Carvin V212 212 Cabinet

I just got my G212 in. It is an open back with 2X12" Carvin British Classic speakers, 16 ohms. I bought it to go along with my Carvin MTS combo, making it a halfstack, but a bit smaller than the head with the 4X12" cab. Pretty basic. It is made of birch, metal front grill to protect the speakers. Probably cut me a piece of hard wood to close the back of it, making it a closed=back extension cab.

Sounds great. I played it up to "3" on the volume on both channels, and it was prestine. But in all honesty, I will probably end up changing the speakers out. Maybe Celestians or Eminence??? Eventually...

Rugged.

Great!

Great deal at $219. Can't beat it. I have shopped around, believe me:) Carvin rocks! I have been playing for about 20 years. Owned alot of equipment. I'm sticking with this halfstack for a long time. It rocks! No disappointments in the extension cab.

Bought 2 of the slant cabinets in about 97. Initially, I was focused on spreading them apart for big stereo effects. I love the versatility of 2 cabinets on stage. I can point them and position them for the audience or as a monitor. I haven't run into any shortcomings what so ever with them. However, I don't think I've ever run more than 35 watts per channel.
My rack doesn't sit too sturdy on top of these in any configuration, since they have a small surface on top. Also, I worry about the grills getting damamged, so loading for the road can be cumbersome.

You have to move pretty far off axis to notice a change. The slant version of the cabinet helps for monitoring a little bit. I've never pushed the speakers hard so I can't speak to that.

I've never had any problems and the cabinets are the least of my worries at a gig.

Carvin has always impressed me with their product value.

These were my dream cabinets 10 years ago and still are. They have held up to extensive travel and use. They still sound like the day I got them. I do wish they were easier to stack. Also, the handles can seem weak, but they've never shown any indication of failure.

I got this used over E-bay. Just a year or too old perhaps. 2X12 GT 12 Carvin speakers. Built pretty tough. It is what it is.

I use this with a Marshall AVT50 head. It's still a bedroom set-up as I'm not playing right now. I play all styles and use Fenders. I have a Carvin Legacy with two Celestion V30s so I can make the comparison. Pretty close. This sound is a bit smoother on this one, it doesn't have the mid-upper spike that the Celestion V30s have. The Marshall sounds nice with either cabinet and fantastic with both turned up. Give me chills.

This is a nice cab that I would recommend. A terrific value even at retail. If I had to choose just one, I would go with the Legacy. It's just little more and I like that crispy sound.

2 speakers in a nice tweed-covered enclosure, birch-ply. Very nice, although my ideal woods are poplar or cedar for enclosures. Eventually going to reupholster with this cow-print suede I fould at a fabric store.

Running a Carvin Quad X-amp preamp and Carvin Tube 100 power amp into this cab, playing rock, alternative, and blues with a Gibson Blueshawk. Like other reviewers said, not really bassy, but are actually very much like Fender-brand speakers (the ones they make themselves, not the celestions they all come with these days). They're not Celestion Blues, but sweet highs and round, full mids, and they can take bass well. No breakup.

Seems real dependable.

Never called them, but they never emailed me back when I sent them a question. Happened twice.

The perfect final touch on an all-Carvin amp rig that has served me better tone-wise than either the AC15 or SC30 I'd played in the past. Like I said, they aren't Celestion Blue speakers in there, but they seem to compliment the Carvin sound, know what I mean? Sweet and airy, but filling out the rest of the spectrum as well.

Not too sure what year this was made in. Its actually in really good condition though.
This 2x12 seems fairly versatile in complimenting my tone. I am actually using an odd setup of a Peavey 65watt solid-state studio pro combo amp, and running that through to this Carvin cab. Surprisingly, I am really getting great, clear, warm tones. I play punk, metal, and rock music so I usually have the distortion cranked up. I have to say this cab really saved the Peavey Studio Pro from being traded, as on its own speaker, it really sucks.(Peavey actually makes a good product, but this is apprantly one of the exceptions to that. On its own, the Peavey's distortion channel couldn't go past 1.5 or 2 on volume without totally breaking up and sounding like a thunder storm. The clean was never half bad though.)
As for features, this cab excels. It has 2 12" Carvin brand speakers, handles 200 watts at 4 and 16 ohms, has 1/4" jack input, and XLR inputs/outputs.
Regarding cosmetics and build, I really compliment Carvin. It is a slanted cab with carpet covering and metal corners, recessed handles, and a metal grille on the front with the white Carvin logo. Looks pretty nice overall.

I am running this cab from the Peavey combo, using a Jackson Rhoads performer, basically a metal guitar. The pickups are Jackson stock humbuckers, so not the best, but decent for loud music because of their high output rating.
My music style primarily involves distortion, and this cab seems to handle that. It stays nice and even throughout volume changes. Speakers are 100watts a piece so thats normal. Like the other reviewer said though, it does seem to lack some low end chunk at times, but whatever.
Overall, great sound for a 2x12 cab. Definately got what I paid for.

Seems pretty durable. I hear Carvin is usually a high quality product.

Never dealt with company, and because I bought this used, I have no warranty to speak of.

I have been playing for about 3 1/2 years. I am currently using my Jackson Rhoads, a Peavey Studio Pro 1x12, and at times a Boss GE-7 graphic eq. Overall, this cab seems to fit fine with my setup; Matter of fact, it can probably be credited as the piece of gear that has most improved my sound overall.

1993 2x12" closed back guitar cabinet. 1/4" input and extension jacks for daisy chaining additional speakrs. switchable 4 or 16 ohms (excellent feature for use with different heads!). two 100 watt celestionesque speakers yield 200 watt cab rating. black metal grating grille, charcoal gray "rug" covering. Feet on two sides allow for flat (a la Bassman, Bandmaster, Twin) or upright (2 of these side by side make a 4x12 Marshall slant cab!) positions. One handle recessed plastic.
I like all these features very much. I can use this cab with any of my old tube heads and the power rating even lets me play bass at lower volumes with confidence when needed. The size is perfect, very versatile in applications.
My only gripe is two handles would have been nicer than one (though the weight - about 50 lbs at most - allows for one hand carrying, even for a wimp like me!), and the handle is just a tad cheesy. This will shave one point off here, though please note I gigged a LOT with this and the handle hasn't broken in nearly a decade, so I reckon it's stronger than it looks!!
The cab also has a line out mic jack (I've never used it) and I purchased the optional cover (about $25) which has gotten a bit tatty but keeps the dust & mold off the speakers, plus a hole where the carry handle is - nice touch!!

I play lots of different styles but mostly gigged with a punk rock band with this head. I ran 50 and 100 watt heads using a Les Paul Jr., flat out mostly, Ramones type rhythm guitar. I keep the bass up no more than halfway although it sounds as if it could take more low end with no problems.
The cab sounds very tight, nice for rhythm and leads, not the loudest or most massive low end I've ever heard but more than adequate. If you really like low end wallop this may not be your baby, most 4x12s I've used (Marshall, Acoustic, etc) seem a bit more boomy and louder (though the volume probably has more to do with the additional 2 speakers). Like most folks, I bought this and chucked my 4x12s because I was sick of carting around huge boxes.
As an interesting comparison, I also picked up a Mesa Boogie used 2x12 (don't know the model, late 80s, thick blk metal grille, slant top, rear top panel removable for open back/closed back sound blend). I wanted to run the two together (hence, a 4x12 effect but in two little, lighter boxes). I also picked two marshall 4x10 cabs to use as a change of pace.
How does the Carvin compare? I have used Carvin guitars and amp heads, and while everything I've gotten from them has been solid and reliable, nothing really stood out - except this 2x12 cab!
While not quite as loud as the Boogie 2x12, and a tad less bass response, the Carvin was tighter, crisper and to my ear had much more sweet highs. The mids (which is where I live tone-wise) are fantastic!
It equalled the 4x10s in this respect as well, and was MUCH louder than those cabs.
I shouldd mention that the Marshall and Boogie cabs had Celestion 25W(10") & 50W (12") speakers, and the Carvin 100w 12s compared VERY well - they handled the power perfectly but also broke up surprisingly well for high power speakers.
I have since been using the cab for cleaner loud sounds (surf, Jaz, etc. It sounds terrific here as well. I do wish it had just a bit more bass at times, so again, no perfect 10 but close!

Looks and feels bullet proof, no problems ever! Again, the handle looked a bit cheap but it has held up and Carvin is known for having replacemnet parts - this looks like it is easily serviceable should it ever break. The rug covering has gotten a bit moldy but that's my fault for storing it in a damp basement!

Only had to order things from them, excellent service there. Again, they stand behind their gear and have a good stock of parts, It seems that while they update the look and features, many products keep the smae interchangable parts, a nice thing when your gear gets old enough to break down!

I also play bass and have bought bass speakers (great!) and gig bags (AMAZING Value! highly recommended!) from Carvin. I advise caution in buying a guitar or bass from them only because I feel you should play, feel and hear an instrument personally before buying to allow for variations, etc. But Overall, Carvin gear, while not the most expensive or prestigious, is a fantastic bargain, especially in the range of features per dollar. Much of their stuff is good for beginners, dabblers, or as a cheap backup. These cabs, though, are the real deal. I actually was just checking out new cabs and I believe I will be getting a new one to use with this one. I would definitely recommend them and replace/repair it if need be.