Carr
Carr
Also known as: Carr Amps, Carr Amplifiers
UnclaimedCarr Amplifiers is a boutique guitar amplifier manufacturer based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, founded by Steve Carr in 1998. The company specializes in hand-wired, point-to-point tube amplifiers built with premium components, solid pine cabinets with dovetail joints, and leather handles crafted by a local leather smith. Carr added an in-house wood shop in 2004, making it one of the few amp bu...
Carr Amplifiers is a boutique guitar amplifier manufacturer based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, founded by Steve Carr in 1998. The company specializes in hand-wired, point-to-point tube amplifiers built with premium components, solid pine cabinets with dovetail joints, and leather handles crafted by a local leather smith. Carr added an in-house wood shop in 2004, making it one of the few amp builders to construct all cabinets on the premises.
The product line spans a wide range of wattages and voicings, from the low-watt Raleigh (3.5W, single EL84) and the Skylark Special (12W, 2x6V6) to mid-power models like the Mercury V (16W, 2x6V6), Rambler (14/28W switchable, 2x6L6), and Sportsman (19W, 2x6V6), up to the Impala (44W, 2x6L6). Other models include the Telstar, Bel-Ray, and Super Bee. Many Carr amps feature switchable power outputs, allowing players to move between practice and stage volumes. The company's first model, the Slant 6V, established the brand's reputation for blending vintage-inspired circuit design with modern refinements.
Carr amplifiers have found favor with a wide range of professional musicians, including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons, Paul Simon, Joe Walsh, Joe Perry, John Fogerty, Eric Johnson, Jeff Tweedy, Nels Cline, Bill Frisell, Vince Gill, and Nils Lofgren. Guitar Player magazine praised the Rambler's "layout and wiring" as "absolutely flawless," reflecting the brand's emphasis on meticulous craftsmanship.
Carr has 56 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Combo Guitar Amplifiers, Guitar Amplifier Heads, and Digital Pianos. Their gear is featured by 18 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Folk, World, & Country, and Pop. Notable users include Nels Cline, Nick McCarthy, and Charlie Hunter. Most Carr products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.
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