JohnBartus Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 Craig (and everyone), I'm currently in the market for an electric guitar combo amp and trying to do some research from my outpost in the Keys. I recently got a Carvin catalog in the mail, and it quotes you at length concerning the SX line of amps. Seeing as you have a rather extensive background in fuzz and guitar circuits, is it as good as you say in the catalog? ("...some of the sweetest distortion sounds I've ever heard from a solid state amp... Carvin's distortion circuit though is exceptional... the Carvin sounds better than a lot of tube circuits I've used....") The price point on the SX100D is pretty reasonable ($379), and if anyone else out there has had experience with this amp (or others in this price range), please chime in! Looking forward to some informative discourse... ------------------ John Bartus Radio Active Productions We Make Great Radio Happen - Guaranteed. 1-888-93-RADIO www.radioactivedigital.com John Bartus Music From The Fabulous Florida Keys www.johnbartus.com www.cdbaby.com/bartus www.radioactivedigital.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 My only comment here, is, (as you probably know): Before dropping bucks on an amp, it may sound good in a low volume environment (store, living room, etc.), but make sure you give it a shot in a balls-to-the-wall environment. I've tried many a seemingly-impressive amp in a store, only to be disappointed on the gig. I've heard good stuff about Carvins...haven't tried them meself... The nice thing about Carvin stuff is that you can try it on the gig. If it isn't what you're looking for, send it back. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 Wow, that review was written years ago. I better look at that catalog, might be time to re-evaluate my opinion in the light of more recent developments. But it did sound really good...Carvin doesn't suck, and as pointed out, you can return it if you're not happy. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael saulnier Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 John, I live in San Diego, near the Carvin factory so I've had a chance to check out all of their current amp products. You don't mention what kind of tones you're looking for from an amp, but I'll share my perspective as a Blues, Jazz, Rock kinda guy. Although their solid state amps are pretty nice, I still like the sound of tube powered amps better. Carvin makes several types of these at decent prices and for my style they're superior in terms of overall sound and feel. The solid state ones are a little "crisp" and "dry". That's probably good for some people, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I am a pretty big fan of the Steve Vai signature amp they sell. If you need to be loud, it's a good choice... but a lot more expensive than the solid state amp. It's okay sounding at lower volumes, but doesn't really "sing" IMHO unless it's turned up loud. Personally when I bought a new amp about a year or so ago I looked at a variety of combos makers including Carvin, and ended up with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. It had the right combination of awesome clean sound, easy to move around size and weight, it is "gig friendly" sounding good loud or soft, it has an effects loop, decent reverb and is only about $500. I still think it's a good deal. Hope this helps a little... if you want more info e-mail me at guitplayer@aol.com. guitplayer I'm still "guitplayer"! Check out my music if you like... http://www.michaelsaulnier.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 Originally posted by guitplayer: I am a pretty big fan of the Steve Vai signature amp they sell. If you need to be loud, it's a good choice... but a lot more The old (black tolex/"swoopy" logo) Carvin 100 watt heads were great if you kept the preamp knob turned low. In fact, probably some of the chunkiest amps ever made if set up right; I'm surprised they haven't resurfaced with all of the heavy stuff that's going on now.... A cheap (and better IMO) alternative to a JCM series Marshall, used or new. http://www.mp3.com/chipmcdonald Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profesrgeo Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 John, I had the opportunity to check out a Tech 21 Trademark 10 recently. Its definitely worth a listen if you don't need/want earsplitting levels. If you need more volume/options a combination I've been impressed by recently is running a POD into a Mini Brute. Good Luck geo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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