I bought my Blue Voodoo 120 online back in the day off Musicans Friend for 299.. it was the lowest I ever paid for a tubed head. Worth every penny and still jam it to this day.
Never understood the hate for the blue voodoo. I just got one with a matching cab a few days ago and it’s one of the loudest, articulate, high gain heads I’ve ever played through. I guess the cork sniffers talking shit about it probably were so used to just plugging straight into a Marshall and getting an instantly recognizable sound and not used to having to learn how to use different amps or dial in good tone on anything else. Nice video thanks!
We need to be careful about these videos, we cant let it get out that the blue voodoo is a seriously under rated beast of an amp. Right now they can be had super cheap, lets keep it that way lol. In kidding, ive been wanting this shoot out! Good job man!
I've got the Mesa boogie triple rectifier multi-watt and the Blue voodoo 120, the crate is my go-to for sure. Excellent video sir. It definitely got shared in my crate group on Facebook.
I had a blue voodoo. Got it for like $150. Played it through an engnater cab. I loved the tone. Not quite metal, but it was perfect for classic rock, punk and maybe even hardcore
I have early blue voodoo 60 and 120 heads and while they're certainly not my best amps they do have their own sound and they're a lot of fun to play. Even though I have had other "better" amps come and go, I still keep the blue voodoos in the stable.
awesome comparison! i think the Crate sounds pretty good overall actually, not as good as the Mesa but nothing wrong with its tone at all, definitely a lot of hate on these Crate amps is misplaced, especially if you give it some time EQ'ing it.
I've got 2 different 5150 amps. The 1st incarnation block letter and the 3rd EL-34. I've also got a Mesa triple rectifier as well as a Marshall JCM 900. I purchased my 1st Crate Blue VooDoo about 2 years ago. I have since purchased 2 more. They are all the early iteration 120 HD. They are rock solid and easily hold their own against my other more expensive amps when running them out of the same cabs. One other head that is inexpensive yet solid and also hold their own against these other expensive heads is the Poor man's triple rectifier, the B-52 AT-100. This is another sleeper. And the last (and I can't believe that I'm saying this)... the Bugera 1960 Infinium 150 watt monster! Not the 1st all black model. The 2nd with the black and burgundy front panel. I've picked up 2 of them. Not a single amp head from any of these companies has given me a days worth of problems. I am shocked by some of these amps I would have laughed at in my younger days. You live and learn. When you can pick some of these heads up for change, you find out what you've been missing. Not all name brands are as far ahead of some lesser brands. When you can get killer sounds from amps with lesser names, why not use them? I get a kick put of playing out with these other amps. I hide the heads and I'll show them after we've played. I've seen people say I was lying and where is my Marshall or Mesa. The prices are going up on some of these amps because the word is getting out how good these amps are! I've learned that the name isn't everything. Try other amps out. You might be surprised!
Wow… I am actually shocked. The main thing I noticed is the Mesa has a little more of a full tone. But surprisingly the voodoo actually held its own in a way. I actually think he could have gotten them a little closer in tone had he played with the lower mids a little more he could have gotten a little further. Pretty cool
I used to own a blue voodoo and I don't think I ever noticed how much like a recto it can sound. I've regretted selling my voodoo so much. I think it would be fun to track one with either my bugera 1990 or evh 5150 iii... or heck do triple tracking each with different speakers.
I liked every Blue Voodoo I played in stores back in the early 2000s. I was always impressed with this amp. For my settings it had a thicker, creamier low end and better balance through the spectrum. A lot of detuned guys crank the mids and highs with lower tuning which with some it may be good for rhythms but sucks for solos. For me the Blue Voodoo sounded good for solos no matter how I set it or tuning I used. Eventually I got the Crate DX212 with the whole modeling thing coming into norm at that time which had a Blue Voodoo setting and was my main tone. I used a few of the other modeled amp sounds here and there, but Blue Voodoo was my default. Recorded and played out with it. They're great amps.
I have the newer version bv120h and the Mesa 3 channel 150w triple rec. Mesa is good at just about everything... but it should be for the price. The BV is decent at metal tones but is a real sleeper on the clean channel. Lots of crisp clear headroom. Makes it a good pedal platform.
I love my Blue Voodoo 120 and 120h but honestly, its probably more about the 150 and 300 watt versions. They were more Ampeg than Crate in construction and tone apparently. Still trying to get my hands on them but, its really hard to say the Blue Voodoo "won" this comparison although it held up for sure!
I don’t write down my settings, unfortunately. I constantly change them as well. I have 35 Tube Heads so it’s hard to kind of narrow down a specific setting that I might have been using for specific amps. Cheers -Ryan
So both those amps rip. I run a 5150 Iconic through an Orange 212 but I also keep a Blue Voodoo 660 on the side. I bought it "broken" for $100 and all it needed were tubes....
Not sure if said yet but digging your playing...amps both sound great...I could see owning the Crate myself, nothing wrong with it's tone...I do own the Mesa already
@@Crypticmaskguitar I watch several channels like this and without naming anyone I can say your playing is always good, good riffing and generally not the same riffs over and over....plus we seem to have the same taste in guitars and amps so I am always nodding in agreement on your amp choices or lusting after your selection of guitars...lol
Haha! I can’t stand when channels play the same riffs over and over. Drives me nuts when they just re-amp the same riffs for each video. Personally, I prefer to actually play through the amp when I’m recording. You actually get a feeling for the amp and what you’re playing. But that’s just me. I just picked up a Silver Jubilee and a JCM 800, too. I’m excited to do some stuff with those amps! Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar your being nice...said channels play same riffs into an amp...they just have limited vocabulary ...that is where I appreciate your playing...you have some chops man
The blue voodoo just doesn't have the body that the dual rec does..it always sounds a smodge thin..but you sir, you got a fat tone out of the voodoo..so praise to you
@@Crypticmaskguitar Don't get me started on the dementors. I got the purple bandana and I ain't afraid..do you really not expect me to push you up against the wall bee-atch?!?!
I'm actually surprised. I thought you were going to a little more kind to the Crate. I own the Crate and have had m6 share of frustrations with it and always envied the guys with the Mesa but in your comparison I was totally impressed with the Crate.
The Crate is definitely a great amp! It NEEDS high volume before it really starts to show its' value (Something most won't get to) and it does have to be dialled in very carefully. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar i put a bbe maxcom last in the fx loop and my BV 120 stack totally came to life! 100% try it if you own one :) i never liked the amp on its own but now id never sell it 🔥 stock crate speakers also, i was going to change them out but honestly will be keeping them now. Amazing 80s metal tone. Sounds even better with a ts808 or boss sd 1 in front. Great comparison also and excellent playing 😎👍🔥
I really noticed a difference in the mids when you switched to the Les Paul. I couldn’t really tell you the difference but the recto seems more scooped (go figure) 😂
Music shop nearby has a 60 watt version going 300 bucks. I played it earlier definitely considering buying it. My one question is would there be a major difference in tone between what I’m hearing here and the 60 watt version? Or would it just have less headroom and be slightly quieter?
..there will likely be some nuances in tone with the bigger amps using more tubes and bigger iron…as for loudness…no the 60 (is actually 50 and the 120 is 100) are loud asf and should be played loud as well…
Also 300 seems fair…these things used to go for 100-200 all day but they are going up in value (but so is everything else 😒) They are also a back breaker lol
Thanks, I think they sound “Alright” most of the time haha! I don’t generally use the same settings all the time. I usually turn things up to let the frequencies breathe, then bass is usually around 9 o’clock. From there I set things wherever I feel they sound good at the time. Sometimes there’s a lot of high end, sometimes not. Cheers -Ryan
For sure there are quite a few people who don't have a trained ear for the subtle differences. Lots of people also listen to these on their phones, as well. The Mesa has a lot more low end, more grit in the mids as well. The Crate has a little more High End with a bit of a smoother Mid Range. It's a shame that there aren't more shootouts on these two amps, for those who click on a video titled "High gain Shootout" who aren't looking for a "High Gain Shootout". I like to do different types of shootouts to help cover those difference. Which is probably why I make sure to Title those videos to reflect what you will hear. Cheers -Ryan
You should start doing these blind. Do not reveal which amp is which until the end of the video. This eliminates any bias the person has towards one brand or another. You could let them know at the start which two amps they are of course. Then while playing make that blind and let them see if they can pick out which is which. Then reveal at the end of the video which was which. Or do a second video later revealing the truth, give them time to make comments of which is which.
Just not something that I have any interest in doing. but it sounds like you have a great idea to start doing Shootout Videos for yourself! It's always awesome when more people start doing these! Cheers -Ryan
When I saw this I had to laugh lol..I've seen the Mesa dual rec crush the BV so many times in live situations over the years I've lost count, I've been to band auditions where guitarist meet for the first time brought their rigs (one having a BV and the other having a dual rec) and it was always just embarrassing for the guitarist with the BV, this wasn't just going up against a dual rec, but in any situation where the BV was paired with Marshall, Orange, Peavey or any time tested veteran amp it just didn't have the stones to hold up against them. Crate isn't the only budget game in town, there are others that are worse and as a drummer I wouldn't jam with a guitarist if I saw them walk in with (like a Behringer guitar amp, total hot trash). If you can't afford the bigger guys, then I'd go with a Peavey over Crate any day, and if you can't afford that, then buy a second hand Peavey Mace, or vintage Peavey all tubed head with an effects loop (a lot of these run in the 300 dollar range) then run a higher end distro or overdrive pedal into the return of the FX loop so you use only the power section, and use the pedal as your preamp section. I actually have a buddy that does this cause he can't afford other options, and believe it or not, it rivals the others.
@Ky HL Did you listen? and if so, what are your impressions of these examples? I personally was very impressed at how well Ryan matched the sounds. It sure made me think.
I bought my Blue Voodoo 120 online back in the day off Musicans Friend for 299.. it was the lowest I ever paid for a tubed head.
Worth every penny and still jam it to this day.
Never understood the hate for the blue voodoo. I just got one with a matching cab a few days ago and it’s one of the loudest, articulate, high gain heads I’ve ever played through. I guess the cork sniffers talking shit about it probably were so used to just plugging straight into a Marshall and getting an instantly recognizable sound and not used to having to learn how to use different amps or dial in good tone on anything else. Nice video thanks!
We need to be careful about these videos, we cant let it get out that the blue voodoo is a seriously under rated beast of an amp. Right now they can be had super cheap, lets keep it that way lol. In kidding, ive been wanting this shoot out! Good job man!
I just got a half stack with matching cab last week! Almost love it more than my RedBear but dont tell anybody! 🤫
I've got the Mesa boogie triple rectifier multi-watt and the Blue voodoo 120, the crate is my go-to for sure. Excellent video sir. It definitely got shared in my crate group on Facebook.
I had a blue voodoo. Got it for like $150.
Played it through an engnater cab.
I loved the tone. Not quite metal, but it was perfect for classic rock, punk and maybe even hardcore
I have early blue voodoo 60 and 120 heads and while they're certainly not my best amps they do have their own sound and they're a lot of fun to play. Even though I have had other "better" amps come and go, I still keep the blue voodoos in the stable.
awesome comparison! i think the Crate sounds pretty good overall actually, not as good as the Mesa but nothing wrong with its tone at all, definitely a lot of hate on these Crate amps is misplaced, especially if you give it some time EQ'ing it.
I've got 2 different 5150 amps. The 1st incarnation block letter and the 3rd EL-34. I've also got a Mesa triple rectifier as well as a Marshall JCM 900. I purchased my 1st Crate Blue VooDoo about 2 years ago. I have since purchased 2 more. They are all the early iteration 120 HD. They are rock solid and easily hold their own against my other more expensive amps when running them out of the same cabs. One other head that is inexpensive yet solid and also hold their own against these other expensive heads is the Poor man's triple rectifier, the B-52 AT-100. This is another sleeper. And the last (and I can't believe that I'm saying this)... the Bugera 1960 Infinium 150 watt monster! Not the 1st all black model. The 2nd with the black and burgundy front panel. I've picked up 2 of them. Not a single amp head from any of these companies has given me a days worth of problems. I am shocked by some of these amps I would have laughed at in my younger days. You live and learn. When you can pick some of these heads up for change, you find out what you've been missing. Not all name brands are as far ahead of some lesser brands. When you can get killer sounds from amps with lesser names, why not use them? I get a kick put of playing out with these other amps. I hide the heads and I'll show them after we've played. I've seen people say I was lying and where is my Marshall or Mesa. The prices are going up on some of these amps because the word is getting out how good these amps are! I've learned that the name isn't everything. Try other amps out. You might be surprised!
Wow… I am actually shocked. The main thing I noticed is the Mesa has a little more of a full tone. But surprisingly the voodoo actually held its own in a way. I actually think he could have gotten them a little closer in tone had he played with the lower mids a little more he could have gotten a little further. Pretty cool
Blue Voodoos are actually solid amps.
I used to own a blue voodoo and I don't think I ever noticed how much like a recto it can sound. I've regretted selling my voodoo so much. I think it would be fun to track one with either my bugera 1990 or evh 5150 iii... or heck do triple tracking each with different speakers.
I liked every Blue Voodoo I played in stores back in the early 2000s. I was always impressed with this amp. For my settings it had a thicker, creamier low end and better balance through the spectrum. A lot of detuned guys crank the mids and highs with lower tuning which with some it may be good for rhythms but sucks for solos. For me the Blue Voodoo sounded good for solos no matter how I set it or tuning I used. Eventually I got the Crate DX212 with the whole modeling thing coming into norm at that time which had a Blue Voodoo setting and was my main tone. I used a few of the other modeled amp sounds here and there, but Blue Voodoo was my default. Recorded and played out with it. They're great amps.
Amp shootout idea: JCM800 2203 vs Blue Voodoo
I like them both. They'd sound great layered.
That Blue Voodoo sounds awesome.
I own the BVH 150, the 150 watt version. You get HUGE CLEAN VOLUME and tone for centuries. Greg Hetson of Bad Religion plays on the BV300.
Loud enough? 🤣
I have the newer version bv120h and the Mesa 3 channel 150w triple rec. Mesa is good at just about everything... but it should be for the price. The BV is decent at metal tones but is a real sleeper on the clean channel. Lots of crisp clear headroom. Makes it a good pedal platform.
I love my Blue Voodoo 120 and 120h but honestly, its probably more about the 150 and 300 watt versions. They were more Ampeg than Crate in construction and tone apparently. Still trying to get my hands on them but, its really hard to say the Blue Voodoo "won" this comparison although it held up for sure!
Dude, what were your amp settings on the Blue Voodoo when you started playing on your LP? Holy hell that tone was sick!
I don’t write down my settings, unfortunately. I constantly change them as well. I have 35 Tube Heads so it’s hard to kind of narrow down a specific setting that I might have been using for specific amps. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar no worries. I appreciate you replying. Keep up the good work
So both those amps rip. I run a 5150 Iconic through an Orange 212 but I also keep a Blue Voodoo 660 on the side. I bought it "broken" for $100 and all it needed were tubes....
Not sure if said yet but digging your playing...amps both sound great...I could see owning the Crate myself, nothing wrong with it's tone...I do own the Mesa already
Thanks for the kind comments! The Crate is definitely nothing to sneeze at haha! Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar I watch several channels like this and without naming anyone I can say your playing is always good, good riffing and generally not the same riffs over and over....plus we seem to have the same taste in guitars and amps so I am always nodding in agreement on your amp choices or lusting after your selection of guitars...lol
Haha! I can’t stand when channels play the same riffs over and over. Drives me nuts when they just re-amp the same riffs for each video. Personally, I prefer to actually play through the amp when I’m recording. You actually get a feeling for the amp and what you’re playing. But that’s just me. I just picked up a Silver Jubilee and a JCM 800, too. I’m excited to do some stuff with those amps! Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar your being nice...said channels play same riffs into an amp...they just have limited vocabulary ...that is where I appreciate your playing...you have some chops man
Hmmm. they both sound great. Definitely a bit more mid-grit in the Mesa but I too was surprised how close they actually are.
The blue voodoo just doesn't have the body that the dual rec does..it always sounds a smodge thin..but you sir, you got a fat tone out of the voodoo..so praise to you
Tanks. The worst part about the Blue Voodoo was the Dementors. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar Don't get me started on the dementors. I got the purple bandana and I ain't afraid..do you really not expect me to push you up against the wall bee-atch?!?!
@@Crypticmaskguitar wait are you a Ryan as well? Me too! Gotta say, great name.
Yessir! All great Ryan’s have this name! Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar Ryan started the fire!
Jesus Christ now we know what the inspiration for the blue voodoo was it sounds almost identical holy shit
Great demo!👍
For 1/6 the price cant beat it
Good stuff. Keep it up!!
I'm actually surprised. I thought you were going to a little more kind to the Crate. I own the Crate and have had m6 share of frustrations with it and always envied the guys with the Mesa but in your comparison I was totally impressed with the Crate.
The Crate is definitely a great amp! It NEEDS high volume before it really starts to show its' value (Something most won't get to) and it does have to be dialled in very carefully. Cheers -Ryan
@@Crypticmaskguitar i put a bbe maxcom last in the fx loop and my BV 120 stack totally came to life! 100% try it if you own one :) i never liked the amp on its own but now id never sell it 🔥 stock crate speakers also, i was going to change them out but honestly will be keeping them now. Amazing 80s metal tone. Sounds even better with a ts808 or boss sd 1 in front.
Great comparison also and excellent playing 😎👍🔥
I really noticed a difference in the mids when you switched to the Les Paul. I couldn’t really tell you the difference but the recto seems more scooped (go figure) 😂
Music shop nearby has a 60 watt version going 300 bucks. I played it earlier definitely considering buying it. My one question is would there be a major difference in tone between what I’m hearing here and the 60 watt version? Or would it just have less headroom and be slightly quieter?
..there will likely be some nuances in tone with the bigger amps using more tubes and bigger iron…as for loudness…no the 60 (is actually 50 and the 120 is 100) are loud asf and should be played loud as well…
Also 300 seems fair…these things used to go for 100-200 all day but they are going up in value (but so is everything else 😒)
They are also a back breaker lol
What are your rectifier settings man? I've got a triple from the same series and your recto tone is always dialed right in!
Thanks, I think they sound “Alright” most of the time haha! I don’t generally use the same settings all the time. I usually turn things up to let the frequencies breathe, then bass is usually around 9 o’clock. From there I set things wherever I feel they sound good at the time. Sometimes there’s a lot of high end, sometimes not. Cheers -Ryan
As a drummer they sound they same. Don't let me dial in your amp.
Lol!
What pickups are in the Les Paul?
That blue voodoo sounds nasty in the good way lmfao
Crate blue voodoo is the best(for their price), you just have to know what you're doing
Brickwalling?
Groovin'
You made poorman's mesa recto!
Was I supposed to hear a difference? I don't play metal so maybe I just don't have a trained ear for these amps/sounds.
For sure there are quite a few people who don't have a trained ear for the subtle differences. Lots of people also listen to these on their phones, as well. The Mesa has a lot more low end, more grit in the mids as well. The Crate has a little more High End with a bit of a smoother Mid Range. It's a shame that there aren't more shootouts on these two amps, for those who click on a video titled "High gain Shootout" who aren't looking for a "High Gain Shootout". I like to do different types of shootouts to help cover those difference. Which is probably why I make sure to Title those videos to reflect what you will hear. Cheers -Ryan
You should start doing these blind. Do not reveal which amp is which until the end of the video. This eliminates any bias the person has towards one brand or another. You could let them know at the start which two amps they are of course. Then while playing make that blind and let them see if they can pick out which is which. Then reveal at the end of the video which was which. Or do a second video later revealing the truth, give them time to make comments of which is which.
Just not something that I have any interest in doing. but it sounds like you have a great idea to start doing Shootout Videos for yourself! It's always awesome when more people start doing these! Cheers -Ryan
Don't need to watch. The dual rec is the winner.
When I saw this I had to laugh lol..I've seen the Mesa dual rec crush the BV so many times in live situations over the years I've lost count, I've been to band auditions where guitarist meet for the first time brought their rigs (one having a BV and the other having a dual rec) and it was always just embarrassing for the guitarist with the BV, this wasn't just going up against a dual rec, but in any situation where the BV was paired with Marshall, Orange, Peavey or any time tested veteran amp it just didn't have the stones to hold up against them. Crate isn't the only budget game in town, there are others that are worse and as a drummer I wouldn't jam with a guitarist if I saw them walk in with (like a Behringer guitar amp, total hot trash). If you can't afford the bigger guys, then I'd go with a Peavey over Crate any day, and if you can't afford that, then buy a second hand Peavey Mace, or vintage Peavey all tubed head with an effects loop (a lot of these run in the 300 dollar range) then run a higher end distro or overdrive pedal into the return of the FX loop so you use only the power section, and use the pedal as your preamp section. I actually have a buddy that does this cause he can't afford other options, and believe it or not, it rivals the others.
@Ky HL Did you listen? and if so, what are your impressions of these examples? I personally was very impressed at how well Ryan matched the sounds. It sure made me think.
Crate blows