Having flashbacks and I hate it

yeah, I've never used one of the crates. Probably a time-bomb considering that they're all like 10+ years old at this point. But it's the only stereo one I can think of besides that Milkman pedal amp.

benadrian wrote: Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:19 pm I want to find something that is a secret steal; like a forgotten Peavey from 8 years ago that sounds terrible but has an effects loop. Anyone keeping any secrets?

I know this doesn't actually help you, but it isn't rack-mount!

https://reverb.com/item/84304468-fender ... 1992-black

Has mono & stereo FX loops, and no speakons!

Nate Dort wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 5:53 am yeah, I've never used one of the crates. Probably a time-bomb considering that they're all like 10+ years old at this point. But it's the only stereo one I can think of besides that Milkman pedal amp.

I believe the Milkman pedalboard amps are class D power section with a tube preamp.

cakes wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 12:16 pm

Nate Dort wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 5:53 am yeah, I've never used one of the crates. Probably a time-bomb considering that they're all like 10+ years old at this point. But it's the only stereo one I can think of besides that Milkman pedal amp.

I believe the Milkman pedalboard amps are class D power section with a tube preamp.

Yeah, and there's no way to bypass the preamp, so probably not a good solution.

W.L.Weller wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:48 am

benadrian wrote: Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:19 pm I want to find something that is a secret steal; like a forgotten Peavey from 8 years ago that sounds terrible but has an effects loop. Anyone keeping any secrets?

I know this doesn't actually help you, but it isn't rack-mount!

https://reverb.com/item/84304468-fender ... 1992-black

Has mono & stereo FX loops, and no speakons!

I owned the black knob version of that in the late 90s to use as an "all-in-one" stereo power amp and cabinet with rack gear. It was my shoegaze days.
Pic 1
Pic2

Check it out. 1998. Dyed black hair. Just about to turn 23.
The rig: guitar, a few pedals, then a split. Path A, a few more pedals to a Yamaha T50 or T100 combo. Path B to a rack processor and the stereo power amp in of the ultra/ultimate chorus. It was totally stupid, but fun at the time.

Those pics are hawt.

Frankie99 wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 5:02 pm Those pics are hawt.

Nothing say "indie cred" more than a show in your friend's girlfriend's family's den in the suburbs!

What's more indie than living room shows? Sorry I don't have a good non-rack stereo power amp suggestion, a cursory browse suggests it's never been a very crowded field.

W.L.Weller wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:48 am

benadrian wrote: Thu Jul 31, 2025 6:19 pm I want to find something that is a secret steal; like a forgotten Peavey from 8 years ago that sounds terrible but has an effects loop. Anyone keeping any secrets?

I know this doesn't actually help you, but it isn't rack-mount!

https://reverb.com/item/84304468-fender ... 1992-black

Has mono & stereo FX loops, and no speakons!

I'd LOVE to share my experience with this amp!

First, I think they sound great! Tons of mids it just nails the old school punk sound which isn't for everyone. The Chorus on this = also amazing and underrated. I listen to those high school punk band recordings we did w/ this thing and just love how it sounds.

Second, they are AWFUL in terms of reliability! Mine took a shit on me and apparently they were a bad design that was SO bad that Fender washed their hands of them and refused to service them...as did my tech for that matter. I can only imagine how unreliable they are 30 years on. I'd love to hear any actual knowledge anyone might have about this series.

Third, I eked a few extra years out of mine by bypassing the fried preamp section and running a (not kidding) METAL ZONE as a preamp directly into the power amp input. I'm not at all kidding when I say it sounded completely decent/not bad. I was using it at a weekly open mic I was hosting and week after week folks were raising an eyebrow at this weird rigged up amp but I was able to dial it from clean jam stuff to blues dudes and heavier stuff.

But yeah it's in the landfill now and I'm surprised there are any still out there in any way still functioning.