Crate has just released the first Amp with a USB port and it’s looking pretty enticing. This thing is seriously packed with a lot of crap (good crap I mean). First off it is a stereo mini five-watt amp. Thats right, I said stereo. This eight-inch tall, six-pound bad boy comes packed with two four-inch speakers. This sucker blows away all of the other guys mini amps.

Crate packed in gain, delay, and a slew of effects including chorus, flange, auto wah, and reverb. The effects are always fun to play with, but usually end up going unused in actual playing, well except for maybe reverb.

On the back side we have a mini-jack for headphones and a mini-jack for audio input (usually used to connect a CD player or mp3 player). The unit uses a 9-volt battery for portable power or there is also a jack for a 9-volt 700mA AC adapter. I couldn’t determine whether or not the AC adapter was included in the package or optional. Usually if it is extra they will mention that and nowhere I read said it was optional, so I would be inclined to believe it was included in the cost. The adapter is included with the amp.

The real standout feature (if all of the above was not enough) is the fact that this amp is the first ever to have an integrated USB port. Bundled with the included Mackie Tracktion recording software you have a portable guitar recording device with built in effects. Basically what we have here is a POD sans a few effects and models, but with stereo speakers. I would hope you would be able to record with whatever software you like… but that is not certain.

Crate Profiler Model 5 Amp Feature Set:

• Stereo 2×4″ speakers
• 5-watts of power
• 8″ tall weighing less than 6lbs
• Stereo DSP including Chorus, Flange, Wah and Tremolo
• Separate Delay, Reverb and 3-band EQ
• USB port for computer recording
• Includes Mackie Tracktion 2 Recording Software for recording USB output
• Carying handle
• Headphone output mini-jack
• CD/mp3 player input mini-jack
• Powered by 9-volt battery or AC adapter
• Includes AC adapter (Thanks Dustin for the tip!)

So what is this going to set you back? Well Musicians Friend has them listed for $159.99USD and you can pre-order them today! The first batch of orders will ship August 7th, 2007. If they get too many orders you may have to wait for their 2nd shipment.

I have been looking into a computer recording device lately. I have been weighing the options from manufacturers like Line 6. Looks like I might have a new option to consider.

If anyone knows whether the AC adapter is included or not, please let me know.
Thanks Dustin for leaving a comment and letting me know that the AC adapter is in fact included with the amp.

Krank showed off their new micro versions of the Rev 1 heads and amps at this years NAMM. Well they have gone retail this month and you should be able to pick one up at your local or online Krank retailer soon. The Krank Rev Jr. 20W Full Stack Guitar Amp is based on the Rev 1 line, but obviously the focus is on putting it into a smaller package.

Marshall also has two micro stacks, the MG15MSII and a Zakk Wylde branded one that was released this year, the MG15MSZW. The major difference between Marshall’s micro stack and Krank’s is Krank’s setup comes with a tube head (and the associated price tag) and Marshall’s is all solid state.

Information is still a little scarce and I was unable to find an actual hands on review for this product, but I do have a few specs. The Krank Rev Jr. is a 20 watt micro amp available as either a full stack or half stack. The unit is essentially the exact same as the full size Rev, but is meant for people who dont want to pay the full price because they aren’t going to use all that power. The head is all tube, has 2 channels, a boost switch, and an active tube-driven effects loop. If you get the full stack it comes with two 1×12 speakers, the half stack comes with one. The cabs are made out of solid poplar wood and come with the signature Krank metal grill.

Online stores are listing the price as $899USD for the full stack and $699USD for the half. It’s a pretty steep price, but remember it’s a tube amp, and it’s Krank.

If I get any more information from Krank or if I find a hands on review, I’ll post that as well.

Line 6 has released the 3rd incarnation of their very popular modeling amp The Spider. I currently own the Spider II 120 and have been very happy with it. It is an awesome practice amp that can really make some noise. It gives you the freedom to play all different styles without needing too many pedals. So long as you don’t have anything against digital amps, then the Spider line are a great buy.

The Spider III improves upon it’s predecessor in many ways. Probably its most attractive feature is the built in 250 artist and song presets. The song presets include many popular tunes like No More Tears, Sweet Child o’ Mine, Highway to Hell, Hey Joe, and hundreds more. At the press of a button you can have the same sound as your favorite song. Although the presets might not be 100% true, they are close enough for you to have a lot of fun.

Like the Spider II the amp comes with 12 custom amp models ranging from clean to high gain (insane), 7 built in effects, and a built in digital tuner. New to the Spider III is a CD/MP3 input. This lets you play music through your amp so you can jam along with it. The Spider II only had 4 programmable channels, but with Line 6’s new creation you have 32 different customizable presets at your command.
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Ever want to take your electric guitar somewhere but hate lugging around your amp? Well the Marshall Micro Stack MS-2 Mini amp packs all the punch and tone of a Marshall half stack in a 14cmx11cmx6cm package. It sports the classic Marshall look yet is small enough to fit into your guitar case. The MS-2 includes 1-watt of raw output power, a volume knob, a tone knob, and a headphone output port. There is a switch for moving between clean and overdrive modes, but for independent gain control you’ll have to move up to the MS-4 full stack. The unit is powered by a single 9-volt battery and comes with a fancy belt clip.

There are three different versions of the amp available. All have the same technical specifications; the difference is in the look. The MS-2 has the standard Marshall look of white on black with a gold faceplate. The MS-2R is the same but bares a blood-red color. For a classic look the MS-2C is decorated with a checkered fret cloth and gold Marshall logo.

To sum up the features:

• 14cmx11cmx6cm size
• 1-watt output power
• Single tone knob for full treble to bass focus
• Single volume knob
• Switch for clean and overdriven
• Headphone jack
• Powered by a 9-volt battery
• 3 color schemes to choose from

For more power and a full stack look you can go with the MS-4. This amp also provides a gain control knob.

If it’s Marshall it’s usually black. Not the new Limited Edition DSL100SL Stack though. In response to artist and consumer requests for different colored amps Marshall has released this limited edition stack. In fact, it’s so limited there will only be 200 half stacks and 50 cabinets available in the US. This is the first time a modern Marshall amp has not had the signature gold faceplate since the Silver Jubilee models in 1987 when Marshall celebrated its 25 year anniversary.

The special edition amp includes a modified version of Marshall’s 100-watt Dual Super Lead head (JCM1960ASL) and straight (JCM1960BSL) cabinets. The set is running for about $2,599 USD.

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The Spider II 212 is a model amp that has 12 different sounds. I have owned one for almost 2 years now and its great practice and jam amp. The Spider II sports 12 different amp models that give you the sound of popular amps by Marshall, Fender, and others. They allow you to change the sound of the amp for playing all sorts of different styles from rock, to blues, to metal. The amp also has 7 different effects including 3 delays, 3 echoes, and a reverb. Also, there is a built in tuner. While it’s pretty good for basic adjustments, I still like to use my box tuner for tuning. Finally the amp has 2 12″ speakers that pump out a loud 120W of sound.

Musician’s Friend reviews the amp and says “The Spider II’s 12 amp models are double the number on the original Spider, and they’re a very useful selection. From soft jazz to pounding power chords, you just turn one knob to access the right amp for the feeling you’re after. Six bicolored LEDs around the knob let you know which of the 12 models you’ve selected.” (more…)