Should I switch to carvin?

[Slanderous666]

During the summer I bought a Mesa Boogie Express 5:25 and the amp blows me away! The cleans are divine and the crunch is great and the metal tone is lacking unfortunately. As christmas is coming up I was just planning on getting a bad monkey OD to beef up the heavier side of the amp but I recently saw the Carvin V3 series and it looks like that might be a better amp for me if I can sell my mesa boogie for close to what the carvin would cost new. I play mostly classic rock and metal, big big fan of chuck schuildler and Death. I play alot in my room and record, jams and gigging alittle down the road. Is the carvin worth the trade? I didnt notice it when I first bought the Boogie so I always wonder if I had, what the outcome would be. Also as I'm in canada and the amp is made in the states would nafta protect me from duties and paying tax on it as I'm buying it from the site?

PS I love boogie and I'd really love to find a rectoverb or other high gain mesa amp but I just dont have more than what I can sell the express for.

 

[domct203]

I played a V3 for 6+ months after selling my Triple. The V3 is a nice amp, but it is NOT a Mesa sounding amp. It is CARVIN's Vision of a modern High Gain amp. The cleans are wonderful, just as nice (but different) as my Roadster's. Too bad there's no onboard reverb. The Lead channels are bright and the deep control was a nice touch (but the frequency it controlled seemed excess in boom and a little lacking in punch), and the Mid Cut would thin the amp out (the amp is voiced mid-heavy). Never did find a use for the EQX. Easy to dial in a cutting lead tone and can get a pretty heavy sounding rhythm.

There is ZERO hint of Mesa in the amp. The V3's a nice amp (and so is the MTS), but it was not my cup of tea.

I'm not knocking the amp, it might even ring your bell, who knows? My point is that is is going to be voiced a lot different than your Express.

I would try some pedals with the Express first. The Bad Monkey is OK, but there are better choices IMO. If the amp has two of three tones you really like then I'd stick with it.

And there's always Carvin's 10-day policy. Try have a plan "B" just in-case. Maybe a buddy can loan you the money for 30-days so you can try the Carvin before you sell the Express?

Good Luck,

Dom

 

[Slanderous666]

I played a V3 for 6+ months after selling my Triple. The V3 is a nice amp, but it is NOT a Mesa sounding amp. It is CARVIN's Vision of a modern High Gain amp. The cleans are wonderful, just as nice (but different) as my Roadster's. Too bad there's no onboard reverb. The Lead channels are bright and the deep control was a nice touch (but the frequency it controlled seemed excess in boom and a little lacking in punch), and the Mid Cut would thin the amp out (the amp is voiced mid-heavy). Never did find a use for the EQX. Easy to dial in a cutting lead tone and can get a pretty heavy sounding rhythm.

There is ZERO hint of Mesa in the amp. The V3's a nice amp (and so is the MTS), but it was not my cup of tea.

I'm not knocking the amp, it might even ring your bell, who knows? My point is that is is going to be voiced a lot different than your Express.

I would try some pedals with the Express first. The Bad Monkey is OK, but there are better choices IMO. If the amp has two of three tones you really like then I'd stick with it.

And there's always Carvin's 10-day policy. Try have a plan "B" just in-case. Maybe a buddy can loan you the money for 30-days so you can try the Carvin before you sell the Express?

Good Luck,

Dom

It's really pleasant to hear such an informed opinion. So there was a big difference in gain? Also would you recommend any other OD's for the express?

 

[jdurso]

Slander i would check out the MI Audio Tube Zone if you want really chunky metal type stuff... it can definitely conjure a Recto/Mark IV type high gain out of the Express. Also if your not looking for something to get high gain but more 80s metal crunch I'd look at the Fulltone OCD or the Xotic BB+

 

[songrider]

I owned a V3 for about 9 days over the summer. It doesent come anywhere close to the boogie sound or feel or quality. Its much "smaller" sounding. I gave it every chance and played the hell out of it and configured it in every way possible with and without various effects including the g-major.

I LOVED the old Carvin X100B amps but the new Carvin stuff is not anywhere NEAR that quality.

I know the price is right on the Carvin stuff and Right now I could sell My boogies and get most of the Carvin line in one shot but that alone should tell you something about the quality and ultimately the sound and tone of the Carvin gear. The old addage... "you get what you pay for" is ABSOLUTELY true.

My advice is to stick with the Mesa get the bad monkey or the new Hardwire CM-2 is also excellent as well.

 

[Slanderous666]

I owned a V3 for about 9 days over the summer. It doesent come anywhere close to the boogie sound or feel or quality. Its much "smaller" sounding. I gave it every chance and played the hell out of it and configured it in every way possible with and without various effects including the g-major.

I LOVED the old Carvin X100B amps but the new Carvin stuff is not anywhere NEAR that quality.

I know the price is right on the Carvin stuff and Right now I could sell My boogies and get most of the Carvin line in one shot but that alone should tell you something about the quality and ultimately the sound and tone of the Carvin gear. The old addage... "you get what you pay for" is ABSOLUTELY true.

My advice is to stick with the Mesa get the bad monkey or the new Hardwire CM-2 is also excellent as well.

Awesome info guys. I'll definately look at the OD's suggested. Just curious but how do the new Carvin X100B reissues stack up?

 

[madryan]

The express 5:25 is running EL-84's in it's power section. Nothing you can do to that amp is going to get you that monster thump from the low end that a "metal" amp running 6L6's will get you. It's just not in the cards. I'd sell it and pick up an F-50 or Express 5:50 as that'll get you much closer to what you want. A MarkIII would be tits.

 

[snave]

The express 5:25 is running EL-84's in it's power section. Nothing you can do to that amp is going to get you that monster thump from the low end that a "metal" amp running 6L6's will get you. It's just not in the cards. I'd sell it and pick up an F-50 or Express 5:50 as that'll get you much closer to what you want. A MarkIII would be tits.

QFT

I had a Studio 22+ combo for some time, which ran 2 EL-84s in the power sections, and I've also played every express model there is.

You will NEVER be able to really emulate the chunk of a 6L6 or EL34 amp even with that power section. They're simply voiced with more emphasis on the mids and highs, with a spongy and utterly un-huge lowend.

 

[Slanderous666]

The express 5:25 is running EL-84's in it's power section. Nothing you can do to that amp is going to get you that monster thump from the low end that a "metal" amp running 6L6's will get you. It's just not in the cards. I'd sell it and pick up an F-50 or Express 5:50 as that'll get you much closer to what you want. A MarkIII would be tits.

QFT

I had a Studio 22+ combo for some time, which ran 2 EL-84s in the power sections, and I've also played every express model there is.

You will NEVER be able to really emulate the chunk of a 6L6 or EL34 amp even with that power section. They're simply voiced with more emphasis on the mids and highs, with a spongy and utterly un-huge lowend.

Would a carvin X100B or mesa boogie recotverb/mark III work?

 

[gooberizer]

I owned a V3 for two years. Or I should say I owned 3 V3s because they kept malfunctioning. I had a first production run that had a lot of RF problems and made nasty noises at all volumes. Exchanged that one after Carvin finally offered a replacement under a "silent recall" as they put it. Six months later the second one quit switching channels. Carvin told me it needed a new mother board with the "proprietary modification". Which means they wouldn't tell me what went wrong. It lasted about a year then channel two went out. Did another exchange and put JJ KT77s in it which made it a lot better. Shortly after that I came across a deal on a Tremoverb head I couldn't pass up. After two years dealing with all the problems of the V3, and never really being able to get "my" tone out of it anyway despite all the tube changes and eq pedals and such, to then be able to play through a Mesa :shock: ... I sold the third V3 a few days after I got the Mesa and have been totally happy with the amazing tones and reliability of the Tremoverb. My experience with the V3 may be unique, I don't know. The guys on the Carvin board will tell you they're great amps. Mine wasn't.

 

[Slanderous666]

I owned a V3 for two years. Or I should say I owned 3 V3s because they kept malfunctioning. I had a first production run that had a lot of RF problems and made nasty noises at all volumes. Exchanged that one after Carvin finally offered a replacement under a "silent recall" as they put it. Six months later the second one quit switching channels. Carvin told me it needed a new mother board with the "proprietary modification". Which means they wouldn't tell me what went wrong. It lasted about a year then channel two went out. Did another exchange and put JJ KT77s in it which made it a lot better. Shortly after that I came across a deal on a Tremoverb head I couldn't pass up. After two years dealing with all the problems of the V3, and never really being able to get "my" tone out of it anyway despite all the tube changes and eq pedals and such, to then be able to play through a Mesa :shock: ... I sold the third V3 a few days after I got the Mesa and have been totally happy with the amazing tones and reliability of the Tremoverb. My experience with the V3 may be unique, I don't know. The guys on the Carvin board will tell you they're great amps. Mine wasn't.

Ah I see, I'd probably look for a used rectoverb or perhaps a new Bogner Alchemist Series 112 40W. Would anyone know how the bogner compares to the express and rectoverb? Would it give me that metal chunk?

Actually would a mark III have enough onboard chunk? It seems to be more dynamic sounding than a rectoverb.

 

[jdurso]

Slander... I just played the Alchemist a few weeks ago and I was really impressed. The cleans were fantastic... tons of head room and takes OD pedals very nicely. The dirty channel is much like the Express in its voicing. There is more bass on tap but i think its more a mid gain amp like the Express. It did however get some pretty sweet metal tones with the right OD in front, but in my experience the Express can as well (at least the 5:50 can). I would check it out if you get a chance because it may not be exactly what your after and may not be worth swapping the express for.

 

[Slanderous666]

Slander... I just played the Alchemist a few weeks ago and I was really impressed. The cleans were fantastic... tons of head room and takes OD pedals very nicely. The dirty channel is much like the Express in its voicing. There is more bass on tap but i think its more a mid gain amp like the Express. It did however get some pretty sweet metal tones with the right OD in front, but in my experience the Express can as well (at least the 5:50 can). I would check it out if you get a chance because it may not be exactly what your after and may not be worth swapping the express for.

I have been looking around and nothing really beats the mesa tone. I think just adding an OD would most likely give me enough gain and chunk. If I did swap it, I would most likely be looking at a single rec/rectoverb, a mark III or a stiletto. (all used) It's a big pain though trying to sell it then buying used but if it'll give me all the chunk I need.

 

[jdurso]

I have been looking around and nothing really beats the mesa tone. I think just adding an OD would most likely give me enough gain and chunk. If I did swap it, I would most likely be looking at a single rec/rectoverb, a mark III or a stiletto. (all used) It's a big pain though trying to sell it then buying used but if it'll give me all the chunk I need.

Honestly if I were in your position I would get the MI Audio Tube Zone because you could use it in front of channel 1 clean and be able to get a more recto/mark iv type tone. I've heard this thing into a fender twin and it sounded and responded like my Roadster. There are plenty of eqs as well so you can shape the tone to be thunderou like a recto or more focus like a mark iv. This would essentially give you three great tones without having to swap your amp. And the reason i'd try to make the express work is they have the most fabulous cleans in the mesa line.

 

[Slanderous666]

I have been looking around and nothing really beats the mesa tone. I think just adding an OD would most likely give me enough gain and chunk. If I did swap it, I would most likely be looking at a single rec/rectoverb, a mark III or a stiletto. (all used) It's a big pain though trying to sell it then buying used but if it'll give me all the chunk I need.

Honestly if I were in your position I would get the MI Audio Tube Zone because you could use it in front of channel 1 clean and be able to get a more recto/mark iv type tone. I've heard this thing into a fender twin and it sounded and responded like my Roadster. There are plenty of eqs as well so you can shape the tone to be thunderou like a recto or more focus like a mark iv. This would essentially give you three great tones without having to swap your amp. And the reason i'd try to make the express work is they have the most fabulous cleans in the mesa line.

Ah I see, I was planning on putting the OD over the crunch or burn channels but that might work as well. The only amp I would probably trade my Express in for would either be a stiletto series amp or sometime in the future a mark V. But the stilletto seems perfect for what I am looking for if the MI audio doesnt help. I'll keep an eye out for a used stiletto for the right price in the meanwhile.

 

[Newysurfer]

Other top quality high gain/metal OD pedals are the MI Audio Cunchbox (for high gain marshall JCM900, JCM800 tones), the Blackstar and the EH Metal Muff. The best metal tones I've heard from a pedal is the Crunchbox mid scooped with an EQ pedal. Or the Contour pot on your 5:25 will do it.

I never run a distortion pedal into the burn channel. Just creates mud. A low gain tubescreamer is great but not a distortion pedal. The Express amps have one of the best clean channels you can buy and is perfect for using pedals. If you need more gain get a pedal with more. :mrgreen:

 

[Slanderous666]

Other top quality high gain/metal OD pedals are the MI Audio Cunchbox (for high gain marshall JCM900, JCM800 tones), the Blackstar and the EH Metal Muff. The best metal tones I've heard from a pedal is the Crunchbox mid scooped with an EQ pedal. Or the Contour pot on your 5:25 will do it.

I never run a distortion pedal into the burn channel. Just creates mud. A low gain tubescreamer is great but not a distortion pedal. The Express amps have one of the best clean channels you can buy and is perfect for using pedals. If you need more gain get a pedal with more. :mrgreen:

I'd have to agree with you and Jdurso. I love my amp the way it is and the distortion I can get is already in the 80's metal/shred domain so I think either the tube zone or a crunch box would work well. El84's arent the best tubes for the job but maybe I can have some fun creating an unorthodox metal tone that might be a bit more unique, like I'm looking for. chuck schuldiner used a marshall AVT to get some very awesome tones when everyone else said he couldn't so why not give it a try at the moment. I am also planning on putting a dimarzio X2n in my bridge so that might help a bit. Now just to find the right OD I guess. I doubt anything will beat a tube zone though.

EDIT: Wait arent the crunch box and metal muff distortions not OD's? I love my amps tone I just need to gain it up a bit without it getting muddy so an OD is what I need. Maybe a boost but I think an OD would be better.

 

[jdurso]

i'd also check out the Blackstar pedals as mentioned above. They are true sleepers in my eyes.... played the whole line a few months back and i was delighted by the tones they can deal out. Also in terms of OD vs Distortion... i think a distortion pedal might be a better fit infront of your clean channel as long as you get the right distortion (basically the one that has the tone your looking for). the OD will definitely get your preamp tubes cooking but i dont think it'll get you the heavier tone your looking for. The Fulltone OCD is a great option because to me its both a distortion pedal and an OD, all depending on how you use it.

 

[Slanderous666]

i'd also check out the Blackstar pedals as mentioned above. They are true sleepers in my eyes.... played the whole line a few months back and i was delighted by the tones they can deal out. Also in terms of OD vs Distortion... i think a distortion pedal might be a better fit infront of your clean channel as long as you get the right distortion (basically the one that has the tone your looking for). the OD will definitely get your preamp tubes cooking but i dont think it'll get you the heavier tone your looking for. The Fulltone OCD is a great option because to me its both a distortion pedal and an OD, all depending on how you use it.

Ah I see, I'll take a look at them and the fulltone OCD. Would a boost be worth it or is it the same problem as the OD?


Edit: I like the look of some of the hardwire series pedals from digitech. The hardwire distortion pedals might be a good choice.

 

[jdurso]

Ah I see, I'll take a look at them and the fulltone OCD. Would a boost be worth it or is it the same problem as the OD?


Edit: I like the look of some of the hardwire series pedals from digitech. The hardwire distortion pedals might be a good choice.

A boost would do even less than an OD. Most of us use an OD as a boost anyway, setting the gain at 0 and the volume maxed.

As for the Livewire pedals i would try them before buying them. I actually really dug them but not infront of a tube amp. IMO though the Blackstar stuff as well as the MI Audio and OCD are a little bit better and a pedal like the OCD retains its value. Just my .02