Yes! I'm getting a new, old amp.

[Bonhomme Richard]

I am buying a 1981 Carvin XV212 for $300.00. My brother bought it new in 1981 and it has hardly been used so it is like brand new. My main amp has been a Roland JC-120 but I have been keeping my eye open for a decent tube amp and maybe this is it. I am picking it up Friday and will let you know how it sounds.

[east texas lib]

1. Sweet!

I have no experience with Carvin guitar amps, but their bass amps I've heard sounded ok compared to
their cost. If it's all tube amp you're getting that would be cool, indeed.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. I Played Through Two Of Their Amps In The Past

I was most pleased at the tone and flexibility of both of them. They were both owned by friends of the band, and i played through each of them at one block party or another to which we were invited to play.

The combo amp was a 60 watt with one 12". Smooth tone and plenty of saturation on the heavy channel.

The other was a 100 watt head with a 4x12 cabinet. BIG sound from that! Very Marshall like.

Hope your's is as good as what i heard with those other two.
GAC

[old mark]

3. I have never heard any bad about Carvin amps, and I'd like

to hear what you think of yours.
One of the overall best electric guitars I ever owned was a Carvin. Best neck of any I have ever played.

mark

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. First impression.

Jesus, it's heavy.............Kidding. ....not really 70Lbs.
Sounds real good but there will be a learning curve. There are so many ways to tweak the sound I am dumbfounded. Rhythm Volume (pull out and it gives more brightness), Rhythm Master (pull out and it boost gain), Lead Volume (pull out it does something else), Lead Master (pull out and boost gain), bass, mid, treble, presence, plus a 5 band equalized you can turn on and off with the foot peddle, same with reverb. Flip a switch in the back and run it at 60 watts or 100 watts. A lot to get used to but so far sounds great. The clean rivals that of a good fender amp and the sustain last forever.
My main amp has always been a Roland JC-120 and it is no way near as complicated, or should I say it lacks ways to tweak the sound.
I'll let you know more when I get a feel for the settings but......I think I'm in love.
By the way even though it's a 1981 amp it looks brand new.
Not bad for $300.00.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Glad To Hear It

And yeah, you got a bargain on that amp.
GAC

[SacredCow]

5. I've heard good things about their amps...

Congratulations, and welcome to the world of tube amps!

I have to get mine to the shop (again) soon....

[Iggo]

7. Congratulations on your knew tube amp.

In my limited experience, the only "bad" thing about anything Carvin is the (to me anyway) prohibitive price.

You seem to have gotten around that.

Nice.

[old mark]

8. Never heard much bad about Carvin equpiment -

I would be interested to know how it works for you over time, if you could.

Thanks.

mark