Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

[BluesGuyJ]

Hey guys, my deal on a Vox AD120VTH fell through but I found a local Carvin Valvemaster 100watt head for $300. From what I can tell, the cleans are supposed to be pretty good and people are 50/50 on the distortion channel. Has anyone here ever tried one? I know that each channel has independent tone controls and volume controls and that it is switchable to 50w instead of 100w.

I can get this for only $300, how do you feel about these amps? How is the distortion? I am not too worried about it being super high gain, I can always get a OD or Distortion pedal to boost that shiz.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

For the money, you aren't that far away from owning a AD120VTH. See if you can find it's smaller sibling the AD60VTH on ebay or something. It's a killer amp too and the only difference is that it's not stereo. Other than that, it's the same amp as the 120VTH. Buy another one day and you're rocking just like you have the AD120VTH plus the ability to bi-amp with different presets (an awesome feature right there) when using the VC-12 foot controller.

Be patient right now. I know you want to start playing some cool new stuff now that you have some cash built up, but you have to be patient at this stage. Going off half-c0cked is not the thing to do at this point. You will just be disappointed in the end. Don't get something "fair" or "ok" when it's not what you really want. Get what you really want the first time.

 

[saladin]

Re: Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

The Valvemaster will have excellent cleans but the distortion is diode generated-not tube. It's the equivelent of having a built in distortion pedal. Not very pleasing!!! If your only using the clean channel with pedals it would be fine, personally I would hold off for something else.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

+10000000 ref Gr8Scotts comments, be patient and get the gear YOU want... REGRETS, I've had a few........

 

[jerryjg]

Re: Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

I had a Carvin Valvemaster stagemaster 2X12 Combo. I did some mods to it and everything possible but it was the most icepicky amp Ive ever heard in my life. Horrible. Sold it as fast as I could.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Carvin Valvemaster... Opinions? Experience?

+10000000 ref Gr8Scotts comments, be patient and get the gear YOU want... REGRETS, I've had a few........

I've had more than a few. I bought gear because it was supposed to be good on paper. Listening to those who have been there and following my own taste is what has lead me to tonal nirvana thus far. Seeking out those items that make my ears and fingers happy is what has made me the happiest. Buying something just because I've got GAS is often the worst thing I could do. Gotta keep a cool head if you want to get it right the first time.