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 BEL AIR 212 Image

CARVIN BEL AIR 212

- 50W, 2-12 in. VL12 (1995-2001, 2008-09), GT12 (2002-04, 2010-present), or Celestion Vintage 30 (2005-07, optional 2010-present) speakers, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two chan...

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB10 Image

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB10

- 200W @ 8 ohms (250W @ 4 ohms with extension speaker), 1-10 in. driver with a NEO titanium tweeter, bass combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, top black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive, contour, b, lo/mid, hi/mid,...

CARVIN VL100 VAI LEGACY HEAD Image

CARVIN VL100 VAI LEGACY HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W), guitar head-unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state chassis, two channels (clean, overdrive/sustain), reverb, black control panel, single input, 11 white chickenhead knobs (All: r...

CARVIN VALVE MASTER HEAD (VM100) Image

CARVIN VALVE MASTER HEAD (VM100)

- 100W (switchable to 50W), guitar head unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12Ax7, power: 4 X 5881, EL84, or 6L6, solid-state rectifier, two channels (rhythm, lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 10 black chickenhead kno...

CARVIN X-50B HEAD Image

CARVIN X-50B HEAD

- 50W, guitar head unit, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input (1981-82) or two inputs (1983-1994), eight knobs (r, p, t, m, b, MV, lead d...

CARVIN MTS 3200 HEAD Image

CARVIN MTS 3200 HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W), guitar head-unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7A power: 4 X 5881, 6L6, or EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels (clean, crunch), reverb, silver control panel, single input, 11 silver knobs (All: r, p,...

CARVIN SX50 Image

CARVIN SX50

- 50W, 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 knob...

CARVIN V3 HEAD Image

CARVIN V3 HEAD

- 100W, guitar head-unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34 (or 5881/6L6GC), solid-state rectifier, three channels, front black control panel, single input, 23 knobs (Ch. 1, Ch.2, and Ch.3: p, t, m, b, drive, v, All: MV,...

CARVIN B500 HEAD Image

CARVIN B500 HEAD

- 500W at 2 ohms (350W at 4 ohms, 225W at 8 ohms), rack-mount head-unit only, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, eight chrome knobs (sub b, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, drive, v), effects loop, line out with...

CARVIN AG100 Image

CARVIN AG100

- 100W, 1-12 in. PS12 200W driver with a switchable horn tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, three channels, reverb, black front control panel, three inputs (Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 1/4 in. and Ch. 3 XLR mic input), 14 gray knobs (...

CARVIN PRO BASS 100-10 Image

CARVIN PRO BASS 100-10

- 100W, 1-10 in.speaker, solid-state bass combo, black control panel, one input, seven black and red knobs (v, b, g, freq, t, comp, gate), three white push buttons, black Dura Tuff II covering, black metal grille, 30 lbs., disc. 2005.

CARVIN RC210 RED EYE COMBO Image

CARVIN RC210 RED EYE COMBO

- 600W, 2-10 in. heavy-duty drivers plus red eye horn, solid-state bass combo, tilt-back cabinet, black front control panel, two inputs, 13 red knobs, 9-band equalizer, various white buttons, black Dura Tuff II covering, black metal gr...

CARVIN R600 HEAD Image

CARVIN R600 HEAD

- 600W bridged, head-unit only, solid-state bass amp, black front control panel, two inputs, 13 red knobs, 9-band equalizer, various white buttons, black Dura Tuff II covering, disc. 2006.

CARVIN NOMAD 112 Image

CARVIN NOMAD 112

- 50W, 1-12 in. VL12 (1995-2001, 2008-09), GT12 (2002-04, 2010-present), or Celestion Vintage 30 (2005-07, optional 2010-present) speaker, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two chann...

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB12 Image

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB12

- 200W @ 8 ohms (250W @ 4 ohms with extension speaker), 1-12 in. woofer with 1-6 in. mid-range driver, and a NEO titanium tweeter, bass combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, top black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive...

CARVIN VL212 Vai Legacy Combo Image

CARVIN VL212 Vai Legacy Combo

- similar to the VL100 Vai Legacy Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. Celestion G12 Vintage 30 speakers, closed or open back cabinet, 26 in. wide, 21 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 74 lbs., mfg. 1999-2009.

CARVIN X-60B HEAD Image

CARVIN X-60B HEAD

- 60W, guitar head unit, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input (1981-82) or two inputs (1983-88), eight knobs (r, p, t, m, b, MV, lead dri...

CARVIN MTS 3200 Combo (MTS 3212) Image

CARVIN MTS 3200 Combo (MTS 3212)

- similar to the MTS 3200 Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. British BR12 (1997-2001, 2007-08), GT12 (2002-04), or GS12 (2005-06) speakers, 26 in. wide, 17.5 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 62 lbs., mfg. 1997-2008.

CARVIN V3MC MICRO COMBO Image

CARVIN V3MC MICRO COMBO

- 50W, 1-12 in. GT12 speaker, guitar combo amp, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, three channels, front silver control panel, single input, 20 knobs (Ch. 1, Ch.2, and Ch.3: p, t, m, b, drive, v, All: MV, reverb), two m...

CARVIN B800 HEAD Image

CARVIN B800 HEAD

- 800W at 2 ohms (500W at 4 ohms, 300W at 8 ohms), head-unit only, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, eight chrome knobs (sub b, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, drive, MV), effects loop, line out with level con...

CARVIN AG100D SERIES I Image

CARVIN AG100D SERIES I

- 100W, 1-12 in. PS12 200W driver with a horn tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, three channels, four digital effects (echo, reverb, chorus, flange) with two assignable channels, black front control panel, four inputs (one...

CARVIN SX60 Image

CARVIN SX60

- 60W, 1-12 in. BR-12 speaker, 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), ch...

CARVIN VINTAGE 16 Image

CARVIN VINTAGE 16

- 16W (switchable to 5W), 1-12 in. GT12 (2002-04, 2010-present), Celestion Vintage 30 (2005-07, optional 2010-present), or VL12 (2008-09) speaker, guitar combo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, reverb,...

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB15 Image

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB15

- 200W @ 8 ohms (250W @ 4 ohms with extension speaker), 1-15 in. woofer with a NEO titanium tweeter, bass combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, top black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive, contour, b, lo/mid, hi/mid,...

CARVIN X-100A HEAD Image

CARVIN X-100A HEAD

- 100W, guitar head unit, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input (1981-82) or two inputs (1983-1994), eight knobs (r, p, t, m, b, MV, lead...

CARVIN VL300 VAI LEGACY III HEAD Image

CARVIN VL300 VAI LEGACY III HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W and 15W), guitar head unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, three channels (clean, drive, drive with high-gain), front brown control panel, single input, 16 cream chic...

CARVIN VE212 MTS SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN VE212 MTS SPEAKER CABINET

- 150W, 2-12 in. British BR12 (1997-2001), GT12 (2002-04), or GS12 (2005 only) speakers, 8 ohm impedance, designed for use with the MTS 3200 Combo (MTS3212), black covering, black grille, 26 in. wide, 17.5 in. tall, 10.25 in. deep, 40 lbs.,...

CARVIN V3M MICRO HEAD Image

CARVIN V3M MICRO HEAD

- 50W, guitar micro head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, three channels, front black control panel, single input, 20 knobs (Ch. 1, Ch.2, and Ch.3: p, t, m, b, drive, v, All: MV, reverb), two momentary channel s...

CARVIN B1000 HEAD Image

CARVIN B1000 HEAD

- 900W at 2 ohms (600W at 4 ohms, 325W at 8 ohms), head-unit only, hybrid chassis with 1 X 12AX7 preamp tube, single channel, front black control panel, single input, nine chrome knobs (drive, sub b, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, DI out level, v), mut...

CARVIN AG100D SERIES II Image

CARVIN AG100D SERIES II

- 100W, 1-12 in. AG12 200W driver with a horn tweeter, acoustic guitar combo, solid-state chassis, three channels, four digital effects (echo, reverb, chorus, flange) with two assignable channels, black front control panel, four inputs (one...

CARVIN SX100 FIRST VERSION Image

CARVIN SX100 FIRST VERSION

- 100W, 1-12 in. BR-12 speaker, 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), c...

CARVIN PRO BASS 200 Image

CARVIN PRO BASS 200

- 160W, 1-15 in., solid-state bass combo, black control panel, one input, seven black and red knobs (v, b, g, freq, t, comp, gate) 5-band equalizer, three white push buttons, tweeter pad control on back, black Dura Tuff II covering, black m...

CARVIN RL6815 CYCLOPS Image

CARVIN RL6815 CYCLOPS

- similar to the RC210 Red Eye except has different speaker configuration of 1-15 in. woofer, 2-8 in. mid-range drivers, and the red-eye horn driver, disc.

CARVIN R1010 COMBO Image

CARVIN R1010 COMBO

- 1000W (R1000 head), 2-10 in. drivers, 1 in. horn, recessed handles, tilt-back cabinet, black carpet covering, black metal grille, 68 lbs., mfg. 2005-06.

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB210 Image

CARVIN BX MICRO BASS MB210

- 250W @ 8 ohms, 2-10 in. drivers with a NEO titanium tweeter, bass combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, top black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (drive, contour, b, lo/mid, hi/mid, t, DI level, compressor, lo/mid freq.,...

CARVIN X-100B HEAD Image

CARVIN X-100B HEAD

- 100W, guitar head unit, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input (1981-82) or two inputs (1983-1994), eight knobs (r, p, t, m, b, MV, lead...

CARVIN V3212 COMBO Image

CARVIN V3212 COMBO

- similar to the V3 Head, except in combo configuration with 2-12 in. Celestion GT12 or Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, black covering, black metal grille, 30 in. wide, 28 in .tall, 14 in. deep, 82 lbs., mfg. 2006-disc..

CARVIN B1500 HEAD  Image

CARVIN B1500 HEAD

- 1900W at 2 ohms (1250W at 4 ohms, 700W at 8 ohms), rack-mount head-unit only, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, eight chrome knobs (sub b, b, l/m, m, h/m, t, drive, v), effects loop, line out wi...

CARVIN AG112 EXTENSION SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN AG112 EXTENSION SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 1-12 in. speaker, 8 ohm impedance, available in standard hunter green vinyl covering with a black metal grille (other custom color coverings are also available), 17 in. wide, 19 in. tall, 12 in. deep, 26 lbs., disc.

CARVIN R1015 COMBO Image

CARVIN R1015 COMBO

- 1000W (R1000 head), 1-15 in. driver and 2-8 in. mid-range speakers, 1 in. horn, recessed handles, black carpet covering, black metal grille, 93 lbs., mfg. 2005-06.

CARVIN G412B/G412T MTS SPEAKER CABINET Image

CARVIN G412B/G412T MTS SPEAKER CABINET

- 300W, 4-12 in. 2-12 in. British BR12 (1997-2001, 2007-08), GT12 (2002-04), or GS12 (2005-06) speakers, 8 ohm stereo or 16 ohm mono impedance, straight (G412B)or angled (G412T) front, cabinet, black covering, black grille with white piping...

CARVIN VL2100 VAI LEGACY II HEAD Image

CARVIN VL2100 VAI LEGACY II HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W and 25W), guitar head unit, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, three channels (clean, clean boost, lead), front black control panel, single input, 14 white chickenhead kno...

CARVIN SX100 SECOND VERSION Image

CARVIN SX100 SECOND VERSION

- 100W, 1-12 in. BR-12 speaker, 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 VINTAGE 16 MICRO HEAD Image

CARVIN VINTAGE 16 MICRO HEAD

- 16W (switchable to 5W), guitar head-unit, four-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, single channel, reverb, front brown control panel, single input, six creme chickenhead knobs (soak, v, b, m, t, reverb), power switch, rear p...