Speakers

Carvin has used a wide variety of speakers in their history, including Altec-Lansing, Jensen, JBL, and their own MagnaLab models.  During the late 1970's and 1980's, it was possible to order most combo amps or speaker cabinets with different speakers loaded in them.

In the early to mid 1950's, Jensen speakers were used exclusively in Carvin guitar amps.  These were general-purpose mid-range speakers, as all the amps sold by Carvin were not specialized guitar amps, but were designed with multiple inputs for any electric instrument, as well as microphones on some models.  Jensen speakers used by Carvin from 1955 - 1963 were either 8" or 12" varieties, and a 15" would be added to the Model #10-RA amp in 1964.

In 1960, Carvin began to offer James Lansing speakers in some models, in addition to the Jensen speakers.  The Lansing speakers were the first 15" speakers Carvin had used (the previously used Jensen's were either 8" or 12", and a Jensen 15" wouldn't be available for 4 more years), and had a built-in tweeter.  These speakers would be offered in 1960 only, then would return again in 1967.  Although the "James Lansing" name has faded into history, the brand these speakers evolved into hasn't - JBL speakers, and Altec-Lansing (see sidebar).   By 1969, Carvin was offering an assortment of Lansing and Jensen speakers in a variety of speaker cabinets.

In 1970, James Lansing speakers officially began to be called Altec-Lansing speakers, and Carvin continued to use these speakers, in addition to Jensen speakers.  However, in 1971, the Jensen speakers were dropped in favor of CTS speakers, which were used in addition to Altec Lansing speakers, and in 1973, Electro-Voice horns were added to some speaker cabinets.

1976 was a significant year in every department for Carvin, and the guitar amplifiers department was no exception.  The CTS speakers were dropped, and Carvin introduced their own line of speakers, dubbed MagnaLab.  These were entirely designed and built in-house, allowing for cost savings versus purchasing off-the-shelf speakers from Jensen or Altec.  However, Carvin continued to offer JBL and Altec-Lansing speakers for a higher cost on most speaker cabinets.

In 1978, the Altec-Lansing speakers were dropped, in favor of the British-made Celestion speakers.  Carvin's MagnaLab speakers were still the standard, but Celestions could be ordered in the concert stack amps, and  JBL's could be ordered in combo amps.  More changes would occur in 1979 - specifically, Gauss speakers were added in addition to MagnaLab and JBL speakers in Carvin's combo amps.  The standard MagnaLab's were the least expensive; the Gauss' were the high-end.  The concert stack amps were offered only with MagnaLab or Celestion speakers.

In 1981, Gauss speakers were dropped in Carvn's combo amps, and replaced with Electro-Voice speakers.  MagnaLab speakers were still the standard, and Celestion speakers were still offered on the big amps.  In 1982, JBL speakers would also be replaced with Electro-Voice models.

The MagnaLab name was dropped in 1986, and Carvin simply put their own name on the speakers they produced, and in 1986, the "HE" (High Energy) series was the standard in Carvin guitar amps.  Electro-Voice and Celestion speakers were still offered as optional equipment.

1989 saw another significant change in the speakers Carvin used.  Celestion speakers were dropped altogether, and Electro Voice speakers were only offered as optional equipment in the XV112E Tube-X Amp.  But the big news was the introduction of the Carvin British Series speakers.  The British Series was designed to replace the British-made Celestion speakers, and had similar sound characteristics.  Also, 1989 was the last year the EV speaker would be offered on the XV112 - it would only be offered with the BR-12 in the future.  This was significant because this was the last non-Carvin speaker that would be offered in a Carvin amplifier, until the Celestion Greenbacks were used in the Vai Legacy Series amps.

In 1995, the BR-12 speaker would be dropped in favor of the new Vintage Series speaker.  All guitar amplifiers would rely on these new speakers in 1995.  However, the BR-12 would return in the MTS combo and stack amps and SX combo amps in 1996.  Also in 1996, Carvin would begin using their PS series speakers in the new AG100 acoustic guitar amps.

Celestion speakers would to return to Carvin in 1999, in the form of Celestion Greenbacks which were used in the Vai Legacy Series amps.  Vintage Series, British Series and PS series speakers would continue to be used in Carvin's other amps.

GT Series speakers were added to Carvin's lineup in 2002.  These speakers were standard in the SX series amps, as well as the Vintage Tube combos and MTS series.

In 2005, Celestion G12T-75 and Seventy80 speakers replaced all Carvin speakers, making all Carvin guitar amps Celestion-equipped.  The Vintage Series amps would adopt the same G12 Vintage 30's used by the Legacy line.

Coverings

Carvin has used a variety of amp coverings in the 50 years they have been producing them.  In the 1950's, tweed linen covering was used on most amps.  In 1959, a material referred to as "airplane heavy-duty luggage covering" - probably some form or vinyl - was used on some models.  By 1961, all amps would use this covering. 

When the large stacks appeared in 1968, the covering was also changed, to black Lavant, which was a form of vinyl.  This would last until 1971, when the covering would simply be referred to as "black vinyl".

Many things at Carvin changed in 1976, and the amp covering was one of them.  After several years of using vinyl, Carvin switched to black Tolex (as did much of the industry).  Tolex had been around for quite a few years, and was used in the music industry on amps, speakers, guitar cases and just about anywhere an inexpensive, attractive covering was needed.

In 1981, black Tolex was used on all Carvin amps and speaker cabinets, but a very attractive oak cabinet was an option on the XV-112E combo amp.  This would be offered on this amp throughout it's life-cycle.  The XV-112E Oak was offered from 1981-1988, then reappeared in 1991 for one year only.

In 1989, Tolex was retired on all Carvin amps and speaker cabinets in favor of Ozite, a synthetic product made from dyed polyester and polypropylene, with a texture similar to indoor/outdoor carpeting.  The Ozite that Carvin used was greyish in color, and would be use through 1994.

In 1995, Ozite was replaced by Duratuff II, a similar material to Ozite, but much darker in color - almost black.  Duratuff II was used on all amps except for the new Vintage Series - these amps were covered in tan tweed, just like Carvin amps from the 1950's.  However, in 1996, Duratuff II  was used on bass amps only - guitar amps were covered in a non-descript black vinyl (except for the Vintage Series, which were still covered in tweed fabric).

Quite a bit changed in 1997.  The new AG100 acoustic guitar amp had an interesting new covering - green vinyl.  This was quite a departure from the various black materials that had been used over the years.  Additionally, the new SX amps were covered in tan Lavant, a material similar to vinyl, but more durable. The MTS amps were still covered in black vinyl, Vintage Series amps were still covered in tweed, and bass amps were still covered in Duratuff II.

The last significant change came in 2002.  The SX Series amps went to being covered in black vinyl, just like the Vai Legacy Series and the MTS Series.  Vintage Series amps were still covered in tweed fabric.  Bass amps were still covered in Duratuff II, except for the 2004 BRX bass speakers, which were covered in DuraTex, a spray-on polyurethane finish.