Carr Amplifiers

Tone. Reliability. Versatility.

These three words encapsulate the work of NC-based Carr Amplifiers. We go way back from Steve Carr and could not be more proud to represent his amplifiers. Built to achieve incredible tones in the living room, club, studio, or big stage, Steve and his crew understand that most of us aren't playing the Forum next week - but - we want to sound like we are, even with the baby asleep in the next room.

Carr amps offer players a wide range of tones and features based off "the three food groups" - Fender, Marshall, Vox - but they are very much their own thing, not a simple copy of anything that came before. Articulate, quick attack, light low-end, beautiful top end, reverb circuits to die for, incredible built-in attenuators, boost switches - even a fantastic sounding line out on the Merc V - and custom tolex options are all harmarks of Steve's designs. He makes these circuit designs look easy - trust us, it isn't.

What can we say? Carr Amplifiers are some of our favorite amps being made today - and knowing they're also fantastic human beings doesn't hurt.

Raleigh | 5 Watts

The ultimate recording or practice amp, the Carr Raleigh has beautiful tone in spades despite it's diminutive stature. At 16x12x8, this amp is extremely portable with enough of a classy vintage-cool look to fit nicely into anyone's living room decor (in our humble opinion).

Super Bee | 10 Watts

The Super Bee captures that legendary Fullerton-made black panel 4x10" Super Reverb sound in an inspiring new model sized (10" and 12" versions) and powered to suit the true needs of today’s venues.

From scooped chime, to edge-of-breakup twang, to stinging roar, it’s all there at volume levels that will keep the soundman smiling while you push the Super Bee into succulent output-tube-driven overdrive and harmonically saturated bloom.

Skylark | 12 Watts

The Skylark is an awesome choice for players that need both a home amp and the ability to cover rehearsals and/or small gigs.

With useful, well thought out features like a switchable variable attenuator (you can switch it fully out of the circuit) that can take you from a full 12 watts down to zero, and a high/low gain switch, you can achieve beautiful cleans all the way through lead worthy saturation - at 2am volume levels.

Merc V | 0-4/16 Watts

The Mercury V is highly touch sensitive with a huge range of English tones from 60s aggressive clean thru 70s rock into 80s and 90s crunch. The built in attenuator delivers real tube power overdrive at whisper levels retaining the feel and juice of full volume fun.

Like recording on your computer? Just plug the Mercury V line out into your A/D interface and go! The luscious spring reverb, wide ranging overdrive options, and effective tone controls make the Mercury V and invaluable recording tool. Home player? Experience big amp satisfaction with domestic tranquility. Gigging musician? 16 burly watts in full power means the Mercury V is a commanding stage amp.

Telstar | 17 Watts

What sets the Telstar apart is how its circuit "blends the sinewy harmonic assertion of EL84s with the deep, full control of 6L6s in a new and unique push-pull recipe."

What does this mean in plain terms? Put simply, you have the best of both worlds - the chime and gain of a EL84 and the girth and depth of a 6L6. Rated at 17 watts, we found the Telstar to have the perfect amount of volume for both home playing (thanks to a variable attenuator) and small club gigs.

Sportsman | 19 Watts

We simply love the Carr Sportsman. Per the Carr website, the goal was to fuse "the insistent purity of '60s American 1x12 reverb-style amps with the more aggressive dual 6V6 power section of the late '50s."

With the Headroom control up and the volume low, it produces super clean tones with plenty of sparkle and depth. When you push it, there's plenty of Texas bite and growl. Insanely fun with all kinds of color to play with. Think updated / improved Princeton Reverb and that will get you in the ballpark.

Rambler | 14/28 Watts

The ultimate modern silver/blackface-style amp? Quite possibly. The 1x12, 6L6 driven Rambler is about the size of a Fender Princeton Reverb, is switchable from 28 watts down to 14, has onboard reverb and tremolo, and is Class A / cathode biased.

Imagine classic, bold, articulate Fender tones with tighter low end and much higher headroom, all in a very portable package. Players like Buddy Miller have relied on the Rambler for its beautiful tones and rock solid construction. This would make a brilliant amp for anyone who relies on pedals, gigs regularly, or wants one of the best Fender-style amps on the market for their home.

Impala | 44 Watts

The inspiration for the Impala was the classic black panel Fender Bassman, prized for it's power and simplicity, and a staple for artists as wide ranging as Buddy Guy to Mike McCready.

Carr captures the vibe of the Bassman, but also adds a wonderful all-tube reverb and a Master volume to the mix. The result is an incredibly versatile amp, with the Master allowing a great, thick tones at lower volumes, and endless combinations!

Carr Players:

Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter, David Gregory, Jeff Tweedy, Eric Johnson, Jim Campilongo, Niko Case, Keith Richards, Nels Cline, Richard Thompson, Paul Simon