Hey man I'm glad i found your V3 vidz i didnt know you had any, i read your comments about how you think its comparable gain wise to Engl, which is good to hear i'm pretty convinced this is my next head!
I saw the new V3 on Tone Kings video. Small package. I've been listening and comparing so many amps my head is about to spin. LOL I am sorta drawn to the Mesa Dual Rec for some wallet draining reason.
@hawg427 you know zach from titan amps had a mesa racktifier and ended up selling it because he couldn't modify it to sound as good as his basic 2 channel titan. I can't argue with him on that one... just sayin hahaha
I was at the Carvin website last night and saw your plug. I know you love your Titan and Splawn but how would you compare the V3 to let's say the new model Mesa Dual Rec or the Powerball 2 amps? The only way to hear a Carvin is either order one or know somebody that has one. I know Tone King still has his Carvin.
@hawg427 compared to the splawn and titans, their clarity and core tone are so much better but the V3 has more options than anything else (pretty much) on the planet so for that, it's hard to beat if you want every option possible. they have a new mini v3 they just announced at namm.
@cruefan1991 dokken is the shit i want that boosted chuncky grind george got when he kicks some kind of boost pedal in parts of heavan sent ,in the song in my dreams he does it to .watch on utube the video of dokken playing in my dreams at philadelphia 1987.do u know what he steps on to get those heavy thick chunky parts .then he tap it off during the parts of rythem and chorus .love that shit
I've been playing around five years now, and I play a wide range of different rock music in my band, check out our videos. I'm looking for is a clean sound that will make me cry and distortion that will blow me off my feet. I can get this amp for around six hundred with hookups and I want to know if this would be the amp for me?
I'm very undecided between two amps. One is a Marshall TSL 100 w/ a 1960 cab w/ G12T75s and the othe is a Carvin V3 with 4x12 Vintage 30's.. Both half stacks r for $900..
go for the marshall. nothing against the V3, but marshalls are consistantly reliable for getting 'that sound' once you find the settings. By that I mean that most of the models share the same EQ sweeps. SOO.... if you play a gig with someone else's marshall, you can still get the same sound but the gain structure may be different. That and the 1960 cab sounds good with every head ive ever heard/played thru it with.
XB100 was also used by Vai and Zappa before they created the V3 and Legacy. They said it had the loudest clean tone I had one. It uses 5881 power tubes and does not gain anywhere near the V3 level. Agree or not I prefer a full bodied heavy and tonal clean tube channel and pedal magic to get any sort of gain color I can imagine. In my pedal line I have two Overdrives and a Hyde Distortion, pretty much does whatever I want. I can also click on the high gain tube channels for that color as well.
I have a modifed V3 but I guess I am unable to hear it??? It's more how much do you want to spend? Would paying $2200 for a ENGL Fireball head give me better sound? In what way? How much freakin gain does one need before it becomes a fuzz out? My tubes can gain the same as the Metal Core pedal I had, I should think that is rather Metal. Maybe these guys have crappy guitars or bad tubes in their amps. I use Tung Sol EL34Bs and 5751 preamp tubes to reduce hiss and microphonics.
It's not about how much gain it has, it's about how clean and clear the overall sound can be while delivering that gain. In this regard, amps like old marshall plexi's and JCM800's and mesa Mark II and IV's are head and shoulders better than a V3.
Personally, I feel very few amps can offer as clean and clear a tone as the Titan I have. The nitro is another very clean amp but the titan can delivery more saturation and a heavier sound than the nitro while still being exceptionally clear.
Jumper the loop 2 (parallel loop) with a shirt cable, turn up the back panel loop vol to 10. This will give you a sweet mid enhanced boost that sounds great clean or high gain, This gives you two foot switchable clean boost options! The mod boost makes the amp kick ass, try it it will enhance the quality of your high gain tones. This amp produces thunderous low end but I never hear it on the demos maybe the cams cannot deliver the headroom.
Works, for me. Who needs too much amp gain? There is such a thing as too much. I get really heavy tones out of my rig from bell clean to heavy fusion. I use pedals to enhance things. I would never really insist my amp push the gain so much. Some guys use gain to cover up bad playing. A pedal does so much a better job and you can use different ones for changes. I love the V3, I run new Tung Sol EL34B's and seriously, I have not had a better amp in my life. For the money, I am still amazed.
I have used an XB60 1x12 combo since 1988. That amp was heads and tails more portable than my old Marshall JMP 50w and I learned it easier to tweak a good tone out of it. I had to replace the speaker with a good Electro Voice EVM12L to get the cabinet to resonate properly.
Another amp I have that will surprise most is another 1x12 40w tube combo made by Sundown. The clean channel on that thing is scary loud and I use an EV in that one as well.
I love the V3 and 4x12 cab. RP, maybe you do not know how to adjust it? There can be too much gain it needs to be musical and articulate, this guy's gain is quite nice and retains note artciulation. You can retube this amp with better tubes I got some high end EL34's and new preamp tubes the difference is amazing. I do not see why one needs so much amp gain anyway. You can get great tones on a really adjusted clean tube sound kicking on pedals for gain, ask Satch, Vai or Jeff Beck.
So I tend to play like..Metalcore with some grunge and progressive elements. I'm more of a rhythm player, and unfortunately I am not rich. Would you recommend this head for me to buy as my first head? I don't need a super amazing head at the moment, but this head looks and sounds quite awesome. And for under 1,000$, I'm digging it.
For a first high gain tube amp, it's not too bad. They're going for dirt cheap on ebay/craigslist used. I would do that so if you don't like it, you can turn around and sell it and not be out any money.
yeah for versatility it's pretty good. I think the eganater tour master sounds better and offers just as much (if not more) for about the same price and believe it or not, for straight up metal, the bugeras are nice but IMO, if ALL you're going to be doing is metal, I would honestly just buy a used peavey 5150 and send it to an amp builder that I'm friends with who mods them and you'll have about as good a metal amp as you can find for under $2000.
Great demo - is there a major difference between the 50 watt mode and the 100 watt mode? I'm digging this amp but am afraid it will be too loud. Hoping the 50 watt mode helps that.
no even a 15 watt tube amp will be loud. if volume is a major concern, you'll want to at least get something like an ernie ball volume pedal or an attenuator of sorts. the V3's 50 watt mode just makes the amp less punchy and tight at really high volume. at low volume, theres not a lot of difference.
yeah check out a couple of videos I've posted regarding me using a volume pedal vs a home made attenuator of sorts with my splawn which is waaaaay louder than the V3.
there are a couple of guys on ebay that sell these things called "volume boxes" that accomplish the same thing. basically an input and output jack and a volume pot that acts as an attenuator that you hook into your fx loop.
not as effecient or good as a REAL attenuator that goes between the amp and cab but much cheaper.
I don't think the sockets are spaced far enough apart. That and the whole business about the output transformers not really being built to work with KT88's. Hasserl said he wouldn't do it so that's all I needed to know. use the Ruby EL34B-STR's.
does this amp drop from 100 watts to 50? like a toggle switch or something to drop wattage? i'm thinking about buying this amp, probably the combo version or the black star ht-5, but the blackstar i dont think will do metallica metal, i have a b-52 at100 which i love!.. but need more gain, but i live in a condo and need low wattage i may buy this amp and a attenuator, if an attenuator can be hooked up to this.
yeah but if you can afford them, either a splawn nitro or TITAN would work better. The V3 doesn't do smooth soloing gain. Hence me selling it. The Nitro has plenty.
Not by a mile, try a few light years! After watching your videos ( I give you much credit on your excellent and wide range playing ability also ) and the other videos showing what a Splawn can do, no other amp is coming close, none whatsoever, not even a Budda. Thanks to you, after going on 33 years of playing, I have finally found my amp!
Now, I just need to get the bucks for it! LOL! Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration!
Thanks for the kind words! yeah the splawns are definately worth saving up for. I still get that big grin on my face every time I fire it up just like I did the first time I heard it.
hey FRPC, Im using a set up very close now to what your jamming in this video.., I dont supposed you can remember close to what your settings are here? Id love to get an idea of how your getting your sound in this vid. thanks.
Have you ever played a diezel herbert before? If so how do they compare? I wanted to get a diezel but they are $4k and i'm looking for something as good or better for a cheaper price. Thus i came across this amp.
I got the studio preamp which is basically the mark IIC as a rack unit that needs a power amp. I used a carvin T100 dual 50 watt power amp with really great results. Much smoother and cleaner than a recto but obviously less gain and low end tightness. Old school metal tone (old metallica type) I'd say a used Mark IV would be an excellent choice over a recto any day. tighter and more powerful than the older marks. (and cheaper than a recto)
I'm looking to upgrade my amp in the next year. I'm really attracted to Mesa Boogie, they just seem to have great sound. But in some videos and samples of Dual Rectifiers I've heard they sound so bad. I've also been digging the V3 for a long time.
What Mesa did you buy after you sold this? Which do you prefer, why, and what are some differences?
In the coming years I'll likely be in a Metal/Death Metal band or possibly Hard Rock/Alternative. Which amp is better for which style?
yeah the rectos are easy to get a bad sound out of and I think thats why they've got such a bad rap among haters. The studio preamp is pretty much impossible to get a bad sound out of as the EQ knobs really doesn't do that much. Anyways, I've still got the mesa as a recording amp but I'm using a splawn nitro now. Much different than the studio. Not as smooth or sweet of mids but definitely rawer.
No I sold the V3 to fund the Mesa. Mesa has a much smoother sound and the lead tone on the mesa is ten times better than that of the V3. The V3 though does have more flexibility, midi, solo boost and an overall tighter low end for the tight palm muted metal stuff. The mesa has a more vintage voicing.
Do you mean by lead tone the sound of channel 1 with the lonestar clean sound, or the sound of all the channels? Also, could I add a distortion box to make the sound of channel 2 a more Metal sound like Metallica or Slayer? I heard you can only get a Cream to Led Zeppelin to AC/DC sound out of channel 2. Thanks for any response, and I can't wait to hear some Mesa Boogie sounds out of your Genuine Imitation site. What Mesa Boogie did you get, the Roadster or Road King head?
i actually went with a studio preamp which is basically a mark IIC preamp rack mount unit. I used it through a carvin T100 power amp. The pwoer amp is on ebay now though as I've actually gotten a splawn nitro that I'm using now! The studio pre didn't have quite enough agression... it's on that fine line between not quite agressive enough and a little TOO smooth. Not enough low end tightness or lower midrange growl for me. The nitro rips the V3 apart but isn't nearly as flexible.
mesa has a solo boost, there are ways aorund midi, i love my dual rec, it kicks the shot out of most boutique amps. the popel that say otherwise dont realise how complicated and htought out the eq on a mesa is. most people dont know your sound will differ based on what orded you set your knobs. good job going with mesa.
sorry about that. It always stayed (most of the time) on center drive mode and eqx switch always up. intense mode adds too much upper end fizz as well as taking the gain past 8 and having the master bright knob past 7 will also make it a lot fizzier.
Nice demo - I have a Carvin V3 as well...freaking incredible amp. Especally for the money. I've never heard an amp with a high gain snarl like the V3's!!!
New they're ~$1000, can usually find them used on Ebay for ~$750 - $800. I'm actually selling my Mesa Quad and keeping my V3 - THAT's how badass this head is.
I love the VK bro but side by side, the V3 and the VK aren't even in the same league. Find someone with a V3 and go play one in person. The VK's are great amps but once you plug into a V3, you'll know what bang for the buck is... especially if you find a V3 for $700 on Ebay.
does 50w mode cut the gain levels at all?. i really want this amp but they are not in the uk so ill have to import on the strength of reviews and demos.
what the hell are you talking about. if you include the different voicings for the v3 it can technically have 27 different combinations. how many can the valveking have? 1.
So other than the reverb coming from the gmajor, were you using any other effects or is all that tone coming from the head only? Also, if one were to buy V3 halfstack or V3 combo, would it be smarter to go with the G12T-75's instead of the V30's?
The Gmajor has a 3 band eq you can use (it's in the noise gate function). It's an awesome unit. If you have any midi controller, you can control both the Gmajor and the V3 even change V3 channels through the Gmajor.
yeah I have several stompboxes going through the main input of the amp. There are 2 effects loops so if you want to run pedals through the other loop you can and they'd still be midi controllable.
They're a poor speaker for the V3. The V3 has an agressive upper midrange that the V30 has a fizzy spike in that same area that makes smooth leads practically impossible. I'm using earcandy speakers now. Check out my most recent vids with the earcandy buzz bomb cab.
i love how people either love carvin or hate it and the people that hate carvin just don't know enough about it! at least that's what i've found. I am a complete carvin FANATIC, i keep trying to get my guitar buddies into carvin but they won't stray away from their ibanez's and marshall's... it sucks how they have no idea how amazing carvin's are....
Hey man I'm glad i found your V3 vidz i didnt know you had any, i read your comments about how you think its comparable gain wise to Engl, which is good to hear i'm pretty convinced this is my next head!
RowenCx4 7 months ago
what are u playing from 0:32 ??
ryjeek 11 months ago
I saw the new V3 on Tone Kings video. Small package. I've been listening and comparing so many amps my head is about to spin. LOL I am sorta drawn to the Mesa Dual Rec for some wallet draining reason.
hawg427 1 year ago
@hawg427 you know zach from titan amps had a mesa racktifier and ended up selling it because he couldn't modify it to sound as good as his basic 2 channel titan. I can't argue with him on that one... just sayin hahaha
FastRedPonyCar 1 year ago
I was at the Carvin website last night and saw your plug. I know you love your Titan and Splawn but how would you compare the V3 to let's say the new model Mesa Dual Rec or the Powerball 2 amps? The only way to hear a Carvin is either order one or know somebody that has one. I know Tone King still has his Carvin.
hawg427 1 year ago
@hawg427 compared to the splawn and titans, their clarity and core tone are so much better but the V3 has more options than anything else (pretty much) on the planet so for that, it's hard to beat if you want every option possible. they have a new mini v3 they just announced at namm.
FastRedPonyCar 1 year ago
r u playing mr. scary by dokken when u start shredding
cruefan1991 1 year ago
@cruefan1991 I love dokken!
FastRedPonyCar 1 year ago
@cruefan1991 dokken is the shit i want that boosted chuncky grind george got when he kicks some kind of boost pedal in parts of heavan sent ,in the song in my dreams he does it to .watch on utube the video of dokken playing in my dreams at philadelphia 1987.do u know what he steps on to get those heavy thick chunky parts .then he tap it off during the parts of rythem and chorus .love that shit
metalmusiqcrzy 1 year ago
for the love of science---------- TURN OFF THE FUCKING REVERB SO WE CAN HEAR THE AMP .
all your harmony central buddies would be pissed !
496dart 1 year ago
@496dart it needs reverb to sound good hahaahha (facepalm)
FastRedPonyCar 1 year ago
Carvin FTW
Mr0ro 1 year ago
Damn dude, your videos have come a long way :)
mudbone80 1 year ago
@mudbone80 hopefully only to get even better!
FastRedPonyCar 1 year ago
V3 have 2 parallel speaker outputs, Which selection should i choose (4 , 8 or 16 ohm) when I have only one 8 ohm stack cabinet?
MortusThrash 1 year ago
I've been playing around five years now, and I play a wide range of different rock music in my band, check out our videos. I'm looking for is a clean sound that will make me cry and distortion that will blow me off my feet. I can get this amp for around six hundred with hookups and I want to know if this would be the amp for me?
olyrose 1 year ago
I'm very undecided between two amps. One is a Marshall TSL 100 w/ a 1960 cab w/ G12T75s and the othe is a Carvin V3 with 4x12 Vintage 30's.. Both half stacks r for $900..
fixxxer602 1 year ago
@fixxxer602
go for the marshall. nothing against the V3, but marshalls are consistantly reliable for getting 'that sound' once you find the settings. By that I mean that most of the models share the same EQ sweeps. SOO.... if you play a gig with someone else's marshall, you can still get the same sound but the gain structure may be different. That and the 1960 cab sounds good with every head ive ever heard/played thru it with.
Geetarfrik 1 year ago
well at least it wasnt in drop C or below. I can stand everything Drop D and above.
ShadowLancer128 2 years ago
How many Ohms were you running if i may ask?
koolaidolio 2 years ago
16 maybe??
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
ok cool! 16 gives you more saturated tone but less volume of course, keep shredding!
koolaidolio 2 years ago
Thank you!!
thatplate0778 2 years ago
hmm well im confused ive heard good and bad things about the v3....wat would be the best amp for neo classical style (mainly Jason Becker stuff)
thatplate0778 2 years ago
becker used a carvin x100b. it's a much better amp than the v3 in my opinion. they're pretty inexpensive. I'd suggest that first.
the bogner alchemist would be another excellent choice.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
XB100 was also used by Vai and Zappa before they created the V3 and Legacy. They said it had the loudest clean tone I had one. It uses 5881 power tubes and does not gain anywhere near the V3 level. Agree or not I prefer a full bodied heavy and tonal clean tube channel and pedal magic to get any sort of gain color I can imagine. In my pedal line I have two Overdrives and a Hyde Distortion, pretty much does whatever I want. I can also click on the high gain tube channels for that color as well.
CarvinTone 2 years ago
i would take the x100b, cause i'd rather spend 500 than 2000 for an amp. besides, for my taste i'd like the x100b better. It can do everything.
ruffles272 1 year ago
I have a modifed V3 but I guess I am unable to hear it??? It's more how much do you want to spend? Would paying $2200 for a ENGL Fireball head give me better sound? In what way? How much freakin gain does one need before it becomes a fuzz out? My tubes can gain the same as the Metal Core pedal I had, I should think that is rather Metal. Maybe these guys have crappy guitars or bad tubes in their amps. I use Tung Sol EL34Bs and 5751 preamp tubes to reduce hiss and microphonics.
CarvinTone 2 years ago
It's not about how much gain it has, it's about how clean and clear the overall sound can be while delivering that gain. In this regard, amps like old marshall plexi's and JCM800's and mesa Mark II and IV's are head and shoulders better than a V3.
Personally, I feel very few amps can offer as clean and clear a tone as the Titan I have. The nitro is another very clean amp but the titan can delivery more saturation and a heavier sound than the nitro while still being exceptionally clear.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Mod Trick for V3 (thank me later):
Jumper the loop 2 (parallel loop) with a shirt cable, turn up the back panel loop vol to 10. This will give you a sweet mid enhanced boost that sounds great clean or high gain, This gives you two foot switchable clean boost options! The mod boost makes the amp kick ass, try it it will enhance the quality of your high gain tones. This amp produces thunderous low end but I never hear it on the demos maybe the cams cannot deliver the headroom.
CarvinTone 2 years ago
Works, for me. Who needs too much amp gain? There is such a thing as too much. I get really heavy tones out of my rig from bell clean to heavy fusion. I use pedals to enhance things. I would never really insist my amp push the gain so much. Some guys use gain to cover up bad playing. A pedal does so much a better job and you can use different ones for changes. I love the V3, I run new Tung Sol EL34B's and seriously, I have not had a better amp in my life. For the money, I am still amazed.
CarvinTone 2 years ago
I have used an XB60 1x12 combo since 1988. That amp was heads and tails more portable than my old Marshall JMP 50w and I learned it easier to tweak a good tone out of it. I had to replace the speaker with a good Electro Voice EVM12L to get the cabinet to resonate properly.
Another amp I have that will surprise most is another 1x12 40w tube combo made by Sundown. The clean channel on that thing is scary loud and I use an EV in that one as well.
alwaysopen 2 years ago
@CarvinTone Hello, can you explaine this in detail im a newby dumbass trying to figure shit out . Thanks
4daycreep 1 year ago
I love the V3 and 4x12 cab. RP, maybe you do not know how to adjust it? There can be too much gain it needs to be musical and articulate, this guy's gain is quite nice and retains note artciulation. You can retube this amp with better tubes I got some high end EL34's and new preamp tubes the difference is amazing. I do not see why one needs so much amp gain anyway. You can get great tones on a really adjusted clean tube sound kicking on pedals for gain, ask Satch, Vai or Jeff Beck.
CarvinTone 2 years ago
@CarvinTone they play mild gain stuff and they even say i mags that the highish satuaration isnt in there repitare
metalmusiqcrzy 2 years ago
Mate, you have some awesome chops there, makes me think i should start playing more
MetalUpTheAss19 2 years ago
Hey! Can you send me your settings? I have V3 and 2x12 V30, but i can't make this kind of sound...
hfdhfd5 2 years ago
Nice Demo but wheres the High Gain? If thats all this amp has to offer,than its a high gain FAIL!
cast390 2 years ago
Quality of gain > Quantity of gain... however for the V3, the quality is mediocre (hence me selling it)
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
This was not intended to be a dig at you so no offense givin.
cast390 2 years ago
nah none taken. it's a flexible amp with plenty of sounds but gets too compressed and loses clarity when pushed hard.
it's got about the same amount of gain as a dual rec. I just needed something with a bigger pair of balls and the nitro delivers in spades.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
So I tend to play like..Metalcore with some grunge and progressive elements. I'm more of a rhythm player, and unfortunately I am not rich. Would you recommend this head for me to buy as my first head? I don't need a super amazing head at the moment, but this head looks and sounds quite awesome. And for under 1,000$, I'm digging it.
Seraphblood 2 years ago
For a first high gain tube amp, it's not too bad. They're going for dirt cheap on ebay/craigslist used. I would do that so if you don't like it, you can turn around and sell it and not be out any money.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Awesome man. Thanks. Would I be correct in assuming that this amp is probably one of the better ones in the <1,000$ range?
Seraphblood 2 years ago
yeah for versatility it's pretty good. I think the eganater tour master sounds better and offers just as much (if not more) for about the same price and believe it or not, for straight up metal, the bugeras are nice but IMO, if ALL you're going to be doing is metal, I would honestly just buy a used peavey 5150 and send it to an amp builder that I'm friends with who mods them and you'll have about as good a metal amp as you can find for under $2000.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Well I was gonna look for a 5150, but they don't have a lot of bottom end if I recall correctly.
Seraphblood 2 years ago
hah they got more than a V3.. and tighter.. and cleaner. the ones that are modded are insane, for metal they're hard to beat.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Bugeras are good specially for metal but from what i heard from many people, the built quailty of the bugeras are crap
nrodri10 2 years ago
yeah a few folks I've talked to have said they've fixed the whole plug from the transformer that goes into the PCB melting issue.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Great demo - is there a major difference between the 50 watt mode and the 100 watt mode? I'm digging this amp but am afraid it will be too loud. Hoping the 50 watt mode helps that.
charlieczerwinski 2 years ago
no even a 15 watt tube amp will be loud. if volume is a major concern, you'll want to at least get something like an ernie ball volume pedal or an attenuator of sorts. the V3's 50 watt mode just makes the amp less punchy and tight at really high volume. at low volume, theres not a lot of difference.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Interesting - I didn't know a volume pedal could help, good tip!
charlieczerwinski 2 years ago
yeah check out a couple of videos I've posted regarding me using a volume pedal vs a home made attenuator of sorts with my splawn which is waaaaay louder than the V3.
there are a couple of guys on ebay that sell these things called "volume boxes" that accomplish the same thing. basically an input and output jack and a volume pot that acts as an attenuator that you hook into your fx loop.
not as effecient or good as a REAL attenuator that goes between the amp and cab but much cheaper.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
FRPC..do you know if the v3 can take kt88s? Is there mods required?
Mahavishnu80 2 years ago
I don't think the sockets are spaced far enough apart. That and the whole business about the output transformers not really being built to work with KT88's. Hasserl said he wouldn't do it so that's all I needed to know. use the Ruby EL34B-STR's.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
does this amp drop from 100 watts to 50? like a toggle switch or something to drop wattage? i'm thinking about buying this amp, probably the combo version or the black star ht-5, but the blackstar i dont think will do metallica metal, i have a b-52 at100 which i love!.. but need more gain, but i live in a condo and need low wattage i may buy this amp and a attenuator, if an attenuator can be hooked up to this.
kornelious1 2 years ago
i would just buy an attenuator. the v3 doesn't have any more gain or any better of a tone.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
I would by a bugera 6262, it can nail the mark Iv tone
iLikechevelle 2 years ago
yeah, but for how long?
GorillaSalsa 2 years ago
Blackstar ht 5 will do metallica easily XD
Nick184 2 years ago
have you sold it already?
BlueBarrier782 2 years ago
yeah a couple of years ago
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Does this amp have the gain to play in style of such bands as Necrophagist or Morbid Angel.
Pennyroyal07 2 years ago
Yeah it should.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
Comment removed
bruisedorange6 2 years ago
yeah but if you can afford them, either a splawn nitro or TITAN would work better. The V3 doesn't do smooth soloing gain. Hence me selling it. The Nitro has plenty.
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
50th comment :D
guitarplayeraustin 2 years ago
this good for metal??
DecimateThaWeak 2 years ago
yeah
FastRedPonyCar 2 years ago
is this the head or the combo?
moser8 3 years ago
it's theh ead
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
Pony, you're a great contributor to the community.
That says a whole lot. Your feedback and responses are fantastic.
Jonny
TallSomeone 3 years ago
Thanks for the compliment!
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
This amp or the Mesa Nomad 100 ?
oO0GuitarBoi0Oo 3 years ago
The F100 sounds most similar to the V3 but If you're wanting flexibility, the V3 beats it.
If not, just get a Mark IV and call it a day.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
This or your Splawn?
smy0003 3 years ago
splawn by a mile... no comparison.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
Not by a mile, try a few light years! After watching your videos ( I give you much credit on your excellent and wide range playing ability also ) and the other videos showing what a Splawn can do, no other amp is coming close, none whatsoever, not even a Budda. Thanks to you, after going on 33 years of playing, I have finally found my amp!
Now, I just need to get the bucks for it! LOL! Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration!
GonzGunner 3 years ago
Thanks for the kind words! yeah the splawns are definately worth saving up for. I still get that big grin on my face every time I fire it up just like I did the first time I heard it.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
this amp sounds amazing. i will own one very soon. thanks for helping me make up my mind and save about $1000 or so
guitarjunkie12386 3 years ago
I just recently got rid of my triple rectifier
and am looking into the V3...I also noyiced that carvin has made a faceplate up[grade for the V3 that is DIAMOND plate...?!??!
I already had a Mesa, so i'm no longer interested in them, Is this amp just another
Mesa "wannabe"?
thanks man, LATA!!
bchewdown 3 years ago
It does have the same type of feel as a mesa recto. email me and we can discuss more.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
hey FRPC, Im using a set up very close now to what your jamming in this video.., I dont supposed you can remember close to what your settings are here? Id love to get an idea of how your getting your sound in this vid. thanks.
eddievonrock 3 years ago
Its' been so long man I can't remember. I turned the knobs all the time though so they never were in the same spot.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
Have you ever played a diezel herbert before? If so how do they compare? I wanted to get a diezel but they are $4k and i'm looking for something as good or better for a cheaper price. Thus i came across this amp.
Ins4nesoilder 3 years ago
Listen to that V3 gnarl...that's wicked :)
AwakeAudio 3 years ago
yeah my brother is a lot worse at it. he makes all kinds of faces.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
AHHH!! are you chewing gum or is your jaw twitching!? MINE DOES THAT TOO!
EL34 3 years ago
sorry about the long comment and bombardment of ?'s, I just need info! lol
RondoGuitarDude 3 years ago
I got the studio preamp which is basically the mark IIC as a rack unit that needs a power amp. I used a carvin T100 dual 50 watt power amp with really great results. Much smoother and cleaner than a recto but obviously less gain and low end tightness. Old school metal tone (old metallica type) I'd say a used Mark IV would be an excellent choice over a recto any day. tighter and more powerful than the older marks. (and cheaper than a recto)
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
I'm looking to upgrade my amp in the next year. I'm really attracted to Mesa Boogie, they just seem to have great sound. But in some videos and samples of Dual Rectifiers I've heard they sound so bad. I've also been digging the V3 for a long time.
What Mesa did you buy after you sold this? Which do you prefer, why, and what are some differences?
In the coming years I'll likely be in a Metal/Death Metal band or possibly Hard Rock/Alternative. Which amp is better for which style?
RondoGuitarDude 3 years ago
yeah the rectos are easy to get a bad sound out of and I think thats why they've got such a bad rap among haters. The studio preamp is pretty much impossible to get a bad sound out of as the EQ knobs really doesn't do that much. Anyways, I've still got the mesa as a recording amp but I'm using a splawn nitro now. Much different than the studio. Not as smooth or sweet of mids but definitely rawer.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
So are you using the Carvin V3 fulltime or do you use the Mesa Studio full time, or both? I think I like the sound of the Carvin better.
trex257 3 years ago
No I sold the V3 to fund the Mesa. Mesa has a much smoother sound and the lead tone on the mesa is ten times better than that of the V3. The V3 though does have more flexibility, midi, solo boost and an overall tighter low end for the tight palm muted metal stuff. The mesa has a more vintage voicing.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
Do you mean by lead tone the sound of channel 1 with the lonestar clean sound, or the sound of all the channels? Also, could I add a distortion box to make the sound of channel 2 a more Metal sound like Metallica or Slayer? I heard you can only get a Cream to Led Zeppelin to AC/DC sound out of channel 2. Thanks for any response, and I can't wait to hear some Mesa Boogie sounds out of your Genuine Imitation site. What Mesa Boogie did you get, the Roadster or Road King head?
metalfiend124 3 years ago
i actually went with a studio preamp which is basically a mark IIC preamp rack mount unit. I used it through a carvin T100 power amp. The pwoer amp is on ebay now though as I've actually gotten a splawn nitro that I'm using now! The studio pre didn't have quite enough agression... it's on that fine line between not quite agressive enough and a little TOO smooth. Not enough low end tightness or lower midrange growl for me. The nitro rips the V3 apart but isn't nearly as flexible.
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
mesa has a solo boost, there are ways aorund midi, i love my dual rec, it kicks the shot out of most boutique amps. the popel that say otherwise dont realise how complicated and htought out the eq on a mesa is. most people dont know your sound will differ based on what orded you set your knobs. good job going with mesa.
EngageTheKnot 3 years ago
i have never found a tube amp i liked..until i found this one at guitar center. its sounds awesome.
alpharoththegreat 3 years ago
lukcy score at guitar center! Seeing the Carvin name in any store is a rare site (at least around here).
FastRedPonyCar 3 years ago
i live in tampa..it was used..and i have to wait until june 10th, to make sure it isnt stolen...damn i want to play it....
alpharoththegreat 3 years ago
u havent answered my question. i know you already sold your v3 but please answer my question.
econgblues626 4 years ago
sorry about that. It always stayed (most of the time) on center drive mode and eqx switch always up. intense mode adds too much upper end fizz as well as taking the gain past 8 and having the master bright knob past 7 will also make it a lot fizzier.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
thanks man. i appreciate it. hey check my demo on the new Bugera 6262 amp.
econgblues626 4 years ago
Sweetass Tone! What Cabinet are you using with the head?
hardcoreguitarpalyer 4 years ago
I was using the avatar cab with V30 and G12H30. My earcandy buzzbomb destroys it.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
sweet! thanx
hardcoreguitarpalyer 4 years ago
dude! your tone kicks ass! which channel are you on? 1 or 2? are any of the "intense" and "thick" switches turned on? thanks.
econgblues626 4 years ago
great playing. is the carvin legacy capable of gain like this?
gomisdangster 4 years ago
unfortunately not. that's why I got the V3.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
dude, freaking incredible playing. is that a DC127 as well?
that tone is awesome too, even your clean tone rocks.
Arlabester 4 years ago
It's a dc135 that I modified recently to add a neck humbucker.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
Dude, your videos are sick! Love your tone and your playing ROCKS! Keep posting. I think I've got to get that V3 and BuzzBomb
Rock On
toddf007 4 years ago
Nice demo - I have a Carvin V3 as well...freaking incredible amp. Especally for the money. I've never heard an amp with a high gain snarl like the V3's!!!
Awake1077 4 years ago 2
how much was it?? cuz I wanna buy one
rodrigozamo 4 years ago
New they're ~$1000, can usually find them used on Ebay for ~$750 - $800. I'm actually selling my Mesa Quad and keeping my V3 - THAT's how badass this head is.
Awake1077 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
the peavey valveking is the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK period.
DhEeMpLeZ 4 years ago
I love the VK bro but side by side, the V3 and the VK aren't even in the same league. Find someone with a V3 and go play one in person. The VK's are great amps but once you plug into a V3, you'll know what bang for the buck is... especially if you find a V3 for $700 on Ebay.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
does 50w mode cut the gain levels at all?. i really want this amp but they are not in the uk so ill have to import on the strength of reviews and demos.
Mahavishnu80 4 years ago
what the hell are you talking about. if you include the different voicings for the v3 it can technically have 27 different combinations. how many can the valveking have? 1.
beeplord 4 years ago
Just so nobody asks from now on,
THE CARVIN V3 AMP IS PROBABLY THE MOST "BANG FOR YOUR BUCK" EVER MADE. IT rUlEs.
so stop pestering this guy.
beeplord 4 years ago
That amp sounds amazing.
GuitarGodRichard 4 years ago
So other than the reverb coming from the gmajor, were you using any other effects or is all that tone coming from the head only? Also, if one were to buy V3 halfstack or V3 combo, would it be smarter to go with the G12T-75's instead of the V30's?
funkdified1 4 years ago
Sounds like Tool!Awesome
JeffHump 4 years ago
hey man, how do you like the Gmajor? Can you use all of its functions in the effects loop if you using pedals too? thanks.
Zcarbon 4 years ago
oh and also, can you use it with the amp's preamp or do you have to have a rack pre amp to go with it? and does it have a built in EQ?
Zcarbon 4 years ago
The Gmajor has a 3 band eq you can use (it's in the noise gate function). It's an awesome unit. If you have any midi controller, you can control both the Gmajor and the V3 even change V3 channels through the Gmajor.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
yes but can you use the gmajor and boss pedals at the same time?
Zcarbon 4 years ago
yeah I have several stompboxes going through the main input of the amp. There are 2 effects loops so if you want to run pedals through the other loop you can and they'd still be midi controllable.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
What do you think of that speaker?
I'm thinking of getting a set for my avatar cab
It has 4 Celestion 70/80s in it But its just too boomy sounding.
bobthediscoking 4 years ago
They're a poor speaker for the V3. The V3 has an agressive upper midrange that the V30 has a fizzy spike in that same area that makes smooth leads practically impossible. I'm using earcandy speakers now. Check out my most recent vids with the earcandy buzz bomb cab.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
yeah man, sounds great.
twooos 4 years ago
peavey wolfgang. I've tried an evo and it sounds even better.
FastRedPonyCar 4 years ago
What pickup you using in your DC there? I have a DC127 with stock C22's and am going to get an M22SD soon.
mushi753 4 years ago
good blues and metal sound
in one amp and 1 guitar.
carvin usa
secretsacred 4 years ago
true.ive tried this amp i might just get it as my second tube amp,couse it just sounds great
kliffster 4 years ago
i love how people either love carvin or hate it and the people that hate carvin just don't know enough about it! at least that's what i've found. I am a complete carvin FANATIC, i keep trying to get my guitar buddies into carvin but they won't stray away from their ibanez's and marshall's... it sucks how they have no idea how amazing carvin's are....
carvin1657 4 years ago
i loved how it reacted to the volume of your guitar
awesome man
johnaiton 4 years ago
speakers sound great!
joerez8 5 years ago
Carvin for life!!!
wildcathhf 5 years ago