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 Guitar Amps
After
the sweeping changes of 1976, very little changed in the guitar
amplifier department in 1977. One model, the VT410 combo, was
discontinued, and Carvin quit using Altec-Lansing speakers as
optional upgrades, but for the most part, everything remained the
same as the previous year.
Click each picture for a
larger version.
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The VT1500 series (right)
tube amp and LM1200
series (left) solid-state amps were unchanged for 1977, however, the
option for Altec-Lansing was discontinued in favor of JBL speakers.
The VT1500, comprised of the VTR2800 head and single SR690 cabinet,
increased in price to $539.00, and the Super Concert STV1500-2, with two
SR690 cabinets, increased in price to $779.00. JBL K120 speakers
could be added for $280.00 per cabinet. The
LM1200
amp, based on the ST2000 or ST4500 head and SR690 speaker cabinets,
also increased slightly in price. The LM1200, with ST2000 head and
single SR690 speaker cabinet, was $519.00. The SLM1200-1, with
ST4500 head and single SR690 cabinet, sold for $589.00. The
SLM1200-2, with ST4500 head and two SR690 cabs, sold for $799.00. |
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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 increased slightly, to $319.00.
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 increased to $299.00, and the ST4500 increased to $369.00.
Carvin offered several other
general purpose amp heads in 1977, including the single channel SC2000
& SC3000 (above) and the SV125 & SV250
(below). These were 125W and 250W amps, and could be used for basic
instrument amplification, as well as monitor and PA applications. The
SC2000 was priced at $249.00; the SC3000 was $319.00. The AV125 was
$209.00, and the SV250 was $279.00.
For more
details on Carvin power amps in 1977,
click here.
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Although
the VT410 had been discontinued, Carvin still offered a pair of combo
amps. The VT312 (top right) was based on the VTR2800 tube head, and had
a pair of MagnaLab 12" speakers. It increased slightly in price
from 1976, to $399.00. It was also offered as the VT210, which was
identical to the VT312, except it used 10" MagnaLab speakers. The
VT210 sold for $329.00. JBL speakers could be added to the VT312
for an additional $140.00.
The ML300
(bottom right) was based on the ST2500 head, and also used a pair of
MagnaLab speakers. Like the VT312, it increased in price slightly,
to $379.00. It could also be upgraded with JBL speakers for
$140.00.
As
had been the case in 1976, Carvin's MagnaLab speakers were the
standard in all Carvin guitar amps. These would remain
Carvin's speakers until 1985, and would lead to future Carvin
speakers, such as the British Series BR12.
There
were some minor changes in the various speaker cabinets Carvin
offered in 1977, primarily due to the discontinuation of
Altec-Lansing speakers in Carvin cabinets. However, there was
still a wide assortment to be had, using Carvin's MagnaLab speakers
as well as JBL speakers.
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