Thank you for the detailed clean demo. Some guys have no use for it so they don't demo it or they don't explore it enough. In fact your familiarity with the subtleties of the amp's controls is impressive, and each setting is a desirable result.
I'm trying to get a tone like Iron Savior. Like an 80's Speed Metal tone. I was think either this or the Legacy with a TS-9 in front of it. Whatcha think?
Trust me!!! If you get this amp, you will fall in love with it!!! It beats all others in the price range,if i do say so. For arond $800, you can not go wrong with this puppy!!! Very vesatile, and very satisfied!!!!
With the active eq flat, can i get marshally tones? i like that vintage kinda sound, but im also into the more mesa based Dream Theater sound... which of course i would need the active eq for... especially cuz i like JP's tone with the mark series amps...
I have had the smaller 50W combo version (2xEL34) of this head since 1993. I play it through a mesa 2x12 black shadow cab. With a tone zone at the bridge I can nail some pretty wickedMr Big, Dokken and Queensryche tones... huge fat squaky mids great for 80's riffing and solos alike. I use a cheap tube screamer as a clean boost for solos too... adds another layer for soloing.
legacy 2. I love the legacy line. Although, the legacy 1 can be had for $500 used, and i didn't notice really any difference in the 2? Mercury trannies in the II though.
It takes both...I can't remember which I had for the demo? I liked 6l6s on the clean and lead....but prefered EL34s for the crunch channel. 6l6s gave it more tighter tone.
I have played the v3 only about 3 minutes at carvin....a lot of bells and whistles, but it did sound kinda muddy....probably though cuz I couldn't crank it loud at all...the x100b sounds much better at low volumes....for sure!
Mate, that was one of the best X100B amp demos Ive seen - you ran through a variety of tone settings, WITH EQ options, and didnt waste time showing us how good you thought you were, like a million other wankers! Credit where it's due, man! I have owned my old X100B since the dark ages, but if I didnt? I would buy one based on the strength of this video - nice going!
I agree that this is one of the best demos for this amp. I have watched it several times. Would this amp work if you play only at home, or is it just too loud even at the 25W setting?
Hell no! In actuality, the new series 4, is not loud enough maybe. I had it on the 100w setting in the vid, and I turned one part up to 5. It isn't even close to being as lound as the legacy. it is perfect for home/apartment use.
Hey Ed, my other guitarist is looking for a new head. We are playing stuff like Sykes-era Thin Lizzy, Fastway, Tora Tora, Kiss, Ratt, and of course Halen, etc...
We are looking for a JCM800 2203, but they are of course hard to find. Do you think an X-100B would be a good fit?
Well the newer reissue's(series 4 ) aren't that loud....I had it on the 100watt setting for this video. If on a budget, go for it, but if you have a few more funds, then look elsewhere.
nice vid man, funny with the kiss poster. I have an x100b myself but it's in the shop atm. Hey, what kinda power tubes are in that one? Mine has 6l6, but I'd like an amp with el34's since I already own a 6l6 head.
I believe I had either the Groove tube EL34s or the JJ 6l6? I liked it better with the 6L6s cuz it gave it kinda a Mark Series feel from Mesa. With EL34s though, the 2nd channel sounds way better. Works well with both.
Is the tonestack, before or after distortion? Not the graphic eq but the bass mid treble...Does it behave like a "fender" amp???Or the design is marshall oriented?
this is clearly the best sounding amp Carvin makes. I had one of the MTS3200's ...god it sucked. it was very high quality, well made and solid. Heavy and and that and it sounded horrible. ive been afraid of Carvin amps ever since then.
You have accomplished quite a feat with this video. On the one hand you had a very informative and high quality demo. On the other you had some serious entertainment with the Kiss poster.
Unfortunately I kept getting distracted by both. 0_o
you spelled Heineken wrong... and Grolsch is so much better. Heineken is catpiss =P sweet playing. are you a Vai fan? since i've only seen him use Legacy amps before.
I like how you do really quick "side by side" comparison of the different features. Its hard to tell some of that EQ stuff unless you're in a full band context. I'm curious what wattage is it set at in this video?
Do you find the tone gets "muddy" when you have it at the lower wattage settings. This is what I've read, but seems weird because of the flexibility of the EQ.
ahhhHHhhh, thinking about picking this up, the price what I've been reading about it and my love of Zappa all coming together.
Ahh, I see now that it's a re-issue model. I have a 1984 model. The only difference I can see with my eyes is that you can switch the active EQ on and off.
Haha at around 6:40, the master of puppets. I love this amp, you can dial in that tone even better. You can hit any good tone with this amp. I love mine but I only play a few hours a year and mine is only semi-functional but damn, I'd be lost without it. Great vid, Great amp, IMO it's the best amp ever made.
Your videos are really good. Most people have like fuzzy quality and audio that fades out and stuff but yours are really high quality, its refreshing.
I have the early carpeted x100b. It holds up find in a band situation. I'm not sure what year it was, but I played an x100b (newer) similar to the one this guy has, and it wasn't as loud. I love my 5 channel EQ ands Carvin's clean tones cant be matched. I love my amp.
can you buy these amps anymore?? i am really interested in buying one!!
metalshredder14 4 months ago
good review bro. best review i've seen on this Carvin amplifier. this amp is worth the money.
-thanks
skinnyboy400 4 months ago
Thank you for the detailed clean demo. Some guys have no use for it so they don't demo it or they don't explore it enough. In fact your familiarity with the subtleties of the amp's controls is impressive, and each setting is a desirable result.
HOUNDDAWG 5 months ago
Regarding the volume, understand that graphic EQ can add 18db of LOUD compared to flat settings - THAT'S WAY HUGE
itchiray 6 months ago
I'm trying to get a tone like Iron Savior. Like an 80's Speed Metal tone. I was think either this or the Legacy with a TS-9 in front of it. Whatcha think?
ManofWar55 6 months ago
Trust me!!! If you get this amp, you will fall in love with it!!! It beats all others in the price range,if i do say so. For arond $800, you can not go wrong with this puppy!!! Very vesatile, and very satisfied!!!!
SpookeyEyeGhost 8 months ago
The look this guy gives at 1:12 is hilarious!
"Give it a little more spank!"
muddhole777 10 months ago
The look this guy gives at 1:12 is hilarious!
muddhole777 10 months ago
Great job. I just ordered one of these. I like the way you show the different styles you can play with this amp. Again, great job!
SpookeyEyeGhost 11 months ago
Weird. I also have an orange Splawn. I used to have a legacy and I'm looking into a new carvin head. Are you my long lost brother?
thecompletejake 1 year ago
one of the better demo videos of this amp. They say these things are basically a JCM 800 in sheeps clothing
and yeah....The Cult!!
twst1 1 year ago
Oh fuck dood, thats Savatage in there!
The price that you pay!
MattiasOfTheMetal 1 year ago
Best informative demo ive seen for this amp.
bondman00794 1 year ago
Do you use this amp in live situations ? I do and depending on the gig, I feel some lack of volume....
sermorel 1 year ago
@sermorel with 100w u should have no problems.
fridgeslayer94 1 year ago
sounds absolutely amazing
ruffles272 1 year ago
I finally bought an X100b combo. Great amp, and as you stated, it works well at bedroom levels. Not too loud. Thanks for your recommendation.
jsimecka 1 year ago
this thing do high on fire, sleep, electric wizard?
guitarweed 1 year ago
With the active eq flat, can i get marshally tones? i like that vintage kinda sound, but im also into the more mesa based Dream Theater sound... which of course i would need the active eq for... especially cuz i like JP's tone with the mark series amps...
Acidrain1993 1 year ago
Great review!!
I have had the smaller 50W combo version (2xEL34) of this head since 1993. I play it through a mesa 2x12 black shadow cab. With a tone zone at the bridge I can nail some pretty wickedMr Big, Dokken and Queensryche tones... huge fat squaky mids great for 80's riffing and solos alike. I use a cheap tube screamer as a clean boost for solos too... adds another layer for soloing.
MuvoTX 1 year ago
@MuvoTX Thats the way to do it right there!
edguyrocks 1 year ago
is this thing as louder than a peavey vypyr 75
kh1597 2 years ago
@kh1597 yes.
scribbydibbydoo 1 year ago
great video
I"m hesitating between this this and the legacy 2
what do you think?
tamirke 2 years ago
legacy 2. I love the legacy line. Although, the legacy 1 can be had for $500 used, and i didn't notice really any difference in the 2? Mercury trannies in the II though.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Ya, which one is better the Legacy (1) or X100B?
DreamTheaterStuff 2 years ago
I kept the Legacy. I like the warmth and smoothness it has....Have my splawn for bright marshally tones.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Great demo. Love the Kiss comments
Is this with EL34's? The clean channel has that characteristic chimey tone I like.
How's the low end on the clean channel? Sorry but the bottom doesn't quite come through on this video.
Thinking about the V3 but this seems plenty cool, without the overwhelming airplane-grade controls!
Rock on
doctornerve 2 years ago
It takes both...I can't remember which I had for the demo? I liked 6l6s on the clean and lead....but prefered EL34s for the crunch channel. 6l6s gave it more tighter tone.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
I have played the v3 only about 3 minutes at carvin....a lot of bells and whistles, but it did sound kinda muddy....probably though cuz I couldn't crank it loud at all...the x100b sounds much better at low volumes....for sure!
edguyrocks 2 years ago
I am skipping the V3. I've seen and heard enough of the x100b that I think it is in my immediate future. Thanks for the valuable info!
doctornerve 2 years ago
If that guitar is a Purple Amethyst J Custom RG, then we have exactly the same gear. I run my J custom through a X100B from the early 90's.
Zolantor 2 years ago
No it isn't...wish I had one of those too! haha It is a RG2020xtb prestige and i had the vine inlay done by Herc Fede.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Ah, Ok! Looked like one of them J-Custom's :) Really reccomend it, one of the best guitars I've ever played, and it looks awesome!
Zolantor 2 years ago
Mate, that was one of the best X100B amp demos Ive seen - you ran through a variety of tone settings, WITH EQ options, and didnt waste time showing us how good you thought you were, like a million other wankers! Credit where it's due, man! I have owned my old X100B since the dark ages, but if I didnt? I would buy one based on the strength of this video - nice going!
mozzy2410 2 years ago
Thanks man....For the moola, it is a great amp.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
I agree that this is one of the best demos for this amp. I have watched it several times. Would this amp work if you play only at home, or is it just too loud even at the 25W setting?
jsimecka 2 years ago
Hell no! In actuality, the new series 4, is not loud enough maybe. I had it on the 100w setting in the vid, and I turned one part up to 5. It isn't even close to being as lound as the legacy. it is perfect for home/apartment use.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Any idea how this would sound on single coils? i've been thinking of getting one, I usually play a semi hollow single coil telecaster.
mikefiore6 2 years ago
Hey Ed, my other guitarist is looking for a new head. We are playing stuff like Sykes-era Thin Lizzy, Fastway, Tora Tora, Kiss, Ratt, and of course Halen, etc...
We are looking for a JCM800 2203, but they are of course hard to find. Do you think an X-100B would be a good fit?
waylay00 2 years ago
Well the newer reissue's(series 4 ) aren't that loud....I had it on the 100watt setting for this video. If on a budget, go for it, but if you have a few more funds, then look elsewhere.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Check out Ceriatone's JCM 800 copy.
TheDistortionist 2 years ago
nice vid man, funny with the kiss poster. I have an x100b myself but it's in the shop atm. Hey, what kinda power tubes are in that one? Mine has 6l6, but I'd like an amp with el34's since I already own a 6l6 head.
eyeprod 2 years ago
I believe I had either the Groove tube EL34s or the JJ 6l6? I liked it better with the 6L6s cuz it gave it kinda a Mark Series feel from Mesa. With EL34s though, the 2nd channel sounds way better. Works well with both.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
What's up with the Splawn amps?
ronin2167 2 years ago
As far as what?
edguyrocks 2 years ago
@edguyrocks How do you like them? I'd never heard of them before I saw them in your vid.
ronin2167 2 years ago
They rock the house! Marshall like, but more thump and zero fizz.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Is the tonestack, before or after distortion? Not the graphic eq but the bass mid treble...Does it behave like a "fender" amp???Or the design is marshall oriented?
81giorikas 2 years ago
this is clearly the best sounding amp Carvin makes. I had one of the MTS3200's ...god it sucked. it was very high quality, well made and solid. Heavy and and that and it sounded horrible. ive been afraid of Carvin amps ever since then.
solerso68 2 years ago
What wattage setting were you on?
12groney 2 years ago
You have accomplished quite a feat with this video. On the one hand you had a very informative and high quality demo. On the other you had some serious entertainment with the Kiss poster.
Unfortunately I kept getting distracted by both. 0_o
richardlpalmer 2 years ago 6
the active eq is in the treble mid and bass knobs the graphic eq is the one with the sliders
playerfangitman 2 years ago
Nice played some savatage
toxikfan6 2 years ago
Did you ever sell it? How much were you asking. I saw one on ebay for $214 without the pedal.
superstringbender 2 years ago
you spelled Heineken wrong... and Grolsch is so much better. Heineken is catpiss =P sweet playing. are you a Vai fan? since i've only seen him use Legacy amps before.
thegoodtruth 2 years ago
I don't know which I like more....
The X100b demo or the guys in the Kiss poster taking hits at each other ( :
I had one of the original X100b amps during the very early 80's. Glad to see Carvin re-issue this great amp!
HoosierLine 2 years ago
Yeah man....throw in 6L6's and this amp's lead channel sounds kinda Mesa Mark series with the eq on.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Hey that was Judas Priest at 6:19!
weirdotis 2 years ago 3
YOU GOT ANOTHER THING COMIN'!!!
notuern 2 years ago
You've got a lot of nice gear there.
weirdotis 2 years ago
I like how you do really quick "side by side" comparison of the different features. Its hard to tell some of that EQ stuff unless you're in a full band context. I'm curious what wattage is it set at in this video?
benjaminshinobi 2 years ago
100w or full mode.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
Do you find the tone gets "muddy" when you have it at the lower wattage settings. This is what I've read, but seems weird because of the flexibility of the EQ.
ahhhHHhhh, thinking about picking this up, the price what I've been reading about it and my love of Zappa all coming together.
benjaminshinobi 2 years ago
Ahh, I see now that it's a re-issue model. I have a 1984 model. The only difference I can see with my eyes is that you can switch the active EQ on and off.
M1thotyn 2 years ago
The reverb on the new ones is digital. On the old ones the reverb was tube driven.
UncleTito72 2 years ago
And now they come stock with EL34's instead of 6L6's.
TheDistortionist 2 years ago
Haha at around 6:40, the master of puppets. I love this amp, you can dial in that tone even better. You can hit any good tone with this amp. I love mine but I only play a few hours a year and mine is only semi-functional but damn, I'd be lost without it. Great vid, Great amp, IMO it's the best amp ever made.
M1thotyn 2 years ago
I wouldn't sell it, I'd keep it.
M1thotyn 2 years ago
Your videos are really good. Most people have like fuzzy quality and audio that fades out and stuff but yours are really high quality, its refreshing.
carvin1657 2 years ago
Thanks man!
edguyrocks 2 years ago
You got any videos showing off your other amps? You got quite the collection there.
carvin1657 2 years ago
just click on my name and see my other vids.
edguyrocks 2 years ago
cood this thing get classic rock crunch shit
FingerLickinGravy67 2 years ago
Hey bro! Couple questions.
A) How much are you selling the Carvin for?
B) Volume-wise, how do you think the Carvin would hold up in a band situation un-mic'ed? Could it be heard over a hard hitting drummer?
I'm thinking about either the new Peavey 3120 or the X100B. I know they're different animals.
betteroffshred 2 years ago
The Carvin is sold pending payment, but it should hold up in a band situation. I wouldn't think it was a problem.
Haven't played the 3120, but i have read that it is basically a XXX. Which is more recto sounding...but I am sure either will rock!
edguyrocks 2 years ago
I have the early carpeted x100b. It holds up find in a band situation. I'm not sure what year it was, but I played an x100b (newer) similar to the one this guy has, and it wasn't as loud. I love my 5 channel EQ ands Carvin's clean tones cant be matched. I love my amp.
10lipicht 2 years ago