Pittsboro, NC

Carr Amplifiers

Tone. Reliability. Versatility. These three words encapsulate the work of NC-based Carr Amplifiers. Built to achieve incredible tones in the living room, club, studio, or big stage, Steve Carr 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 Amplifiers are some of our favorite amps being made today - and knowing they're also fantastic people doesn't hurt.

Meet The Models

Raleigh | 5 Watts

The ultimate recording or practice amp, the Carr Raleigh has beautiful Vox-like tones ranging from chimey cleans to Brian May-esq overdriven sounds. 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). Available in 10" and 12" speaker versions.

RALEIGH MANUAL
Super Bee | 10 Watts

The Super Bee captures that legendary Fender Super Reverb sound in an inspiring new compact combo (10" and 12" versions) and powered to suit the true needs of today’s venues.

From SRV-like scooped mids to edge-of-breakup twang to stinging roar, it’s all here at volume levels that will keep the soundman (or significant other) smiling while you push the Super Bee into succulent output-tube-driven overdrive.

SUPER BEE MANUAL
Skylark | 12 Watts

The Skylark is an awesome mid-60s voiced amp 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.

SKYLARK MANUAL
Mercury V | 0-4/16 Watts

The Marshall-esq Mercury V is a highly touch sensitive combo amp with a huge range of English tones ranging 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.

Do a lot recording? 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 an 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.

MERCURY V MANUAL
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 an 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.

TELSTAR MANUAL
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.

SPORTSMAN MANUAL
Rambler | 14/28 Watts

The ultimate modern silver/black panel-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.

RAMBLER MANUAL
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!

IMPALA MANUAL