I have Crate V33 2x12 combo—a 33-watt, class A amp running EL84 power tubes. It’s not a bad little amp—especially considering the deal I got on it. But I am looking to turn it into a more powerful little tone machine.

Tube amps can hold dangerously high voltages even after they are turned off and unplugged. If you are not familiar with the safety precautions for working on tube amplifiers do not try modifying one. Changing the tone of an amp is not worth your life. See here and here for more information.

Aug 25, 2012 · In one, I had to drop the PI tube to a 12AY7. Using a 12AX7 or a 5751 gave me a chronically distorted tone. The second V33 got a Sylvania 5751 in V1 and a 12AX7 in V3. It is not a bad sounding amp, but it will never be the best sounding amp in anyone's arsenal.

Dec 31, 2008 · Not sure what you're asking. They are pretty much identical right up through the preamp (now anyway). There is an additional switch for the midboost and presence (treble boost really) in the v33 that could easily be added to the v33. See the schematics for those details.

Mar 15, 2010 · V33 head with the SLO mod: sort of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The clean channel is warm and musical, or with the Crunch switch engaged can get gritty with some low frequency overdrive. With the over-drive channel engaged the amp can move from crunchy clean all the way to …

Dec 18, 2010 · Weird...based on the 'tubing' and the specs (quick search), the V33 strikes me as something in the Vox/British amp family, so I'd look at fiddling with tone settings folks reccomend for something like an AC30 as well.

Feb 4, 2011 · Tons of technical information and it seems you can get SLo type tones out of these, but you need to know what you're doing and spend LOTS of time listening, soldering, and fine tuning the amp. In the end, you may have an amp that sounds good, but how reliable will it be?

Jul 23, 2008 · They're amazing amps for the money. If you can find one of the older V33Hs that are made in the US, you should jump on it (I've heard the newer ones don't sound as good). I own a Crate V32 Palomino and it really has some really sweet tones for the money.

Oct 8, 2008 · The PCB on mine is marked V33-212 so the head and combo should be identical, electronics-wise. And, if nothing else, this amp is dead quiet through the line out making it an excellent tube preamp for recording and worth the $180 just for that IMO.

Apr 1, 2009 · wandering about the best mod for my v33 head 'i like the clean channel o.k but the gain chan. is just dreadful what would be a better pre amp tube...