Guitar Amps
Late in 2003, Carvin
made a bold and welcome marketing change - the return of the
full-sized, 8½ X 11 catalog. The small-format catalog was 10
years old, and had started to appear dated, despite the new
photography in the Summer 2003 edition. The photography of the
late-2003 catalog was similar to the last small-format one, but the
new larger format allowed more instruments to be shown on each page,
in a unique and visually appealing "one large, three small"
layout.
Except
where noted, the pictures and prices are from the Fall/Winter 2003
catalog. By the time the Fall '04 catalog came out, prices on
the SX series amps dropped appreciably.
Click each picture for
a larger version.
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The Vai Legacy Series of amps were unchanged,
but did see their first price increase since 2000. The VL100 head
was priced at $829.99, and the C412T/C412B cabinets were priced at
$539.99. The half-stack VL412 was priced at $1279.99, and the
double-stack VL812 was $1759.99. The VL212 combo was also
unchanged, and rose in price to $999.99. The C212E extension
cabinet rose to $349.99.
The Master Tube Series amps were also
unchanged, and had comparative prices increases as Carvin's other
amps. The MTS3200 head rose to $649.99, and the 412T/412B
cabinets were $399.99 each. The MTS412 half-stack sold
for $959.99, and the MTS812 double-stack was $1299.99.
The MTS3212 combo was unchanged,
and rose in price to $749.99. The VE212 2X12 extension cabinet
was $229.99. |
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The Vintage Tube Series amps were
unchanged from the Summer 2003 edition. The price on the 50W 212
Bel Air combo was $599.99, the 50W 112 Nomad was $529.99,
and the 16W/5W Vintage 16 was $399.99. |
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The SX300 Series amps were unchanged
from the previous catalog. The SC300H head sold for
$399.99, the SX3412 half-stack was $729.99, and the SX3812
was $1079.99. The SX300 combo was $499.99. |
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Like the SX300 Series, the SX200 amps
were the same as the Summer 2003 versions. The SX200
combo sold for $429.99, the SX200H head was $329, the SX412
half-stack was $659.99, and the SX812 double-stack was $999.99. |
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Carvin
offered two new items for guitarists in 2004, the TN100 Tone
Navigator and the TS100 Tube Power Amp. The Tone Navigator
preamp was designed in conjunction with guitarist Frank Gambale, and had
a wide assortment of features, including MIDI capabilities, effects
loop, headphone jack and 120 patches. The TN100 sold for $499.99.
The TS100
was an all-tube power amp, based on four 12AX7's and four EL34's.
It produced 50W per channel or 100W bridged. The TS100 sold for
$529.99.
This
image is from the Fall 2004 catalog. |
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