In 1946, Lowell Kiesel founded Kiesel Electronics in Los Angeles, CA. In 1947, they had produced their first guitar amplifiers. Two years later, the Kiesel family settled in Covina, CA, and began the original catalog business of manufacturing and distributing lap steel guitars, small tube amps, and pickups. The Carvin trademark was derived from Kiesel's two oldest sons, Carson and Gavin. Guitars were originally offered in kit form, or by parts since 1949, and Carvin began building complete guitars in 1956. By 1978, the glued set-neck design replaced the bolt-on necks. The majority of the current guitar and bass models currently feature a neck-through design.
Carvin started out as a mail-order-only company, and they continue to offer players a wide range of options on their individual models through their catalog and website. However, Carvin now has five retail stores in California where products can be tested before purchase, but they do not sell to independent dealers.
The Carvin company also offers mixing boards, power amplifiers, power mixers, P.A. speakers, monitor speakers, guitar combo amps/heads/cabinets, and bass amps/cabinets. Lowell Kiesel passed away on December 28, 2009. For more information, visit Carvin's website or contact them directly.
Amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and various other accessories currently produced in San Diego, CA since 1946. Carvin instruments are sold through direct catalog sales, as well as through five factory stores in CA: Covina, Hollywood, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Ana.

CARVIN Guitar Amplifiers Models

CARVIN VINTAGE 33 Image

CARVIN VINTAGE 33

- 33W, 1-12 in. VL speaker, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front brown control panel, single input, 10 cream chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: v1, b, m, t, Ch. 2: so...

CARVIN VL2122 Vai Legacy II Combo Image

CARVIN VL2122 Vai Legacy II Combo

- similar to the VL2100 Vai Legacy II Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. Celestion G12 Vintage 30 speakers, closed or open back cabinet, 30 in. wide, 28 in. tall, 14 in. deep, 79 lbs., mfg. 2009-2012.

CARVIN SX100 THIRD VERSION Image

CARVIN SX100 THIRD VERSION

- 100W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, four digital effects (echo, reverb, chorus, flanger) with SmartEffects, 256 programmable variations, two channels, front silver and black control panel, single input, 12 black kno...

CARVIN AG200 COMBO Image

CARVIN AG200 COMBO

- 200W, 2-6.5 in. drivers with a titanium tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, three channels, digital effects with two assignable channels, black top control panel, six inputs (one 1/4 in. and one XLR per channel), 22 gray...

CARVIN B2000 HEAD Image

CARVIN B2000 HEAD

- 2050W @ 2 ohms (1300W @ 4 ohms, 700W @ 8 ohms), two-space rack-mount bass head-unit, hybird chassis with 1 X 12AX7 preamp tube, single channel, black front control panel, single input, eight chrome knobs (drive, sub b, b, l/m, m, h/m, t,...

CARVIN VX112 SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN VX112 SPEAKER CABINET

- 100W, 1-12 in. Celestion GT12 speaker, 16 ohm impedance, straight front, tilt back option, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 17 in. wide, 17 in. tall, 12.5 in. deep, 34 lbs., current mfg.

CARVIN X100-B SERIES IV HEAD Image

CARVIN X100-B SERIES IV HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W or 25W), guitar head-unit configuration, seven tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34 (5881s or 6L6GCs can also be used), solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single inp...

CARVIN VINTAGE 50 HEAD (VT50) Image

CARVIN VINTAGE 50 HEAD (VT50)

- 50W, guitar head unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front brown control panel, single input, 10 cream chickenhead knobs (Ch. 1: v1, b, m, t, Ch. 2: soak, v2, b, m, t,...

CARVIN C212E VAI LEGACY SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN C212E VAI LEGACY SPEAKER CABINET

- 60W, 2-12 in. Celestion G12 Vintage 30 speakers, 8 ohm impedance, designed for use with the VL212 combo, black metal grille with a red baffle/background and Steve Vai Legacy logo, 26 in. wide, 17.5 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 40 lbs., mfg....

CARVIN SX200 FIRST VERSION Image

CARVIN SX200 FIRST VERSION

- 100W, 2-12 in. BR-12 speakers, guitar combo, solid-state chassis with Tube Simulator, two channels, front black control panel, two inputs (A/B, B), 12 black knobs with silver tips (Ch. A: v, OD, b, m, t, p, Ch. B: v, b, m, t, p, All: r),...

CARVIN AG300 COMBO Image

CARVIN AG300 COMBO

- 200W, 1-12 in. driver and 1-6.5 in. driver with a titanium tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, three channels, digital effects with two assignable channels, black top control panel, six inputs (one 1/4 in. and one XLR per...

CARVIN BX120 HEAD Image

CARVIN BX120 HEAD

- 120W, non-rackmount head-unit, solid-state chassis, single channel, front gray control panel, single input, nine knobs, five-band graphic EQ, XLR direct out, effects loop, black covering, 9 lbs., mfg. 2007-08.

CARVIN VX212 SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN VX212 SPEAKER CABINET

- 200W, 2-12 in. Celestion GT12 speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, straight front, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 17 in. wide, 30 in. tall, 13 in. deep, 60 lbs., current mfg.

CARVIN X100-B SERIES IV 2-12 COMBO (X212B) Image

CARVIN X100-B SERIES IV 2-12 COMBO (X212B)

- similar to the X100B Series IV Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. Rocket 50 (2008-09), GT12 (2010-disc.), or Celestion Vintage 30 speakers (optional, 2010-disc.) and a black grille cloth, 26 in. wide, 17.5 in. tall, 10.25 i...

CARVIN 112E VINTAGE EXTENSION CABINET Image

CARVIN 112E VINTAGE EXTENSION CABINET

- 60W, 1-12 in. VL12 (1997-2001, 2008-09), GT12 (2002-04, 2010-present), or Celestion Vintage 30 (2005-07, optional 2010-present) speaker, 8 ohm impedance, designed for use as an extension cabinet with the Nomad 112, vintage tweed diagonal...

CARVIN C212GE/C212BE LEGACY III SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN C212GE/C212BE LEGACY III SPEAKER CABINET

- 120W, 2-12 in. Celestion G12 Vintage 30 speakers, 16 ohm mono impedance, closed back, straight front, recessed side-mounted handles, tilt back stand, standard brown country western vinyl covering with chrome metal corners, other custom co...

CARVIN SX200 SECOND VERSION Image

CARVIN SX200 SECOND VERSION

- 100W, 2-12 in. BR-12 speakers, guitar combo, solid-state chassis with Tube Technology, four digital effects (flanger, reverb, chorus, echo), two channels, front black control panel, two inputs (A/B, B), 13 black knobs with silver tips (Ch...

CARVIN 300AGE SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN 300AGE SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 1-12 in. driver, 1-6.5 in. driver, Titanium 1 in. tweeter, 8 ohm impedance, available in standard brown vinyl covering with a black metal grille (other custom color coverings are also available), 17 in. wide, 18.5 in. tall, 12 in. d...

CARVIN BX250 MICRO HEAD Image

CARVIN BX250 MICRO HEAD

- 250W @ 4 ohms (200W @ 8 ohm), bass head unit, solid-state chassis, single channel, front gray control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive, contour, b, lo/mid, hi/mid, t, DI level, compressor, lo freq., hi freq., MV), ground/lift sw...

CARVIN VX212S SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN VX212S SPEAKER CABINET

- 200W, 2-12 in. Celestion GT12 speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, angled stacked front, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 17 in. wide, 30 in. tall, 13 in. deep, 60 lbs., current mfg.

CARVIN GX412T/GX412B SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN GX412T/GX412B SPEAKER CABINET

- 200W, 4-12 in. Rocket 50 (2008-09), GT12 (2010-disc.), or Celestion Vintage 30 (optional 2010-disc.) speakers, 4 ohm impedance stereo/8 ohm impedance mono, multi-laminated plywood closed back constructed straight (GX412B) or angled (GX412...

CARVIN 212E VINTAGE EXTENSION CABINET Image

CARVIN 212E VINTAGE EXTENSION CABINET

- 120W, 2-12 in. VL12 (1997-2001, 2008-09), GT12 (2002-04, 2010-present), or Celestion Vintage 30 (2005-07, optional 2010-present) speakers, 8 ohm impedance, designed for use as an extension cabinet with the Bel Air 212, vintage tweed diago...

CARVIN C412B/C412T VAI LEGACY SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN C412B/C412T VAI LEGACY SPEAKER CABINET

- 240W, 4-12 in. Celestion G12 Vintage 30 speakers, 16 ohm impedance, closed back, angled front (C412T) or straight front (C412B), recessed side-mounted handles, black covering with chrome metal corners, black metal grille with a red baffle...

CARVIN SX200H Image

CARVIN SX200H

- 200W, guitar head unit, solid-state chassis, four digital effects (echo, reverb, chorus, flanger) with SmartEffects, 256 programmable variations, two channels, front silver and black control panel, single input, 14 black knobs (Ch. 1: v,...

CARVIN BX500 HEAD Image

CARVIN BX500 HEAD

- 500W @ 4 or 2 ohms (300W @ 8 ohms), bass head unit, hybrid chassis with a 12AX7 preamp tube and solid-state power section, single channel, front gray control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive, contour, b, lo/mid, hi/mid, t, DI le...

CARVIN VX412T/VX412B SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN VX412T/VX412B SPEAKER CABINET

- 400W, 4-12 in. Celestion GT12 speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, straight (VX412B) or angled (VX412T) front, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 30 in. wide, 30 in. tall, 14.5 in. deep, 90 lb...

CARVIN 410 VINTAGE SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN 410 VINTAGE SPEAKER CABINET

- 260W, 4-10 in. VL10 speakers, designed for use as an extension cabinet with the Vintage 50 Head (VT50), vintage tweed diagonal covering, brown cloth grille, 22.5 in. wide, 22.5 in. tall, 10.5 in. deep, 41 lbs., mfg. 1995-99.

CARVIN SX200 2-12 Combo Third Version Image

CARVIN SX200 2-12 Combo Third Version

- similar to the SX200H, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. speakers, available in standard black covering with a black grille (other custom colors also available), 26 in. wide, 17.75 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 39 lbs., mfg. 2002-di...

CARVIN BR510N Combo Image

CARVIN BR510N Combo

- similar to the BX500 Bass Head, except in combo configuration with 2-10 in. Neodymium speakers and a titanium tweeter, available in standard black covering with a black metal grille (other optional colors also available), 20.75 in. wide,...

CARVIN 412VB/412VT SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN 412VB/412VT SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 4-12 in. Celestion G12T-75 speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, straight (412VB) or angled (412VT) front, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 30 in. wide, 30 in. tall, 14.5 in. deep, 90 l...

CARVIN SX300H Image

CARVIN SX300H

- 300W, guitar head unit, solid-state chassis, four digital effects (echo, reverb, chorus, flanger) with SmartEffects, 256 programmable variations, three channels, front silver and black control panel, single input, 17 black knobs (Ch. 1: v...

CARVIN RL810T SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN RL810T SPEAKER CABINET

- 1200W, 8-10 in. speakers with a 1 in. horn, 4 ohm impedance, bottom port, recessed handles, casters, black carpet covering, black metal grille, 118 lbs., disc. 2006.

CARVIN BR515N Combo Image

CARVIN BR515N Combo

- similar to the BX500 Bass Head, except in combo configuration with 1-15 in. Neodymium speaker and a titanium tweeter, available in standard black covering with a black metal grille (other optional colors also available), 20.75 in. wide, 2...

CARVIN 412VB-30/412VT-30 SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN 412VB-30/412VT-30 SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 4-12 in. Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, straight (412VB-30) or angled (412VT-30) front, recessed handles, metal corners, black covering, black metal grille, 30 in. wide, 30 in. tall, 14.5 in. d...

CARVIN SX300 2-12 Combo Image

CARVIN SX300 2-12 Combo

- similar to the SX300H, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. speakers, available in standard black covering with a black grille (other custom colors also available), 26 in. wide, 17.75 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 50 lbs., mfg. 2003-pr...

CARVIN BX600 HEAD Image

CARVIN BX600 HEAD

- 600W @ 2 ohm (400W @ 4 ohm, 225W @ 8 ohm), non-rackmount head-unit, solid-state chassis, single channel, front gray control panel, single input, 13 knobs (d, c, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, compression, three freq. knobs, direct level, MV), nine-ba...

CARVIN BX700 HEAD Image

CARVIN BX700 HEAD

- 700W @ 2 ohm (550W @ 4 ohm, 300W @ 8 ohm), head-unit, hybrid chassis with 1 X 12AX7 preamp tube, single channel, front red control panel, single input, 11 knobs (d, c, b, l/m, h/m, t, direct level, compression, freq. 1, freq. 2, MV), nine...

CARVIN BX1200 HEAD Image

CARVIN BX1200 HEAD

- 600W per channel @ 2 ohm (400W per channel @ 4 ohm, 275W per channel @ 8 ohm), rackmount or regular head-unit, solid-state chassis, single channel, front gray control panel, single input, 15 knobs (d, c, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, compression, th...

CARVIN G212 SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN G212 SPEAKER CABINET

- 140W, 2-12 in. Carvin British BR12 speakers, 8 ohm impedance, closed back, top handle, available in standard black covering with a black metal grille (other custom color coverings also available), 26 in. wide, 17.5 in. tall, 10.25 in. dee...