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Since 1946, Carvin has been designing great sounding gear for audio professionals and musicians. From Lowell Kiesel's earliest products to today's professional sound systems, eight decades of innovation have shaped the Carvin name.
Carvin's story began in 1946 when Lowell Kiesel founded the L.C. Kiesel Company in his Los Angeles garage. Starting with guitar pickups wound on an old sewing machine, Lowell soon expanded into amplifiers and steel guitars, beginning a legacy that would span generations.
The Carvin name was adopted in 1953, combining the names of Lowell’s two oldest sons, Carson and Gavin.
80 years later, Carvin remains family owned and operated by the Kiesel family, carrying forward a legacy of innovation and a commitment to musicians and sound professionals.
In 1946, Lowell Kiesel founded the L.C. Kiesel Company in his Los Angeles garage, beginning the Carvin story with guitar pickups and a vision for innovative musical equipment.
In 1953, Lowell renamed the company Carvin, combining the names of his two oldest sons, Carson and Gavin. The following year, Carvin introduced its first mail-order catalog, beginning a tradition that would continue for more than six decades.
Carvin advances amplifier design throughout the 1960s with its all-transistor Pro Series, followed by the introduction of the PA660 in 1969—a pivotal step into complete sound reinforcement.
The 1970s bring increasingly powerful and scalable Carvin PA systems, including the Stage systems built around the SP8000 stereo console.
Throughout the 1980s, Carvin's professional audio and amplifier lines continue to evolve, with the X100 Series becoming a standout guitar amplifier and artists like Steve Vai bringing Carvin gear to stages around the world.
The 1990s bring continued innovation across Carvin’s product lineup, culminating in the 1999 introduction of the Steve Vai Legacy Series—a signature all-tube amplifier developed in collaboration with legendary guitarist Steve Vai.
Carvin enters the new millennium with continued innovation across its professional audio and guitar amp lines, highlighted by the introduction of the V3 3-channel tube amplifier in 2006—a new flagship for Carvin guitar amplification.
The 2010s bring a new generation of Carvin professional audio systems, including the TRx3000 Series and TRC Column Array Systems, delivering powerful, scalable sound reinforcement for stages, venues, and events.
Carvin's catalogs document generations of products, technology and music history. Explore our archive of brochures and catalogs—from Carvin’s earliest years through the final printed catalog in 2017.
Carvin's story begins in 1946 with Lowell Kiesel’s guitar pickups. Early advertisements and brochures soon followed, showcasing a growing lineup that included Carvin guitar amplifiers.
Carvin introduces its first mail-order catalog, showcasing a growing product lineup sold factory-direct to musicians.
The introduction of the PA660 marks a pivotal step for Carvin into complete sound reinforcement and professional live sound.
Carvin introduces 42 new products, expanding its professional sound lineup with advanced mixers, graphic equalizers, bi-amped power systems, and scalable sound-reinforcement systems.
Carvin strengthens its professional audio lineup with the MX2488 24-channel console and expanded high-output speaker systems for live sound and recording.
Carvin introduces the Steve Vai Legacy Series, a signature all-tube amplifier developed in collaboration with legendary guitarist Steve Vai.
Celebrating Carvin's 60th anniversary, the catalog showcases an extensive professional audio lineup, including TRx concert systems, power amplifiers, mixers, and powered loudspeakers.
Celebrating Carvin's 70th anniversary, the catalog showcases a modern lineup including TRC Column Array Systems, TRx loudspeakers, guitar amplifiers, mixers, and power amplifiers.
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all of the earth; make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp and the voice of the psalm." - Psalm 98:4-5
