume.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • An owner reported paying $300 for a new unit and considered it a worthwhile investment, suggesting this as a benchmark price point.

    Source
  • A price of $175 for the Crate V16 is considered a good deal compared to used listings at $199 for the V18 model.

    Source
  • Brand new units are considered overpriced at $299, with $200 being reasonable for a new one in good condition.

    Source

Comparisons

  • A modified Crate V16 was favored over Blues Junior, Classic 30, and Hot Rod Deluxe, sounding similar to a DC 30.

    Source
  • The Palomino V32, a similar amp with different wattage and white tolex/gold hardware, was bought like-new for $200, providing a comparison point for pricing.

    Source

Build quality

  • USA-made models are identified by a back panel stating "made and designed in USA" and "St Louis Music."

    Source

User experience

  • The amp is highlighted as one of Crate's best, despite the brand's mixed quality reputation, indicating strong owner satisfaction.

    Source

Other

  • The V16 remains desirable despite discontinuation, implying a lasting appeal in the used market.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
nanuuuu

Great small tube amp

Bought it used and blew me away. Great tones. Great growl from those saturated tubes. 12AX7's in pre-amp section and EL84's in power section. Loaded with a Celestion 12-inch speaker. Lacks just a little bottom end, but again, it's a small amp.

mevans4130

Best Amp for the Price!!!

I got this used and was blown away. I changed the speaker to a Celestion G-12 M 70. Its super clean when you want it to and it can really shred if needed!

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 V16 Palomino, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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presentresident

Gear IQ 130

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