1996

The F-Series power amps are one of the strongest new foundations in the 1996 catalog. Carvin replaces the older FET emphasis with a broader family of lighter, rack-ready MOSFET power amps built around toroid-equipped power supplies, protection circuits, and high-current output options. The line scales from the compact F150 up through the F1200, with the F1200 adding front-pull cooling, Speakon connectors, Power Max RMS switching, and Soft-Start supply behavior. The catalog connects the F-Series directly to stage systems, monitors, bass rigs, and large loudspeaker packages, showing that these amps are not just accessories; they are the load-bearing center of the 1996 sound-system architecture

• MOSFET power amp family replacing / expanding the older FET identity
• F150: one-rack-space stereo amp, useful for monitors, guitar/bass rigs, headphone use, and small systems
• F300 / F600 / F1000 / F1200 scale upward for larger PA use
• F1200 adds Speakon connectors, Power Max RMS switch, Soft-Start supply, and front-pull cooling
• Protection includes SpeakerGuard, thermal shut-off, short-circuit, no-load, and turn-on mute circuits
• Used in 1588 and TR-series packaged systems
• Artist/product context includes Rick Wakeman using F-Series amps with TR trapezoids, and Charlie Crowe using F-Series amps with his stage rig

The CX Series mixers give the 1996 catalog a more accessible powered-system tier. The Clubmate systems use the CX420 4-channel 150-watt mixer, while the Stagemate systems use the CX630 6-channel 200-watt mixer. The larger Showcase tier uses CX842 and CX1252 stereo mixers, adding 126 digital chorus/flange/reverb effects, dual 9-band graphic EQs, stereo operation, monitor routing, and rack-mount options. These CX systems are clearly aimed at fast setup and practical use for clubs, churches, schools, and working bands, pairing the mixers directly with 822, 832, 942, and 1584 speakers

• CX420: 4-channel 150-watt powered mixer
• CX630: 6-channel 200-watt powered mixer
• CX842: 8-channel 400-watt stereo mixer
• CX1252: 12-channel 500-watt stereo mixer
• CX1252R: rack mixer version without onboard power
• Clubmate and Stagemate packages pair CX mixers with 822 or 832 speakers
• Showcase packages pair CX842 / CX1252 with 822, 832, 942, and 1584 speakers
• Includes Accutronics reverb on smaller systems
• Larger CX models include 126 digital effects and dual 9-band graphic EQs
• Designed around simple portable PA deployment with bundled mics, cables, and covers

The SM162 Studio Mate is new for 1996 and fills a gap that the larger DX and CX mixers do not address. It is a compact 16-channel stereo mixer intended for home studios, small bands, multimedia setups, school/church production, live two-track DAT recording, video sound, post-production editing, submixing, and headphone mixing. Its design is more recording-oriented than the powered CX mixers: 8 phantom-powered mic preamps, 4 stereo channels, mic inserts, RCA tape I/O, master effects sends and returns, headphone output, LED metering, built-in power supply, and a steel chassis. Carvin emphasizes that it uses toroid transformers and double-sided PC cards with ground planing for RF rejection, which gives the SM162 a more serious engineering story than its compact size suggests

• 16-channel compact stereo mixer
• 8 studio-grade phantom-powered mic preamps
• 4 stereo channels equal 8 mono line inputs
• 3-band EQ, dual effects sends, pan, and level controls
• Mic-channel inserts for processors or patch bay use
• RCA tape input/output for DAT, cassette, reel, or 2-track hookup
• Built-in micro power supply, not a wall-wart
• Toroid transformer and regulated supply
• Steel chassis, powder-coat finish, sealed pots
• Published specs include 20 Hz–20 kHz response, less than .01% THD, 90 dB S/N, 104 dB dynamic range, and +20 dBm max output

The 1584 and 1588 are major new 1996 loudspeaker designs and effectively update the 1995-era 3-way loudspeaker story. The 1584 is a 400-watt 3-way vented enclosure positioned for studio-quality clarity in live sound, using a computer-optimized cabinet, Pro Series components, and a C1584 constant-voltage crossover. The 1588 is the larger 800-watt version, described as the “big brother” of the 1584, using dual 15-inch woofers, two 8-inch midrange drivers, and a titanium horn driver. Both include Speakon connectivity and bi-amp support, making them better aligned with the F-Series power amps and larger packaged PA systems.

• 1584: 400-watt 3-way loudspeaker
• 1584 response: 50 Hz to 19 kHz ±3 dB
• 1584 usable low frequency: 38 Hz
• 1584 crossover: C1584 constant voltage
• 1584 inputs: two 1/4-inch and two Speakon connectors
• 1584 supports bi-amping with panel switch
• 1588: 800-watt 3-way loudspeaker
• 1588 response: 45 Hz to 19 kHz ±3 dB
• 1588 usable low frequency: 34 Hz
• 1588 crossover: C1588 constant voltage
• 1588 uses dual 15-inch woofers, dual 8-inch mids, and titanium horn driver
• 1588 recommended amp range reaches 100 to 1200 watts
• 1588 packaged with DX2442 and F1200 in the 2442-1588 system

The catalog presents the AG100 Series as an acoustic guitar, bass, and small PA amplifier, with AG100-10 and AG100-12 configurations. It is designed to support acoustic-electric instruments like the AC175 and AE185, but Carvin also explicitly makes it useful for bass, tape deck, keyboard, drum machine, and microphone input. That makes it a flexible small-stage or one-person performance amp, not just an acoustic guitar combo. The switchable tweeter, tuned port enclosure, three-channel layout, reverb/effects controls, and master 5-band EQ make it one of the more practical crossover products in the catalog.

• 100-watt acoustic / bass / PA amplifier
• Available as 10-inch and 12-inch versions
• Channel 1: acoustic/electric input with bass, mid-sweep, treble, effects send, and acoustic/electric EQ switch
• Channel 2: second instrument input for bass, tape, keyboard, drum machine, etc.
• Channel 3: XLR microphone input
• Built-in reverb with separate effects send/receive
• Master 5-band graphic EQ at 63, 250, 800, 4k, and 8k Hz
• Switchable horn tweeter
• Tuned ported bass-reflex enclosure
• Built-in bottom bracket for speaker stand use
• Suited to AC40 / AC50 acoustic basses as well as acoustic-electric guitars

The MTS3200 is the new flagship tube guitar amplifier development for 1996. It differs from the 1995 Vintage Tube family by aiming at a louder, more modern 100-watt-class stage platform while still borrowing some crunch character from the Vintage Tube design. Carvin presents the MTS3200 as a true dual-channel, all-tube head with separate preamp tubes for rhythm and lead channels, 50/100-watt switching, 5881 power tubes standard, bias switching for EL34 or 6L6GC tubes, long-tailed reverb, buffered effects loop, and cabinet-voiced line output. It also appears as the MTS3212 Stage Master 2x12 combo and in stack packages with 412 cabinets.

• New Master Tube Series for 1996
• 50/100-watt all-tube guitar head
• Four 5881 power tubes standard
• Bias switch supports 5881, EL34, or 6L6GC tubes
• Five 12AX7A preamp tubes
• True dual-channel design with separate preamp tubes
• Rhythm and Lead channels with separate level controls
• Lead channel includes Drive and Master Level
• Passive T-Bridge tone controls
• Long-tailed reverb
• Buffered effects loop for pedal or rack effects
• Cabinet-voiced line output
• 4, 8, and 16 ohm speaker output selection
• MTS3212 puts the same concept into a 2x12 Stage Master combo

The Redline Bass Series is one of the most important new sections in the 1996 catalog. The R600 is presented as a redesigned professional bass head with a 12AX7A tube front end, 600 watts total stereo power, bi-amp crossover, compressor, noise gate, 9-band graphic EQ, deep patching, recording DI, multiple effects loops, and active/passive inputs. Artist copy reinforces the launch: Myron Dove comments from tour that the R600’s tube front end warms the tone, Johnny Crypt is tied to Redline stage use, Barry Sparks used the R600 and speakers on Michael Schenker recordings, and Ed Friedland uses the R600 with RL410T and RL210T cabinets. The companion RSP preamp offers the R600’s front-end feature set without internal power amps

• R600: stereo 600-watt bass amplifier, 300 watts per channel at 4 ohms
• 12AX7A tube in the signal path
• Active and passive inputs
• Three pre-EQ filter buttons
• Shelving bass/treble and sweepable midrange
• Bi-amp crossover from 200 Hz to 2 kHz
• Compressor with variable ratio
• Noise gate with 30 dB quieting
• 9-band graphic EQ
• Ground lift
• Recording out / DI
• Multiple effects loops, including split-frequency stereo loop and footswitchable main loop
• Stereo headphone output doubles as tuner patch point
• RSP gives R600 preamp features without internal power amps
• RedEye cabinets include RL410T and RL210T
• Low-frequency cabinets include RL115 and RL118
• System packages include RL610, RL615, RL618
• RL6815 Cyclops combines R600 head, 15-inch woofer, two 8-inch mids, compression horn driver, and crossover into a large bass combo

The 1996 PB Series bass combos are a major redesign from the older PB300 / PB500 head-driven architecture seen in prior catalogs. The new PB line is split into Pro Bass 100 and Pro Bass 200 models, with compact combos and head-only versions. The PB100-10, PB100-15, and PB100H provide 100 watts with pro features like pre-shape filters, shelving EQ, parametric mid sweep, effects loop, compressor, and noise gate. The PB200-12, PB200-15, and PB200H increase output and add a tweeter with control plus a post 5-band graphic EQ. These models bring the processing sophistication of earlier Carvin bass rigs into lighter, more accessible combo/head formats

• PB100 Series available as 1x10 combo, 1x15 combo, and head
• PB100 delivers 100 watts into 8 ohms
• PB100-10 uses PS10 200-watt 10-inch woofer
• PB100-15 uses PS15 400-watt 15-inch woofer
• PB100 features three pre-EQ filters, shelving tone controls, parametric mid sweep, compressor, noise gate, effects send/receive, headphone jack, and speaker out
• PB200 Series available as 1x12 combo, 1x15 combo, and head
• PB200 increases output to 160 watts RMS at 8 ohms
• PB200 adds tweeter control and post 5-band graphic EQ
• PB200-12 uses PS12 woofer and tweeter
• PB200-15 uses PS15 woofer and tweeter
• Built from poplar plywood rather than particle board

1996 Carvin Artist Roster

• Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Bunny Brunel, Brian Auger, John Wackerman, Eric Sardinas, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman, Timothy B. Schmit, Tracii Guns, Jorma Kaukonen, Michael Falzarano, J.J. Cale, Will Lee, Robben Ford, Roscoe Beck, Lee Rocker, Devin Powers, Aaron Sands, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Tareva Henderson, Charlie Crowe, Brooks and Dunn, Van Stephenson, Dale Oliver, Tere Bertke, Greg Cook, Gary LeMaster, Gregg Allman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Wilton, Kathy Mattea, Bill Crookey, Danny Elfman, Will Ray, Brent Woods, Timothy B. Schmit, Glenn Letsch, Barry Sparks, Mario Rodriguez, Al DiMeola, Chris Squire, Eddie Jackson, Myron Dove, Johnny Crypt, Ed Friedland, Derrick Allen, Beaver Felton, Patrick O’Hearn, Frank Blair, Randy Frazier, Lorne O’Neil, Gary Bodily, Gerry Gillespie, Otto Price, James Jamerson Jr., Chuck Rainey, Tim Broussard, Les July, David Roe, Stanley Clarke, Abraham Laboriel, Carmine Rojas, Don Cromwell, Rodney Lay, Jason Scheff, Michael Dempsey, Kenny Lewis, Paul Uhrig, Josquin Des Pres, Roy Vogt, Rocky Newton, Marty Wilhite, Anthony Esposito, John Onder, Bob Bradshaw, Larry Carlton, Craig Chaquico, Chris DeGarmo, Lee Ritenour, Frank Zappa, Chet Atkins