Carmen Ghia = incredible amp

[badbob]

Bought a brand new Carmen Ghia 1 x 12 combo last December, but just now getting around to writing a glowing review. Primarily because I wanted to use the amp in several different size venues, situations, etc. But man I gotta say.....I think I found the perfect amp for the tones I'm trying to get from my head to coming out of my speaker. What an INCREDIBLE amp.

Initially I was hesitant about buying an 18 watt amp out of fear of not having enough clean headroom and overall output. I've always been a 40-50 watt 6L6 guy. But I have to say headroom or volume hasn't been anywhere near an issue with this guy. I've played in mic'ed up situations in medium/large sized clubs and I've played in similar sized rooms un mic'ed and this amp has always provided ample volume and headroom. In fact I'm actually surprised at how loud the amp is. It definitely hangs with it's 2-6L6 counter parts I have previously used.

I use an American Series Tele run into an Analogman Bi Comp (Ross side), Boss DD-7, and Bad Bob Booster (set at 10 o'clock) all turned on all the time. I've never had the amp volume over 9-10 o' clock. Even un mic'ed it's PLENTY loud in larger rooms. And I have a rep for being a guy who plays pretty darn loud (you know that guy....every band has one, right?)

For overdrive I use an Analogman KOT, red channel OD mode, yellow channel Dist mode. Works very well with this amp in gig situations.

The Vintage 30 seems to have warmed/loosened up some after a few gigs. But I love the mid range kick it delivers. Works GREAT for country snappy punchy stuff.

I just can't say enough good things about this amp. Simple little tone monster. Actually I wouldn't call it little per se. And it definitely isn't light...lol.

I'd be totally content if this were the only amp I owned. I like it that much.

To me amps like this aren't done justice in online video clips at low volumes, in living rooms, no other instruments playing along, etc. It's in live full band settings where they really shine and cut through the mix.


Great, great, great amp. Now I want two of them.....

[nmz]

Good to hear, Z watts are a different thing (glorious thing!).

[Mark (Basement Enthusiast)]

Word!

[rickc007]

Amazed how much I like mine, have had many Z's and this is up there with my Favorite

I have the LE Master Volume one, but actually don't use the MV
Use it as a pedal platorm.
Hitting it with a Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz, and a Celestion Heritage Greenback, is a warm/smooth/thick tone of beauty.

Fantastic Amp

[eggman]

Howdy,

Glad you are digging your new Ghia; they're a blast!

[redjr]

My 1x10 Ghia with the Rad Fang is simply awesome!

[51d]

May 20, 2014 17:49:40 GMT -7 badbob said:

Bought a brand new Carmen Ghia 1 x 12 combo last December, but just now getting around to writing a glowing review. Primarily because I wanted to use the amp in several different size venues, situations, etc. But man I gotta say.....I think I found the perfect amp for the tones I'm trying to get from my head to coming out of my speaker. What an INCREDIBLE amp.

Initially I was hesitant about buying an 18 watt amp out of fear of not having enough clean headroom and overall output. I've always been a 40-50 watt 6L6 guy. But I have to say headroom or volume hasn't been anywhere near an issue with this guy. I've played in mic'ed up situations in medium/large sized clubs and I've played in similar sized rooms un mic'ed and this amp has always provided ample volume and headroom. In fact I'm actually surprised at how loud the amp is. It definitely hangs with it's 2-6L6 counter parts I have previously used.

I use an American Series Tele run into an Analogman Bi Comp (Ross side), Boss DD-7, and Bad Bob Booster (set at 10 o'clock) all turned on all the time. I've never had the amp volume over 9-10 o' clock. Even un mic'ed it's PLENTY loud in larger rooms. And I have a rep for being a guy who plays pretty darn loud (you know that guy....every band has one, right?)

For overdrive I use an Analogman KOT, red channel OD mode, yellow channel Dist mode. Works very well with this amp in gig situations.

The Vintage 30 seems to have warmed/loosened up some after a few gigs. But I love the mid range kick it delivers. Works GREAT for country snappy punchy stuff.

I just can't say enough good things about this amp. Simple little tone monster. Actually I wouldn't call it little per se. And it definitely isn't light...lol.

I'd be totally content if this were the only amp I owned. I like it that much.

To me amps like this aren't done justice in online video clips at low volumes, in living rooms, no other instruments playing along, etc. It's in live full band settings where they really shine and cut through the mix.


Great, great, great amp. Now I want two of them.....

The extraordinary thing about the Ghia (and I have to compare it slightly unfavourably with my Maz 8 Studio, complete with Celestion Blue, and which I had for a freakishly short time) is how it sits in a band mix.  The cut a Ghia makes in this context is not just a volume thing; it simply operates on a set of frequencies which demand it be heard.  And I also have to venture the view that this is one amp that sounds remarkable at a range of volumes, including bedroom levels.  Although my 'bedroom' level did prompt a letter from the local council asking if I wanted to apply for an entertainment (sic) licence...my point is that the response here is of such diversity that I personally can listen to this amp clean and unboosted for altogether too many hours.  Thus, I don't regard the low volume demos on YouTube as doing this model any disservice.  Although earache levels are of course also very special.

Will a Z-28 do the same for me?  It's beginning to be a serious question, and goes beyond the usual GAS idiocy I suffer from.