Well this is quite something. When they announced it I loved the feature set and really loved the soft launch via Eric Haugen’s video just casually playing the new bit of gear he’d been lent.
I ummed and ahhed for a few months and finally decided life is short and that if it really is the right amp I can cover most of the cost by selling gear it will be replacing.
It arrived yesterday and it’s really special. For those not already aware, it’s a fairly typical Carr template. Small combo packed with features, clear sensible controls and a very good onboard attenuator. All point to point wired as well, for those who like that sort of thing.
This model is 16W at full blast, with switchable voicing between V66/H73/M68 modes, which roughly represent a classic Vox AC sound, classic Hiwatt and early-ish Marshall Plexi flavour. Then it has a high-low switch as well which essentially controls the overall input level and basically helps you lean towards cleans or dirtier sounds.
I took it to a jam with some new guys yesterday. Played with my newly-pickup-swapped ES-355 via Janray, Page and Deco it just sounded impeccable.ma cross a range of settings. The Hiwatt mode
is my favourite, but all are brilliant. It sounds like hyperbole but this is honestly the amp I’ve wanted for 20 years but 1)never existed and 2) I couldn’t have afforded even if it did!
There are some recordings from last night so I’ll post them here if the quality is good enough to give a proper impression. But either way I’m smitten.
I won’t say any more till I’ve used it a lot more, but it really is exceptional.
Comments
I haven't played one yet and that looks awesome !
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
Na, I've not played the Super Bee but for what you say, Rambler for the win, more Deluxe styleee
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
(green with envy expression )
Congrats on the new Carr
The demos for this sound amazing and I like the idea of having one amp that will be gigable and be great to play at home as well.
I currently use an AC30 but it’s a bit overpowered really and no much use for playing at home volumes. I’m also taking my life into my own hands getting it up the stairs after rehearsal once a week, so something a bit more portable would be nice.
I had earplugs in and it still felt plenty loud enough and could have given a bit more and still felt good. I had it sitting on top of another combo just to get it up off the floor and I could really feel it me in the back when I cranked the pedals as well. It's probably a little bit beamy due to the single speaker and small cab
One bit of recording from hat session here. I'm the dirtier sound without the slapback. Rig was ES-355 into Jan Ray/Page and Deco. Other cleaner guitar is a 335 via Tonemaster Princeton.
https://on.soundcloud.com/oT6L9E5U17ozTxHY8
I wouldn't say no if if had reverb, but honestly it's the kind of amp that doesn't need it.
Soundwise it's just phenomenal and easily favourite Vox style I've ever played. Also my favourite Hiwatt style, and my favourite Marshall-alike, which is damn good! Hiwatt is probably my favourite just because I love the chime, but all 3 are honestly fantastic.
If I had to nitpick the handle is very stiff and square-sided, so it's a bit of a pain to carry over medium-long distances, but that's a really small issue in the scheme of things
Have you had chance to play it loud / with a drummer?
The plan would be to sell my Bad Cats and AC30 and have this as my sole amp