Crate GX-80 | 2-Channel, 80-Watt, 1x12" Solid State Guitar Combo, mid-90s - Black

Made in the USA, Crate GX-80, 80 watt Combo Amp with foot switch.

This was a mind melting little combo back in the mid-90s. It has had one owner, and never gigged.
Minimal nicks and scuffs for an amp around 30 years old (see photos). The worst cosmetic defects are two missing knobs.

It still sounds really good when it wants to. The problem is, it will randomly get fuzzy and fade out. I don’t know what’s wrong, but hopefully it’s an easy fix for an amp tech. If not, it’s still a great piece of 90s nostalgia.

Crate FS-60 foot switch included. It is for toggling between the two channels and turning the reverb on and off. When I tested it, the channel toggle worked correctly and the reverb toggle worked after I readjusted the input connection. Possibly just a dirty input, but I can’t say for sure. The rubber protection sleeve at the end of the cable is no longer attached to the plug. This is mostly a cosmetic problem (See picture).

Specs

• 80 Watts
• 12" Speaker
• Two inputs: 0dB and -6dB
• Two channels: distortion and clean
• Spring reverb
• 1 output jack (not tested)
• 1 aux input jack (not tested)
• Included foot switch

Manufacture’s description from the manual

GX-80 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Output Power Rating

• 80 watts RMS @ 5% THD 8 ohm minimum load

Speaker Size and Rating

• Custom Design 12"

Input Impedance

• 220K ohms/"0dB” input
• 44K ohms/”-6dB” input

Maximum Input Signal Level Accepted

• 4 volts, p-p/"0dB" input
• 8 volts, p-p/“-6dB” input

Signal to Noise Ratio

• Channel A: 45dB with all controls @ "10" Low, Shape, High @ ”0”
• Channel B: 67dB with all controls @ ”10” Bright off

Low Control

• 9dB Boost @ 80Hz

Shape Control

• Proprietary circuit

High Control

• 15dB Boost @ 1kHz

Low Control

• 10dB Range a 80kHz

Mid Control

• 16dB Range @ 1kHz

High Control

• 17dB Range @ 5kHz

Input Power Requirements

• 120VAC, 60Hz, 200 watts max

Fuse Rating and Type

• 2 amp Slo Blow, 250V internal

Cabinet Size and Weight

• 17.5"H x 20.25"W × 9.75*D
• 34 lbs.

FRONT PANEL-INPUT SECTION

• 0dB Input jack accepts a standard 1/4" plug and is suitable for any low to line level signal source.
• -6dB Input jack also accepts a standard 1/4" plug but is padded 6dB for hotter inputs such as tape decks or or guitars with hot pickups. If both jacks are used, this input is not padded and will be equal to the 0dB input jack.

CHANNEL A CONTROLS

• Gain set is used to set the level of distortion.
• Level controls the overall volume and should be used in conjunction with the Gain control.
• Low adjusts the amount of low frequency tone.
• Shape adjusts the general tone. Counterclockwise emphasizes mid-range frequencies and clockwise emphasizes low and high frequencies.
• High adjusts the amount of high frequency tone or "presence".

CHANNEL SWITCHING CONTROLS

• Channel A Indicator LED will be lit when the amplifier is in Channel A mode.
• Channel Select Switch is used to select Channel A or Channel B. This switch is defeated if an external footswitch is used.
• Channel B Indicator LED will be lit when the amplifier is in Channel B mode.

CHANNEL B CONTROLS

• Volume sets the overall listening level of Channel B. This control is independent of any setting made in Channel A.
• Low adjusts the amount of low frequency tone.
• Mid adjusts the amount of mid-range frequency tone.
• High adjusts the amount of high frequency tone
• Bright Switch gives a brighter tone.

COMMON CONTROLS

• Reverb sets the acoustical qualities of the amp.
• Footswitch jack is to be used with the Channel Select/Reverb footswitch.
• Line Out jack is used to link the GX-80 to additional amplifiers or to connect the amp to a tape recorder. Simply run a cable from the output of this jack to the input of another amplifier or tape deck. External speakers cannot be hooked up to this jack.
• Line In jack is used as a direct input to the power amp. It can be used in conjunction with the Line Out jack for an effects loop.
• Power Indicator LED will be lit when the unit is turned on.
• Power Switch turns AC power on or off.

REAR PANEL

• Power Cord: Your GX-80 is equipped with a heavy-duty grounded three-wire power cord. Be sure this cord is properly plugged into a safely wired grounded 120 volt, 60Hz AC power outlet before use. For your safety, never attempt to defeat the ground connection on this cord.