Carvin Legacy

TheYoungGuitarist · #1 01-17-2009, 09:35 AM

For a 15 year old, Steve Vai seems to be the perfect role model. He is humble, amazingly skilled and his tone is perfect. There is just one problem: All of his signature gear is SO expensive!
I saved up £800 last year to buy my JEM (which I have done, my parents supplied the other half of the cash) and now, I am seeking to buy a Carvin Legacy to replace my Laney GH50L, which dont get me wrong has an amazing distortion (seriously...) but a terrible clean. It also only has one channel, which I dont particularly like.

Could you guys give me some pros and cons of the Legacy (not Legacy II) and/or suggest a better amp that is cheaper or equally priced

Much appreciated!!

newbieguitarmaker · #2 01-17-2009, 10:31 AM

I love the Legacy I got in October for my 18th. Many say that they don't like it because it doesn't get enough distortion or because it isn't what they expected, but it sounded exactly as I expected and it rocks.

However it is very loud even at one, I have to cut Db's with my boss gt-pro. Which brings me to the next point, Vai does use his expensive T.C> electronics rack that also adds to his tone on his legacy. A cheaper or equally priced amp at the same level as the Legacy is hard to find imo. Maybe try and find a used JSX but that will still be higher in price. The jsx is very versatile and people say it sounds better at low volumes than the legacy (I think my legacy sounds fine at both low and high).

It comes down to you, I usually don't like getting sig. gear but Satch and Vai's stuff is too good. There are also some nice used Mesa's even though every amp is a different beast in itself.

Only con for legacy I have is it doesn't have a cup holder? haha

TheYoungGuitarist · #3 01-17-2009, 10:36 AM

Lol

Playing guitar is thirsty work

Thanks for the reply, did you buy yours from new and how much was it? Did you get the cab as well as the head?

newbieguitarmaker · #4 01-17-2009, 10:43 AM

I went with the Head + Extension cab so if I carry it I can split up its weight when going down my 3 stories of stairs >_< haha. I got it for the same price as the website but they messed up my order and I think took off shipping price and gave me a speaker cable for the problem. haha

Forgot to say, new

TheYoungGuitarist · #5 01-17-2009, 11:02 AM

Lol

Thanks very much!

Is there anybody around who has something bad to say about it? Id be interested to know!

Darin · #6 01-17-2009, 11:17 AM

I wasn't pleased with my Legacy. But, I was used to playing Line 6 POD for recording. Which is very sensitive and easy to play. The Legacy on the other hand made me work a lot harder. I tried overdrives and compressors, they helped. But I still wasn't getting a smooth saturated gain. Plus it was way louder than Id ever need. It got sold. Now, I play different/better then I did 10 years ago, and I think I could probably live with a Legacy. I have a JSX, which seems to be a perfect compromise of everything you need. It does a lot of things very well.

Everything you'll read on reviews is extremely subjective. Every review comes from someone who had expectations before they bought the amp and plays differently than you, each other, and Vai. If you want Vai tone, I suppose it's a good way to go. But don't expect it to be a magic bullet to get you over the edge to sounding like him.

I suspect a power soak of some kind would be in order as well.

newbieguitarmaker · #7 01-17-2009, 12:19 PM

I think I get great smooth saturation, I've heard some JSX's that sounder terrible though, idk what was with that because I love them too. I say play before you buy even though its hard to do that with a Legacy, but carvin has their return policy if you don't like it. Half a month trial I guess it is?

Andy43 · #8 01-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Personally, I'd take a Laney over a Legacy. The VH100R has the same gain channel as the GH50L, but with an added clean channel that ROCKS. I think the clean is the best I've ever heard in a two channel head. But, the price of a VH100R isn't going to be much cheaper than a Legacy.

smooth55 · #9 01-17-2009, 04:46 PM

I'll preface by saying I've never owned a Legacy but I've heard them a few times, please don't get on me about that fact. That said, I was never all that impressed with the clean channel on it. Since your original post says that's what's missing in your opinion of the Laney, I'm not sure that the Legacy would satisfy. Definitely try to at least hear one in person if you can't play one before you buy. Even with Carvin's return policy, I'm not sure about how it would work with UK dealers (whoever they are), you still have to pay the return shipping.

bucket_bot · #10 01-17-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooth55

I'll preface by saying I've never owned a Legacy but I've heard them a few times, please don't get on me about that fact. That said, I was never all that impressed with the clean channel on it. Since your original post says that's what's missing in your opinion of the Laney, I'm not sure that the Legacy would satisfy. Definitely try to at least hear one in person if you can't play one before you buy. Even with Carvin's return policy, I'm not sure about how it would work with UK dealers (whoever they are), you still have to pay the return shipping.

Re returns.....not correct. There are 2 UK dealers if you want to buy new & I have dealt with both of them. Both give excellent service. I once returned a dud V3 to one of them & he even arranged for collection FOC.
The amp was replaced with a new one. Cost to me nil apart from the wait!!

However if you really want a Legacy & your budget is tight keep an eye on UK fleabay, they come up pretty regularly.
I got my Legacy Head for only £300. obviously always an element of risk buying on fleabay but if you are on a tight budget certainly worth considering.

IMO the Legacy clean channel is awesome. However be aware the Legacy is VERY loud!!!!
But Smooth is right.....you need to try & hear one before you commit.

TheYoungGuitarist · #11 01-18-2009, 09:01 AM

Brilliant - got a balanced argument

My friend has a VH100R and I agree, it is a very good amp. Im not quite sure where the Carvin dealers are, I really need to try a Legacy (and probably a V3 for that matter)!

Thank you all for your input!

bucket_bot · #12 01-18-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheYoungGuitarist

Brilliant - got a balanced argument

My friend has a VH100R and I agree, it is a very good amp. Im not quite sure where the Carvin dealers are, I really need to try a Legacy (and probably a V3 for that matter)!

Thank you all for your input!

OK buddy, here are the dealers:

http://www.guitarlefty.com/

http://www.rockstarguitar.co.uk/home.asp

Where do you live? You're welcome to come and try mine if within striking distance?
I also have an X100B re-issue.

TheYoungGuitarist · #13 01-18-2009, 03:40 PM

Thanks for the dealers.
Im between Portsmouth and Southampton so about 50mins away from you

If you wouldn't mind, Id love to come and try the amp!

bucket_bot · #14 01-18-2009, 03:53 PM

OK. Will send you a PM with my number.
Give me a call tomorrow & we will sort something.

Silverburst · #15 01-20-2009, 03:04 PM

"Laney GH50L, which dont get me wrong has an amazing distortion (seriously...) but a terrible clean". well for me it was just the opposite with my Legacy. If you want Vai's ballsy sound, you need to crack this amp up to 6-7 (which makes your head pop and was impossible for me to use at home, astronomical loud amp) and use a decent booster. Didn't want to invest 300$ into an attenuator.