Carr Amplifiers Rambler 112 Combo

My Rambler was built in 2000. It had quite a few features for a 1-12 combo which I won't go into. You can read them in the many other reviews.

I used a Les Paul, Strat, Tele, 335 and a Firebird to try and get the "flat out amazing", "room filling" and "phenomenal" tones that everyone was talking about. They weren't there. I tried changing the tubes.No good. Maybe it was the speaker- I tried changing that. No change. The volume was anemic for a 2-6L6 amp. I had the amp looked over by my amp tech and everything was in good condition, it just sounded so-so.
I just don't get it. Maybe I had a lemon, but the amp sounded like an average tube amp- much better than solid state but nothing special in the tube genre. The only better-than- average aspect of the amp were the reverb and tremelo effects which were very good ( but I seldom use them). For less than the Rambler costs you could have a blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb or even a Super Reverb. I've owned both and both sound much better than my Rambler and have similar features.

It seemed to be built well and I had no problems with it in the 6or so months that I owned it.

No experience. Maybe I should have packed it up and sent it to Carr and asked him why everyone else was raving. I've heard he is very accomodating.

I've been playing for 40 years, all kinds of music , all kinds of venues, all kinds of gear. I was heavily influenced to buy the Rambler by reading the preceeding reviews here. I have never sent in a review but based on my Rambler experience I felt compelled to give my opinion. Don't buy a Rambler without a test drive. If YOU like the sound then it's up to you. I am personally glad to be rid of it.

This amp was made in early 2004. The amp features one channel with reverb and tremolo....pretty basic design. No channel switching, effects loops or other extras to clutter the controls or tone. What it has is enough for my tastes and playing. The reverb is exceptional but I never use tremolo so make no comments about it. It is rated at 28w, class A power and is very adequate for my uses, which are basement playing or jamming with friends outdoors. It also features a pentode/triode switch that cuts the power in half. This reduces the volume about 20% and works great when you need less volume but like to have the amp cranked for natural OD tones. A very handy feature and one I wish more builders would use.

I play mostly a Les Paul with vintage PAFs and a Strat, but occasionally break out the Tele. The amp sounds great with all guitars/pickups. Music styles are mostly blues and blues/rock. The clean tones are wonderful and there is a decent amount of clean headroom, unlike many lower powered amps. The OD tones for me, are where this amp is at it's best...they are simply the best of any amp I've owned or played through. Not ratty and grainy sounding, but very smooth and creamy. You'd think you were playing through an old plexi Marshall, very touch sensitive and responsive to pick attack and slight changes in the volume knob on the guitar. It has the perfect OD for good rockin' blues or early rock but isn't what you'd want for heavy metal. If you want the Stevie tone, plug in your Strat and it's there. Put a Les Paul in front and you get everything from Peter Green to Cream, Allman Bros and 38 Special tones. I sometimes use a Klon to push it a bit when volumes must be kept down but the tone stays the same so I'd rate it as pedal friendly. I have a number of vintage amps and this amp truly sounds better than about 90% of them. It is louder than a BFVR and a tweed Super, yet has most of the tonal qualities of both...only better! The volume setting will put you into either territory, the higher settings will give more of the tweed grind, while anything under halfway is BF territory.

I haven't owned it long enough to know how reliable it will be, but judging from the build quality and Carr's reputation I doubt there will be any troubles.

I've contacted Carr several times before making a purchase and always received a timely and courteous response. Since the amp is new and isn't broken I'll have to wait and see about their customer support.

I've been attempting to play guitar for 40yrs, off and on. Over the years I've owned about every model of tweed Fender ever made, as well as all the BF Fenders. I started playing Marshalls in 1968 and have owned one or more ever since. I've been somewhat of a vintage snob these past years but after trying out several of these newer amps I think someone else can own the oldies from now on! If this amp were stolen I'd buy another ASAP. It is absolutely the single best amp for all of what I play, plus it's portable and doesn't weigh a ton!

This is a new Carr Rambler 1x12 made in 2004. This tube amp is best suited for roots, blues and country. it is a very clean, full and round sounding amp comparable to a blackface Fender. The Rambler is one of the best amps I have heard. This is a one channel no frills amp although it does have beautiful reverb and a killer tremolo which can be controlled by footswitch. Because the wattage is 14-28, this is a great amp for home and small venues. The quality and attention to detail is outstanding.

I use this amp primarily with a les paul w/ P90s and a strat. Sometimes i play a metal bodied dobro through the amp with a bit of tremolo and the sound is killer - very full and warm. The amp seems to be quiet even at louder levels although you can hear the tremolo pulsing which is typical of this tremolo design. You need to go to around 2 o'clock to get the distortion thing happening. But that's not what this amp is about. Place a distortion unit in front of the Rambler and dial in the dirt using the volume on your guitar.

Considering the build quality of this amplifier it should hold up well for a lifetime of use. I've only had the amp a month now, but don't expect any problems. To be honest, i was looking at a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue and my local dealers didn't have them, or if they did, there was always a problem with the 1 dusty unit they had in stock and they needed a down payment to bring in another unit. I finally said, fuck it - i was feeling less and less confident with the fender and thought if i'm going to special order an amp - it had better be special - not some mass produced piece of shit with the Fender logo (that used to mean something) stuck on the grill. So i ordered the Rambler. And IMHO I never really knew what TONE was all bout until i plugged into this amp. I bought mine from Willcutt Guitars.

I've emailed Carr a couple of times and always hear back in a day or two from Steve Carr himself. I can't quite remember the details of the warranty. But info can probably be found on the Carr website.

I've been playing about 25 years through all kinds of acoustics: Manzer, Larivee, Guild, Dobro, Greenfield and electrics: Fender, Gibson, and Guild. For the music i play, this is honestly one of the best sounding amps i have heard. And a good amp is critical to good sound. More than the guitar. You just plug your guitar into the Rambler and enjoy rich full tones that make you smile and give you the assurance that you made a very smart investment.

I bought my 2004 Rambler new from Guitars Ect. after doing months of homework on "boutique" combo amps. The Carr and Steelbender websites along with Steve Carr himself and a network of select dealers provided me with plenty of help. Even without having an opportunity to demo a Carr I can gladly and honestly say I have had no regrets. The Rambler may not have every feature you could ever want but what controls it does offer are the best in class. Players choose this amp for it's simplicity, pure unmatched clean tone, top notch quality and portablity. If that's not your "cup of tea" check out something other than a Rambler. Tip,, be an informed buyer not a dissapointed reviewer.

I play a John Surh Classic with 3 V60's and a Gibson Chet Atkins CG in combination with this amp. My other amp is a loaded "88" Mesa Boogie Mark lll and it has been my benchmark for guitar amps for many years. I play R&B, jazz and Christian contemporary. The Rambler seems to be extremely well suited for these styles of music.
Tone? I'll never forget how I felt after playing through this amp for the first few hours,, stunned! almost speechless. Be carefull of initial impressions when you hear a new Rambler for the first time. Mine seemed to wake up after about an hour or so and just floored me with a clear,full sound like I had never heard before and it has only gotten better and almost addictive since. Steve Carr says this is normal. The speaker, power tubes and other components need a little time to open up. When the amp was new I could hear the power biasing when using tremelo but now it is always dead quiet. The Pentode-Triode power switching really gives me such distinct changes in tone that I feel as though I have two very different but wonderful sounding amps in one combo. I love the reverb and the tremelo on the Rambler. I was concerned that the modest power rating of 28-14 watts would not cut it for anything but a small venue. I was used to a 60-75 watt 95lb combo. Thankfully, I was very wrong, plenty of headroom for any situation so far. With the Rambler having only one clean channel you will need a drive or boost pedal to add gain unless you are able to run it very loud at 3 or 4 o'clock. I've added an Xotic RC booster to the mix and would highly recommend one for a transparent clean boost.

not worried. I'm sure the guy's at Carr will help me if I experience a problem with the amp.

I talked to Steve Carr several times before and after I bought the Rambler. It would be hard to imagine someone more helpful and considerate. I feel very fortunate to benefit from his commitment to the quality of his namesake products and his passion for tone. Lifetime warrenty! how sweet is that?

I would definitly replace it in a New York minute. This was my choice after considering another Boogie, a DR. Z, a Bad Cat 30, a Rivera Chubster, and Victoria combo. no regrets!

I bought this used about a year ago. It's a class A amp with the best sounding spring reverb I've ever heard, tone to die for, a great tremolo, and plenty of power in the pentode mode for most clubs. Crank the high end a bit and it absolutely screams at lower volume in the triode setting.

I play Teles mostly, with an occasional Strat and a Getsch Nashville Jr. Rootsy, with a twang. All guitars sound spectacular. And it's very quiet.

I keep spare tubes, but no problems at all. It actually fell off an airport conveyor belt in it's roadcase and escaped unscathed. I've been thinking it may be time to retube, but it sounds so good I don't dare.

I bought it used and have had no need to contact Steve Carr. I think it will definitely outlive me.

i've been playing 40 years. I'm a bonafide Fender nut and have owned too many Fender amps to remember. This is THE best amp I've owned, and I'd replace it in a second if something happened to it.

Pretty basic but just what I want. One channel and a few control knobs. Reverb's nice and tremelo's good as well. Weighs 25 - 30 lbs. Perfect for one nighters.

I don't know that I've ever reviewed anything in this forum but feel compelled to talk about the Rambler. Doesn't really matter what guitar I plug into this amp, they all sound great. I have a custom made Patterson (similar to the Robben Ford model Fender) I use quite often or one of three Strats. I also own two Firebirds, a Hamer, and a Holdsworth. I use a Boss ME-5 with a couple of Ibanez distortion pedals in addition to the Boss distortion. My rig sounds great. The amazing thing about this amp is the bottom end and head room. It's rated at 28 watts but sounds as big, if not bigger, then my Vibroking and Tophat 2 x 12" Ambassador. It has a sound of it's own. Kind of American sounding but with the chimey top-end of an AC-30. 28 watts is perfect for my playing. I play in all sorts of different situations, one band being a ten piece horn band. I thought a 28 watt amp would not cut through in that situation. Wrong !! I've never had this amp above 3 or 4. Absolute, great sounding rig. I highly recommend it. It's expensive but as with everything else in life, you pretty much get what you pay for.

Built like a tank. Have had no problems whatsoever.

When you call, you talk with Steve Carr. Doesn't get any better than that.

I really can't say enough about this amp. Sound is all subjective. It's perfect for my needs, at least, so far.

volume,treble,middle,bass,reverb,speed, and intensity. what else could a guy want? 28w class "A" with a wonderfully voiced 60w speaker. the speaker has all the bottom you could ever want and a very sweet top end without a trace of shrillness. the reverb and tremolo are perfect. pentode/triode switch cuts power to 15 watts.

the rambler is the perfect amp for any roots-type style of playing. it's totally quiet even when turned all the way up, which is where it sounds the best. the reverb and tremolo functions are no less than perfect. the speaker's bottom end is totally tight and the top end is smooth without any trace of shrillness. i play a mexican fender '50's tele with a stock bridge pickup and a duncan antiquity 2 in the neck position as my main tool or a recent 335 or a G+L legacy with a callaham trem block. the amp sounds perfect with any of these at almost any amp settings. there is not a bad sound available. the only effects i use are a teese wah {rarely}, a nobels PRE-1 preamp {very subtle gain boost}, and the finest sound modification on the planet, the boss TU-2 tuner. i do not think i've played a night out since i bought the amp without some guitar geek coming up and asking about it. i've never had to mike it and in fact have to baffle it with guitar cases in some clubs to run it as hot as i like. it will duplicate most any clean sounds and will get about as distorted as the later freddy king stuff or albert collins. if you need more than that, it works just fine with distortion pedals. the tremolo is dreamy and beautiful similar to the cool slim harpo tones. best musical product i've ever bought. the finest testimony i can give to this amp is that after owning it for six months, i sold my two blackface super reverbs. 'nuff said.

i run the volume and tone controls 3/4 to 7/8 of all the way up and slightly boost the signal with a very clean preamp (essentially hitting the amp harder than if it was all the way up) and have never had a problem other than a worn tube.

amp has never needed repair after 2 years. i contacted the company for tube brand recommendations and received ultra-quick response with locally available tubes {not NOS million dollar replacements}. my amp guy (makes great fender tweed clones} asked to take it for a couple of days to check it out and was really impressed with the construction quality. i have never so much as replaced a fuse.

been playing professionally for about 30 years and would rate this piece of equipment as the finest and best instrument i've ever owned. i picked this as more my vibe over a MAZ 18 (strictly personal preference, it was very nice also). if stolen i would replace it in a heartbeat. i also have a victoria soulcactus {victoriette} which is another great tool. the combination of the carr and the victoria together is way cool but a bit much for the small local rooms in my local area. the rambler remains my favorite. in it i've found my voice.

Very simple one channel design with 28 watts (6L6's), three tone controls, excellent reverb and tremolo! Also has a pentode/triode switch to cut power, but I prefer the pentode sound. Not alot of features, but what it has is all it really needs. It's also lightweight and very portable!

This little amp is nothing short of amazing with a rich, full sound, balanced highs and lows, and room-filling bloom! You can hear every detail and subtle nuance in your playing. It's dead quiet,too. I use a variety of guitars including a Reverend Slingshot, Tele Special, Les Paul, Galveston resonator and others and the Carr brings out the best in each one. It interacts well with pedals, but you don't really need any unless you want more crunch. Just turn it up and wail! The 28 watts is plenty for most situations I play in.

Carr's reputation grows every day and with good reason. They are craftsmen! Superb construction throughout! I have a backup amp, but I doubt it'll see much use.

Steve Carr personally responds to email. I have had no problems, but if I ever did I believe that everything would be taken care of.

I've been playing blues and rock for over 30 years, mostly in small to midsize clubs. The Rambler is the best amp I've ever owned, and as good or better than any other amp I've ever heard for the style of music I play. I wish the tremolo could go a little faster, but I don't use it all that much. I would definitely get another Rambler and am looking at their other models as well. Highly recommended!

2003. One channel, reverb, tremelo, 2 x 6L6, 1/2 power switch, EASY to carry around, excellent construction and the best electronic components this side of an Alessandro High End at a much more reasonable price! Versatility is high based on its weight-to-feature ratio,

This is designed to be a vintage guitar amp & it succeeds in delivering the sounds you'd expect from a tweed or blackface. However, I can't get over how such a little package delivers such a BIG sound -- cut-through, although clear as a bell highs, as well as hefty amounts of lows. Up until this amp, I never wanted to use anything less than 2 x12. The Rambler delivers that kind of sound. THe reverb and tremelo are very effective.

No experience, but based on construction, I have no doubt it will hold up even with lots of usage.

I've contact Carr with two questions & they got right back to me. Very encouraging!

I've played guitar for over 40 years now. I've had many amps, but helf on to very few -- two 60s Fenders, a Top hat King Royale, a Marshall DSL50. I don't believe one amp can get all the sounds I want, but the Rambler comes close and will accompany me whenever venue size will allow for one reason: I get all the tone, none of the weight! I'd definitely replace it if something happened to it. I highly recommend that you check it out.

Bought new from GGuitars in New Haven, CT. Great service! 28 watt fenderish/deluxish with better tone, reverb and tremolo! Pentode/triod switch, 2 6l6 power tubes.

I prefer single coils, teles and strats, but my Baker and my 80 Ibanez artist blow me away through this amp also. This is the ultimate blues/clean/low power giging amp you can have. It can go from smooth jazz to stinging blues, just turn the knobs. I dare a fender lover to try one...

lifetime guarantee!!! Wiring and build quality is art. Built like a tank, but weight is less than 40 lbs! Check the stats on the carr website.

Steve Carr replies to e-mails himself! I also own a Hammerhead, and have inquired about tube suggestions...the guy is a true lover of his products and customers.

I have owned over 20 amps in my search, and I still have my 64 Super Reverb (more headroom than the carr), and my modified Marshall 71 Super lead. This is the amp I choose to plug into, and it is certainly the amp I carry to a club gig (in one hand w/strat or tele in the other). It blows me away every time I plug into it.