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Published on 11/18/12 at 08:25
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!
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!