Ugh...I want to sell my V3.

[Smitty]

I've owned a Carvin V3 for a little over a year, and it's about time to change tubes. I've had this feeling of hate for the amp since I got it but have constantly convinced myself I liked it because I spent so much on it.
The highs are WAY too harsh. For example, my "bright" and "presence" knobs are both on ZERO, and my treble on 5, and it's just too much. The mids are dry and lifeless. And the low end sucks. And hell, I'm not even really a metal player much anymore. I'm a jazz, prog rock, and fusion guy.

I'm thinking that switching to 6L6's will help my problems, but I also slightly doubt it. I've heard reviews of it, but no decent sound clips. They've all been CHUG clips, which is exactly what I don't do.

I'm looking for clear saturation, richness, long sustain, beautiful-ness. Like a Cornford MK50, which I'll never be able to afford.

Playing through this amp is just depressing for me. It doesn't do what I want. SO...
If you want to buy it, PM me. I haven't decided yet (hence this thread being here and not in the classifieds), but if you are interested, throw me a PM.
Or please give me good sound clips of 6L6/V3 tone if you have one. Or new amp suggestions.
Thanks all.
Smitty

[elcid]

Did you try talking to Bob at Eurotubes, maybe he can suggest some new tubes to fix some of the problems

[microdmitry]

You probably need to use different speakers. Switching tubes will NOT dramatically change the basic tone of the amp.

[Smitty]

Yeah, and it seems that the JJ 6l6GC's are the best way to go.

I'm running my amp through a 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s. Great speakers. I don't think that those are the problem.
Smitty

[Mr.WizardNeck]

Go on the Carvin board. They will suggest some speakers to you but from what I heard, V30's have the same spike in them that the V3 has (the sound you aren't liking). Get a 2X12 Ear Candy cab with Green Machine's in them. I've heard they are excellent speakers for any amp but work really well with the V3.

[Darin]

Just a thought. Try an EQ pedal in the loop.

[microdmitry]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Yeah, and it seems that the JJ 6l6GC's are the best way to go.

I'm running my amp through a 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s. Great speakers. I don't think that those are the problem.
Smitty

They very well may be the problem. I liked the sound of a well broken in Vintage 30 in a 1x12 open back cab, but I hated them brand new in a closed back 2x12. And my amp is not naturally harsh. I have replaced them with Warehouse Veteran 30 + Warehouse British Lead in one cab and Celestion G12T-75 + Warehouse British Lead in another (G12T-75 sucks ass by itself, but it's great when mixed with middy, darker speakers). Things sound great now, no harshness, no "icepick" highs. In my opinion, at $45 per speaker (+shipping) this is an option worth trying before you spring up for another amp. Warehouse British Leads are smoother in the highs.

[Smitty]

Right on. I'll check out those speakers.
Smitty