It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:34 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Carvin X-100B amp head 100 watt
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
You don't hear much about these amps (at least not since the '80s), and I wondered if anyone here has one, or has had one in the past, and what thoughts there are about it. I think that it is a great amp, and the features and price make it a very good bargain.

Made in the US, 100 watt, two-channel tube head, with Accutronics spring reverb, four 6L6 and three 12AX7. Controls are: reverb, presence, treble, mid, bass, Lead master (pull for hi lead), lead drive (pull for lead channel), rhythm vol (pull for bright). Five-band EQ that is channel assignable. Selectable wattage output, 25, 50 or 100. Selectable impedance, 4, 8 or 16 ohm, with two output jacks. Footswitchable reverb, channels, and effects loop. Level select for effects loop, +4 dBv, 0, and -10 dBv. Preamp out is XLR jack. The transformer codes are dated 44th week of 1985, so an '85 or '86 model.

The amp needed a little work, but I got it for a decent price. I had to replace the screen grid resistors, and I replaced the output tube sockets with ceramic. Also changed the bias resistor (R127) to get about 15 watts of idle dissipation per tube. Including a whole new set of EH tubes (all seven), and parts, I have about $300 in the amp (not counting my labor), so it was a good deal.

The rhythm channel cleans on full power are fantastic, very much like a Twin Reverb clean, absolutely pristine, clear highs and solid, deep bass, scary loud. :D Selecting 50 or 25 watts for the clean channel gives a warm, rich and smooth, but mild distortion, not the same cleans as when at full-power, but very nice, like a 6V6 breakup.

The Lead channel can go anywhere from warm 6V6 type of breakup sound, to a Marshall tone, to full blown Mesa drive. You can get any of these sounds at low wattage and low volume very nicely.

This amp is very versatile, and can do just about any type of tone that you could want, with all the power needed for any situation. The five-band EQ is really great for shaping the tone of either channel.

This amp model is still made in the US, with slight improvements, but essentially the same amp as the originals. The new models go for around $670, and you can occasionally find good used originals for $350 or so on eBay.

Image

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Carvin X-100B amp head 100 watt
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:51 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:08 pm
Posts: 1307
I have wondered about those. It looks great.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Carvin X-100B amp head 100 watt
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:59 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Here's a link to the new model on the Carvin site, with some more info.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=X100B

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Carvin X-100B amp head 100 watt
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:17 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:00 pm
Posts: 1389
awesome !
100W will kill all birds around your house ! :lol:

_________________
Tissan

*'52 Telecaster RI, '57 Stratocaster RI, Gibson ES175 RI, Washburn Hawk 1980, Epiphone Casino MIK 2000, 57' Deluxe Knotty Alder, BDRI ...*
https://soundcloud.com/pierrou
http://www.youtube.com/user/Jazzenfamille


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: