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MGR/Don Winn « Carvin MTS-3212 »
Published on 02/04/02 at 15:00Acquired from private party through ad. I wanted a break from my Crate practice amp, and the Carvin was well reviewed as being suitable for both Strat & 335 type guitars, and I own both. I paid $350 used.
This amp sounds great! It can easily accommodate either a Strat-type (I have a Washburn clone) or a 335-type (I have an Oscar Scmidt OE-30CH, reviewed elsewhere on Music Gear Review) guitar. My son has a Carvin Belair, which sounds great with the Strat, but can't handle the dark woody sound of the 335 type with flatwounds (It loses too much on the high end when on the dirty channel). I tested the amp with both guitars prior to purchasing, and it sounds great with either. It has the highs wihout being "shrieky", and provides the tone that makes people love strats or 335s, out of the same amp, which I think is rare.
The only thing I don't like about the amp is really a little picayune -- I prefer a tweed amp appearance, and this one more closely resembles a silver-face Fender. I suppose I can throw a tweed cloth over it and get over it. It doesn't affect the sound, but does reduce the "vibe" of the amp. To some people it would be a plus -- a real sleeper -- looks like a silverface Fender, sounds like a cross between a bassman and a marshall cranked.
I don't haul it around, so I can't speak for durability. I bought it used, and it looks new. I just keep it in my closet (I open the door to play it), so it doesn't get gigging wear and tear. It appears well made and sturdy in construction.
Great amp. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an amp in the 50-100 watt range. It has a switch for half power, which I use, since I play in my bedroom. It is equally at home with Strat or 335, so if you play either, it should ring your chimes. Never played it with a Les Paul or SG, or anything else, so I cannot vouch for those.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
This amp sounds great! It can easily accommodate either a Strat-type (I have a Washburn clone) or a 335-type (I have an Oscar Scmidt OE-30CH, reviewed elsewhere on Music Gear Review) guitar. My son has a Carvin Belair, which sounds great with the Strat, but can't handle the dark woody sound of the 335 type with flatwounds (It loses too much on the high end when on the dirty channel). I tested the amp with both guitars prior to purchasing, and it sounds great with either. It has the highs wihout being "shrieky", and provides the tone that makes people love strats or 335s, out of the same amp, which I think is rare.
The only thing I don't like about the amp is really a little picayune -- I prefer a tweed amp appearance, and this one more closely resembles a silver-face Fender. I suppose I can throw a tweed cloth over it and get over it. It doesn't affect the sound, but does reduce the "vibe" of the amp. To some people it would be a plus -- a real sleeper -- looks like a silverface Fender, sounds like a cross between a bassman and a marshall cranked.
I don't haul it around, so I can't speak for durability. I bought it used, and it looks new. I just keep it in my closet (I open the door to play it), so it doesn't get gigging wear and tear. It appears well made and sturdy in construction.
Great amp. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an amp in the 50-100 watt range. It has a switch for half power, which I use, since I play in my bedroom. It is equally at home with Strat or 335, so if you play either, it should ring your chimes. Never played it with a Les Paul or SG, or anything else, so I cannot vouch for those.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com