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Catalog
What began as the L.C. Kiesel Company in 1946 became Carvin in 1953 and grew into a name recognized by generations of musicians and sound professionals.
Over eight decades, Carvin has evolved along with the industries we serve, but our commitment to great sounding gear has remained the same. Today, Carvin remains owned and operated by the Kiesel family, carrying forward an 80-year legacy of innovation for musicians and sound professionals.
Today, Carvin continues to provide great sounding gear engineered for musicians and sound professionals. From professional sound systems to tone-shaping gear for guitar and bass, our products are designed for today's musicians, venues and audio professionals.
Professional sound systems engineered for live sound, touring, houses of worship, DJs, venues and corporate AV.
Tone-shaping gear designed to give guitarists and bassists flexible tools for the stage, studio and practice.
Wireless microphones and other audio solutions for musicians, performers and sound professionals.
Carvin's story began in 1946 when Lowell Kiesel founded the L.C. Kiesel Company in his Los Angeles garage. From those beginnings to today's professional audio systems and musician gear, eight decades of innovation have shaped the Carvin name.
Explore the products, milestones and catalogs that tell the story of Carvin from 1946 to today.
Three generations after Lowell Kiesel founded the company, Carvin remains owned and operated by the Kiesel family. What began in 1946 continues today with the same commitment to great sounding gear for musicians and sound professionals.
Three generations after Lowell Kiesel founded the company, Carvin remains owned and operated by the Kiesel family. What began in 1946 continues today with the same commitment to great sounding gear for musicians and sound professionals.
In 1946, Lowell Kiesel founded the company in his Los Angeles garage, beginning the Carvin story with guitar pickups and a vision for innovative musical equipment.
In 1954 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 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.
