Carvin AG100D 112 Combo

The features on this amp are well documented so I won't bother repeating them. It's designed to be a basic full frequency amp or small pa, and to that end it does pretty well.

As I just said, it does what it was intended to do pretty well.

The big issue with most every one is...CAN YOU DEPEND ON IT? It seems that most of the users writting reviews here would say NO WAY! Well, I gotta tell ya, I've owned mine now for about three years, using it at almost all my gigs. It has NEVER let me down! I play for a living as a solo guitarist, doing mostly corporate dinner events. I don't play the bar scene so maybe my equipment doesn't get as much abuse as some do. However, I do hump the thing around all over the place and consequently it has it's share of road wear; but so far (knock on wood) it just keeps on going. There is so much negative talk about the reliability of this amp though that, in spite of my own positive experience with it, I still bring a back up...more gear to lug around, great.

I'll never forget the one time I did talk to a Carvin rep about a question I had about the amp. The guy I spoke to was a straight smart-$%#! I've not had a happy encounter with anyone from Carvin.

Regardless of the unpleasent encounter with the rep, I have to say that (at least so far) the little Carvin AG100D has turned out to be a really useful amp for me. It's not the loudest thing around, but for the venues I play, I don't need to be really loud. That may be why mine has lasted so long with no problems; I don't really push it hard as far as cranking up the volume too much. I use channel one with either a PODxt or a Roland GR-30. Channel two I use to play cd's (of me) while I'm on breaks. I 'sometimes' (not often) use that channel for a drum machine, if it's the type situation where I need it. Channel three has been used (again, not very often) for a mic with no problems. I spend most of my time playing dinner music; light jazz, pop and classical arrangments.

I guess I should update this now that I?ve sent the amp in for repair. Not long after I wrote my review, I decided to bite the bullet and send the amp in to see what Carvin could do about repairing it. I first called them to let them know I was sending it, so they could set up a work order. The guy I talked to was nice, but was hard to understand (not sure if English was his first language). He transferred me to the work shop, where I spoke to a tech, who seemed to know exactly what the problem was as soon as I mentioned the amp?s model number. The tech said to ship the amp with a letter that stated that we?d spoken on the phone, what the problem was, and a return address. He also said it?d be about 3 weeks until the amp would be done and back in my hands. After two weeks, I got a call from a guy named Dana (nice guy, had that ?California surfer guy? way of talking :)), who said the amp was repaired and outlined exactly what had been done to it. They basically took the old guts out and put in the 2005 revised components, which cleared everything right up. I got the amp back about 5 days after that, packed in a new box and back to a 100% performance rating, and it?s been fine since then (knock on wood). Net cost to me was in the neighborhood of $160, including shipping. Not exactly cheap! But, all the service guys were nice and professional, and the amp came back pretty much on time and (more importantly) repaired. So, I?ll go with an 8.

This is an almost brand new (last Christmas), full featured personal PA. Features are as noted in the other reviews. My only additional comment is this system could be louder at 100 watts. But what it does, it does very well--when it works. A great system, except reliability is a joke. And if you can't depend on it, what good is it?

Acoustic Guitar sounded great. Vocals were OK (good enough). I never tried playing bass through it, and never played a CD through it--stictly acoustic guitar and vocals. I also used it as a powered monitor during a gig, and it performed well. When it worked, it worked well, altho it isn't particularly loud. It had good sound, and the effects sounded good.

This thing stopped working without warning during a gig last weekend, after only about 20 hours of gentle previous use. That is unforgivable--I should have listened to these reviews before buying this thing. Fortunately I had backup equipment to take its place, so the night was not a total disaster.

I haven't had time to send this thing in to be repaired, but I'm sure they'll fix it up under warranty, and then I'll sell it ASAP on E-bay before it screws me again.

I've been playing for many years and have a ton of gear, altho this was my first acoustic amp and PA. So I'm more than a little bummed that it's built like crap. I've never seen any piece of gear fail so fast. And it sounds like I'm not the only person with this problem. It's a good system idea, but poorly engineered. It's too bad.

You?ve read about all the features: 3 channels, one for acoustic guitar, one for bass/electric guitar, one for vocals or other equipment. The controls for all channels are similar, but there are some differences, i.e. - notch eq. on channel 2, and so on. There?s also a master volume and master slide EQ. The built-in effects leave a lot to be desired. I haven?t used the Echo at all, and the Flanger sounds more like a crazy watery ring modulator than the ?jet-airplane? sounds of ye olde Van Halen. I laughed out loud when I first heard what they think a flanger is. The Chorus is okay, but I don?t use it for electric guitar, and I have a chorus on my Boss AD-3 for acoustics anyway, so I don?t need it. Same goes for Reverb; you get reverb naturally from the room! Don?t need to simulate it unless you?re doing a Dick Dale cover. So, it?s two amps and a PA in one box, but with the useless effects, it rates a solid 7.

I?m always wary of things that claim to be two or more things in one, such as the Chevy Avalanche. I?m of the mind that nothing can be all things to everyone in one package. Something ultimately suffers. The sound quality of the AG100D brings this theory to a crushing defeat. All three of the applications sound great. I?ve gotten great acoustic and electric tones out of this thing, and vocals sound great, albeit a bit ?vanilla? through the third channel. Actually, ?vanilla? isn?t a bad descriptor for channel 2 either; you?ll definitely need some stompboxes if you plan on using it for a dedicated electric guitar amp. I?ve also gotten good bass sounds out of this as well; I just kick in the ?low? notch button, and away I go. This thing puts out a nice amount of volume as well. You wouldn?t be heard in Shea Stadium w/o micing it, but seriously, how often are you going to be asked to play in a place like that? All three channels pump out a sound that?s great, if a bit ordinary. You do have to do some knob-twiddling, but that?s actually fun, right? I took a couple points off for lack of character of the sound, although it?s still quite good, and b/c nothing?s perfect (see why below).

Here?s where you run into trouble. The reviewer below said that there?s been a revision of the amp within a couple years, and I could see that; my amp (which was bought used) has different knobs then the one in the present-day Carvin catalog. That might not mean anything more than they decided to use different knobs, however, so heed my warnings! I?ve had this amp for over two months now, and it?s performed solidly in use (I use it three times a week, a few hours at a time). However, in the past couple weeks, I?ve had issues with the cutting-in and out syndrome as described by other reviewers below. It sounds like a maniac is standing next to your amp, flicking the on/off switch rapidly back and forth. The first few days it did this, the trouble would cease after a minute and the amp would work as per usual, no other problems. However, this week, after it did its dance, it went out and never came back on. I turned the amp off, waited a bit, then clicked it back on, only to have it repeat the problem 5 minutes down the road. Frustrated beyond reason, I took the open palm of my hand and gave the cabinet a good firm ?whack!? This brought the amp right back online and it didn?t fail again until I shut it off. This leads me to believe that something is intermittent inside of the amp, and that is a quite irritating problem to have, especially for a piece of equipment that would be indispensable for gigs with my band. To be fair, my amp is two years old (I asked the guy I bought it from), so the problem could be cleared up by now in new production models. I don?t relish the idea of sending this thing back to California for repair (I did keep the box), so hopefully banging it keeps it in line. I?d hate for this to go out during a gig, however. I?ve got some gigs coming up; we?ll see how it does. My final grade is a 4 as the amp worked perfectly for two months, and still works well when it wants to, but there?s no trick to figuring out what?s wrong with it for future reference, so for that, it gets knocked down a few notches. Although I guess that?s what I get for buying used, even though my Marshall is used, and over twenty years old, and still going strong. Caveat, people!

Haven?t used it (yet!), we?ll see how it goes if I ever feel like sending the amp in for repair.

If you?re like me and happen to play in a band that requires a dedicated acoustic amp, electric amp, and vocal capabilities, then the Carvin AG100D is really the cat?s p.j.?s. This amp is perfect for my situation; I don?t have to haul tons of gear to gigs, I?m not taking up too space on stage or in the band?s PA (I used to take two channels, one for acoustic guitar, one for vocals; not good when there?s only six inputs!), and I can even use it as an electric guitar/bass amp. However, the problem of the amp cutting out at random times gives one a moment of hesitation; I?m still not convinced they?ve fixed the problem, so be careful if you purchase it. I?m happy that I can get the thing to work; although a slap to the side isn?t technical, hopefully it will be enough of a ?band-aid? to get me through until I can get the resources to send this thing to freaking CA and pay for repairs. If this problem didn?t exist, then the amp gets a solid 8 or even 9 out of me (nothing?s perfect). Until it gets permanently fixed and the problem is removed by Carvin, my rating stays as is.

Think of it as a 3 channel, mono, 100 watt PA in a 34 lb. box. Each channel is uniquely configured, 1 for acoustic guitar, 2 for bass, and 3 is somewhat generic but it does sport a phantom powered XLR mic input in addition to the 1/4" input. Each channel has it's own eq and fx control to use EITHER fx setting 1 OR 2 and then a volume/blend control for the fx signal. What this means is you can dial up some kind of chorus for your guitar and some kind of reverb/delay for your vox and that's it. The fx are not as flexable as they read in the listings, but they get it done. I have the footswitch but have yet to use it; the 2 buttons control the 2 fx channels, on/off.

This is, to me, really an amp a guitar player shouldn't be w/o. I mean when I have friends come over to jam, THREE of us can use this amp, 2 guitars and a bass, or 1 guitar, 1 bass, and 1 mic. Slap a good pedal, I use the Tech 21 Tri-AC, in front of the 3rd channel and it's not a bad solid state electric guitar amp either! There's SO MUCH this amp can do, that if push came to shove, and I could only have one amp, this would be it.

I use it for solo acoustic gigs w/guitar and a mic and I've used it as a small bass combo amp in a church band.

The amp also features a universal 5 band graphic eq and the cabinet has a speaker stand/pole mount on it to place that high if needed. While the amp has a headphone jack, that doesn't kill the speaker. In lieu of that, it doesn't have a line out other than the headphone jack.

Most versatile amp one could own.

I'm very pleased w/the sounds I get from it. Like I said, you have to use a pedal to make it an electric guitar amp, but it responds well.

I know past incarnations of this amp have been very hit and miss. I do think that Carvin has addressed those issues. If you go their site and download/look at the manuals, you'll see a revision of this amp w/in the past couple of years. That seems to have solved the problems. Mine has been rock solid.

Not dealt w/them for this amp but I have for other things and they were fine. I know some have horror stories; chalk it up to the luck of the draw I guess.

Love this amp. Like I said, every player should have one they're that good.

Just wanted to post after having the amp for about four years. I must say that I am very surprised by the number of reliability problems reported here. I have drug this thing in and out of bars, thrown it in and out of the back of my car, run bass, synth, acoustic guitar, drum machines, mics, and every other conceivable unit through this amp since it was new. I currently use a Vox Tonelab and a Roland GR33 through it for rehearsal and live gigs, and it gets used almost every day. Never one hiccup, ever. This unit has been a rock.

It is important for me to note that I am not a Carvin freak. In fact, I went through THREE latest-generation SX100 combos and all of them developed noise problems or failed. Pieces of absolute junk. But I have to give credit where credit is due, and this AGl00D has been stupidly reliable.

has 3 channels with seperate master eq and volumes. perfect for acoustic guitar or an excellent electric guitar amp for clean pure tone which brings out the best in your electric.All you need is your favorite distorion pedal or overdrive and its an incredable tight low end with all the mid and highs your ears could stand .Vocals are awesome . use for any pa type application or as a powered monitor 3channels 35 lbs very powerful 100 watts at 8 ohms add another cabinet ( 4,8,or 16 ohms )such as a monitor with the extra speaker jack and your output is greatly increased. Line outjack to the PA also

I have no clue why their is anyone who would give this amp under a 10 unless they dont care about versitillity portability and tone .A+++++ works well in any application and sounds fantastic for its size and only 35 LBS to boot !!!!!!!!!!. I like my solidbody electric pluged into the acoustic channel and the sound is so good you will sell your current guitar amps I dont care what you have wait and see tone purest beware its addictive.Vocals are awesome . I use a peavey kosmos on mine and it really brings out the tone and power of this unit I would highly recomend it .I have several new taylors and a custom built manship electric solidbody and it proformes like no other. I get so many more sounds out of my solidbody guitar now I actually had to go back through my effect proccessor and repick my new favorites .It actually made my guitar settings sound much more distinct .Ive been playing for about 15 years in the same band and everyone whos heard my setup that plays loves it and most have bought one for their self one of them bought 2 . I loan out this amp all the time to let people try it out and they fall in love with its sound and versitillity . I would challange anyone who has shopped the market to find a better more versital better built amp .3/4 inch Poplar plywood aluminum chassis 200 watt rms rated carvin 12 inch speaker with a massive magnet compare the competition I double dog dare you !!!!!!!!!!!!!

A++++++++++ I've had mine 5 or 6 years and I own allot of carvin equiptment and none has failed at anytime . I dont understand everones gripe about carvin since you get better equiptment than the compettion at half the price !!!!!!!!!!! all the experiance Ive had on ordering and calling in on technical questions on PA setup applications has been fantastic !!!!! have you all tryed calling peavey or roland or fender or crate or genz benz etc lately . You get through to carvin almost immediatly and most of the other manufactures dont advertise there phone # they want you to E-mail . Besides their products are built in the USA BABY support our jobs in the US .

THE BEST IN THE BUISNESS . but beware they are mail order so if you need repair you will have to pay to ship but you save so much on the equiptment and its better built and a much better value for your dollar . and honestly I have never had a problem one out of my carvin stuff . Been using and dealing with Carvin for about 10 years

THE BEST AMP ON THE MARKET TO DO EVERYTHING WELL AND SERVE AS A PORTABLE PA TO BOOT .I AM A SOUND FANATIC THATS WHY I BUY TAYLOR ACOUSTICS AND I WONT SACRIFICE MY SOUND TO SAVE MONEY. HONESTLY YOU NEED TO SHOP EVERY AMP ON THE MARKET LIKE I DID COMPARE SPECS FOR MONTHS GO TRY OUT THE AMPS AND COMPARE THEM SIDE BY SIDE IF POSSIBLE LOOK AT THE SPECS ON OTHER MANUFACTURES AMPS AND CHECK OUT THE BUILD MATERIAL AND FIND OUT WHAT SPECIFIC SPEAKER IS IN THEIR AMPS AND HOW MUCH THERE CABINETS WEIGHT AND THE WATTAGE RATTING AT (KEEP IN MIND IF YOU ADD AN EXTENSION CABINET TO THE CARVIN AG 100 YOU INCREASE THE WATTAGE )AND COMPARE THE OPTIONS ON THE CARVIN . COMPARE THEIR SOUND AND THEN ORDER THE CARVIN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE 10 DAY TRIAL YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED .I WOULD BUY ANOTHER IN A HEARTBEAT IF IT WERE LOST OR STOLEN . THE ONLY AMPS I LIKED OTHER THAN THE CARVIN WERE THE GENZ BENZ SHANADOAH 200 BUT ITS TO BULKY AND HEAVEY TO PACK AROUND AND HAS ONLY 2 CHANNELS AND AN ELECTRIC GUITAR OR BASS DOSENT SOUND GOOD AT ALL IN THIS AMP , AND THE FISHMAN LOUDBOX WHICH IS A VERY NICE SOUNDING ACOUSTIC AMP WITH A TRIAMPED 3 WAY CABINET BUT ITS HEAVEY AND HAS ALMOST NO OPTIONS AND THE AMP IS NOT FOR USE WITH AND ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY OR MUCH LESS A BASS GUITAR BUT IT MIGHT WORK FOR ACOUSTIC BASS I also liked the roland ac 60 but the same problems as listed for other amps on the use of electric guitar or bass is a negetive but its a cool amp for portabuility and acoustic tone and effects. HOPE THIS HELPED I ONLY WROTE THIS REVIEW BECAUSE I DID NOT APPRICIATE ALL THE OTHER REVIEWERS NEGETIVITY ON SUCH A WONDERFULL AMP . COMPARE FOR YOURSELF LIKE I DID

This seems to be a prefect setup on paper, lots of input, light weight, just the thing for the "minstrel in the corener" setup I was looking for. Effects are a bit dry though, but what do you expect from digital? Of the three inputs the guitar is the best for diling in a sound. SO for features it receves a high number

I used (that's right past tense) this amp with several Takemine, Guild, Martin and other guitars the short time it was in operation. It seemed to take the glassy edge off any guitar no mater what the pickup configuration. Bass reponse was flabby. Definitely for low volume use ast the sound quality greatly decreased with volume increase.

Her's the rub. It died on it's first gig. No sounds at all. I quickly used alternative methods and got out with the skin on my teeth and a highly embarassed colleague. We used his Crate amp and it did not sound too bad considering the options. later at home I traced the problem to the speaker jack with the tweeter adjustment. No signal got through there, but another speaker cab or both speakers were fine. When I contacted aCarvin about sending another they had a terrible time figuring out what the part was, even when I read them the number off the unit. The fourth person on the phone said he knew what that was and they shipped me a single potentiometer for the whopping price of $36.00, adn then wanted to charge me to return that!

More dust gathering furniture in my rehearsal room!!

I fixed it myself, but what a bunch of crap!

see above

Stay away from the big "C". If you need a small PA cheap, go with the Peavey 6 channel or even better a Mackie 8. You will save in the long run!

This is a fantastically made amp with some really great EQ possibilities.... this turns out to be a double-edged sword - I've literally spent DAYS tweaking the sound.. but it's great that you have so many possibilities

The Greatest Amp Ever. Period.
The Flanges are kinda watery... but hey... it's a flange.
There is no overdrive effect, just to let you know, but WHO CARES - I've got a ts-9, and that's all you need, dude.

It's rock solid! It's awesome! It's green! Woot!
Seriously though, it's a great amp. I thought I blew it out once when I used it as a PA once, but turns out the main volume fader was at zero. Stupid, stupid me. I am definitely the weak link in this chain.

Never spoken to Carvin regarding this product, but I have called and asked for several things, and they are pretty fantastic, though I've heard stories that some of them can be somewhat incompetent.

It's probably my favorite piece in my rig - we'll see after I get a les paul. I LOVE it. It's great. It's awesome to do it a little different from everyone else, with a solid-state amp with no OD. It makes things unique... and, uh.. you can use your tubescreamers.

This is around a Y2K model, before the dual effects channels. The feature set is incredible, more than I need or use. Features are a strong point, as is versatility. I have used it as a bass practice amp, I'm now using it as the PA/keyboard amp for my garage band, also give it some use with acoustic guitar. Handles it all nicely. Bear in mind that I'm using it WITH the Carvin 1x12 extension speaker.

The sound is good but not stunning, but that's probably a price you pay for the versatility. Lacks raw punch for bass guitar, but sounds pretty strong on vocals, keys and acoustic guitar. Plenty enough volume for everything I do with it. Effects sound cheap to my ear, but it's a bonus that they're even included.

Weak point here. I notice that a high number of the other postings mention intermittent cutout problems, and I've had the same issue. For me, the problem mysteriously cleared up on its own after two years. But hey, Carvin...you have some real QC bugs with this unit! I hope they read this! That's been my only reliability issue, but it makes me afraid to count on it without backup.

Haven't dealt with them.

I'd think twice about buying this again unless I had absolute certainty that Carvin has improved on the quality issues. I love the versatility, and it's a brilliant piece for that reason. I'm especially pleased with how it's "plug n play" as a PA. Stick a Shure SM58 in it, run the EQ totally flat and it's just right, with no feedback until you get to ludicrous volume. Have to take at least 3 points off for quality, though, because that's such a huge and important issue.