Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,595

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

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High-end

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Description

Crafted for guitarists who crave vintage tone with modern reliability, the Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier is a boutique combo amp that delivers a rich and dynamic sound experience. This amplifier captures the classic American reverb amp essence, offering you a remarkably expressive tonal palette. With its 19 watts of power, it's perfectly suited for both studio sessions and intimate live performances. The Sportsman is built with high-quality components, ensuring excellent sound quality and durability.

This amplifier features an all-tube design, which includes a pair of 6V6 power tubes and a 12-inch speaker, providing a warm, full-bodied sound. The onboard reverb is carefully tuned to complement the tonal characteristics, adding depth without overwhelming your original tone. Additionally, the Sportsman offers an intuitive control layout, including volume, treble, bass, and reverb, allowing for precise tonal adjustment.

What truly sets the Carr Sportsman apart is its midrange control, offering you enhanced flexibility over your sound. This control lets you dial in tones ranging from sparkling cleans to gritty overdrives with ease. Whether you're a blues aficionado or a rock enthusiast, this amplifier provides the versatility and tonal clarity that you need.

Key Features:

  • 19-watt all-tube power
  • 12-inch speaker for robust sound delivery
  • Customizable midrange control
  • Integrated reverb for added depth
  • Hand-wired point-to-point construction
  • Sturdy and portable design for gigging musicians
Rodney Gene Junior

Rodney Gene Junior

Carr Sportsman Amplifier Official Demo - Rodney Gene Junior

Video thumbnail for Carr Sportsman Amplifier Official Demo - Rodney Gene Junior by Rodney Gene Junior

Carr Sportsman Amplifier Official Demo - Rodney Gene Junior

Rodney Gene Junior

Rodney Gene Junior

Video thumbnail for Austin Guitar House - Carr Sportsman Overview by Austin Guitar House

Austin Guitar House - Carr Sportsman Overview

Austin Guitar House

Austin Guitar House

Video thumbnail for Hot n Fresh: Carr Sportsman 1x12 Combo arrives at Make'n Music! by makenmusictv

Hot n Fresh: Carr Sportsman 1x12 Combo arrives at Make'n Music!

makenmusictv

makenmusictv

Video thumbnail for Carr Sportsman | Demo & Review by Dan at Northern Lights by Northern Lights Music

Carr Sportsman | Demo & Review by Dan at Northern Lights

Northern Lights Music

Northern Lights Music

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier.

Features and functionality

  • The "Headroom" knob functions effectively as a master volume, allowing for nuanced volume adjustments without sacrificing tone quality.

    Source
  • Some owners initially hesitate due to the lack of an effects loop but find the amp's performance and sound quality compensate for this.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock RWB speaker for a Jupiter 12LC or a well-broken-in Jensen C12K can significantly improve the amp's tone, especially for cleaner sounds.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners report the amp can be hard on tubes, recommending JJ 6v6S for durability, although others have not experienced these issues.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Carr Sportsman excels in band settings, cutting through mixes well with its mid-forward characteristics, but may require EQ adjustments for solo performances.

    Source
  • The amp's subtle spring reverb is praised for enhancing sound without overpowering, making it ideal for jazz gigs and clean settings.

    Source

User experience

  • Users note that the amp's mids control allows for dramatic tonal shifts, effectively morphing from Blackface to Tweed characteristics by tweaking this single setting.

    Source
  • The Sportsman is particularly appreciated for its ability to highlight the unique characteristics of different guitars, making Strats and humbuckers sound distinctively themselves.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners often compare the Carr Sportsman to Dr. Z amps but find the Sportsman less bright and more versatile, especially for achieving American clean tones.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Carr Sportsman is lauded as a "work of art," indicating high build quality and aesthetic appeal among users.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Carr Amplifiers Sportsman Amp Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier impresses with its blend of vintage charm and modern versatility, drawing inspiration from classic '60s models like the Fender Princeton. Its robust build, featuring quality components like Eminence speakers and a sturdy pine cabinet, ensures durability. The amp excels in delivering clean, detailed tones and offers a responsive dynamic range, making it ideal for various genres, from jazz to classic rock. However, its lack of onboard tremolo and high price might be a deterrent for some. Despite these drawbacks, its exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship make it a worthy investment.

positive

Carr Amplifiers : Sportsman guitar amp | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier shines with its boutique build quality and versatility, offering a range of classic Fender tones and more, thanks to its intuitive controls. Its robust construction and design make it a reliable choice for both studio and stage use. However, the lack of a reverb footswitch and occasional feedback issues when reverb and headroom are maxed out might deter some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Sportsman remains a solid investment for those seeking a high-quality, durable amp that delivers exceptional sound across various genres.

positive

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bill Frisell uses Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier

Bill Frisell

Guitarist

The Bill Frisell Band

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In this Premier Guitar article Bill Frisell talks about his gear.

See how Phil Wandscher uses Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier

Phil Wandscher

Guitarist

Whiskeytown

...
Verified via Photo

"Sykes has been a longtime fan of Guild Guitars. At the end of the video, she explains how Wandscher convinced her to buy her first Guild. Wandscher is playing his Gibson Les Paul through the FJ’s Carr Sportsman amp." - The Fretboard Journal. The aforementioned video can be found from this link as well.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Carr Sportsman 19 Watt Amplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS Effects Pedal Accessories
1
Fender Jaguar
Fender Jaguar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler Delay Effects Pedals
1
Nash T-Model
Nash T-Model Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Pro Co RAT
Pro Co RAT Distortion Effects Pedals
1

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