Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Since Carvin is Out of Business, High gain history? and Boogie Question
First off owned a BUNCH of Carvin amps over the years and one thing that I know is they are notorious for making changes to the amps with out announcing them. So you play a X 100 B Hot Rod Mod head and fall in love with it don't buy that one but later think wow loved that amp think i will buy one so find a Hot Rod Mod head snag it and --- doesn't sound like you expect so?? Reason is it was a different run and they re-voiced the things and this one sounds much different from the one you fell in love with. I owned a 91 X 100B Hot Rod head had some one offer me stupid money for it sold it thinking I could just grab another one that sounded like it and found out about this the hard way.
Moral here is while some Carvin amps are GREAT some aren't so much you have to let your ear be the guide looking for one used unless you really know them.
That said if you know the feel you are trying to get out of an amp don't get so caught up with exact circuits and such as play a few amps in the ballpark and see how they feel and respond let your ears be the guide more than just trying to match specs. Different designs can surprise you at times find what gives you the tone and feel that you have in your head.
I got lucky and snagged a 91 X50B Hot Rod Mod head that was a factory EL 34 amp and voiced like my first X100b a while back but I played a bunch of those amps that I didn't connect with.
Lot or REALLY good sounding stuff out there try some stuff out and find a fit rather than trying to find a match on paper.
As for my quest on the Hot Rod Mod head here is my 50 from today at Church running just amp gain only my Carvin ST 300 Dimarzio Liquifire/ gravity storm set and me with a little Reverb and delay in the loop. Running the Hot Rod Mod engaged gain at only round 2 and master 3.5 or so full power mode just bairley getting her up where she can start to fatten up get out of the fizz open up tonally and really sing but you get the idea. Hope you find your holy grail man I did.
First off owned a BUNCH of Carvin amps over the years and one thing that I know is they are notorious for making changes to the amps with out announcing them. So you play a X 100 B Hot Rod Mod head and fall in love with it don't buy that one but later think wow loved that amp think i will buy one so find a Hot Rod Mod head snag it and --- doesn't sound like you expect so?? Reason is it was a different run and they re-voiced the things and this one sounds much different from the one you fell in love with. I owned a 91 X 100B Hot Rod head had some one offer me stupid money for it sold it thinking I could just grab another one that sounded like it and found out about this the hard way.
Moral here is while some Carvin amps are GREAT some aren't so much you have to let your ear be the guide looking for one used unless you really know them.
That said if you know the feel you are trying to get out of an amp don't get so caught up with exact circuits and such as play a few amps in the ballpark and see how they feel and respond let your ears be the guide more than just trying to match specs. Different designs can surprise you at times find what gives you the tone and feel that you have in your head.
I got lucky and snagged a 91 X50B Hot Rod Mod head that was a factory EL 34 amp and voiced like my first X100b a while back but I played a bunch of those amps that I didn't connect with.
Lot or REALLY good sounding stuff out there try some stuff out and find a fit rather than trying to find a match on paper.
As for my quest on the Hot Rod Mod head here is my 50 from today at Church running just amp gain only my Carvin ST 300 Dimarzio Liquifire/ gravity storm set and me with a little Reverb and delay in the loop. Running the Hot Rod Mod engaged gain at only round 2 and master 3.5 or so full power mode just bairley getting her up where she can start to fatten up get out of the fizz open up tonally and really sing but you get the idea. Hope you find your holy grail man I did.
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