Carvin X100B

I Bought this head used in 1993 after joining a loud punk band and realizing my 30 and 40 watt heads would not allow me to play leads over the singer/rhythm guitarist's Marshall 50 watt w/ 4x12 cab.
I bought a new Carvin 12" speaker and played it through that (in a small wooden hi-fi enclosure) at rehearsal and all was well, a loud tube amp.
Mine was a script logo 80s model with 6L6s, 3 12AX7s. Accutronics spring reverb, push pull vol knob for channel switching, 5 band eQ, presence. 4/8/16 ohm tap, gound switch, line out, effects loop.
Really, it had every feature you could ask for. Very versatile and that was its strength as well as its downfall (read on!)

I played this with a LP Jr through a Carvin and / or Boogie 2x12, and later a Marshall 4x10 2 cab stack. I played in a punk band but also later used it in a str8 ahead rnr band, usually with the 1x12 box. I found the amp to be acceptable in all situations, but never amazing in any.
Funny how people's entries either praise the distortion or bash it to bits. I do feel it was voiced as the "poor man's Boogie" with the 6L6s, I imagine the later models with EL34s were going after Marshall wannabes. Having never loved Boogies all that much (I got my Mesa 2x12 cab used at a price too good to pass up!) my Carvin's distortion tone was okay but could not compete with my one trick pony Hiwatt. Similarly, while taken on its own , the Carvin's clean channel was quiet and smooth , all my blackface Fender heads at lower volumes kicked its ass but good!
Essentially whilst it could do just about any sound well, the X-100B truthfully didn't do any one sound fantastically. This is not a knock on the amp; for wedding bands, style pirates, cover bands, etc. this is a real plus, and it did it all at a GREAT price!! The sound was typically unexceptional, but never unacceptable. This serves in utilitarian applications, but clearly is not what you want when searching for holy grail tone!

One blow up at a rehearsal. all of a sudden, POOF! no more sound. Turns out something had burned out on a PC board. Cost about $50 to fix, no biggie as I had been gigging with it full blast for about two years! I retubed with Groove Tubes while I was at it and it sounded fine as before. I see some techs claim here that its insides are a bit flimsy; I am not surprised, because you do indeed get what you pay for. Still, the case, handle, knobs, etc. all took a beating from me and I gigged w/out a backup and it never let me down.(Again, It went down that one time in rehearsal! Does that count?)

I see also folks had trouble getting footswitches, etc. I guess I lucked out; I got a new X-100B footswitch in 1993 for this mid-80s head no problem, but I guess since they stopped making them, that's no longer an option. Still, try getting old parts for Marshalls or Hiwatts; would you do any better there? (Not that I've tried, but see my point? Carvin have done okay by me when my requests were kept within reality)

I have played for over 25 years and I know what I like/don't like. I bought the Carvin head because I suddenly needed a good cheap loud dependable head to gig with. The amp did that and saw me through a few other bands as well. Eventually I broke down and spent more $ on better heads (Soldano) and it was worth it because the overall tone was an improvement within certain applications (clean, distorted, etc). But no other amp I've ever owned has been as versatile, carefully thought out or as generously appointed as that Carvin. I don't regret selling it because I usually wished I was playing my Hiwatt or Fenders at various points during songs. But I found the amp VERY reliable and versatile and If I did again find myself in a situation where I required a jack of all trades head, I would definitely check one out again. This time with EL34s, though! (I prefer psuedo-Marshall to ersatz Boogie!!)

An all tube amp (4"EL34"'s for output, 3 -"12AX7"s for pre-amp) made in the mid 80's, decent enough to play most styles. A 2 channel sitchable (foot switch hard to find) with an effects loop (3 way output volume control for the loop +4db to -10db)The front controls have basic controls -BASS / MIDDLE / TREBLE / PRESENCE, REVERB(spring),an EQ which is too wide and not enough mid range control which is important for guitar, can only be used by either CLEAN or DISTORSION chanels one at a time.
There is a output control at the back with 3 settings "25%,50%,FULL" wich I hardly found useful since it's not loud enough on "FULL" for me. Don't get me wrong, this amp is loud but the tone and EQ set just right, it lacks the volume of a Marshal.

I use a custom made solid body with a Dimarzio dual sound and a Carvin active, Floyd Rose trem. A LANEY 4x12 with Celestion 25 green backs. This amp sounds better through Celestion 30's My style is pretty wide from Blues, Country to Metal, Jazz.. This amp has a good clean sound, the distorsion is thin and lacks a tight bass response. Gets real fuzzy with the presence control up more than 3 or 4. warm sounding at lower volume levels. Unfortunately, you can dial a good tone for one chanel at a time.
At high volume levels, the clean channel souns better, driving the output tubes.

Very reliable having dropped on the floor a couple of times.
Need a change of tubes from time to time but that's it.
I've used it on a few gigs with no backup.

All service through factory, you pay for shipping.

I've been playing for 16 years, professionally for the last 8. For the price it's alright. I bought it because I know Steve Vai used it when he was with Frank Zappa. I'm sold it as I needed a good amp. You get what you pay for in most cases as with this. Maybe Carvin will finally make a good amp.

This is a mid 80's amp head and comes with all the features I could ever want. Two channels with a push pull pot on both to add extra crunch when you need it. It has an effects loop which I don't use due to my own personal tastes and a switch on the back that lets you run at 20%, 50%, or 100% power. For myself 50% is plenty (I'm afraid I'd injure someone at full power on this amp!) It has EL34 tubes for power and 12 AX7 for preamp. Also included is a very functional 5-band eq which has allowed me to dial in the perfect tone.

I use Fender Strats all loaded with Dimarzio HS-2's in the middle and neck positions and an HS-3 in the bridge position. With these guitars the tone is incredible. I've owned Marshall plexi's, Hiwatt Custom 50's, Fender Bassman and a Hughs & Kettner Triamp all great amps but none I like as much as this Carvin. The suprising thing to me is how rich and textured the tone is for all types of music. I play everything from blues to contemporary country to slammin' metal and this amp keeps on amazing me. Very rich creamy overdrive to sweet fat clean tones. The clean channel rolls into a very nice grind when cranked and the drive channel goes from very bluesy to full shred. Definately my favorite amp to date. If you ever wanted to get that Comfortably Numb sound and not break the bank, this is the all the amp you will ever need!!!

For the past 16 years I've tubed her up every six months (I use it 6 days a week) and let her rip without ever failing me once!!!! I guess you could say that's pretty reliable couldn't you?

Carvin unfortunately doesn't make these amps anymore so they don't stock the parts for them but they did give me support when I needed to get a channel switching foot pedal for one of mine.

I have been playing guitar for over 25 years and currently own three of these amps and if anything were ever to happen to one of them I would do anything to get another! I really love this amp from its' cosmetics to its' sound it is perfect for me. Carvin makes a new line of amps now and I know they are great amps too but I think I might just have to get more X-100B's if anything were to happen to mine. Great product Carvin!!!

Two channels, effects loop, switchable eq, push pull pot for extra gain on the lead channel, push pull bright switch on the rythym channel, 25%, 50%, 100% switch, 4, 8, 16 ohm settings. I have two of these amps one with 4 6L6's, one with 4 EL34's.

I am playing through three differently setup Gibson L-6S's and occasionally a delay and a flange. I play in a punk rock, rock and roll band that occasionally veers into Motown and Garage Stomp territory. This amp has really given me a sound of my own. Others have complained that there isn't enough gain on this amp, which makes me wonder if they are smoking crack, or if I just have the two x-100's with the most gain. If I turn the gain preamp to 10 the amount of gain I get is absolutely unuseable. Between seven and eight, I am able to get gobs of distortion, chest rattling palm mutes (due in part to a very thick cab loaded with 2 ev's and 2 celestions) and amazing control of feedback. If there is anything that gets me down about the distortion channel, it is that it often sounds too modern, and it is hard to get a more old school stonesy crunch out of the thing. The clean channel is pristine to a fault. I wish I could dirty it up a bit and am currently looking into moding it to get some gain. However, I think that for many people, that really clean sound could be the thing that they love about this amp- it just doesn't really suit my band's style. The amp is louder than god. I compete with an 800watt bass amp & a Marshall JCM 800 and I am always the one who has to turn down for them. My usual stage master volume on the gain channel is between three and four.

I generally depend on this amp. Of course the reason that I own two of them is that the first one died on me in the middle of a tour. It was one of those awful intermittent problems that never wants to show itself in front of a tech. However, the one that broke down did several hundred shows in fairly wretched conditions. I never had a case for it, it just sat in the back of the van, or later the trailer and got bounced around. The new one has never had problems and I was finally able to fix the old one- so I have a backup now. Other than that, regular service keeps it happy.

Most people have complained about the difficulty of getting a footswitch out of Carvin. I had this problem too, but I found one used. However, in many other aspects they have been very helpful. I lost a piece of the fuse assembly and a knob on our last tour and the guy I talked to at Carvin was nice enough to send both pieces to me free of charge. They also have put schematics for the amp on their web page. This is a good thing to know on the road, as many amp techs don't have a schematic for these heads.

I have been playing for ten years and have been on tour constantly for the last four. I really like this amp and think I would have to buy another if I lost both of them. It is pretty versatile, but there are things it just isn't- say a hand wired point to point masterpiece. But, for the money, it is an amazing deal. I see these on ebay all of the time for pennies and they make a great amp for a first timer or an old timer.

I Bought this amp new in 1985.Its a solid well crafted head.I originally bought it for the great clean tone,with lots of headroom.Its a two channel,100 watt RMS amp with variable power selector(100,50 & 25%).Great Hammond reverb,Effects loop and many other pro features.The componets are top quality and noiseless.

I currently use the dirty channel with the drive turned up just enough
to get a little hair around the edges.It has a wonderful warm growl,that is easily coaxed into any thing from warm and southern to bright and screaming.The EQ brings up more than enough of the three separate tones.This amp has BOTTOM! I play through a marshall 4x12 and
it sounds good.The distorion is unique,not like a marshall or a fender.One of the reasons I bought it was that it had a sound of its own.Kind of a thunky,choppy grit.I A/B this amp next to a JCM 800 and went home with the carvin.The clean channel is one of the best I've heard.Lots of tone variation there.Overall,a well designed amp.

This amp has been extreamly dependable.I have used it everyday for 16 years and nothing has gone wrong,not a thing.It has never needed service.Original tubes still sound great,I did replace the tubes with groove tubes just to see if they sounded any differant.The G/T's sounded a little darker.( I called Carvin about replacing the tubes) and they were very helpful.Even recomended the G/T's.Every once in a while I just spray some contact cleaner on the pots and EQ sliders and they have been silent and working smooth.

Good People,very helpful.(not like Gibson!)

I have been playing guitar 29 years and use A gibson les paul standard and a 62're-issue fender strat.I like both guitars through this amp.I can get a spanky strat tone and great warm smooth les paul sound.Amps were made to be tweaked! Its all about sitting down and experimenting.My tastes have changed over the years,and this amp has been able to keep up with my changing tone demands.

Amp had GT tubes and I bought it in 1994. Two channels, but floor pedal not available. Plenty of knobs but the basic sound cannot be changed... X is very loud MF. Enough for club gigs.

I use manly Ibanez RG7-612 with custom DiMarzio Blaze II's. My playing style is metallish, music ain't though... Not optimal amp for metal sounds. Distortion isn't fat or thick enough. 5 band EQ helps a bit, but the basic crunch isn't good for metal. Good basic rock amp. Clean channel OK.

One power tube's socket short circuited and burned a hole to circuit board and melted a lot of wirings. Two power tubes out of use now. Repairing costed about 200$. One year after that the amp died again. I unplugged preamp tubes and put them back and now it works again.

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I've played for 10+ years and Carvin was my first real amp (after solid state Marshall 100W). It was OK for a while but it never suited to my playing style.

I use Rocktron VooDoo Valve and Rocktron power amp live, I have Line6 Spider at home. Wouldn't cry too long if that Carvin was stolen, insurance company could give me more than guitar shop...

This a great sounding tube amp. I'm not a histroy major on guitar amps or a tech wizard on guitar amps, but I'm guessing that my Carvin amp is a 90's model because it has EL34's and 12AX7's. This cool amp has two channels that are simple to use, but it can have many different sounds if you play with it long enough. The controls from left to right are: Rhythm
(pull for bright, lead drive(pull on), Master(Pull Hi lead), Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence, and Reverb. Then there is the really cool 5 band graphic eq. Three toggle switches: one for lead or rhythm, another for standby, and on and off toggle switch. The rear panel has an FX Loop(which I rarely use), Full, 50%, and 25% three-way switch, Footswitctch jack, and a speaker configuration switch for running different types of cabinets with different ohms. This is amp is way too versatile, simple to use, and sounds awesome. I never use the footswitch jack though because I bought it is used without a footswitch, and I hear that they are hard to find nowadays. I normally run my Zoom 505 and I normally just play with the eq on the amp. My band doesn't play too often, just practice once a week. This amp has all the power you need and the pristine tube sound you'll ever want!

I play in a punk band and an alternative band, and the distortion on the amp is great, but I solely prefer my Zoom 505 because of it's limiting effect and the disortion on the pedal sounds more compressed. You can get many different sounds on this amp ranging from blues to hard rock, however heavy metal purists may stray away from this one if they are looking for that seering and tight sound. It could be possible to get that heavy sound, but it'll take time to get used to the eq. I play with a stock Epiphone Les Paul Standard. The clean channel without my Zoom pedal is totally awesome. I never turned up the clean channel louder then 3 or 4 because those are very loud settings. The clean channel never sounded distorted at those levels. Nice, pirstine, brassy, and just the right amount of oomph.
When you are in a very loud band(we have three guitarists in my alternative band)of course there is going to be noise. Feedback is always going to be there, you just have to be smart and not face the amp. However, there is a crackiling static noise when I turn the rotary treble and bass eq, but it still gets my desired sound. For recording, it is descent and has very little noise. Overall, the sound is just prefect for me. Lots of tube tone and bottom end.

I've had this amp for more than a year. I bought it in Sept. '99 used from a friend who was moving away and he bought his new in '97. I'm not sure if he replaced the tubes since he got it. it sounded awesome when I tried it. So I bought it cause I was desperately craving for a tube amp and a big stack sound with tight bottom end for gigs, which I couldn't achieve through my tiny Fender amp. I have had no trouble with this USED Carvin X-100B. It's solid as a tank, but like any other tube amp you must handle it with great care.

Never dealt with them.

I've been playing for about 5 years now. When my friend used to own this amp, he would bring it to our local shows and it sounded so great, according to my ears. I had to get that amp. It also looked very intimidating besides the awseome, ripping sound. This amp was very loud and cuts through other sounds at those open area shows. I played a strat copy through that amp once when it wasn't mine at one of our local shows and the incredible sound just knocked me down. I also own a Fender Deluxe 112 Plus combo amp. My Carvin stomps that little amp in every way. I bought the Carvin cause it was a super deal, and I wanted a real tube amp. I never had a chance to compare it with other amps except my own Fender, but I trust my own ears, and my own ears said this amp has everything you need: Tone and Power. The only thing wrong with my Carvin amp, just like all other tube amps, is it's maintainence. I have to buy new tubes for it when the time comes. Right now I am recently looking for a used soli-state head, cause I don't want to waste the tubes during practice, but still have that tight bottom end sound. I recommend this amp used or new because it's simple, powerful, and gives a perfect tone for my playing style, but trust your own ears when looking for a good amp. All is said and done.

Made in 1980's
Not Versitile
It 3 Channels, Effects Loop, No Headphone jack
Used it for gigs, enough power.

I've tried many different guitars, including an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Flametop, a 1962 Fender Stratocaster, and a stock PRS at Good Music Co.
I took it in, and the guys at Good n Loud Music said it was an ok amp. It tends to distort a lot on clean sounds when you play your guitar with a pick. The Distortion is not good, it sounds a lot like a 60's fuzz turned up way too much. The EQ doesn't help it much. I play music from Incubus to Taproot. It doesn't fit my likings.

Its a sturdy amp.

I called Carvin to get a footswitch for it, they would not help at all. They said they don't make them anymore, and they said go find a custom technicion to do it.....click. Called them back, and they got very impatient.

Amp is Ok. Kinda Sucks.

This amp was made in the mid/late 80s and pretty much sucks for anything modern. I still respect carvin, this just wasn't made for modern punk or hard rock. It's pretty versatile however...Great for blues, classic rock and jazz. I wanted to play punk and metal/rock but it just couldn't hang. The EQ knobs plus sliders was a great plus for tone! Also, the 25/50/100 watt switch is way ahead of its time, a great feature, it allows you to get distorted sound at low level. I just wish it had crunch! If you're looking for a good classic tube amp, go for this one though. Beware though! If you buy one, make sure it has a footswitch that works with it! Those old 3 prong ones are hard to find.

I played it with a Les Paul copy and humbuckers...Like I said, it doesn't have the modern distortion i was looking for, but it was great for classic styles using that les paul tone. It doesn't suit my band's style however. It also fed back like crazy using a DOD GS-30 mult fx, so that sucked.

Never had a problem with that...I only put about 4-5 hours on it before i sold it.

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Don't pay anymore than $250 for this amp...I made that mistake! Make sure, if you do, that you have the footswitch and try it a lot before you buy it!

I just wanted to submit an update to an earlier (positive) review of this amp. In that review I stated that the amp sounded like Marshall and Boogie. After playing this amp with a different guitar than the ones I had at the time of that review allow me to clarify. This amp is basically a Boogie knock-off (push pull knobs, five band slider EQ). It is basically the clean channel from a Mk IV and the Lead Channel from a Mk IV. However, the tone is a little less pure (not as well made as Boogies). I like this however...that's where the Marshall comparison comes in. It gets a little more overdriven/saturated than the Mk IV does with that same guitar. Some folks would call this buzzy pre-amp noise, to me it sounds like a little gainier, looser feel like a Marshall (I have EL-34s in this X-100B). This is where the Marshall comparison ends however....you do not have the loose, growly distortion of a good old Marshall (I call this ass tone like 1980s VH, Ratt, Randy Rhoads, etc tone). Tighter and brighter than that (again like Boogie).