Anyone play Carvin amps?

[ken361]

I have a all tube 50 watt with 5 12ax7's and 4 el84's its a vintage belair amp. Its good for clean and distortion is ok not a metal amp but im running a vox tonelab in the clean channel it freakin rocks. Old vanhalen down to the tee. Its got JJ's preamp tubes and sovtec's in the power tubes. I got it on a trade for my spider valve and I took the v30's and stuck them in the new amp. Any thoughts on these amps?

[straycat]

I have anX100B head and 4X12 cab and love it.Solid amps IMO.

[ken361]

Get a good metal out of it? Whats the differance in the EL84's 34's 6l6's. Im sure yours cranks.

[DonP]

Whats the differance in the EL84's 34's 6l6's.

EL84 = Low wattage per tube. At most 17 "CLEAN" watts from a pair in push pull. I think saying that 4 will give you 50w is pushing it.
EL34 = More power, about 50 per pair. A 100w Marshall has 4.
6L6 = About the same as EL34. A 100w Fender/Boogie has 4.

EL84's are often referred to as baby EL34's. Supposed to sound similar, but just less wattage.

[charvel750]

I've had 2 Carvin tube heads, this is their Valve Master:



Great amp, very similar to a Marshall JCM 800, but more gain and probably more loudness!

My favorite Carvin so far is the MTS 3200, which is now out of production:



I have yet to try the Carvin Legacy and the newer V3.

[straycat]

Mine has EL 34's and is a very warm sounding amp.Mine's an 88/ black tolex.The drive channel is not bone cruncing but still has a lot of growl.
I use a Fulltone OCD stombox thru the clean channel and I get all the OD I can handle.The clean tone this amp produces is top notch.

[Radiohead]

I have a legacy. It's awesome! I found great tone with just the guitar and amp. One thing, the amp is insanely loud!!! And it does not come to life until yo break 4 and keep the gain around 7 or 8. If you are not playing a stadium you will need an attenuator (both 1/2 stack and combo).

My rig is MXR Zakk Wylde Wah, MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive, MXR EVH Flanger, Legacy AMP (Loop - Eq, BBE Sonic Max, G Sharp).

Cleans are great, almost sound wet with chorus.

[jgcable]

I'v had just about every Carvin amp. The Belair is great. My bandmate currently uses a V3 which really kills.

[ken361]

So these el84's need to be rebiased? A must??

[DonP]

So these el84's need to be rebiased? A must??

?

Who in this thread said anything about bias?

[ken361]

?

Who in this thread said anything about bias?

Was wondering if all EL84's need biasing when replacing on the carvin amps.

[straycat]

You re-bais the amp not the tubes.

[ken361]

I have a legacy. It's awesome! I found great tone with just the guitar and amp. One thing, the amp is insanely loud!!! And it does not come to life until yo break 4 and keep the gain around 7 or 8. If you are not playing a stadium you will need an attenuator (both 1/2 stack and combo).

My rig is MXR Zakk Wylde Wah, MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive, MXR EVH Flanger, Legacy AMP (Loop - Eq, BBE Sonic Max, G Sharp).

Cleans are great, almost sound wet with chorus.

How is the distortion without the overdrive pedal?

[toejam]

Was wondering if all EL84's need biasing when replacing on the carvin amps.

Just like any other tube amp, if you replace the tubes with the same brand and rating that are already in there, you shouldn't have to rebias the amp.

[ken361]

Thanks!