Innovation is the lifeblood of most companies built on technology. Most of the time, ideas that are implemented in product form are merely improvements on existing products – bigger or smaller, modern or vintage design, faster and smaller, quieter or louder. However, products that “change the game” are less often seen. This is not to say that there are not a bunch of great new products out there, but the ones that stand out to me are the devices that are such a good idea – and so simply intuitive – that you say to yourself, “Wow…why didn’t I think of that!”

The Line 6 POD is one product that changed the guitar marketplace. It completely revolutionized the idea of what you should expect from effects devices. Piezo pickups virtually changed our expectations overnight concerning sound support for acoustic instruments. Locking tuners are another unbelievable idea – can someone explain to me why all guitars don’t have locking tuners?

Recently I was sent the new Crate PowerBlock, along with a matching 1x12 cabinet (the GT112SL). I really believe that the PowerBlock has the potential to be one of these market changing technologies. Basically, the PowerBlock is a 150W stereo guitar amp head that fits in a small portable bag. What is even better is that the PowerBlock is thoughtfully designed with all the features you need for headphone practice all the way up to a gig on a “big stage”. I really like this device, but if you want the details then read on!

The Crate PowerBlock and GT112SL Cabinet

Let’s be honest here for a moment. There was a time when Crate did not have the most stellar reputation in the industry. I only mention that because there will be some doubters out there when I tell you that things have changed. The products that Crate has put out in the last couple of years have been outstanding, both in terms of quality and performance. For my gear dollar, I have been taking a hard look at Crate lately when comparing features.

The PowerBlock is one example of the kind of cutting edge engineering in which Crate has been investing. It wasn’t too long ago – only a couple of years ago in fact – that you would have to have a small van to transport your 150W head and cabinet and a dolly to move it all into the gig space. Not to mention all the separate bags for cables, etc. The worst though is breaking it all down afterwards. Transportation and setup issues are now history.

The PowerBlock will drive up to four of the GT112SL cabinets – four in mono or two on each stereo side. A single one of these cabinets can handle the full 150W power of the PowerBlock driven through a 12” Celestion® speaker.

What does this mean to you? Simply put…all the options are yours. If you are a new guitarist – you can simply play the PowerBlock through headphones or a stereo system. As you grow, the system will grow with you. Using the balanced line-out (XLR) you can run the PowerBlock as a pre-amp through the PA system. Adding a single cabinet gives you enough power for practice and small gigs (actually just one of these bad boys is actually pretty darn loud!). Adding a second cabinet allows you to run dual 75W cabinets in stereo. Adding two more cabinets lets you run the equivalent of a 4x12 cabinet or two 2X12 cabinets in stereo.

Since all of this is modular, you can have the array set up as a 4x12 cabinet in a more permanent space (e.g., say a worship hall or basement). If you are going to a practice session or small gig, just put the Powerblock in the bag. Throw the bag and some cables in the back of one of the GT112SL cabinets and carry it to the gig. When you get back – hook it all back up in seconds to its original state. Now this is what I call innovation!

Features of the PowerBlock and Cabinet



The PowerBlock itself is amazingly compact – yet it provides every feature you could want either on the front or the back panel. The unit itself only weighs about 4 ½ pounds. The front panel has the usual amplifier compliment of gain, 3-band EQ, and level knobs. The back panel has a whole host of input and output options as can be seen on the picture and from the feature list below.

Crate PowerBlock Guitar Amp Features:
• 150W mono/75W stereo
• Single-channel FlexWave preamp that can be overdriven in a manner similar to a vacuum tube
• Gain, level, and 3-band EQ knobs (using high, medium, and low frequency knobs)
• Headphone jack
• RCA inputs for CD-Player, iPOD, or MP3 Player
• Effects loop in stereo
• DI (XLR balanced)
• Left, right, and mono speaker outputs
• Switch mode power supply
• Only 4-1/2 lbs.
• Padded travel bag



In similar fashion, the GT112SL cabinet is also relatively light at 36lbs. As mentioned, up to four of these can be used with a single PowerBlock. The cabinet features high quality components, such as a 12” Celestion® speaker, which can handle the PowerBlock at full wattage. Designed for the PowerBlock, the open back design of the cabinet allows you to hold and transport the PowerBlock unit inside as well as additional cables, etc., all held down by Velcro® straps.

Crate GT112SL 1x12 Guitar Cabinet Features:
• High-power Celestion® 12" speaker
• 100W handling
• 8-ohm impedance
• Heavy-duty top-mount handle for easy transport
• Square enclosure with angled baffle
• Semi-open back design with hidden compartments for PowerBlock and cables
• Dual 1/4" jacks
• Designed specifically for use with the PowerBlock
• Stacks with Crate combos
• 21"W x 26-1/2"H x 12"D
• 36 lbs.



Sound Test

In reading a bunch of reviews on the internet to compare my thoughts to what other people have felt about the PowerBlock, I realized that for a simple device there seems to be a great deal of confusion. Let me put something straight, the PowerBlock is a true guitar amplifier. It’s not an amp modeler. The PowerBlock is also not an effects unit. You should run your effects (such as stomp boxes) through the input socket or through the effects loop. There are no patches or programs or internet connectivity. There is none needed. Plug in what you want, or nothing at all, it’s your sound.

Another item of concern is that a couple of people seemed to have trouble getting a clean sound from this amplifier. It is true that by using the gain knob in combination with the guitar volume knobs that you can achieve some vicious levels of distortion, which I was easily able to back off from for leads using the volume control on the guitar. Nevertheless, I had absolutely no trouble finding a great sounding, clean tone suitable for jazz. All the way around, the thing I was most impressed with was that the PowerBlock retains all of the playing dynamics of a real guitar amplifier…and that’s because it is!

It is possible to combine the PowerBlock with a Line 6 POD or other modeler as your effects source if you’ve got all your banks stored and ready for gigging or recording. Any effects you would normally run to an amplifier you can run to the PowerBlock.

I was able to test the PowerBlock with the GT112SL cabinet and through a small PA system. The single GT112SL is wonderfully loud, with great tonal response. In fact, it was too loud for me to crank it all the way in my studio, so I know its loud enough for most small gigs. I played a G&L Invader, an Epiphone Dot Deluxe, and a Yamaha AES820 through the PowerBlock and cabinet combo. In the two guitars with high gain pickups, I found that I was able to get some really nicely saturated tones that cleaned up nicely for lead lines. With the Epiphone, in combination with a reverb unit, I was able to get a sweet clean jazz tone with plenty of headroom.

Then it was time to run it through the PA system. For fun, I had a chance to play out. Since I had this unit for trial, all I brought was my G&L Invader, the PowerBlock in its case, an XLR cable and a guitar cable. When I walked in my friend asked, “What’s that?!?” I grinned and said, “My amp!” As everyone watched me take this baby from it’s tiny case, I was set-up within minutes and rockin’ with a great rhythm guitar sound for the night – hot with just a little bit of crunch.

Conclusion

The PowerBlock clearly represents a great innovation in the marketplace. No longer do you have to lug around a huge guitar head and a huge cabinet in order to get real amplifier tone. Make no mistake this is an amplifier – it’s just one that is just as at home on your desktop as it is hooked up to a 4x12 cabinet. What is even better is that since you can run all your effects through it - just as a normal guitar head – your sound is yours to define.



I really like the PowerBlock – and I’m sure you will as well. This is one piece of gear that I suggest you definitely try out on your own. It could be the answer you’ve been looking for in the balance for live tone, versatility, and portability. As such, I’m giving the PowerBlock and the GT112SL combination the GearHeads approved award for 2006 as well as the “Rig Ready” award since this is once piece of gear that demands to be played.



Daniel Halberg

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