Carvin V3 212-75

100 watt combo switchable to 50 watts. 5 12AX7 preamp tube push to 4 EL34 power tubes (6L6GC/5881 capable). 3 distinct channels (#1 & #2 overdrive, #3 clean) All channels have 3 drive modes, expanded EQ setting and presence control to shape your sound. The 3 channels feed to the master control section with master vol, boost, mid-cut, deep, and two smart loops. Extremely versatile when it comes to tone shaping. In addition, you can get the combo with 2 Celestion Vintage 30s or two Celestion G12T-75 speakers (mine has the latter). The rear panel is also very flexible with dual effects loops, midi connections, line out, dual speaker outputs, speaker ohms (4 8 16), and a fixed bias switch to support the power tube choice. I knocked off a point because the amp requires two footswitches that are not included or a midi pedal to maximize the live utility of the amp. Also, another point was deducted due to the lack of reverb. Pie in the sky would have been individual reverb settings for each channel, however, I must say that I haven't missed the reverb, the amp sounds that good (I could almost give the point back....)

Cleans are very balanced and the overdrive channels can cover anything from a light bark to molten lava. I have a Soldano Decatone combo that is my gold standard when it comes to combo tone. I also have a Hughes & Kettner Puretone head that is nothing short of remarkable. I can't say the V3 is quite to those levels, however, the V3 gets darn close and cost tons less. I am very pleased with the V3's versatility and even at high volumes it doesn't seem to beat your ears up as some amps do. For what the amp cost new from Carvin it is a 10 all the way, however, if you want to pay the price for the ultimate in tone, there are some amps that could top it....

Carvin gear is built to last. I have had a Nomad combo for years that has never skipped a beat. I should re-tube it someday, however, until the sound goes downhill, it continues to turn heads (in a positive way!). The V3 combo is built like a tank and I would be very comfortable gigging without a backup amp (spare tubes would be in the first aid kit, however).

I've called the company on several occasions. The staff at Carvin are very friendly and answered my questions promptly. A definite 10 as they still have real people on the other end of the telephone (unlike many companies that seem to hide behind the computer answering systems to funnel your call through a series of menus).

I've been playing guitar (and bass) for almost 30 years. I currently own Soldano, Rivera, Fender, Peavey, Hughes & Kettner, Ampeg, Line 6, Johnson (Marquis & JT-50 amps), Trace Elliot, Ernie Ball Musicman, Mesa Boogie, SWR, Marshall, and Carvin amps. They all have something to offer, however, I am very impressed with the V3's ability to sound like a great many of the amps listed above. A tone-tweaker's delight, this one is definitely a keeper (much to the wife's dismay) and an overall sound investment (pun intended). If you can get your hands on one (especially at the price I got mine) you won't be disappointed. Even full price from Carvin, I consider it an exceptional value.

This is my first review. I never feel compelled to write reviews for anything, but this needs it. This is a review for a brand new Carvin V3 212 combo with Celestion 75's. I also have the four button footswitch(FS44) which is neccessary. I opted for the 75's instead of the V30's because I have two Hellatone V30's I was going to use that sit in my studio, but I dont think it needs them. I'll put them in eventually, but after playing it for a full rehearsal I think it sounds fine as is. No product gets a 10 unless it comes with free beer, but this is damn close. It's 100 watts all tube which is switchable to 50 watts. Has Groove Tube EL34's (not my favorite, but oh well) smart effects loops, one parallel, one series which Midi programable to remember what settings to use for each channel. Way cool. I got a good tone dialed in on all three channels in five minutes - try that with a Mesa. Three channels with about five different voicings for each channel. Channels one and two are identicle Drive channels, but can do anything from thick, fat Mesa distortion to the crunch of a Marshall. I really like the tone from it. Its not "exactly" Mesa or Marshall, but its own tone that sounds very sweet. Channel three is the clean channel that is as clean as any Mesa on the market, but better. It has multiple EQ voicings via a three position switch, as do all the channels which are Thick, Normal and Intense as well as an EQX section which dramatically improves the tone. It's no Twin clean, but very nice as most Carvin cleans are.
I was hesitant to buy because of the lack of onboard reverb, but really its something that I really didnt miss at all.
This amp is probably the best kept secret in the guitar world and at 999.99 shipped, you cant beat it.
There's a bunch a little tweaks you can make to it, so in the features dept., there's no shortage.

I play lead/rhythm guitar in a popular coverband and really needed an amp that did it all. We cover anyone from Drowning Pool and Rage to The Cure to the Stones, so I had to have heavy, tight distortion, the sparkling cleans and crunchy rhythm guitar tones and I didnt want to use pedals for the distortion.
I play an 87 Gibson Les Paul Custom with the stock pickups, an 84 Explorer with Dimarzio PAF's, a 96 Flying V with the stock ceramic pickups and a PRS Santana SE with a screamin Demon in the bridge and a SD Jazz in the neck (my beater guitar)
All of these, with their diversity in sounds sound great through the amp, but for some reason I was going back to the PRS. Figures the cheapest guitar is the one I play the most...lol.

I'm putting a 5, which is middle of the road because I've owned it for less than a week, so the we're still in the honeymoon phase. I've owned Carvin amps in the past (MTS3200 and X100B) and they were pretty reliable, so I dont think this will be any different. I guess I would have to gig without a backup because I sold my JCM900 and Windsor heads to get this one.
Worth it though.

Carvin gives you a ten day no questions asked money back guarantee, which is a little short IMO, but the warranty is one year and the tubes are 90 days.

I've been playing for 15 or so years, had alot of amps and guitars over the years (JCM800, 900, 2000 DSL, Mesa rectoverb, .50 caliber, Carvin MTS3200, X100B, Fender Twin, Vibolux, Super Reverb, Peavey Windsor, XXX)
This amp is a nice happy medium of all of them. Of course you cant have Twin Reverb's clean without using a Twin Reverb and cant have a Mesa's...you know what I mean. I love the amp and am very satisfied with my purchase.
This amp is very versatile and if all goes well, will be the last one I buy for a long while.