Carvin Legacy Combo

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.

Just got this amp over a month ago. Basic features and that's what I wanted. If you want all the effects get a Line 6 or a Fender CyberTwin, which I used to have. I was a novice guitar player and those were recommended to me and they were great but I eventually wanted to go with an all tube amp where I could put in my own effects. Definitely loud enough; haven't put it past two. Both Channels are great, you just have to tweak them to get the right sound. I agree with those who say that it's not for Nu Metal.

I use American Fenders with noiseless pickups, Texas Special pickups and an American Delux Fat Strat. I also use a Ibanez RG 620 (I think) It's made in Japan but I replaced the stock pickups with Dimarzio PAF Pro (Neck) and a Steve Vai Evolution F Spaced at the Bridge. I can get Blues, Classic Rock and Hard Rock, which is what I wanted the amp for. I use a Ibanez TS9 tube screamer and I also have a Rocktron Xpression effects unit that I run through the effects loop. If you keep it simple, remembering that tone comes from the flesh, you can easily get those sounds with this amp.

Have never gigged it and nothing has broken yet. I will concur with the guy who said that his delivery box was shoddy at best. When I opened mine there were a bunch of broken styrofoam pieces. It seemed like it may have been a return. Everything seems to work fine though.

Haven't had to deal with them yet on repairs, but they processed my order pretty fast.

I really like it. The gain has a good crunch at about 5 or 6 and the clean channel is pristine. It's a basic amp and for the features (The tube selections and the Vintage 30 speakers) there isn't one out there that is cheaper. Marshall, Peavey and Fender costs more for comparable combo amps. If it breaks down on me in five years, like the guy below, my opinion may change but for now I'm happy. If it got stolen, then I would probably buy another.

made in 1999.this amp is perfect for clasic rock,blues and jazz. Not for Heavy metal. This amp is Super loud. i play in my bedroom and never can go higher than 2 in volume without driving my family crazy.This amp is very basic and that is what i like about it.

i use a jem and a tele. perfect for what i play. Satriani,Santana,classic rock,even jazz. Is not made for metal,but i use the clean channel With my Keeley mod MT2 and My KFK1 MXR 10band EQ and you are in METAL heaven. I also have the extended cabinet. the dirty chanel has a mild distortion. i use mostly the clean chanel and my top end effects.

The amp went nut acting after 6 years. Very loud and annoying static and popping. i replaced all power and preaamp tubes and no solution.I only play in my house and was angry that the amp was acting like that. I will score low in this category because I COULD NOT AFFORD to pay $1000 and have the amp fail after 5 years. I dont think i neglected it.Also, in the small city where i live, the repairman had another legacy combo with similar problems.This is the only amp i have kept for so long. Is normal to fail after 5 years?

I took my amp down to Carvin in Sunset Blvd. for repair. They sent it to San Diego and they told me it will take 3 weeks to get it fix. Even when i called almost daily for information, they went over the 21 days as promised. so they said they would repaired for free and i only have to pay $39 for shipping to my house. Does Carvin has too many of their products breaking that could not fix my amp in 3 weeks?. Finally the amp arrived in my house after a whole month. AND THEY DID NOT FIXED IT!!!!!!!. Fuck i was piss. I called Carving next day and they pick the amp from my house and returned back to me in working condition a week later. FOR FREE. So i have mixed opinions about the way they handle my amp. Too bad my amp failed, too bad they took too long to not fix it and send it to me without fixing it. However, the guys in Carvin are very good with their clients. They were nice all the time and eventually fixed my amp for free.

Perfect amp for soloing. Perfect for clasic rock. if you are into metal,this is not your amp.If stolen i would buy an amp that wont breake after 5 years even if cost more. Overall I like this amp for its simplicity,high output,excellent for soloing,value. Too bad it broke but i guess that can happen with all amps.

This is actually a follow-up to the review I posted below. That volume issue came back when I recently played without my effects one night at rehearsal.
I tried replacing all the tubes and it still did it. Before I took it in to have it looked at, the tech told me it was probably the effects loop acting up but he couldn't be sure till he looked at it. I took it in but oddly and predictablly enough the amp didn't do it when it was in the shop. I got the amp back and played it the following week at rehearsal WITH MY EFFECTS IN THE LOOP and it ran no volume drops at all.
Then, I let a guy in another band rehearse with the amp. He didn't use any effects and the amp started acting up on him. He just plugged a cord into the effects send and fed it to the effects return and it stopped doing it. So, I got the problem solved sort of.
I'll probably let this problem go since all I have to do to correct this is either always play with effects plugged into the loop, or run a small patch cord from the effects send to the effects return of the amp. I'm too lazy to lugg it back to the tech just to have it run perfect for him again. Regardless, I bought this amp used and it's a piece of electronic equipment and nothing is perfect.
I'm still very happy with this amp.

I won't go into the features of this amp because it's been done to death all ready.
I will however agree with the reviewer below me that this amp isn't really feature laden. If you want bells and whistles than look at Line 6 I guess. Or if you are looking for a 3-channel amp than stop reading right now cause this isn?t it. But, if you are in the market for a no frills ballsy amp, keep reading.

I use Ibanez RG 500 series and Jem guitars and a Fender American Lonestar Strat with this amp.
I play 70s to current rock style covers and I'm really into solo artists such as Vai (imagine that) and Satriani. This amp can pretty much do those styles with no problem. I don't play any nu-metal really but this amp can do it with a little tweaking and EQ.
Tone is so subjective and I've had various amps over the years including a lot of rack gear and I'm not going to go into all of it. But, I will say that I had Peavey XXX before this amp. I liked the XXX but in order to get the low end I wanted out of it at rehearsal or gig volumes, I had to turn the mids basically to 0. Than, in order to hear myself in the band mix I?d have to tweak the highs and the amp got a little too hollow sounding. I am by no means dogging the XXX. But, in my opinion it?s voiced for a different generation and style of music.
The Legacy is a midrange-voiced amp. But, it's not a pierce your ears mid range. It's got a nice balance of low end and mid range. Basically, it's got the low end thump I was looking for with the cut through that I just couldn't get out of the triple X. I'd compare the lead channel to a kind of suped up Marshall tone. The distortion or lead channel on this amp is smooth. You don't need to turn the gain knob past 7 to get a nice smooth distortion sound out of it. Also, playing covers, I need a good clean sound and the XXX just didn't have it. Sorry XXX fans, but it was mediocre and kind of sterile and not very powerful. The Legacy clean will break up a little at higher volumes but that?s the nature of tube amps

This is a well built amp. Dependable and I'd gig without a backup.
The only problem if you want to call it that I had was when I first got it. The amp seems to have a sweet spot on the volume knobs. If they are below 1 at all the amp cuts out. But if you keep the amps volume knobs above 1 than it runs fine for hours. Kinds weird I guess.

I've heard good things about Carvin customer support and that's about it. I did e-mail them about the volume issue I mentioned above and they were quick to respond.

If this amp were lost or stolen I'd kill the f***er that did it.
I love the overall tone of this amp.
Like I said, tone is very subjective and I've given my example above.
Basically, if you're into nu-metal or scooped mids chugga chugga than this amp probably isn't for you unless you place in EQ in there to cut mids.
But, in 21 years of playing I've noticed you really need a nice balance of mids in your mix. Especially if you do any lead work.
Also, I've never needed to turn the volume knob past 2 on this for rehearsal or gigging. IT'S LOUD! Although, like any tube amplifier, it sounds best when you open it up. For this amp, it?s around 6ish on the volume knob. But, damn that?s just incredibly f?n loud!
So, this amp isn?t apartment friendly at all. But it wasn?t designed for that now was it?