I recently picked up a vintage, St. Louis-made Crate CA60D acoustic amplifier for $50 on Facebook Marketplace. These amps are fantastic for acoustic guitar and singing, but if you are looking to buy one, there is one critical issue you need to test for first.
Check out my full 3-minute diagnostic punchline and the ultimate workaround guide in the video below:
⚠️ The Bad News: The White Noise Reverb Problem
If you are looking at a vintage Crate CA amp and it has a “D” in the model name (like the CA60D) or features a panel with multiple digital “Reverb Mode” choices, the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip is likely failing due to age. My Crate CA60D amp was made in 1999. When you turn up the reverb or chorus, it will generate a loud white noise hiss.
🎉 The Good News: The “Internet Secret” Workaround
Even if the digital chip is shot, you can still get a luscious, powerful, clean sound for gigging or garage jams if you use these exact settings:
- Zero Out the Reverb: Turn the Reverb Return dial all the way down to completely isolate the failing chip.
- Drop the Highs: Turn the High EQ dial all the way down to zero on your channels. This prevents the amp from boosting the high-frequency hiss of the failing chip.
- Gain & Master Setup: Keep your Gain around 10 o’clock and use the clean headroom of the Master Volume to drive your powerful, clean sound.
- Use an External Pedal: Plug a simple, affordable acoustic pedal (like a Sonicake Sonic Wood) into the front input for your reverb and effects needs.
Buyer’s Tip: If you test an amp and find this white noise glitch, don’t walk away from the Crate amp! Use it as leverage to negotiate a great discount with the seller, turn down the reverb return, and enjoy a phenomenal budget amplifier.
For more vintage gear workarounds and beginner-to-advanced guitar tips, visit me over at ShoshinGuitarist.com.