CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

R

rockman23

New member
I think I'm gonna get this---they say it kinda slays Mesas' & Marshalls(Hard for me to beleive)---
The CARVIN V-3 head is only $999.00--it comes w/GrooveTubes, I like that---the V-3combo is $1250.00, 2 celestion vintage30 speakers, & GrooveTubes---I think I'll just get the head, I could send it back for combo if I feel the need...

---Has anyone tried the CARVIN V-3?-----let me know what ya think, please.

-I got the Carvin vintage16 w/Hasserl mods----It still needs a pedal for metal but it does sound good. I just want an amp I DONT HAVE TO USE A PEDAL FOR METAL, ya know?

-I HAD a Marshall dsl401 & that sounded good without a pedal BUT it broke 3 times so I got it fixed AGAIN & sold that biatch!!
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

The V3 is a great amp, but sounds better with a tube swap and re-bias. The Carvin amp leaves the factory setup for reliability- meaning the Groove Tubes are heavy duty, reliable, but don't necessarily sound the best, and they're biased on the cold side so they last longer.

The amp sounds soooo much better with some JJ tubes and proper biasing.

The V3 doesn't need a pedal for metal, but I prefer using a MXR Zakk Wylde boost for a little more edge- just my preference to go from metal to molten lava meltdown. It's not needed though.

Does it slay Mesas and Marshalls? It's different tastes. I have a Marshall JCM 800 4211- that gets a classic rock tone that the V3 can't, but the Marshall is much noisier. The V3 and JCM800 beat the DSL401 I had.

A Mesa Dual Rec? It had a rich metal tone that I liked, but it was too foggy or bassy. I also could really get one good tone out of it.

The Carvin- it's full of great tones from Fender cleans, hot rodded Marshall or Mesa type metal. I can dial in more tones than I can with any other amp, except a Line 6 which doesn't sound as good.

I'm very happy with mine and wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe a Soldano SLO-100
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

--WOW, THANKS for that awsome feedback about CARVIN V-3!!!

--I really want to get a new amp & I think the V-3 is the way to go--from what ya just said, this amp would be PERFECT--for $999.00---seems like a good deal...

--ALSO I can send it back in 10 days for refund if I want!
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

I'd get the head version, since half of that amp really needs a 4-12 to kick out the tight lows. It's a cool looking amp. If it has an adjustable bias, I wouldn't even change tubes, I'd just get it cooking at the perfect bias, and play it.

If you go ahead and buy the 4-12, definitely spend the extra $40 and get the Vintage 30 cab. Don't make the mistake of saving $40 and getting the G12T-75 version. For $1559 and shipping, you can have the halfstack with Vin 30's.
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

jmh151 said:
The V3 is a great amp, but sounds better with a tube swap and re-bias. The Carvin amp leaves the factory setup for reliability- meaning the Groove Tubes are heavy duty, reliable, but don't necessarily sound the best, and they're biased on the cold side so they last longer.

The amp sounds soooo much better with some JJ tubes and proper biasing.
Click to expand...


+1 this is very true. I've had my carvin serviced at the factory and they do bias them cold, and the Grooves it came with were ok, but not great. I'm going to re-do it myself.
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

I work at the Carvin Hollywood store and I have a V3, Legacy and a MTS head
in the sound check room which I re-biased to a nice 38mA per tube. Big improvement!

Mesa/Boogie is on the corner and we had a Mesa Dual rec. and V3 shootout
and guess which one was the winner!
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

-

-I CANT WAIT TO GET THIS AMP--I'm sure it'll sound good when I get it, BUT--I'm gonna EUROTUBE that badboy& re-set the BIAS-----ASAP!!!

--I'm hoping for a 'pedal-less' crunch machine...And I think this is it.
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

frehley said:
I work at the Carvin Hollywood store and I have a V3, Legacy and a MTS head
in the sound check room which I re-biased to a nice 38mA per tube. Big improvement!

Mesa/Boogie is on the corner and we had a Mesa Dual rec. and V3 shootout
and guess which one was the winner!
Click to expand...

I tried the V3 at the Santa Ana Carvin store (where I bought my Legacy halfstack) and it absolutely slayed any rectifier I've ever played. The tonal integrity was much stronger, the EQ actually worked (and worked really well :laugh2:), and it was a really wide-open, full sound.
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

-So far I've heard nothin but GOOD thingsw/this CarvinV-3 amp...

-COME ON, COME ON TAX RETURN!
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

Just make sure you come and see me at the Hollywood store. I was playing the V3 today with my Carvin DC727 with two EMG-707 pickups and NO ONE will ever need an overdrive pedal, at least not for any more gain. Hell, for a nominal fee, I'll re-bias it for you while you wait! Just ask for Frehley when you go in. See you soon.
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

frehley said:
Just make sure you come and see me at the Hollywood store. I was playing the V3 today with my Carvin DC727 with two EMG-707 pickups and NO ONE will ever need an overdrive pedal, at least not for any more gain. Hell, for a nominal fee, I'll re-bias it for you while you wait! Just ask for Frehley when you go in. See you soon.
Click to expand...

You'll rebias it at the store for a nominal fee? Hot damn! I may be coming to see you soon, then!

I'm currently running Groove Tubes Gold Series GT12AX7R's in the preamp of my Legacy and GT Gold Series EL34R's in the power section. To my easr and based on what i wanted that was a big tonal improvement over the stock factory load of Electro Harmonix power tubes and Sovtek pres. I had the factory bias it up just right to sound it's best and get the best performance, as a guy at the Carvin factory "ballaprks it" as far as the mA settings go for tubes but they can be adjusted for better sound. I'm due for a tube change and I've been thinking of getting all JJ's as I've had killer experiences with them in the past ad one of the guys at the Carvin Santa Ana store said the Legacies sound killer with them. I've also been toying with the idea of getting 6L6 power tubes as well, just to see what happens.

In any case... once I get my tubes mind if I take 'em down to your shop and have you set 'em up just right for me?
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

-I wish I lived close enough to the Carvin store(I'm in ColumbusOHIO)--I'll just have to get it through the mail---Otherwise I'd LOVE ya to bias my V3...
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

rockman23 said:
-I wish I lived close enough to the Carvin store(I'm in ColumbusOHIO)--I'll just have to get it through the mail---Otherwise I'd LOVE ya to bias my V3...
Click to expand...

I sent mine to the factory/store in San Diego to have it done the first time. They actually did it while they were investigating a possible malfunction on the amp (there turned out to be none present).
 
Re: CARVIN V-3 amp-dont have to use a PEDAL for METAL, they say!

---That would be excellent if you could BIAS my amp BEFORE Carvin actually sends it to me, that would be sooo excellent!--
 
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