Carvin Legacy Combo

I bought this amp new in 2001 and really loved the tone. I play classic rock primarily, some heavier stuff and also blues and it does well across the board, although it takes really hot pickups to shred.

It's a good, all tube, 2-channel amp that certainly captures the Vai vibe for soloing. Unline complaints I read on reviews before I made the purchase I don't feel it's a one-trick pony; I've found it works well for rhythm, and the clean sound is outstanding.

Major gripes are the reverb spring is pretty whimpy, my previous amp was a Fender Princeton Chorus and I really miss that reverb. Another gripe is, since it's tough to hear the reverb on stage, I wish the footswitch had LEDs.

Another HUGE gripe - no master volume. This amp is LOUD! It's a 100W 2x12 combo, and it has a 50W switch to run at half power, yet I still need a power brake to play practices with my drummer and bassist. A master volume would allow you to get the same nice distortion without the high volume (something they've recently added to the new Legacy II and V3 amps). Without the break you can't get the full dynamics at low volumes.

Just figured I'd talk a bit about this amp since I recently did a review of my Carvin CT6M (which I love by the way), but I think down the road I'd like the full featured V3 from Carvin, or possibly a Mesa Boogie. But this is a great amp.

I use this amp primarily with my Carvin CT6M with Paul Reed Smith Dragon pickups. It sounds great with both the Carvin and my Paul Reed Smith, I also play with a Fender HM Strat (shredder with high output Seymour Duncans). When I play my Fender American Standard Strat it does great bluesy bite, but if I want more I need to use stomp boxes to get there with the lower output single coils. My Strat with EMG David Gilmour pickups wails nicely though, as do the higher output Seymour Duncans on my Mexi-Strat.

Overall I love the sound of this amp, which is why I lug the heavy beast for shows in favor of much lighter amps.

**Just remembered I retubed this amp with Groove Tubes before ever hearing the standard tubes, so keep that in mind when considering the high marks for sound. See reliability comments for an explanation.

I've owned this amp since 2001 and have been using it constantly, at least twice a week, and so far I haven't so much as retubed it.

I will mention it had a cracked power tube when it first arrived from Carvin, most likely due to rough handling by UPS.

I had to deal with Customer Support upon receipt of my Legacy combo due to a cracked power tube, and they replaced it no questions asked as soon as I called. It was a bummer to have to wait for the tube, but once I had it I was a happy guy.

Actually, now that I think back, I got impatient and purchased Groove Tubes while waiting and replaced the power quartet along with the preamp tubes, so I suppose I should comment on that above under sound quality...

I've been playing 21 years and this was my first high quality tube amp. Before my Legacy I had only played solid state due to economics, but now that I've played it I don't know if I could ever buy a non-tube amp again.

I am very happy with my Carvin's sound, but with the new V3 and Legacy II available from Carvin I may be upgrading soon to get the additional features of 3 channels and a master volume.

Overall the main issues with this amp are:
1. No master volume
2. Weak reverb
3. Only 2 channels
4. HEAVY
5. LOUD!! (only a problem due to #1)

Two Channel 2X12 (celestion greenbacks) all tube combo amp. Switchable between 50 and 100 watts. Built in reverb (footswitchable on/off). Has effects loop. Very easy to use, self explanatory controls. Anybody could walk up to it cold and dial in a useable sound in about 30 seconds.

I play mostly Blues and rock. Humbuckers in my two main guitars. I was really suprised at how clean this amp was. The greenbacks give it a warm woody tone. It has an excellent stock distortion that I don't really use (I rely on my pedalboard) but I know I could in an emergency and not have a problem. It is capable of very thick distortion but notes are still clear. I've never dialed in a Steve Vai type of tone, but I'm not that type of player. As other reviewers have said this amp is EXTREMELY LOUD. I had to buy a smaller amp for my cover band because the bar scene just couldn't handle the volume on this thing. I use it exclusively for my original band and get nothing but compliments on my tone. I run a PRS custom 24 through a Radial Hot British and have used the dirty channel on the amp for a lead boost... until I got my Keeley Katana so I wouldn't have to mess with the Carvin footswitch. Good plain reverb. My only complaint with the sound is the Bass gets overpowering very quickly. I have to keep it just above noticeable and turn up both the treble and presence. Even then I opted to get a separate EQ pedal to boost the highs.

When I got it, I had to change the pre-amp tubes (they were the originals) because the volume was fading in and out. I haven't had an issue with it since.

Haven't needed to contact Carvin for any reason.

I've been playing for 16 years and this was my first Tube amp. I bought it because I got an incredible deal on it from a college kid who couldn't stand carrying it up and down the steps to his dorm room anymore. The amp is ridiculously heavy. I put a set of casters on it after a few gigs carrying back and forth to the car. I actually did injure myself getting it out of my trunk once. It got tangled in my cargo net and I hurt my back trying to free it. I didn't go out looking to get a Carvin but have been pleasantly suprised with how well this one has done for me. I thought when I bought it that the Greenbacks weren't the original speakers (since found out that they are) because they are only 25 watt speakers and the amp is capable of up to 100 watts. I've always kept it on 50 and it's so loud already. I don't think I've ever gotten the volume above 4. If it were stolen or lost I'd like to have another 2X12, but I'd probably save up for a more boutique amp with a little less power (and hopefully a little lighter too.) I got such a great deal on this I couldn't pass it up at the time. But overall I've been very happy with it and it's treated me well.

2008 model that is able to handle any musical style with full bodied tone. Very rich and very musical and very touch sensitive...Gilmore fans would love this amp and I used Hiwatts for years. Two channels but I only use the lead channel with the drive around 2-3. Effects loop works very well and the channel switching foot pedals is what you'd expect of a top quality amp. I use this amp in the studio and live. Switchable from 50 to 100 watts is nice but 50 is all I've ever needed. 100 watts would blow the balls off a charging rhino at 50 paces! I love the classic feel of the amp.

I have many different guitars with strats being my favorite. I use seymore duncan jr's in all positions or the Fender noiseless depending on the need of the song. Playing progressive rock (Floyd meets Rush) it is perfect...tone rich, something in the low mid styling of Hiwatt or Vox not the high mid styling of a Marshall, but is totally all original sounding. A very musical amp. The distortion or gain on this amp is all you'd ever need. Clean channel is like glass...thick bulletproof glass but glass...beautiful!

I've been using Carvin amps and guitars since the 80's and have never had any trouble with anything I've ever purchased...top of the line! If the amp ever went down I'd get another immediately! I didn't buy it because it was less expensive than other top of the line amps...I bought it because I liked it better than all the rest.

I've dealt with Carvin for over 20 years now and they have always treated me like gold! I've never had to have anything repaired so I guess the warranty could be lifetime on all their amps...I have three X-100B stacks, an MTS combo, a Nomad and this Legacy and have never had anything done to them except re-tubing them. And understand I tour and record for a living...my stuff has to work! It's how I pay the bills.

I've been playing for over 25 years and would get another if ever lost. Nothing else compares to it in my book.

This is my second 'go-round with a Legacy Combo.I sold my first one 4 years ago [Not sure why]. That one was a 2000 model. This one is a 2007.I am glad to have it back in my collection. One GREAT AMP!!This newer version seems better in the controls area.My last one would make huge volume swings between, say, volume 1 and moving up to 2.It was hard to practice at low volume. This has a much more gradual calibration.The clean channel is how I remember it...Fantastic! The best clean channel I have ever heard on any amp Vintage Fender,Boutique amp, what ever. The best clean hands down, and a beautiful spring reverb to match.I have a V3 head also, and it has a decent clean, but I wish that Carvin would have installed the Legacy Clean and reverb in that V3 amp.Then it would have been perfect!!On my old Legacy I was luke warm on the gain channel,but now I'm finally dialing in the EQ and I see just how damn nice that channel can be as well, especially just how good it makes all my single coil Strat's sound....Wish it did have a volume boost like the V3 does.

This is a great amp.No other like it out there with its original Vai voiced gain channel and absolutely great clean channel.I thought my V3 was my favorite Carvin amp, or my old X60 combo's or XT112, but this truly has to be the best Carvin amp ever.I still enjoy the ones listed above but this thing is superb!It is very sensitive and resposive to your picking or/finger attack and responds accordingly. Very cool.

Built like an absolute TANK!.Heavy, solid and very easy to see that it is quality built. My old one had 30watt greenbacks that just couldn't take the heat. These Vintage 30 60 watt Celestions are a big improvement.The amp looks great as well.This one was shipped from the factory with all Electro-Harmonix tubes?? Usually Carvin is exclusevly Groove Tubes.Well, I'm telling you I am now a big Electro Harmonix fan.They make this amp sing! Very warm great tube sound.I would love to see a single 12- 50watt version of the Legacy with a closed back cab.I hear there will be a Legacy 2 three channel amp coming soon from Carvin. Stay tuned!

Carvin has always treated me fair. No problems easy to deal with!!

I love this amp!! The best clean channel anywhere, bar-none!and a great over-drive/gain channel as well.The reverb is superb, and there is just that great warm/fuzzy feel from strings to amp that you only experience on a good tube amplifier. Vai got this thing right!I got a great deal used at $550 US in absolutely new condition!Hey at $1080 new from Carvin I'll gaurantee nothing can beat it.It will blow all those so-called 'high end'over-priced boutique amps [Matchless-orange/etc-etc], right out of the water, just like the V3 will.Carvin builds amazing stuff for the price$$, and this Canadian likes the fact it is built in the USA by our good neighbors down south in San Diego.I have many reliable Carvin products in my studio and more to come! I give this thing straight 10's because for the money paid it is an amazing deal!

The Legacy amp line was introduced in 1997, and was designed by Steve Vai. This is a simple and intuitive amp that is easy to use. The amp has two channels, but it is a welcome change from the 3 and 4 channel amps that are mostly useless. The combo comes with reverb, a bias selector, effects loop, and half-power switch (nothing out of the ordinary). The amp gets a seven in this category because it is a simple, easy to use amp that is not over the top in any way. This amp is LOUD! I have owned it for about five or six months.

I have a Jackson Dinky with a Seymour Duncan JB TB4 pickup that I use with the amp. I play progressive rock, metal, hard rock, etc. and the Legacy excels in these genres. This amp was made for lead guitarists. The amp features a smooth, saturated, articulate distortion that makes solos sound fantastic. That being said, I am not saying that the amp cannot achieve a solid rythm guitar sound. The amp sounds fine no matter what the settings are it seems. This amp can do metal sounds, depending on what your definition of "metal" is. The distortion is a bit too smooth for extreme genres though. The clean channel is amazing! I have it set up for a dark bassy sound, and I love it. I did not play clean often on other amps I have owned, but now that is changing thanks to this amp. The amp is not the most versatile around, and when the gain is turned up past eight there is a lot of feedback. Turning up the treble enhances this feedback and squeeling. This is to be expected with high gain amplifiers though. I would not change anything about this amp, I like the way it sounds.

This amp is very reliable as are all of Carvin's products. My amp has never broken down or had any serious problems. I have done nothing other than a tube change. The combo version of this amp is prone to tube rattle, so be conscious about this if you are thinking about buying one. My amp rattled so much (with the volume maxed), I had to change the tubes. I think this is to be expected with all tube combos.

Carvin is fantastic in terms of customer service. I have called them with questions about my order, and they were very kind and I did not wait long on the phone for an answer. The only problem I have with Carvin is that they are a mail order company, meaning if you want a repair, you have to send your amp to them to get it repaired (if you do not live close to a store). I ordered my amp and it took less than two weeks to get to my home in Eastern Canada (Carvin is located on the West Coast of California), and it was worth the wait.

This amp is all I have ever needed, and it has never failed me. I almost bought a Peavey JSX instead of this amp; I am glad I did not. I have only been playing for about four years, but this amp is one of the best I have played. I am so glad I got this amp, and I believe I will have it for a very long time.

Looking for good tone to your amp collection or just buying a new amp. Give the Carvin Legacy a try. The features on this amp is very basic, just the way I like it. Has two switchable independent channels:clean, overdrive, and a shared reverb. If your the type of guitarist who likes to run with an enclosed combo amp, you have the option to, I leave it open for more of an open sound.

The Carvin Legacy is what Steve Vai ever wanted in a guitar amp. It is very playable for a variety of music styles and it sounds better when it warms up, my Marshall JCM 900 can't even match it. I'm not going to say it's better then a Mesa, but it is warmer compaired to it and more affordable.

Now I'm a guitar player that has played for twelve years, can't say I play everything, but I like to mix it up. I have a variety of guitars: Gibson, Fender, and Jackson. Each guitar has it own sound, and they all are very pleasing to hear through the Carvin Legacy. Just to let you know this amp is very powerful!!! With lot's of headroom and everyone that shares the stage with you, will hear how clear this amp sounds.

Can't say did't have it long, but I bought the amp used and the original owner had it for three or five years with no problems.

Got it used.

This signature amp, I would buy again if it were stolen or faulty.
Another option I like is that you can interchange power tubes, that is a plus in a amp. The stock tubes are not the best, replaced it with Winged C EL 34's, JJ ecc83s pre-amp section, Mullard 12at7 (a.k.a. ecc81) in the phase inverter for more of a clean tone. This set up improved the amp sound buy so much. So if you are near a Carvin shop, drop by and try the Carvin Legacy...

Take some time to dial your sound.

A relatively simple amp considering some of the options that are out there. Depending on what you're looking for, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. In my contexts - solo jazz guitar, rockabilly and the single guitar in a hard rock band with bass and drums, it is perfect. Versatility may not be a strong suit of this amp - but it does what it does very well.

To my ears, the clean channel is the best I've ever heard. I've been playing semi-professionaly for 20 years.

"Clean" approaches how the channel could be described - other terms I use to describe clean channel: rich crystal, pure glass - pristine mountain lake...

I use the clean channel for solo jazz guitar (old brazilian style) and rockabilly.
When I bought this amp (almost three years ago) I had a number of musician friends over to compare it to a few other amps in the room. All were impressed by the Legacy's clean tone. The unanimous decision based on the the clean channel was "Get the Carvin".

Overdrive channel: I like the overdrive channel a lot when I'm the only guitar player in the given group. It has a very powerful mid-range sound - "big round balls" if you will. However, I've played in a band recently where limited versatility reared its head. The other guitarist played through a Mesa Boogie. The Mesa produces a crackling high end crunch that the Legacy cannot approach even with bass and mid turned all way the way down with treble and presence settings cranked... I'll say that I did feel some disappointment that the Legacy couldn't produce those highs... but again, when not 'A-B'ing against another product, in my usual context where I'm the only guitar player in the band (like the Van Halen tribute I've been part of) the amp produces plenty of highs on the foundation of awesome lows and mids making for a "brown sound" all its own - I don't know if you can create a grating tone with this amp... maybe that's a good thing...

My only other beef with the amp is that it is frickin' loud. It is a very loud 100 watts. There is a switch that allows you to bump the amp down to 50 watts, but in the times I've experimented with that switch, it doesn't seem to make too much of a difference (-4db is what it is supposed to do I think).

Anyway, I ended up buying a THD HotPlate in order to keep the amp at a reasonable stage volume - even playing a hard rock gig I was told to turn down the stage volume on this thing (from a setting of '3') which would've really removed the balls of my sound - the HotPlate is a real value to make a loud amp like this function at a reasonable volume.

I had to return the first Legacy I received due to a volume fluctuation problem. Carvin immediatly corrected the problem. They sent me a new amp that has been perfectly reliable over the last three years.

Carvin support was courteous and responsive.

Well, I've had this amp for about a year now so I thought I would give my 2 cents. Has just about everything I could want in an amp. Two channels, effects loop, reverb, and that great tube warmth. I do wish it had a second effects loop.

I play a Ibanez Rg-550 with Tone Zone bridge and Paf Pro neck, a Ibanez Rg-1570 with Evos, a Chavel with a EMG81 bridge, and a Fender Strat YJM stock. This amp is not noisy, but I do run a NS-2 in my chain because my Strat pickyups have such a low output, that I have to run a Rat distortion to play any type of heavy metal music. I also run a BBC stomp through the effects loop to mold my sound. With this amp I can play any style of music, depending on how you set up your amp. The only thing dislike about this amp is, the clean chanel breaks up at around 4, but so did the Fender HotRod Deville I played before I bought this amp. If any one says they can't did that Steve Vai sound with this amp, doesn't know how to set it up or they are using the wrong guitar.

Never had a problem.

Never had a problem with the amp, but I did call they to ask about tube replacement. Extremly helpful, said I should talk to JJ Tubes, and gave me thier number and web site. Hats off to thier customer support, in my case.

I've been playing for about 25 years, and this is my first tube amp. I'm very happy with it. I spent so much time shopping, looking for an amp that would fill most of my needs and this one does it. For the price it's hard to beat. Before I bought this amp, I tried a Fender HotRod, Peavey JSX and XXX, Laney, Marshall, Mesa, VHT. All good or great amps depending on the sound your looking for and how deep your pockets are. If any thing happend to this amp, I would get another one.

Two channels, reverb, all tube switchable from 100 to 50 watts.

Very versatile sound. Very clean amp.

I am a steve Vai fan..
This is the first time I have played an "Artist endorsed" amplifier that actually sounds like the artist.
I can play my Ibanez with the DiMarzio evolutions through this, it sounds like Vai.

Love it.

Hasnt broken down yet!

Carvin is fantastic other than the inflated prices from replacement Chicken Head Knobs.

5 bucks a piece plus shipping and handling...

I guess they need to make profit some where, the amps are priced so weel I cant imagine they make too much on them.

Best Amp I have ever owned.. I have been through Boogies, Marsalls, Fenders, Peaveys, and ever at one point a Tube Works.

This is the best amp I have owned..
I would say it sounds like a modded Marshall... put a Tube screamer in front of it and its the best thing since sliced bread.

Steve Vai Legacy combo. 100 watts switchable to 50. This amp is all tube with reverb. EL34's or 6L6's may be used. Clean chanel has a brite switch. Seprate tone controls for clean and dirty channel. Presence knobs for each channel with shared reverb knob. Footswitch has channel select and reverb on/off. Combo comes with celestions. Removable back panel to make it a closed back or open back...VERY useful feature.

I use a 1985 Alder bodied PRS bolt-on with Duncan 59's in the bridge and a tapped Duncan stagmag in the neck for the single coil sound. I also own a late 80's EMG 81 equipped Les Paul Standard and a 1995 PRS custom 22 with the stock dragon 2's. The neck pickup in the custom 22 is also tapped. I use this amp for all my band's clean tones believe it or not. I have two early Mesa dual rectifiers but more on that later. The clean tone on this amp is totally UNDERRATED! I have read very little regarding it's incredible clarity and massive headroom. Regarding the clean channel: the frequency response is excellent! I tune down to "C" and the amp completly covers the sound with no problems whatsoever. I have a rack unit for delay effects only and this amp KILLED my Mesa Tremoverb combo for this type of thing. It was louder and clearer and WAY more articulate. Note distinction is glassy and clear. The amp seems to LOVE effects. Highs where sparkly ans shimmering and mids where musicle and compatible with all of my guitars. I really cant say enough about the AWSOME clean channel! SUPERB! The dirty is...well...dirty! I do leads with this because the open back allows for more mids to jump through. I have this at home as my practice amp and it is LOUD LOUD LOUD! I am not a huge fan of the dirty channel for rythem. I have the recto head for all of that. When I compared the two running through my recto 412, the dirty was too "loose" and lacked the "focus" that the Mesa's are known for. It seems like guys who want the recto tone just need to buy a recto and be done with it! Guys who want more or want to sound unique should investigate this amp. The tone knobs do a lot. They have a wide sweep and can really change the sound drasticly. This is a good thing if you use multiple guitars on stage. It took a while to dial in a usable sound but I learned the sweet spots just like when I bought my first Mesa. For the clean sounds, both my PRS guitars have tapped neck position pickups and the sound is crystle clear. Lets face it, if you want a strat sound, BUY A STRAT! If you want your humbucker equipped chunky guitar to sound clean this mod paired with the Vai Legacy is the clincher! I have a hard time with my Gibson because those EMG 81's are hell bent on distruction. I found if I roll back my volume it cleans up and sounds smooth and jazzy through this amp. The leads sing with this amp! I read a review that said it has a "vocal" quality and I understand now. This is probably why I prefer the rectos for rythems. They are simply tighter. I cant wait to track with this thing!

I actually purchased this amp "broken." It was sold to me with the reverb not functioning. I soon learned that its the tank itself not the amp. I'll get it fixed soon. The only other issue is it takes a while to warm up. It will crackle and pop for the first 5-7 minutes when turned on. My Mesa's dont do this. Everything else seems to be fine.

N/A I have not contacted Carvin about the crackling. After the reverb I may do this.

I wrote this review because inevevitably, "metal guys" and "rockers" will look into this amp. This is very unfortunate. I do play music on the heavier side but also have played funk/gospil music for 8+ years. I once met a country player who used a Mesa Tremoverb combo exactly like the one I owned. He said he bought it for the CLEAN! The same holds true for my old Mesa 2 channel Solo head. I met a regge guy who used one. So this is for the guys who do the beefy stuff but are skilled and live in other sounds. I will never get rid of this amp for the stupendous clean sounds it produces. I played on a Bogner Ecstacy recently for an hour straight and this Cravin Legacy Amp has more crisp highs, more sweet mids and usable lows with out the Bogner price tag. Carvin has a 10 day trial period for products purchased by mail from them. Check one out! The prices are resonable and the worst is you hate it and send it back! No big deal.