Carvin V3

Amp head "made in San Diego, California, USA" tube, 100 or 50 watts (switch back).

On lamps, it is provided with five lamps preamp (12AX7) and 4 power tubes (6L6 or EL34). For this purpose, it is on the back cover, a selector "preset" bias according to the selected lamps ... however, a passage in a refined tech it is necessary it seems! There is a very interesting topic in the forum about lamps! Otherwise, I posted the pdf file of the manual for those interested!

We are in the presence of an amp 3 (real) channels, with comprehensive settings, as each channel has its drive, its volume, presence, 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble) and two small switches to 2 and 3 positions ... Some call it a gas plant but I do not agree with this term! To have a full range of settings and for a lot of precision, this is what it takes! After that, it is my opinion that, huh!
Each channel is numbered: 1 and 2 are the channel OD / Disto, 3 being clean!
Inside the beast turns different colors depending on the channel (1 = blue, 2 = red 3 = yellow and orange).

On the front, there are also 3 switches for changing channels manually (they will also save presets via MIDI channels), and a fourth part ... a sort of general masters!
They include: The Master himself, of course, the Boost "footswitchable", a 3-band EQ "general" (bright, mid cut and deep) and two small switches to enable or not the loop or as Such a channel! Ie, it is possible that the loop is inactive only on channel 2, for example, even if the pedal is pressed, it will not act on that channel.
In this regard, there are two effects loops. The one which is in series, and the two in parallel, with its knob level! Each has the switch "tail", allowing the effect to continue to work even if you change the channel, and that it has no active loop!

Despite the very good FS44 footswitch, allowing you to choose between three channels, and activate the boost, the head is controllable via MIDI.
For now, I can not say more about it because I have no Midi pedal, but I will publish this notice when I get one again ...
That said, via MIDI, this amp should allow all contingencies use!

To finish the "sandwich" to the rear speakers are also 2 outputs, a Selector 4, 8 or 16 ohms, a line output and a "cabinet voicing" ...

Dimensions (WxHxD): 64x26x23 Weight: 16 kgs


UTILIZATION

Then! Even if the use is quite simple (intuitive understanding), the configuration is not necessarily!
We'll have to still tweak and refine all the stuff to get all the possibilities of the beast and therefore find what we seek. But, in my opinion, 80% of us will find their sound in the V3!
About me, I first rule equalization "general" on the master, and then I refine the channel EQ, and presence. This is not necessarily the best solution, but it is one that suits me ... so I share it to you to see what is and what will be yours!

The manual is in English. It clearly explains the role of different knobs and other switches. I find it well done eventually.
It also gives some types of settings, but only on channels 1 and 3!

To return to the switches channels, they act simply on the frequencies, but also the intensity of the gain on channel 1 and 2!

SOUNDS

So this is the part that most interests those who are here, no!?
And yet, it is not particularly one I will fill more!
Say that many emerge from this amp sounds, since I repeat, the various possibilities of settings ...

The clean is very present I think. Of all the amps I've tested and / or possessed, he convinced me. It has a very specific crystal side, which can be full of chattering but also heat. It is true that I am not a fan of the clean channel, sorry, but it pulls well out of the game! It certainly can be a reverb "home" for some ... but not for me!

The 2 channel OD / Disto on the other hand are really the main advantages of this head.
While it is true that grains (roughly) resemble not bad, but it is still possible to Voicer differently and use them in many ways!
From my side, I rather use channel 2 channel as "hard rock", with the gain and EQ to 12/13h fairly neutral with more acute perhaps channel 1 and enough metal, heavy and quite dug for rhythm.
For solos, I tend to use EQ (GE7) which will boost the treble a bit (for channel 1), except for channel 2, the amplifier will boost the extra volume required!
Otherwise, it is true that a lot of guitarists use channel 2 for rhythm and one for leads ...

But be careful at his side "low mids" or loaded a little serious distortion!
But, it's relatively correct musical, unlike V3M whose grain seemed a bit "mushy" anyway!

I use a Jackson DK6 (EMG81 only) Ltd EC256 and one EPI ZW! A bit more feedback with active EMG ...

OVERALL OPINION

So, in conclusion, the problem with this amp is that you can try almost anywhere!
Carvin is poorly distributed in France and especially underestimated! The V3M is easier anyway ...
Well, after I'm not here to say my amp is the best and the rest is fake ... far from it ... it is not my style, nor my mind! As some people have said in their opinion, this amp deserves to be tested for an idea, it is crystal clear!

Otherwise, I've tried quite a hi gain amp or other (owned or belonging to friends: Peavey Ultra +, SLO 100, EVHIII, Blackstar HT50, 5150, Bugera 333XL, JVM410, etc ...) The Carvin V3 is the one that suits me completely! This is a little amp I was looking for and I did not!
The value for money is not bad I think. Especially in Cygnus. But, considering what it offers, the price of new is logical (even if it is not within the reach of everyone ... of course!)
About me, I think for example that there is no picture between the V3 and EVH III 300/400 euros more expensive! But it is my business ...

Most are immense possibilities that offer the settings, and this, while remaining very musical and "configurable", a size and weight relatively correct.
Not "less" for now ...

I also stated that this amp is perfectly usable at low volume ...
But ... it's not the same ... whether at the potato and precision distortion! (Logic you say)
Personally, I do not use that again (I do live in!). If I turn it on at home, it is only to tweak the settings of my delay, chorus and EQ!

This review is helpful ...
Zique good at all!

SMALL UP
I board could not resist pushing a little beast ... June 21 at home ..
not diou ske ca Depot!

- What kind of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?

100 w 50w switchable in all lamps.
4 EL 34 GROOVE GROOVE TUBES 512AX7 TUVBES +
- What is the power delivered?

100 w
- What connection?

Jack input, 2 speaker outputs with impedance selector (4,8,16), 2 effects loop (serial and parallel one with the adjustable from 0 to 10) + selector says "tail" that allows you to continue the effect of the loop if the channel change, it does not.

exit "line out / table selector mix with" voiced "(simulation of HP)

- What are the settings, the effects? ...
3 channels, one clean, saturated 2.
on each channel, there are:
volume, drive, treble, bass, middle, presence, + a switch called "EQX" that boost the frequencies, and this on cahques channels.

Then comes the two channels saturated (a similar definition) is, in addition to another switch called "intense and thick) 3 position (intense, medium and thick) they are boosters of different frequencies, so the sound palette offered is monstrous !
on the clean channel, same, but called "Bright and soak" ... very strong, the Carvin is made from strong high ....

in section "master":
a master volume, a bost (for solos, it's convenient) a bright, mid cut, a deep .. that's good, that the setting has an abundance of frequencies ... we do not finish!
there is also (something I board not used) section LOOP activated depending on the channel triggers ..
eg, the chorus on the clean sound, and moving in saturates, no LOOP activated, it is possible, therefore we choose ... if you leave the industry and active multi effects depending on the channel switches on and chosen ..

UTILIZATION

- The configuration is it simple?

not you have to go a hell of a time to have fun, and test the full range of sound that is so broad that most have seen the end! ^ ^
- Gets it easy to sound good?

same as above, the doc offers "presets" which we can learn to get started with the monster ...

but then you plug you put the potato, the fiddle, and the different sounds flowing!
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

nice, pretty clear, in USD per cons ..

SOUNDS

- Will it fit your style of music?

yes, from metal to hard rock, blues, jazz to acoustic ballads to the GNR, it has everything in the pants!

- With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?

ESP Horizon Custom Deluxe, Hamer Diablo

- What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?

everything is possible, the very very very clean slamming his big-strat style bourrrin, fat, or cold, dry, sharp, everything is ..

- What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

heeééé none yet!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

hahaha from now! But I would not hesitate to make an "update" after rehearsals and concerts

- What is so special that you like most and least?

...
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?

yes, and good, but I peed on it, I went to the bluff, I listened to the head on the Carvin site, and I started, after all, you have to like that in the life, and I am neither disappointed nor scam, it's totally monstrous (and I speak knowingly because I am a real animal matter in potato, and we barely fiddle the volume and the 4X12 + old above tremble!) is not the star ac, ca deposits!
and I guarantee that I tried the stuff, the big,, he plays in the course of the great.

ps: the 4x12 I have is an old Carvin also rises I think it does celestion GT12 (a 400w stereo) model T

- How would you rate the quality / price?

Carvin is too bad CONNNU in France, release you have forgotten your priori and your "favorite brands" there's going very very hard with Carvin, I am a subscriber and I would stay!
- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

rather than 50 times!

All Tube Amp (5 12AX7 and 4 EL34)
100 watts switchable to 50 watts
3 channels + solo boost
2 programmable effect loop (one and a parrallle SERIES)
The channels, the boost and the effect loop is midi controllable
This gives us: clean, clean boost, crunch, crunch boost, heavy rhythm, solo
the rest go to the website of carvin

UTILIZATION

The config is simple, we have branch adjusts and plays!! Some functions are more difficult as programming noon, but the manual is for the a!!

SOUNDS

I Submitted two versions of this opinion ...
Unmodified:

the clean is plutt good, lacks a bit of dynamic''and''vibe, but satisfesant. The two channels of distortion lacks a bit of balls and sounds a bit''2''size, but even when the sound is good and good for the price trs.
Modified:

I have the Groove Tube virtual home (beurk!!) For JJ / Tesla high gain preamp and JJ \ tesla E34L amplification in the bias and I rgl longer depending on the work tubes that originally ...
AAAHHHHH !!!!!!
A dynamic warm crystaline clean! a vintage crunch and slam! And a mega saturation to a Dual Rectifier Phra !!!!!

Have not really do anything! Jazz, funk, fusion, blues, rock, mtal ...

You should have seen the head of my friend when he heard ... especially since he just bought a Triple Rectifier ... (cass!!)

For around $ 1,200 (1080 + 120 tubes) have an amp that rivals the great! Besides all that I can drive with my Amp + effect pdalier ...

OVERALL OPINION

I can not believe how the new tube over the bias could really do live this amp! I keep it or not touch!