Finally got my Carlsbro 50 TOP

[zeegler]

Thought I posted this already. Must be on crack.

Finally my Carlsbro 50 TOP arrived.








I haven't had all that much playing time on it yet, but I can say for sure that I like it a lot.

It's basically a 2 channel amp, with dual footswitchable masters for the gain channel. The loop can be used either parallel or series, and can be turned on/off with the footswitch too. There is also a footswitchable boost on the gain channel. Without the boost, the gain goes up to 80 metal type levels, and with the boost, will do all but the brootalist of brootalz. It's a somewhat loose sounding amp without the boost engaged, and has a really creamy lead sound. The built in boost tightens it up a lot. It's actually very Marshally, and sounds much like an 800 with more gain, but not quite as crunchy.

The amp will run at 25 watts in triode mode, or 50 watts in pentode. It sounds much brighter in pentode mode, and I think I prefer the triode setting. This might be due to the somewhat small transformers. I'll bet putting some beefier trannies in this thing would give it way more girth and balls at the higher power setting. I may look into it, because I really like the sound of this amp.

Now I need to find a schematic.

[DonP]

Doesn't look half bad. What does it sound like?

How much was it?

[zeegler]

Doesn't look half bad. What does it sound like?

How much was it?

Like I said, it's very Marshally. Sounds like an 800 with more gain. In 50 watt mode it doesn't have as much boot to it though, probably because the OT isn't very big.

[horns666]

Damn, it looks well built. That box look like a HiWatt with a very yellow sumbitch on it.

Hey Zeegs, I like the B-52. I'm kicking myself in the dick for not buying that mint halfstack for $650 out the door. I was pretty surpised really...very smooth, warm, responsive gain with some major "chug" action.

[horns666]

Zeegs, Is there a stomp in front of this, or does it actually sound this thick and ballsy..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwvtv325THs

Sounds like enough gain to me.

or is it more like this. Either way sounds good to me...good tone.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5VeY...eature=related

[fuel0707]

What tubes do you have in it? Can it run different types of power tubes?

[DonP]

Like I said, it's very Marshally. Sounds like an 800 with more gain. In 50 watt mode it doesn't have as much boot to it though, probably because the OT isn't very big.

Did you get the Laney running normally (I remember you saying the effects loop was messed with). A Laney could be considered Marshally, so is it like that?

I'm not sure if I'd flip the bill for bigger trannies unless this was a real keeper. The return on investment for trannies isn't too hot. You spend $500 on trannies and maybe it increases the value of the amp $100 or so.

I was working on my Laney AOR 50 combo and was amazed at how huge the trannies are. Can't believe I paid just $200 for it out the door.

The only issue is that it weighs a ton, being a sealed back and made out of particle board. I wish they would have spent more on the cabinets.

[zeegler]

Zeegs, Is there a stomp in front of this, or does it actually sound this thick and ballsy..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwvtv325THs

Sounds like enough gain to me.

or is it more like this. Either way sounds good to me...good tone.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5VeY...eature=related

I'm thinking that the first clip might have an OD in front as a boost, just to tighten it up a little. It does have a fair amount of gain with the built-in boost engaged. Other than that, yeah, that's pretty much what the amp sounds like if you cut the mids somewhat. I've been playing mine with the bass, mid and treble controls all at 12 oclock, and it sounds great.

I do kinda miss the B-52. That amp was pretty damn cool.

[zeegler]

What tubes do you have in it? Can it run different types of power tubes?

It came with JJ EL34s, and as far as I know, it's not set up to run any other kind of tube.

[zeegler]

Did you get the Laney running normally (I remember you saying the effects loop was messed with). A Laney could be considered Marshally, so is it like that?

I'm not sure if I'd flip the bill for bigger trannies unless this was a real keeper. The return on investment for trannies isn't too hot. You spend $500 on trannies and maybe it increases the value of the amp $100 or so.

I was working on my Laney AOR 50 combo and was amazed at how huge the trannies are. Can't believe I paid just $200 for it out the door.

The only issue is that it weighs a ton, being a sealed back and made out of particle board. I wish they would have spent more on the cabinets.

Yeah, the Laney is all fixed up. The loop is put back to stock, and works perfectly now. As for the sound, I really don't know why people call them Marshally. It doesn't sound really anything like an 800 to me. It sounds dry and gravelly to me, not sparkly like a Marshall. I think I'm gonna get rid of it. It just doesn't suit me. It's either that, or rip the board out, and build a true 800 clone inside it. MUHAHAHAHA!!!

As far as the trannies in the Carlsbro go, I'm not really worried about return on investment. I'd probably only swap out the OT anyway. It's a little early to say yet, but I believe the Carsbro is a keeper. I'm gonna try some different tubes in it, try a few different boost pedals, etc., but it's already close to perfect for what I'm looking for.

[zeegler]

Hehe, just got done playing it again. Scratch what I said about the trannies. They do look a little small compared to the Drakes in my Marshall, but they seem to be up to the task. I messed around with it some more in 50 watt mode, and all you have to do, is back off a little treble, and the bass and mids seem to come alive. It seem like the tone controls affect each other. You turn the treble up, and the bass and mids go down. Weird. I had this thing at 75% volume for a few minutes just now, and my fuckin ears are throbbing.

I gotta get you guys some clips of this beast.

[DonP]

I just got done playing the AOR 50 Combo (V30 speaker) and love the way it sounds. Too bad it didn't work for you. When I play it it sounds meaty to me. The Master Volume does make a difference. I needs to be cranked to get a better tone. When turned down, it gets fizzy and gainy.

I have a DSL100 1/2 stack and find my Laney head to be a good fit with it. The DSL has the lead and clean covered, and the Laney the crunch rhythm.

[DonP]

Found this on the Plexi Palace. Carlsbro going bankrupt. Maybe your amp's value will increase now that they won't be produced any more?

http://www.vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=81984

[zeegler]

Found this on the Plexi Palace. Carlsbro going bankrupt. Maybe your amp's value will increase now that they won't be produced any more?

http://www.vintageamps.com/plexiboar...p?f=10&t=81984

Actually, Carlsbro haven't made this amp since 2004, which is when mine was made. They closed up shop in England after that, and now only sell cheap combo amps that are made in China. Sad to see another old manufacturer going down the tubes for sure. I'd like to pick up one of the original 50 Top amps from the 70s. They are very much like a JCM800. Leslie West was a big fan of them apparently.

[DonP]

Cool to know.

I've been pouring over Laney AOR, Marshall (2203, 2210, Silver Jub), Soldano SLO100, Rivera, Mesa,... schematics lately.

Yeah, I can see why the AOR would and would not sound like a Marshall. Gain stages are different, tone stack is different. It really is it's own unique amp. In the past I thought it was a 2203 with an extra two (one full tube) gain stages, but there is just too much different compared to the 2203.