New Amp Day: Carvin AG200

[Ed Goist]

Moderator, please change the title of this thread to:
New Amp Day: Carvin AG200
(Sorry for the confusion everyone)

I have been in the market for a new acoustic amp in the +/- $500 price range for some time now, and having just sold some gear, I decided to purchase a new Carvin AG200 acoustic amp.

I got to spend several hours playing through it today, and here are some observations:

Pros:

• The amp supports a microphone (Heil PR 22 UT) wonderfully, for both vocals and instrument (including my Harmony Monterey mandolin) micing.
• The amp offers excellent EQ (including adjustable mid frequencies on channels 1 and 2).
• The amp has very usable reverb, chorus, and reverb+chorus that can be blended independently into channels 1 & 2.
• The amp offers unique Hi-Z and Gain switches for channels 1 and 2. The Gain switch really kicks things up a notch, and would be very helpful if one has a low output pickup.
• The amp has a third channel with XLR and 1/8" stereo inputs.
• All the controls and ports are on a single panel.
• The amp produces excellent clean volume, and great sound reproduction - Very PA like!
• The amp has great build quality, great looks, is relatively small, and weighs under 30#

Cons:

• The controls for the effects are somewhat complicated to figure out. The knob for the intensity of the effect is in the effect section of the panel, while the knob for the amount of effects blend into each channel is in the channel section of the panel.
• The control knobs are relatively small and close together.
• The recessed and top (or side) mounted control panel is not convenient for making adjustments while playing.
• Due to the small knobs and the recessed panel for the controls, tonal adjustments on a dark stage will be a real challenge. (I'll probably get one of those clip-on LED light stands for the amp.)

All-in-all, this is the best amp I've played in the "under $500" range. I prefer it over the Fishman Loudbox Artist and the Fender Acoustasonic 150, because it is so packed with features, and because it has more of a "PA" like quality.

This amp is a great choice for small and mid sized venue solo performance, and is an incredible value in acoustic amplification.

[nickster60]

I have a AG300 and I agree with your observation. I purchased the 300 becuase you can use as a bass amp as well. They great all around amps

[Ed Goist]

Moderator: Thank you for the title edit/correction.

[avaldes]

When you are using a mic, how is it with feedback? Any phase reversal or notch filter to eliminate feedback?

[Ed Goist]

I have not yet used the amp on a stage, but at very loud room volume, even with the mic'ed mandolin facing the cabinet I didn't have a hint of feedback.

There is no feedback control on the amp (the owner's manual suggests using the midrange freq sweep top find the feedback frequency and dial it back).

[kjbllc]

have you tried a piezo through it. I like the idea of three channels .

[Ed Goist]

have you tried a piezo through it. I like the idea of three channels .

My J-45 has the Baggs Active Element pickup, which I think is a piezo(?). After playing around with the knobs on the Carvin and on my Baggs Para DI for a few hours this past weekend, I was able to find a setting that I really like. By cutting the mids at 1K (to 9:00), and cutting the presence (by a LOT, say 7:00 setting) on the Para DI, the J-45 sounded quite warm and natural.

When I got the J-45 I was worried that I'd need to go with a dual pickup system, or maybe even swap out the Element to get an amplified sound that was natural. Fortunately, I'm quite happy with the tone. However, I don't think I'd be satisfied relying on the adjustments allowed by the amp alone.