|
 Guitar Amps
Carvin offered the same
basic lineup of amps that they had offered since 1976, although Altec-Lansing
speakers were no longer offered. However, Celestion speakers
were offered on the upscale amps that formerly carried Altec-Lansings.
Prices had increased somewhat, but the amps and cabinets were
basically the same as they had been since 1976. Click
each picture to see the entire catalog page.
|
 |
 |
Carvin's top-of-the-line
tube amplifier was the VT1500 series. Although this was
designated as a lead guitar system, it could also be used for
keyboards or bass guitar. This was offered in a single or double
stack, both of which were based on the 100W VTR2800 head (see details
of this head below). The SR690 cabinet, with 4 12" Carvin
MagnaLab speakers, was the standard cabinet. The Concert
VT1500-1M single stack sold for $595.00, while the SVT1500-2 double
stack sold for $840.00. Celestion speakers could be substituted on
either, making the VT1500-1C single stack $670.00, and the SVT1500-2C
$990.00. |
|
|
The VTR2800
head (above) was the heart of the VT1500 series amps. This all-tube 100W
head had two channels (sustain [lead] and normal), with a 7 band graphic
equalizer, master reverb, volume controls for each channel, and harmonic
sustain control for channel 1. It also had a selectable output wattage
switch, and a B+ voltage control, which kept the tubes warm while the amp was
not being used. Two output jacks were wired in parallel, and a
selectable impedance control was available, allowing 2, 4 and 8 ohm speakers
to be used without impedance mis-matching. The direct price on the
VTR2800 was $330.00.
The Concert LM1200
series of amps were offered in a single or double stack configuration,
with the ST2500 or ST4500 solid-state head (see details below).
Like the VT1500 series, it used the SR690 cabinet(s), which had
MagnaLab speakers standard, but could be loaded with Celestions. The LM1200, with a single SR690 enclosure and
125W ST2500 head, sold for $570.00. The LM1200-1C, with
Celestion speakers, was $640.00. The SLM1200-2M, with a pair of SR690 enclosures and a 250W ST4500 head, sold for
$890.00. The SLM1200-2C, with two CL690 Celestion enclosures and a 250W ST4500 head, sold for
$1030.00. |
 |
|
|
The ST2500 and ST4500
(above) solid-state heads delivered 125W and 250W respectively to power the LM
series of amps. These 2-channel heads had a 7-band EQ, master volume and
sustain drive, as well as a 2-band parametric EQ on channel 2, and reverb and
vibrato controls on channel 1. Each channel also had a high and low
input. The ST2500 sold for $310.00, and the ST4500 sold for $380.00.
 |
Carvin offered an
assortment of combos in 1978. The VT112 (left) was based
on the VTR2800, but rated at 50W RMS. It was offered with a
12" MagnaLab speaker for $275.00, or with a 12" JBL for
$365. The VT212 was was also based on the VTR2800, rated
at 100W, with a pair of 12" MagnaLabs for $420.00, or a pair of
JBLs for $570.00. The ST212 was also a 2X12 combo, based
on the solid-state ST2500 chassis rated at 125W. With MagnaLab
speakers, it was $400; with JBL speakers, it was $550.00. |
|
