Carr Amplifiers

Check out our YouTube demo of the Carr Artemus with Greg V. at the link above.

Versatile EL-84 clean tones with great openness and clarity to biting or smooth touch-sensitive overdrive. The fixed bias output stage offers wonderful punch with a smooth break-up when pushed. The Edge and Mid toggles sculpt tones from mellow to aggressive. The input modified cascode 12AX7 circuit emulates EF-86 thickness and gain without problematic microphonics. This is a new interpretation of Steve Carr's favorite aspects of AC sounds with all the stellar Carr component, craftsmanship, and cabinet qualities.

Fat Sound's Take

Reminiscent of the lower wattage British tones, but this is not another Vox clone or derivative. This amp stands on its own as a wholly new design that sounds simply phenomenal proving that over the past 12 years, Steve Carr has evolved from a really great American amp circuit tweaker to one of the most talented "blank schematic sheet" designers alive today.

The new Artemus amplifier from Carr is Steve's first full-on assault into the British tonal territory and he has absolutely *nailed* it. Desiring the complexity, richness, dynamics and gain structure offered by EF86 tubes, an essential part of the Vox tone, but wanting to completely eliminate any chance of the infamous EF86 glassy rattle that can be bothersome at best and, at worst, can ruin guitar tracks, Steve chose to use a cascoding tube circuitry not to be confused with cascading gain.  Cascoding emulates, very effectively, the thickness and gain of an EF86 based preamp without any of the potential pitfalls.

The primary controls are simple: Bass, Treble and Volume yet have a linearity to them that makes them very intuitive to use and easy to dial the amp into its' sweet spots.

On the secondary side you have a 15/30 watt switch which reduces volume slightly, causes no noticeable loss of tone, but allows the amp to breakup a bit earlier in the 15 watt setting. You also have the Edge and Mid switches which introduce higher levels of gain and thickness (Mid) or top end gain (Edge).

With the Edge and Mid switches off and the Volume below noon the amp does a solid impersonation of a dry, 6V6, Americana style amp. Engage Edge and you enter British AC clean or crunch territory depending on the level of the Volume control. With both Mid and Edge engaged and the volume turned up you have a full on, thick, cranked AC tone in a small package that just has a feel to the amp's feedback coming back to the guitarist that is incredibly solid.

Beautiful cleans, fantastic crunch and a gain tone that makes you want to play the same three chord progression over and over again.

The wraparound front panel, use of Analysis Plus speaker cable and locally sourced, custom, heavy grade handle reinforces the knowledge that Steve leaves no detail overlooked.

A brilliant design!

Features

• Volume
• Edge - toggle switch - bright and upper mid boost
• Bass
• Mid - toggle switch - switch between a 60s American mid voice to a British AC voice
• Treble
• 30/15 Watt - toggle switch - select 2 or 4 power tube operation
• Bias Test Points and Bias Pot - (bottom panel) set power tube bias
• Two 12AX7 pre-amp tubes
• Four EL-84 power tubes
• One 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier tube

Options

Vox Grille Cloth: $100.00 (Included in price above)
Custom Colors: $100.00 (Included in price above)
Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich) $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence! 

Fusing the insistent purity of '60s American 1x10 reverb-style amps with the more aggressive dual 6V6 power section of the late '50s, we bring you the Sportsman! Tones ranging from clear and snappy to Texas pushed twang to intercontinental grind are all under the hood of the Sportsman. The combination of Volume, Headroom, and Mid controls puts this tonal palette in your calloused fingertips.

Price Above Includes $200.00 Upcharge for Optional Black Gator Exotic Covering.

Fat Sound's Take

Test Rig #1: Thorn R/S (Strat) with 2Tek hardtail bridge > RMC8 Eqwahlyzer > Spaceman Harmonic Boost pedal > Wren and Cuff Tri-Pie 70 > Fulltone TTE > Amp.
(Additional test notes based on the Electrajet Dual P-90 and a Collings City Limits Deluxe coming soon.)

During the 2011 Labor Day weekend I spent two solid days playing this amp. On Saturday I plugged in around midnight and played nearly non-stop until sometime after 6am. Such an extensive one-on-one allowed me to develop a very good feel for what Steve Carr's nicely portable Sportsman 1x12 reverb combo is all about. Steve's latest design is such an easy amplifier to dial in, such a pleasure to play and has such an instantly recognizable tone that it really didn't take more than a few hours to learn everything I needed to know about it, but it's one of those amplifiers that causes time to behave oddly. In fact, I had no intention of staying up all night playing guitar, but somewhere around 3:00 in the morning I lost a few hours and suddenly the sun was up, my eyes felt gritty and my fingers were sore.

Stay Tuned for my full review of Carr's killer, new Sportsman 1x12..........

Stu Carter
September 6, 2011

[Update 9-13-2011] My review continues to evolve. After another week spent playing the Sportsman 112 at every opportunity I continue to find new things that this amp does very well. Its simple control layout is deceptive.......not that it's hard to dial-in......quite the opposite......but I'm still finding new settings that I really dig while the full extent of this amp's capabilities continue to reveal themselves.

Stay Tuned.........

Tube Complement

• 3 x 12AX7
• 1 x 12AT7
• 2 x 6V6GT

Controls and Features

• Volume
• Treble
• Mid (with extended range)
• Bass
• Reverb
• Headroom
• 60's Style Floating Speaker Baffle
• Solid Pine Cabinet
• 16 Watts Clean, 19 Watts Maxed
• Class A, Partial Fixed Bias (no rebiasing necessary when changing tubes. Closely matched pairs are essential)
• Speaker - Eminence 12" Red, White and Blues
• Covering - Exotic Black Gator (+$200.00)

Dimensions

• 19.25” wide by 17 3/4” tall by 9 7/8” deep

Fusing the insistent purity of '60s American 1x10 reverb-style amps with the more aggressive dual 6V6 power section of the late '50s, we bring you the Sportsman! Tones ranging from clear and snappy to Texas pushed twang to intercontinental grind are all under the hood of the Sportsman. The combination of Volume, Headroom, and Mid controls puts this tonal palette in your calloused fingertips.

Fat Sound's Take

Test Rig #1: Thorn R/S (Strat) with 2Tek hardtail bridge > RMC8 Eqwahlyzer > Spaceman Harmonic Boost pedal > Wren and Cuff Tri-Pie 70 > Fulltone TTE > Amp.
(Additional test notes based on the Electrajet Dual P-90 and a Collings City Limits Deluxe coming soon.)

During the 2011 Labor Day weekend I spent two solid days playing this amp. On Saturday I plugged in around midnight and played nearly non-stop until sometime after 6am. Such an extensive one-on-one allowed me to develop a very good feel for what Steve Carr's nicely portable Sportsman 1x12 reverb combo is all about. Steve's latest design is such an easy amplifier to dial in, such a pleasure to play and has such an instantly recognizable tone that it really didn't take more than a few hours to learn everything I needed to know about it, but it's one of those amplifiers that causes time to behave oddly. In fact, I had no intention of staying up all night playing guitar, but somewhere around 3:00 in the morning I lost a few hours and suddenly the sun was up, my eyes felt gritty and my fingers were sore.

Stay Tuned for my full review of Carr's killer, new Sportsman 1x12..........

Stu Carter
September 6, 2011

[Update 9-13-2011] My review continues to evolve. After another week spent playing the Sportsman 112 at every opportunity I continue to find new things that this amp does very well. Its simple control layout is deceptive.......not that it's hard to dial-in......quite the opposite......but I'm still finding new settings that I really dig while the full extent of this amp's capabilities continue to reveal themselves.

Stay Tuned.........

Tube Complement

• 3 x 12AX7
• 1 x 12AT7
• 2 x 6V6GT

Controls and Features

• Volume
• Treble
• Mid (with extended range)
• Bass
• Reverb
• Headroom
• 60's Style Floating Speaker Baffle
• Solid Pine Cabinet
• 16 Watts Clean, 19 Watts Maxed
• Class A, Partial Fixed Bias (no rebiasing necessary when changing tubes. Closely matched pairs are essential)
• Speaker - Eminence 12" Red, White and Blues

Dimensions

• 19.25” wide by 17 3/4” tall by 9 7/8” deep

Features and Specifications

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Free shipping within the CONUS!

Upcharge Features: $200.00 Black Alligator covering

Tale From The Carter Home Front

"The absolute best story I can relate about this amp for home users occurred when I brought one to my own home and managed to convince my wife to give me five minutes to show her what it could do. Knowing I had but a brief moment to gain her approval, I put it in the highest gain setting (position #3) with the Volume control on 10 and set the amp to its 1/10th watt mode, a setting that sounds fantastic and is a blast to play.......and she actually loved it.

Her comment after my brief demo: 'You're getting that tone, at that volume and it's tube based?! Yes, you can keep that one in the living room as long as you please order one that matches the room's color scheme.'

Bingo......spouse approved and fantastic tone that doesn't feel like a sacrifice to the Gods of Volume Limitation. Worth every penny. Now to ask Steve if he can build me one covered in "Camel" toned Leather. ;-)

We never even got to the reverb touched cleans which are actually more of her thing. She even mentioned again over dinner how great it had sounded and that she'd like to hear it in its higher wattage modes the next day. Okay....who abducted my wife?!"

-Stu Carter, owner Fat Sound Guitars

Fat Sound's Take

One of our absolute favorite amplifiers for customers seeking beautiful, detailed and shimmering cleans with lush reverb all the way up to higher gain for Classic Rock and Blues.

Set the wattage control to 8 watts and the three position gain click control to position 1 or 2, add a bit of reverb and you'll get anything from ultra-pure, American sounding cleans to a nice Bluesy, pushed clean at volumes that can be used around-the-house or in smaller clubs.

At the other extreme, set the wattage control to 1/2 or even 1/4 watt, place the 3 position gain control on setting number 3 and you'll achieve incredible higher gain crunch and lead tones at extremely low volumes.

Between the wattage control, the 3 position gain knob and the Volume control there are so many ways to dial in this amplifier that you will find it perfect for most applications. It's one of our absolute favorites cosmetically, from a sonic and volume versatility standpoint and, like all Carr amplifiers is built to last forever.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Custom Two-Tone Colors: $150.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich): $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

 This amp includes a $150.00 upcharge for the two-tone tolex option.

Fat Sound's Take

One of our absolute favorite amplifiers for customers seeking beautiful, detailed and shimmering cleans with lush reverb all the way up to higher gain for Classic Rock and Blues.

Set the wattage control to 8 watts and the three position gain click control to position 1 or 2, add a bit of reverb and you'll get anything from ultra-pure, American sounding cleans to a nice Bluesy, pushed clean at volumes that can be used around-the-house or in smaller clubs.

At the other extreme, set the wattage control to 1/2 or even 1/4 watt, place the 3 position gain control on setting number 3 and you'll achieve incredible higher gain crunch and lead tones at extremely low volumes.

Between the wattage control, the 3 position gain knob and the Volume control there are so many ways to dial in this amplifier that you will find it perfect for most applications. It's one of our absolute favorites cosmetically, from a sonic and volume versatility standpoint and, like all Carr amplifiers is built to last forever.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Custom Two-Tone Colors: $150.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich): $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Note that the Cream and Blue (as featured in the photo's above) increases the price by $150.00 versus the standard, black tolex version.

Fat Sound's Take

One of our absolute favorite amplifiers for customers seeking beautiful, detailed and shimmering cleans with lush reverb all the way up to higher gain for Classic Rock and Blues.

Set the wattage control to 8 watts and the three position gain click control to position 1 or 2, add a bit of reverb and you'll get anything from ultra-pure, American sounding cleans to a nice Bluesy, pushed clean at volumes that can be used around-the-house or in smaller clubs.

At the other extreme, set the wattage control to 1/2 or even 1/4 watt, place the 3 position gain control on setting number 3 and you'll achieve incredible higher gain crunch and lead tones at extremely low volumes.

Between the wattage control, the 3 position gain knob and the Volume control there are so many ways to dial in this amplifier that you will find it perfect for most applications. It's one of our absolute favorites cosmetically, from a sonic and volume versatility standpoint and, like all Carr amplifiers is built to last forever.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Custom Two-Tone Colors: $150.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich): $250.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Note that the Cream and Burgundy (as featured in the photo's above) increases the price by $150.00 versus the standard, black tolex version. Free Shipping within the CONUS.

Fat Sound's Take

One of our absolute favorite amplifiers for customers seeking beautiful, detailed and shimmering cleans with lush reverb all the way up to higher gain for Classic Rock and Blues.

Set the wattage control to 8 watts and the three position gain click control to position 1 or 2, add a bit of reverb and you'll get anything from ultra-pure, American sounding cleans to a nice Bluesy, pushed clean at volumes that can be used around-the-house or in smaller clubs.

At the other extreme, set the wattage control to 1/2 or even 1/4 watt, place the 3 position gain control on setting number 3 and you'll achieve incredible higher gain crunch and lead tones at extremely low volumes.

Between the wattage control, the 3 position gain knob and the Volume control there are so many ways to dial in this amplifier that you will find it perfect for most applications. It's one of our absolute favorites cosmetically, from a sonic and volume versatility standpoint and, like all Carr amplifiers is built to last forever.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Custom Two-Tone Colors: $150.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich): $250.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Note that the Coco tolex (as featured in the photo's above) increases the price by $100.00 versus the standard, black tolex version.

Fat Sound's Take

One of our absolute favorite amplifiers for customers seeking beautiful, detailed and shimmering cleans with lush reverb all the way up to higher gain for Classic Rock and Blues.

Set the wattage control to 8 watts and the three position gain click control to position 1 or 2, add a bit of reverb and you'll get anything from ultra-pure, American sounding cleans to a nice Bluesy, pushed clean at volumes that can be used around-the-house or in smaller clubs.

At the other extreme, set the wattage control to 1/2 or even 1/4 watt, place the 3 position gain control on setting number 3 and you'll achieve incredible higher gain crunch and lead tones at extremely low volumes.

Between the wattage control, the 3 position gain knob and the Volume control there are so many ways to dial in this amplifier that you will find it perfect for most applications. It's one of our absolute favorites cosmetically, from a sonic and volume versatility standpoint and, like all Carr amplifiers is built to last forever.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 12" Red, White and Blue speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Custom Two-Tone Colors: $150.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich): $250.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Price above includes $150.00 upcharge for custom, two-tone tolex

This is a normally stocked piece so we will have more as soon as possible.

Fat Sound's Take

Along with its slightly bigger brother, the Mercury, the 10" speaker equipped, even more portable Mini Merc is quite possibly the perfect home or studio amplifier. If that's what you need, put this one on your really short list!

The Carr Mini Mercury offers a three stage gain switch which takes you seamlessly from lush, Class A clean to pushed clean / mild overdrive to cranked Mini Vox meets angry Micro Marshall. There are no tonal sacrifices made with the Mini Merc. It's small, capable of low volumes, but sounds fantastic and is beautifully built via Carr's preferred military spec, terminal strip, point-to-point wiring; the best construction possible.

The 4 position wattage control takes the amp from small club volumes at 8 watts to an around-the-house volume in the 2 watt mode and ultimately to "I want to record at 2:00am, but the baby's asleep in the *same* room" volumes in the 1/4 and 1/10th watt modes. It's really a remarkable design. I love it's extreme grab-and-go portability, tones and range of moderate to "is this thing on" volumes. Great amp!!

We are often asked how the Mini-Merc differs sonically from the 12" Mercury. Primarily you get a bit less headroom, even in the 8 watt mode, as the smaller speaker simply gives it up sooner. This is most noticeable in the amp's cleanest settings as they willl breakup a bit earlier.....which is great if you want a bit more of a low volume pushed/dynamic clean, but not as good if you want the cleanest mode/settings to stay as clean as possible. The Mini also has a bit more compression in the higher gain modes whereas the full sized, 12" speaker Mercury is a bit more open and bright. So a tad creamier gain with the Mini, but as the name suggests a touch smaller sounding overall and a touch more "size" and crunch with the 12" equipped Mercury. Keep in mind that the two are very similar overall and if the lowest volumes possible are what you need all the time then the Mini Merc is generally the best choice. if you need really low volumes most of the time, but occasionally want to crank it up a bit then I'd recommend the 12", full-sized Mercury.

Stu Carter, owner Fat Sound Guitars

FAQ

Q. Why is the 10" speaker, smaller Mini Mercury a bit more expensive than the slighty larger, 12" speaker equipped Mercury?

A. "The Mini-Mercs speaker (hemp cone) is more expensive than the regular Merc's speaker and the way the cabinet and chassis go together is much more critical of tolerance plus final assembly is trickier - so more labor time.

The cost of miniaturization!"

- Steve Carr

From Carr's Website

The Mercury inspires visions of a classic cabinet design from a time long ago, but within the chassis of the Mercury you'll discover an inspiring and truly innovative circuit (along with utterly remarkable tone). While it is true that your friends, band mates and family members will admire the Mercury for its good looks and 'polite' power rating, Mercury owners seem to cherish our newest amp for many other practical reasons. Carr's exclusive power attenuating circuit enables the Mercury to be played at 8, 2, 1/2 and only 1/10 watts, with no appreciable change in tone, yet the Mercury easily yields enough clean headroom for club work. Add our renowned reverb circuit, a 3-position boost switch for subtle-to-intense output tube distortion, plus the incomparably thick and rich tone of a single EL-34 power tube, and the Mercury will earn its rightful place among your most treasured instruments.

Features

• Class A
• Single-ended fixed bias EL-34 output stage
• Single channel: bass, treble, reverb
• 3-position boost switch
• Treble cut switch
• Built in 4 position attenuator (8, 2, 1/2, 1/10 watt)
• Eminence 10" Lil Buddy speaker

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 19.5"
• Height: 15"
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 35 Pounds

Customer Comment

"Hey Stu,

Amp arrived this afternoon safe and sound. My wife was impressed with the size and color...matches our home decor perfectly! Only amp she has ever approved of based on looks.

My Les Paul was at the shop having a set of Holmes pickups installed. I went and got the guitar, plugged in, and I am floored. Beautiful cleans in position 1, nice break up in position 2, and endless sustain and sweetness in position 3. Only played for a few minutes, but I am pretty stoked.

I have bought lots of expensive amps over the years....the Mini Mercury makes me smile...perfect for a guy with a family who needs great tone in a small package.

Thanks for everything!"

Jim H.

 

Artists and Press

"This Carr Mercury is a remarkably satisfying amp to play, both in the studio & live - it's real juicy. It'll grind, and the proprietary attenuator setting still sounds like you're cranking the l'il beast without any of that anemic effect one might expect: I'll take one please! - David Torn

Fortunately, I get to try a lot of different amps. I love an amp that lets my guitars sound like guitars, a Les Paul should sound like a Les Paul, a Dano like a Dano, etc., with as little outside coloration as possible. It should be as transparent as possible while giving you that feeling that your guitar is coming alive. I have a bunch of amps to choose from and what can I say but my Carr is on the A-list in front of the mics in my studio and not in the back collecting dust and has been since it came out of the box. - Joe Perry

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!!

Check out our YouTube demo of the Carr Artemus at the link above.

Versatile EL-84 clean tones with great openness and clarity to biting or smooth touch-sensitive overdrive. The fixed bias output stage offers wonderful punch with a smooth break-up when pushed. The Edge and Mid toggles sculpt tones from mellow to aggressive. The input modified cascode 12AX7 circuit emulates EF-86 thickness and gain without problematic microphonics. This is a new interpretation of Steve Carr's favorite aspects of AC sounds with all the stellar Carr component, craftsmanship, and cabinet qualities.

Features

• Volume
• Edge - toggle switch - bright and upper mid boost
• Bass
• Mid - toggle switch - switch between a 60s American mid voice to a British AC voice
• Treble
• 30/15 Watt - toggle switch - select 2 or 4 power tube operation
• Bias Test Points and Bias Pot - (bottom panel) set power tube bias
• Two 12AX7 pre-amp tubes
• Four EL-84 power tubes
• One 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier tube

Options

Custom Colors: $100.00
Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich) $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

This piece carries a $100.00 upcharge for the CoCo tolex.

The 33/7 watt Viceroy is Carr Amplifiers newest dual 6L6, classically American amplifier designed to deliver a full range of clean and overdriven sounds for home, stage, and studio.

The 6L6 Viceroy is biased deeply into Class A, yielding a pushed, ready-to-jump feel. The vibe from The Viceroy is explosive and forward-tilting. It distorts very well in a large curd Tweedish way when cranked. The clean tone is gorgeous and dimensional. The 1x12 is wonderfully compact.

Features include reverb, two power levels (33 or 7 watts), variable drive control (internal clean boost which gives the amp more push and OD when the amp is turned up - you can hear more of the winding on strings and dynamic, super twang), lastly a footswitchable fixed boost (partial tone stack bypass), which greatly increases midrange punch and yields a wonderful grind - the volume increase is just right for a solo or if the amp is really overdriving it thickens and adds sustain (lighted footswitch included).

Controls include volume, treble, mid (with panel on/off for boost), bass, reverb, drive, and power level.

Features

• Class A
• Dual 6L6 output tubes
• Two power levels: 33 or 7 watts
• Unique variable drive control
• Footswitchable fixed boost (lighted footswitch included)
• Tube reverb
• 100% hand-wired
• Solid pine dovetailed cabinet built in-house
• Eminence Wizard speakers

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 16.25"
• Depth: 9"
• Weight: 45 Pounds

Options

Custom Colors $100.00
Exotic Custom Colors (Gator and Ostrich) $250.00)

Press

"[The Viceroy] is the most responsive amp I've ever used. Really! I can use those essential sorta-dirty tones and still hear individual strings within a chord, or I can dig in a little harder and the whole thing glues together. Players who use a combination of pick and fingers on their picking hand will notice how you can really hear the subtle tone effects of that style. The clean sound can be glassy or warm, and the overdriven sound can be anywhere along the scale. When I went from humbucking pickups to single-coils, I was just as happy. This amp extends what either of those types of pickups can do. What fun!" - Mitch Easter

"There's no doubt in our minds that Steve Carr is on top of his game and producing great guitar amps. It's not just the bullet-proof build standard and exceptional tonal clarity, but the pinpoint response that just seems to do exactly what you want that makes the Vincent so special. This is a rare quality and if all Carr Vincents are as good as this sample, they're going to become very sought after." - Guitarist

Note: The Rambler in this listing includes a $200.00 upcharge covering option

Long before the birth of Carr Amplifiers, Steve Carr spent years playing, repairing, modifying and intently listening to classic guitar amps. The Rambler was one of his earliest signature designs, and today it is still one of Carr's most popular models. Why? It's no accident that the Rambler succeeds in delivering classic American 'deluxe' tone with dramatically expanded clean headroom, solid bass response and the option of 28 watt pentode or 14 watt triode operation. The Rambler simply reflects Steve's desire to improve and refine the original concept of an appropriately powered 1x12 club amp with reverb and tremolo. Rambler owners describe their amps as being warm, full and round, with a surprisingly high threshold of clean tone, (which also makes the Rambler uniquely suited to virtually any overdrive pedal ever built). The Rambler is considered by many to be the quintessential club amp, voiced to meet the needs of virtually any player, and all types of music.

Fat Sound's Take

Fat Sound has been recommending the Carr Rambler for over 10 years. Long before we even had access to them we told people to buy them when we knew it
was the right amp for them. Lord knows how many we sold for other dealers!! But that's okay.......we've always liked Steve!

Until the Carr line finally became available in our market in 2010 we simply didn't have access to an amp with such perfected blackface era tonality in a single channel, 1x12' combo.

This amp is primarily about Mid 60's Americana from spanky snap to big, bold, lush cleans with an incredibly smooth and soft feel that somehow manages to keep its low end together. It will gradually morph into pushed cleans with some nice sustain and sing so if American style clean is your thing and you might occasionally use a pedal or two for more overdriven tones we don't think you'll find a better option than this, nearly iconic, amplifier.

The Rambler is, in fact, very pedal friendly due to its lower voltage, uncompressed, 6L6 design. The Rambler makes the perfect platform for a wide range of pedals from clean boost to fuzz.

The Reverb is a modified/improved version of the venerable blackface circuit and ranges from a touch of, barely noticeable, ambiance to full-on, drenched wetness

The Rambler's Tremolo can be set for a mild pulse that lays back behind the fundamental tone or for a heavy effect, but always with that soft-wave, on-board tremolo type of sensation with a bit more vibrato than staccato.

Lastly, don't think for a  minute that this is some mere blackface copy based on the above references to that era and style of amplifier. This is a terminal strip (old school, military grade) constructed amp, based on the best of the mid 60's American amps, but it takes that tone to an entirely higher level of sonic intoxication in every way.

Features

• Power: 28 watts (pentode)/14 watts (triode)
• Tubes: 3 12AX7, 1 12AT7, 2 6L6GC
• Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo Depth, Tremolo Speed
• Switches: Triode/Pentode
• Footswitch: Tremolo on/off (included)
• Reverb: Yes
• Effects Loop: No

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich) $200.00

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5:
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Artists and Press

"...the Rambler's tone is amazingly dimensional; detailed and focused, with a rich punchy bottom that takes on that blackface sonic bloom..." - 20

"I was immediately impressed with the clean tone of the Carr Rambler. After playing through it for a few minutes, I was even more amazed. It has a beautiful clean rhythm sound much like a blackface Fender amp, but with its own magic twist to it. A very responsive and alive sounding amp that seems to musically correspond to the feel of what your fingers are playing. I highly recommend it for an excellent clean rhythm sound." - Eric Johnson

Fat Sound Award for Sonic Excellence!

Note: The Rambler in this listing includes a $200.00 upcharge covering option

Long before the birth of Carr Amplifiers, Steve Carr spent years playing, repairing, modifying and intently listening to classic guitar amps. The Rambler was one of his earliest signature designs, and today it is still one of Carr's most popular models. Why? It's no accident that the Rambler succeeds in delivering classic American 'deluxe' tone with dramatically expanded clean headroom, solid bass response and the option of 28 watt pentode or 14 watt triode operation. The Rambler simply reflects Steve's desire to improve and refine the original concept of an appropriately powered 1x12 club amp with reverb and tremolo. Rambler owners describe their amps as being warm, full and round, with a surprisingly high threshold of clean tone, (which also makes the Rambler uniquely suited to virtually any overdrive pedal ever built). The Rambler is considered by many to be the quintessential club amp, voiced to meet the needs of virtually any player, and all types of music.

Features

• Power: 28 watts (pentode)/14 watts (triode)
• Tubes: 3 12AX7, 1 12AT7, 2 6L6GC
• Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo Depth, Tremolo Speed
• Switches: Triode/Pentode
• Footswitch: Tremolo on/off (included)
• Reverb: Yes
• Effects Loop: No

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich) $200.00

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5:
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Long before the birth of Carr Amplifiers, Steve Carr spent years playing, repairing, modifying and intently listening to classic guitar amps. The Rambler was one of his earliest signature designs, and today it is still one of Carr's most popular models. Why? It's no accident that the Rambler succeeds in delivering classic American 'deluxe' tone with dramatically expanded clean headroom, solid bass response and the option of 28 watt pentode or 14 watt triode operation. The Rambler simply reflects Steve's desire to improve and refine the original concept of an appropriately powered 1x12 club amp with reverb and tremolo. Rambler owners describe their amps as being warm, full and round, with a surprisingly high threshold of clean tone, (which also makes the Rambler uniquely suited to virtually any overdrive pedal ever built). The Rambler is considered by many to be the quintessential club amp, voiced to meet the needs of virtually any player, and all types of music.

Features

• Power: 28 watts (pentode)/14 watts (triode)
• Tubes: 3 12AX7, 1 12AT7, 2 6L6GC
• Channels: 1
• Controls: Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Reverb, Tremolo Depth, Tremolo Speed
• Switches: Triode/Pentode
• Footswitch: Tremolo on/off (included)
• Reverb: Yes
• Effects Loop: No

Options

• Custom Colors: $100.00
• Exotic Custom Coverings (Gator and Ostrich) $200.00

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 21"
• Height: 17.5:
• Depth at Top: 9"
• Depth at Bottom: 10"
• Weight: 40 Pounds

Note that the tooled, "Cowboy" covering and barn-wood pine panels sourced from old out buildings on Steve Carr's property (as featured in the photo's above) increase the price by $250.00.

The Raleigh is a versatile practice/studio amp designed to deliver both pristine clean and heavily overdriven tones at usable volumes. The Raleigh's styling pays homage to the funky practice amps of the late 50s and early 60s.

The Audio Clips for this listing (available via the audio player bar above) were recorded at a volume at which two folks standing right over the amp could have easily had a normal conversation while the amp was being played........remember.......this is a 3 watt amp!

Features

• 1-10 compact combo with Eminence Lil' buddy hemp cone 10" speaker
• 2 12AX7s, 1 EL-84 tube complement
• Volume, Tone, Clean/Overdrive Toggle Switch, Master Volume controls
• 3 watts output
• Ideal for home and studio
• Glassy 60s blackface tones to juicy, sustained overdrive
• Optional two-tone covering
• Optional figured maple front panels
   

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 16"
• Height: 12 1/8"
• Depth: 8 1/4"
• Weight: 21 Pounds

Options

• Maple front panels $250.00
• Custom Colors $100.00
• Custom Exotic coverings (Gator or Ostrich) $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

Note that the Burgundy Tolex and Flame Maple panel options (as featured in the photo's above) increase the price by $250.00 to $1500.00

The Raleigh is a versatile practice/studio amp designed to deliver both pristine clean and heavily overdriven tones at usable volumes. The Raleigh's styling pays homage to the funky practice amps of the late 50s and early 60s.

The Audio Clips for this listing (available via the audio player bar in the Cowboy/Pine listing below) were recorded at a volume at which two folks standing right over the amp could have easily had a normal conversation while the amp was being played........remember.......this is a 3 watt amp!

Fat Sound's Take

Paying homage to the funky practice amps of the late 50s and early 60s, the Carr Raleigh is both ultra-portable and decidedly unique cosmetically. Shown here in the $250.00 optional Cowboy covering and Barn-Pine panels sourced from old out-buildings on Steve Carr's property for a total price of $1500.00. The standard two-tone tolex version runs an affordable $1250.00

Loaded with an Eminence Lil' Buddy Hemp Cone 10" speaker and single EL84 for true Clss A power delivered via military-grade, terminal-strip, point-to-point, hand-wiring.

The Low Gain/High Gain switch combined with a preamp volume/gain control and a post phase inverter master volume gives the around-the-house or studio player a range of tones from snappy, Americana, 60's blackface style cleans to smooth, singing gain at the flip of a switch and the turn of the volume knob.

At 3 watts, you don't get quite the same degree of bloom, swirl or overhead of Carr's larger siblings, but the trade-off is an amp that get's a wide range of fantastic tones at very low volumes and with a great, natural tube feel.

One of the best sounding, most well thought out and coolest looking low wattage amps we have ever encountered!

Features

• 1-10 compact combo with Eminence Lil' buddy hemp cone 10" speaker
• 2 12AX7s, 1 EL-84 tube complement
• Volume, Tone, Clean/Overdrive Toggle Switch, Master Volume controls
• 3 watts output
• Ideal for home and studio
• Glassy 60s blackface tones to juicy, sustained overdrive
• Optional two-tone covering
• Optional figured maple front panels
   

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 16"
• Height: 12 1/8"
• Depth: 8 1/4"
• Weight: 21 Pounds

Options

• Maple front panels $250.00
• Custom Colors $100.00
• Custom Exotic coverings (Gator or Ostrich) $200.00

Press

"The Raleigh took whatever we threw at it – single-coils, humbuckers, P-90s – and spit back inspiring cleans, complex overdriven tones and raucous dirt with nothing more than a knob tweak or two. In other words, the Raleigh is nearly perfect for recording or truly enjoyable living room jams." - Premier Guitar, Oct 2008

"The Raleigh is, as we wrote in our review notes, "a great little bedroom blaster" - but unlike most other little bombers from days past, the rich clean tones make the Raleigh exceptional in this class." - The ToneQuest Report, Oct 20

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!

The Raleigh is a versatile practice/studio amp designed to deliver both pristine clean and heavily overdriven tones at usable volumes. The Raleigh's styling pays homage to the funky practice amps of the late 50s and early 60s.

The Audio Clips for this listing (available via the audio player bar in the listing for the Cowboy and Pine version above) were recorded at a volume at which two folks standing right over the amp could have easily had a normal conversation while the amp was being played........remember.......this is a 3 watt amp!

Features

• 1-10 compact combo with Eminence Lil' buddy hemp cone 10" speaker
• 2 12AX7s, 1 EL-84 tube complement
• Volume, Tone, Clean/Overdrive Toggle Switch, Master Volume controls
• 3 watts output
• Ideal for home and studio
• Glassy 60s blackface tones to juicy, sustained overdrive
• Optional two-tone covering
• Optional figured maple front panels
   

Weight and Dimensions

• Width: 16"
• Height: 12 1/8"
• Depth: 8 1/4"
• Weight: 21 Pounds

Options

• Maple front panels $250.00
• Custom Colors $100.00
• Custom Exotic coverings (Gator or Ostrich) $200.00

Fat Sound Award for Sonic and Design Excellence!