Carvin Amp Serial Number Lookup
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /srv/users/serverpilot/apps/jujaitaly/public/index.php on line 447.
The electric guitar may be the iconic symbol of the rock ‘n roll era, but it was the guitar amplifier which allowed bands to turn it up like never before. Guitarists in the 40s, 50s, and 60s needed a way to be heard over the drums and bass, and the tones produced by became the definitive sound of a generation. While vintage guitar amplifiers are still highly valued by musicians for their unique look and sound, collectors also prize models popularized by artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who.
These amps produced the defining sounds of rock ‘n roll, and as such are highly valued today. While modern solid state amplifiers have many advantages in terms of size, weight, and cost, the vacuum tubes used in vintage guitar amps produce an unmistakable warm, fat tone, and rich organic distortion.
That sound, which is different than the clean tone of transistor amps, is why vintage tube amps are so sought after today. Whether it's to pair with your new guitar or complement a classic, a vintage guitar amplifier gives an unmistakable sound. Vintage Guitar Amplifier Brands A vintage guitar amplifier uses vacuum tubes and analog electronics to achieve a golden, vintage tone. Before buying, explore some of the biggest names in vintage amps and their landmark models. This list is by no means comprehensive, but will give a taste of vintage guitar amplifier history. Fender Clarence Leonidas 'Leo' Fender took the design of electric amplifiers developed by the Electro String Company in 1930s, increased the power, and marketed electric amplifiers specifically for guitarists.
With the Fender Stratocaster in mass production, and the Gibson Les Paul just over the horizon, demand for guitar amplifiers was starting to grow. Beginning in 1945, the Fender Electric Instrument Company made and marketed a variety of vacuum-tube guitar amplifiers, and has remained one of the leading names in guitar technology ever since.
Vintage Fender amps from the mid 50s to the mid 60s are among the most sought after and valuable guitar amplifiers, both for working musicians and as collectors items. In fact, some musicians consider the Tweed Bassman, which was produced during this period, to be the best rock guitar amp ever made.
Dating Fender amplifiers can be a challenge, since there were no production numbers. The easiest way of identifying vintage Fender amplifiers is by their face.
Vintage Woodie Fender Amplifiers Woodie amps are so named because of their uncovered wood cabinets and matching wood handles, with controls facing the rear. The first true Fender amp, the Model 26, is from this period. They were made in three finishes: walnut, maple, and mahogany.
Woodies date from between 1946 and 1948. Vintage TV Amp Fender Amplifiers Tweed-covered TV Front amps look like old televisions with rounded edges. Produced between 1948 and 1953, the amps came covered in two styles of tweed. Earlier models had light tweed, and later models came in darker, diagonally-patterned tweed. Vintage Wide Panel Fender Amplifiers Wide panel Fender amps, produced between 1953 and 1955, had a top-facing chrome control panel. Vintage Narrow Panel Fender Amplifiers Narrow panel Fender amps, made between 1955 and 1964, are almost identical to wide panel amps, except for the narrower top and bottom grille panels.
Vintage Brown Fender Amplifiers Brown Fender amps, produced between 1959 and 1963, have forward-facing control panels and rounded brown knobs. The tweed was replaced by brown vinyl Tolex. Blond models are similar but have a beige Tolex covering with white knobs. Vintage Black Face Fender Amplifiers Black face Fender amps, made between 1963 and 1967, are similar to the brown/blond amps, but have a black Tolex covering and a black control panel. Many people think of these as Fender's best amps.
Vintage Silver Face Fender Amplifiers Silver face Fender amps date from 1967 to today. They're similar to black face amps but have a dull chrome control panel. Vox By the early 60s, Fender had competition from overseas. Founded in 1958 in Kent, England, Vox amplifiers became popular among blues and rock musicians who found that their warm sound could be over-driven to produce distortion.
Rockers such as Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck used this effect to produce the signature fuzzy rock sound of the early 60s. During this era, the explosive popularity of The Beatles made the Vox AC-15 and AC-30 amplifiers famous. Producing 240-watt peak power with a built-in tuner, the Vox brimmed with technology.
Its Watchdog load limiter let players crank up the volume without worrying about overloading. People also knew Vox for its five-button foot switch, which let the player control reverb, distortion, mid-range boost, tremolo, and repeat percussion. Marshall A British company, Marshall began making amps in 1962. Though inspired by the Fender Bassman, the British parts and design gave Marshall amps a unique sound and feel which is still sought after by musicians today.
The original Marshall amplifier model is the JTM45, with serial numbers starting at 1004. Smooth black covering, aluminum panels, and a rectangular logo with red lettering are all part of the Marshall history. The originals used straight-fronted cabinets and Celestion G12 15-inch speakers. In 1965, Marshall introduced its first 100-watt amplifier. It came in a larger cabinet with two 50-watt transformers.
Pete Townshend of The Who requested an 8 x 12 cabinet, and the 'stack amplifier' was born. These amps, more powerful than any made before, quickly became the standard for rock concerts across the world. Other Brands Though Fender, Marshall, and Vox Amps are the most recognized and popular today, many other companies produced tube amps. Gibson Gibson, one of the oldest electric guitar manufactures, has been making guitar amps since the 1930s.
Between WWII and 1967, Gibson manufactured their amps in Kalamazoo, Michigan. These amps are sought after and collectible, although generally less so than their Fender counterparts. Epiphone Epiphone also produced guitar amplifiers during this period.
One interesting example is the Professional, which fused guitar and amplifier like never before. Sold as a package, all of the amplifier controls were located on the body of the guitar, which was connected to the amp via a special multi-pin cable. Carvin Like vintage Fender guitar amplifiers, vintage Carvin amplifiers can be incredibly difficult to identify.
Early Carvin guitar amplifiers were tube-driven and came in one, two, and four-speaker models. Between 1949 and 1965, Carvin only offered tube models. Other notable manufactures included Ampeg, Gretsch, Magnatone, and Danelectro. While these amps might not be as famous or collectible as a Fender or Marshall, many have good tone and will satisfy a musician longing for a warm vintage sound. Jack White frequently played a Danelectro Silvertone 1485 during the early years of his band, the White Stripes, which took the amplifier from relative obscurity into the spotlight. How To Spot a Good Vintage Guitar Amp With a wide range of manufactures, models, and conditions, buying a vintage guitar amplifier can be an adventure.
Carvin Amp Serial Number Lookup
Vintage amps come in a few main configurations, with original or replaced parts, and in every possible condition. By knowing what controls they need, and what condition they want, a buyer can make sure they get the right amp. Evaluate Vintage Amplifier Vacuum Tubes Vintage amplifiers use vacuum tubes and capacitors instead of solid-state transistors. The difference in sound is similar to the sound difference between a record and a CD. Vintage amps might not sound as crisp or clean, but they have a warm, rich tone, and natural distortion. Since vacuum tube performance often deteriorates over time, the vacuum tubes may need to be replaced periodically. Choose A Speaker Configuration Vintage guitar amplifiers come in different configurations.
The main difference between a combo, piggyback, and stack amplifier is the physical relationship between the electronics and the speaker. Additionally, amplifiers will vary in power. Amps over 100 watts are appropriate for playing large venues. Combo Amplifiers Also called single-cabinet amplifiers, these are the original style of guitar amplifier. The amplifier and the speaker are together in one cabinet. Piggyback Amplifiers Piggyback amplifiers separate the amplifier (also called the head) from the speaker.
Stack Amplifier A stack consists of two speakers mounted on top of one another with the head on top. The quality of a speaker can make or break the quality of a vintage guitar amplifier. Some original speakers are excellent and produce a desirable, vintage tone. Look for original speaker cones in good condition. Popular choices include Celestion speaker cones, Bulldog speaker cones, and Jensen speaker cones. Get The Right Vintage Guitar Amplifier Controls Vintage guitar amplifiers can have one control or more than a dozen.
The basic controls include an on/off switch, volume control (sometimes called post gain), and at least one 1/4-inch input jack. For guitars with active electronics, make sure the amplifier has a low/-6dB input jack that can handle a higher output signal. Look for separate high and low tone controls for treble and bass. More expensive vintage guitar amplifiers can also have a mid-range control to adjust the tone between bass and treble. For vintage guitar amplifiers which support reverb, which is known on some vintage guitars as vibrato, look for a reverb echo control. Determine Vintage Guitar Amplifier Cabinet Quality Vintage guitar amplifier cabinets are usually made out of wood and covered with tweed or black Tolex. If the tweed is damaged, it may be necessary to reupholster the amplifier.
Black Tolex can be reconditioned, but it takes some hard work. If the vintage guitar amplifier cabinet is damaged but the electronics are good, it might be a good buy if the unit is at a discount and includes good hardware.
Make sure the grille cloth is undamaged. For buyers looking for an amplifier more as a player than a collector, there is no need to worry if the grille cloth is less than perfect. However, vintage guitar amps are collectors items, and hold a lot of aesthetic appeal, so it is a good idea to make sure the grille cloth is in good shape. Vintage Guitar Amplifier Transformers Antique transformers were carefully crafted to allow the greatest transfer of sound.
Modern day high-end speakers replicate this process. If the vintage guitar amplifier doesn't come equipped with its original transformer, make sure that the replacement matches the voltage, and that the output impedance matches the speakers. Choose Good Vintage Guitar Amplifier Circuitry The chain of electrical components in the vintage guitar amplifier head, and how the amp transfers electric current, has a major impact on how good the amplifier sounds. Although early circuitry was not very well made, pioneers such as Leo Fender and Jim Marshall focused on their circuits.
While many vintage amps have had parts of their circuitry repaired or replaced, purists will want original circuitry. Always ask if the vintage guitar amplifier contains replacement parts and determine if having them matters.
Vintage Guitar Amplifier Parts and Accessories To reach its full potential, a vintage guitar amplifier needs a number of parts and accessories. While some amps will include the original accessories, many will need replacement switches or cables.
Vacuum tubes need to be replaced periodically on a working amp, and certain parts of the circuitry can wear out. Luckily, replacements for almost every part of a vintage amp can be found.
While having all vintage components is important for some, new replacements are often easier to find. Vintage Foot Controllers and Switches Many vintage guitar amplifiers originally came with footswitches to control channels, reverb, or vibrato. If these switches are missing or not functional, replacement can be used as a replacement. Most vintage amps use dual-RCA plugs to connect switches, but some models use other systems. New replacements will have the functionality and look of vintage models, but purists may prefer having vintage switches. Vintage Guitar Amplifier Tubes While vacuum tubes can last for decades in storage, an amp played every day will often need replacement every few years.
Replacement vintage tubes can be found, but they can be expensive, and availability for many models is hit and miss at best. Because of this, failing or broken tubes are replaced most often with new replacement models.
Specifications and sizes of vacuum tubes vary, and are not usually interchangeable. Vintage vacuum tubes should be treated with care. For storage, tubes should be wrapped individually, stored in a secure place where they will not be bumped, and handled carefully. Other Amplifier Parts and Accessories Because vintage guitar amplifiers were made by hand, and do not use solid state electronics, almost every part of a vintage amp can be replaced or repaired,from the circuitry to the upholstery. If having all original parts is important, identical but broken models can be bought for parts. Repairs should be made by a qualified technician, although a dedicated hobbyist with basic electronics knowledge can perform many tasks on their own. Finding Vintage Guitar Amplifiers Since vintage guitar amps are by definition used, and many are rare collectors items, finding them for sale can be difficult.
Many brick and mortar guitar shops will stock vintage amps when they become available, as will some higher end pawn shops. Online, some specialty sites and communities exist, although their selection will vary. Online auction sites like eBay will usually have the largest selection of vintage amps.
Buying a Vintage Guitar Amplifier on eBay Often, the best place to find a vintage guitar amp is an online auction site like eBay. The category on eBay generally has hundreds of amps for sale at any given time.
This selection means more choices in terms of style, era, and brand. With seller feedback and buyer protection, buyers can purchase without worry. Additionally, eBay is a great place to find parts and accessories, from to. Conclusion Vintage guitar amplifiers are highly sought after items, both as living pieces of rock ‘n roll history and working musical equipment.
Bands like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who used these amplifiers to define the music of a generation, and today guitarists still look for their distinctive fat tone and warm distortion. While their unique look, feel, and sound appeal to many, the large number of makes and models can be confusing to a buyer. Buyers should make sure to carefully choose the make and style of amp which suits their playing or collecting needs. For people ready to buy or just seeing whats out there, browsing the selection on eBay is a great way to start looking for the perfect vintage guitar amplifier.
. RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started INSPECT YOUR AMP FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately. SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit, always use the original carton and packing material. VL100 / VL212 FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS GETTING STARTED QUICKLY 6. LEAD—BASS, MID & TREBLE If you are like most players, you probably want to plug in your new amp and get started To start off with, set the BASS, MID & TREBLE controls at their center (5) position.
V5 drives the Clean channel and power amp stage. V4 drives the Reverb system. Most foot pedals with 2 switches, a stereo cord and plug will work. However, Carvin’s If the reverb fails, check the cables before you replace V4.
Sometimes the small lead FS22 is recommended because of the correct identification label on the foot switch. Your Carvin product is guaranteed against failure for ONE YEAR unless otherwise stated. Vacuum ence of uninsulated “dan- user to the presence of tubes are guaranteed for 90 days. Carvin will service and supply all parts at no charge to the customer gerous voltage” within the RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.