Carvin StageMaster

[NLD09]

I went and played on someones Carvin Stagemaster and was blown away. The tone of my strat through that amp was phenomenal. Unfortunately he didn't want to trade for the guitar that I was offering.

I went to the carvin website and it looks like they don't make the amp anymore. Any idea what their modern equivalent would be? I can't find another used one anywhere (or much information at all on it for that matter) and he isn't accepting any cash offers.

Edit: Accidentally called it a Carvin bandmaster. It's a StageMaster...

 

[jackthehack]

I think you've gotten something mixed up here; are you sure it wasn't a FENDER Bandmaster???? Fender had that name trademarked from back in the 1950's and AFAIK Carvin never made an amp by that name....

 

[dbw]

Uh what?  Never heard of a Carvin Bandmaster... there is a Fender Bandmaster though...  ???

 

[NLD09]

oh my bad. Carvin StageMaster. I'll go fix that.

 

[jackthehack]

Never saw one of these, looks like it has a number of hip features like 2/4 tube operation switch (50/100watt) and a bias switch for using EL34 instead  of 6L6s/5881s; here's the manual:

http://www.carvinguitars.com/manuals/MTS3200.pdf

Here's a head going for cheap on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carvin-MTS-3200-50W-100W-All-Tube-Amp-Head-Nice_W0QQitemZ300340562805QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45edb14b75&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Just keep checking eBay, that one has the master volume control mod and is going CHEAP....

 

[jerryjg]

I had the 2x12  Stagemaster Combo one time. Totally sucked. Worst icepick in the forehead Ive ever heard. I did the Hasserl mods, switched speakers..nothing I did could tame it. I dumped it and never looked back

 

[Superlizard]

I had the 2x12  Stagemaster Combo one time. Totally sucked. Worst icepick in the forehead Ive ever heard. I did the Hasserl mods, switched speakers..nothing I did could tame it. I dumped it and never looked back

You know Hasserl?  I post on the ABCList with him... good guy.  He's like the Carvin expert.

 

[jerryjg]

I had the 2x12  Stagemaster Combo one time. Totally sucked. Worst icepick in the forehead Ive ever heard. I did the Hasserl mods, switched speakers..nothing I did could tame it. I dumped it and never looked back

You know Hasserl?  I post on the ABCList with him... good guy.  He's like the Carvin expert.

Well, in my brief dealings with him, I'd agree that he's a very good guy.Yup, he sold me the mod kit, and was very nice to answer any of my questions,  but damn that amp was bright.

 

[Superlizard]

... but damn that amp was bright.

Seems all newer (post 70's) mass-produced amps are that way... the "angry bees in a bottle" distorted tone.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!