There is something special about guitars that has kept them relevant even after the advent of advanced musical instruments. It stands head and shoulders above other instruments in terms of versatility, affordability, and accessibility.
Its portability also gives it an edge over other instruments as you can easily carry it anywhere you want.
No doubt, a guitar is a capable instrument; however, it may not produce the perfect tones by itself. Professional musicians recommend using a few tools to improve their tones.
A guitar amp is one highly recommended tool that enhances your tones. It is an electronic device that guitarists use to strengthen sound signals.
Guitar amps have become ubiquitous as of late as more and more guitarists are opting for them. Expectedly then, the industry has cutthroat competition with companies launching models day in, day out.
However, only a few companies have succeeded in winning the market, and Crate is surely one of them. It is a popular company that has manufactured many quality guitar amps and other accessories over the years.
It has been at the forefront of the industry and has many loyal customers all over the world.
The Crate Powerblock guitar amp is one of the best-selling products by the company. It is a feature-packed guitar amp and has been embraced by many famous guitarists. However, users have also reported a few problems while using it.
This roundup offers four common Crate Powerblock guitar amp problems and their viable solutions. Let’s delve right into it!
Dealing With Crate Powerblock Problems
Here are a few problems that you may come across while using the Crate Powerblock guitar amp.
1. Configuration Issues
Configuration issues are quite common with the Crate Powerblock guitar amp. To enjoy the best playing experience, you need to configure the amp first. This problem is mainly reported by beginners as they often fail to set the right configuration.
Consider reading the operator manual of your Crate Powerblock guitar amp to gain insight into the configuration settings.
The Crate Powerblock guitar amp comes with configuration knobs that help you set the right configuration according to your playing style.
Moreover, you will learn about the configuration settings as you use your guitar amp. So, you will likely sort it out over time.
2. Compatibility Problems
Many users have reported compatibility problems with the Crate Powerblock guitar amp. As a matter of fact, this problem is not limited to this model only.
Unlike most guitar amps nowadays, the Crate Powerblock guitar amp does not come with in-built speakers.
Not only do you have to buy speakers separately, but you also need to make sure that they are compatible with your Crate Powerblock guitar amp.
It is a relatively older model, and it may show connectivity issues if you try to connect it with the latest speaker models.
If you are having a hard time trying to connect the Crate Powerblock guitar amp to your speakers, consider connecting it to some other speaker. If it connects, this would mean that it is not compatible with the previous speakers.
The best thing to avoid compatibility issues is to check your Crate Powerblock guitar amp’s compatibility before purchasing it. It is a good idea to conduct some research online. You will likely find information regarding its compatibility on Crate’s official website.
So, go to the website and navigate to your product to get detailed information. A few other authentic websites and forums on the internet can also help you in this regard.
Apart from that, the user manual can also answer your questions. It has all the guidelines and information regarding the Crate Powerblock guitar amp.
And yes, you can download it online in case you have misplaced it. Visit the company’s website, and you will likely find it there.
3. Knobs Not Working
Like all other guitar amps, the Crate Powerblock guitar amp also uses knobs to help you control its settings. However, they may become unresponsive at times for some reason.
Your amp will turn on normally and produce sound as it normally does. However, you won’t be able to adjust the volume in such cases. This problem will likely occur if you do not regularly clean your amp.
The Crate Powerblock guitar amp needs regular maintenance for its optimal working. It may sound hectic, but it is important for your amp’s well-being. If you do not clean it regularly, it may attract dust particles from your surroundings.
If not dealt with in time, these particles can get stuck inside the knobs, rendering them unresponsive.
So, consider cleaning your Crate Powerblock guitar amp if its knobs have stopped working lately. This will likely fix the problem, and they will start working again as they are supposed to.
The good news for you is that you can easily clean it at home. If you are unsure about the cleaning process, here is how you can do it:
The first step is to disassemble your Crate Powerblock guitar amp. The user manual will tell you how to disassemble it.
Once done, grab an appropriate cleaning agent (usually a spray) to clean it. Be mindful that not every cleaning spray is suitable for this purpose.
If you choose any random cleaning spray, it may damage your amp’s internal components. So, make sure to ask the seller whether it is fit to use for this purpose or not. If it’s not, look elsewhere.
4. Not Turning On
Another problem that you may run into while using the Crate Powerblock guitar amp is that it does not turn on sometimes. When this problem occurs, the amp does not work, even when connected to the power supply.
In most cases, the problem is with the power supply. So, go over all the cables of your Crate Powerblock guitar amp and double-check that they are connected as they are supposed to.
If they are not hooked in properly or are damaged, your Crate Powerblock guitar amp will not turn on.
If you are using a mixer, make sure it is not muted. Another reason could be a blown-out fuse. So, have a look at the fuse panel and make sure they are in good working condition.
If they show signs of damage, go to your nearby music store and get a fuse of the right amperage rating to replace the blown-out fuse.
If the speakers have blown out, you will hear a constant buzzing sound. If that’s the case, you will need to replace the speakers to fix this problem. Visit a technician, and they will replace the speakers.
In addition, avoid overusing your Crate Powerblock guitar amp. If it heats up, turn it off immediately and let it rest for several minutes. Overusing can cause overheating, damaging many components of your amp and affecting its overall performance.
The Bottom Line
The Crate Powerblock guitar amp is a popular guitar amp that strengthens your sound signals while maintaining their tonal quality. However, a few problems may pop up over time.
We have discussed all those issues and their easy troubleshooting steps in this article. If the knobs become unresponsive, consider cleaning them thoroughly using a cleaning spray. Furthermore, avoid overusing it as it can cause your amp to overheat.
Never had any problems with my two Crate Power Blocks.
I have them in a rack case , on a pull out roller shelf and they both give me great sound with no issues at all .