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collindo « INCREDIBLE SOUND »
Published on 01/12/11 at 09:32It is an all-tube amp: 4 for the power stage and 2 smaller for the preamp.
There is only one front jack input plus an effects loop send and return, and a rear footswitch jack socket and a speaker out jack socket.
Be warned, this is 100 Watts with a single huge high power Celestion 12 (G12H-100).
I think it dates from the early 90s.
There are three front switches: channel A / B, Hump 1 and Hump 2, representing three different levels of saturation and a knob for the spring reverb. The amp comprises 2 channels: one clean and one saturated
Problem it weighs three tons!
UTILIZATION
To get a good sound just connect. The equalizers' treble, middle and bass on each channel are quite effective
SOUNDS
The sound is modern but also very hot
There are three levels of saturation:
a first rather soft, a second more crunchy and the third is the biggest with very serious FAT basses (I think it's to have a good Metal sound !): Very high quality!
But what's really amazing is the clean sound is crystal clear. I never tried it with a Strat, but the clean rhythm has to hurt !
I think it's thanks to the Celestion; the clear sound is incredible!
OVERALL OPINION
I have owned it since 2001 and the only downside is that it has no standby, which is very unusual for an all tube amp. So she has broken down once and I had to have it repaired.
I know vintage amps very well and although the clean sound of this one is different from the first Twin Reverbs (not comparable because the sound is more modern), nevertheless the quality is extremely high..
As for saturation, it rather makes me think again of the Rivera type amps lately but not quite as good. I have never tried Mesa but I've seen guys on the forums that have compared the two : to see anyway ...
But in all cases Marshall, etc., can go to bed with their basic clean sounds .
If I had to buy this amp again I would not hesitate one second to pay twice what I originally paid for it, considering the price of pots they sell you ...
So my Carlton amp is NOT for sale, but if you find one, just buy it. (Last minor problem is that Carlton was a Scottish enterprise that closed some time ago).
There is only one front jack input plus an effects loop send and return, and a rear footswitch jack socket and a speaker out jack socket.
Be warned, this is 100 Watts with a single huge high power Celestion 12 (G12H-100).
I think it dates from the early 90s.
There are three front switches: channel A / B, Hump 1 and Hump 2, representing three different levels of saturation and a knob for the spring reverb. The amp comprises 2 channels: one clean and one saturated
Problem it weighs three tons!
UTILIZATION
To get a good sound just connect. The equalizers' treble, middle and bass on each channel are quite effective
SOUNDS
The sound is modern but also very hot
There are three levels of saturation:
a first rather soft, a second more crunchy and the third is the biggest with very serious FAT basses (I think it's to have a good Metal sound !): Very high quality!
But what's really amazing is the clean sound is crystal clear. I never tried it with a Strat, but the clean rhythm has to hurt !
I think it's thanks to the Celestion; the clear sound is incredible!
OVERALL OPINION
I have owned it since 2001 and the only downside is that it has no standby, which is very unusual for an all tube amp. So she has broken down once and I had to have it repaired.
I know vintage amps very well and although the clean sound of this one is different from the first Twin Reverbs (not comparable because the sound is more modern), nevertheless the quality is extremely high..
As for saturation, it rather makes me think again of the Rivera type amps lately but not quite as good. I have never tried Mesa but I've seen guys on the forums that have compared the two : to see anyway ...
But in all cases Marshall, etc., can go to bed with their basic clean sounds .
If I had to buy this amp again I would not hesitate one second to pay twice what I originally paid for it, considering the price of pots they sell you ...
So my Carlton amp is NOT for sale, but if you find one, just buy it. (Last minor problem is that Carlton was a Scottish enterprise that closed some time ago).