CARVIN MTS3200 - User Manual

MODEL MTS3200 HEAD SPECS:
RMS Power: 50 or 100 watts
Output Impedance: 4, 8 & 16Ω
Input Impedance: 100,000 ohms
Tone Controls: BASS: 80Hz
Both Channels: MID: 600-700Hz
TREBLE: 11k Hz
Ch 1 Sensitivity: 1mV for clipping
Ch 2 Sensitivity: 16mV for full output
Channels: 2—switching
Voiced Line Out: 1.5 VAC @ 100 watts RMS
Preamp Tubes: 5—12AX7’s (dual stage)
Power Amp Tubes: 4—5881’s (power pentode)
USA Model: 120VAC, 300VA
USA Fuse: 3A 250V slow blow, 5x 20mm
Export Model: 230VAC, 300VA
Export Fuse: 1.5A 250V slow blow, 5x 20mm
Cabinet Size: 24.25W x 10.5H x 9.5”D
Cabinet: 7-ply poplar wood
Net Weight: 35 lbs
Warranty: One Year
Options: CV3200 cover, FS22 footswitch
CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA OPERATING MANUAL
Congratulations on your purchase of the MTS3200 all tube amplifier. Carvin has
been building tube guitar amplifiers since 1949. They have been used by top profes-
sionals like; Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Craig Chaquico, Allan Holdsworth, Larry Carlton,
Chet Atkins and other great musicians. You will discover that these amplifiers repre-
sent a significant sound improvement over conventional tube amplifiers. Spend time
with your new MTS3200 head or your MTS3212 combo and get to know it’s many
sounds.
TECHNICAL DESIGN OF THE MTS3200
The MTS3200 design criteria was to build an all-tube guitar amp that sounded better
than anything else on the market. This meant that the MTS3200 was going to be total-
ly new from the ground up and that it was going to be an all tube design with no IC’s
or transistors.
HIGH IMPEDANCE GUITAR INPUT
Carvin has long known about the effects of miss-loading a guitar pickup which can
cause high frequency loss. The MTS3200 guards against this loss with its ultra high
input impedance. Also, we considered the capacitance of the average shielded guitar
cable which can reduce the high frequency response of your guitar pickups. Unlike
other amplifiers, we purposely avoided adding capacitance anywhere in the preamp to
control high frequency oscillations. Instead, we controlled oscillations through careful
component layout and lead placement allowing its shimmering highs to be reproduced.
CLEAN AND OVERDRIVE CHANNELS
The equalization of the clean and overdrive channel is designed to offer clarity to
your instrument. Special mud-cutting circuits eliminate the unwanted sounds in the
500 to 700 Hz range which normally take away the tone definition of your instrument.
You will also take notice of the clean channels PRESENCE switch which adds
acoustic voicing to your instrument. This switch boosts only the guitars very high-
est harmonics which are in the 10k Hz range instead of the normal 3K Hz of a bright
switch. The PRESENCE control on the lead channel is designed to adjust the “edge”
on your sound. It’s dynamic range allows for super-smooth sounds or an edge for
MODEL MTS3212 COMBO SPECS:
Speakers: 2 Celestion G12T-75 speakers
RMS Power: 50 or 100 watts
Output Impedance: 4, 8 & 16Ω
Input Impedance: 100,000 ohms
Tone Controls: BASS: 80Hz
Both Channels: MID: 600-700Hz
TREBLE: 11k Hz
Ch 1 Sensitivity: 1mV for clipping
Ch 2 Sensitivity: 16mV for full output
Channels: 2—switching
Voiced Line Out: 1.5 VAC @ 100 watts RMS
Preamp Tubes: 5—12AX7’s (dual stage)
Power Amp Tubes: 4—5881’s (power pentode)
USA Model: 120VAC, 300VA
USA Fuse: 3A 250V slow blow, 5x 20mm
Export Model: 230VAC, 300VA
Export Fuse: 1.5A 250V slow blow, 5x 20mm
Cabinet Size: 26W x 10.25D x 17.5”H
Cabinet: 7-ply poplar wood
Net Weight: 55 lbs
Warranty: One Year
Options: CV3212 cover, FS22 footswitch
76-32000B 07/05
your lead channel to reach out.
DYNAMIC 5881 POWER TUBES
Your amp is equipped with 5881 power tubes because of their smooth distortion,
responsive sound and reliability. The compression characteristics of these “soft clip”
power tubes respond to the dynamic range of lead guitar playing. These tubes react
even to the most subtle touch—if you play soft, the tubes remain clean and if you
increase your attack they respond accordingly.
TONE CONTROLS
The T-Bridge passive BASS, MID and TREBLE tone controls offer a wide range of
tone settings. Take full advantage by setting them where they sound best. Your
sound may not be at center 5 on the dial. These controls will not affect or color your
sound when set at extreme settings, nor do they interact with each other. The greater
range of these controls comes from the high impedance 1 meg sealed pots (most
guitar amps use 250k pots). The frequency of the bass control is set at 80 Hz while
the mid control is set at 650 Hz. The treble control is set at a very high 11k Hz giv-
ing the MTS3200 it’s dynamic highs.
REVERB
The FS22 footswith for the long tailed REVERB system in the MTS3200 switches only
the reverb “send” leaving the tail of the reverb to decay naturally, the way it’s done in the
studio. A special pre filter eliminates the spring “boing” normally heard in other systems
giving it a “lush” sound. The all tube reverb system offers vibrant clarity with full depth
reminiscent of the sixties tube amps. Guitar Player magazine rated this system as one
of the best they have heard.
MTS3200
For your records, you may wish to record the following information.
Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date_______________
MTS3212
RECEIVING INSPECTION—read before getting started
INSPECT YOUR AMP FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping. If any
damage is found, please notify the shipping company and CARVIN immediately.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship your unit,
always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the best possible protec-
tion during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not liable for any damage caused
by improper packing.
SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped separate-
ly. Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before inquiring.
RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card or below on this manual
for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with your name and
comments to us.
MTS3200 GUITAR HEAD
MTS3212 COMBO GUITAR AMP
FEATURES
CELESTION
SPEAKERS

Summary

Receiving Inspection

Technical Design of the MTS3200

High Impedance Guitar Input

Guards against high frequency loss via ultra high input impedance and cable capacitance.

Clean and Overdrive Channels

Equalization designed for clarity; features mud-cutting circuits and a presence switch.

Features

Celestion Speakers

Mentions the use of Celestion speakers in the MTS3212 combo amp.

Dynamic 5881 Power Tubes

Explains the use of 5881 power tubes for smooth distortion and responsiveness.

Tone Controls

Details the Bass, Mid, and Treble controls, their settings, and impedance.

Reverb

Describes the all-tube reverb system, its studio-like tail and pre-filter.

MTS3200 Head Specifications

MTS3212 Combo Specifications

Getting Started Quickly

Front Panel Controls

Guitar Input

Standard 1/4" input jack feeding both channels; recommends professional quality, short cables.

Channel Select

Switch to select between Lead (Ch 1) and Clean (Ch 2) channels; LED indicators.

Lead Channel Controls

Includes Volume, Drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence controls for the lead channel.

Clean Channel Controls

Includes Volume and Presence controls for the clean channel.

Master Section

Master Reverb

Control for the desired amount of reverb, affecting both channels.

Standby Switch

Turns high voltage off to preserve power tubes during breaks.

Power Switch & Indicator

Master ON/OFF switch with a red indicator light when the amp is on.

Rear Panel Controls

Speaker Jacks

Two 1/4" jacks for connecting speaker systems; wired in parallel.

Speaker Impedance Switch

Selects speaker impedance (4, 8, or 16 ohms) to match connected speaker systems.

Tube Operation Mode

Select between 4-tube (100W) or 2-tube (50W) operation for maximum output or lower levels.

Power Tube Bias Switch

Allows selection for 5881 (6L6GC) or EL34 power tubes; ensures proper operation.

Voiced Line Out

Cabinet-voiced 1/4" jack to prevent excessive bass/highs when connecting to mixers.

Footswitch (FS22)

Connects to the FS22 footswitch for remote channel and reverb switching.

Effects Loop

For connecting external effects processors to SEND and RETURN jacks.

AC Power & Fuse

Details AC power cord connection, voltage, and fuse location/type.

Help Section

Feedback from the Lead Channel

Explains normal feedback characteristics and tips to reduce it.

Tube Replacement Guide

Provides guidance on replacing preamp and power tubes for troubleshooting.

Replacement Parts List

Safety Precautions

General Safety Warnings

Important safety instructions for operating the amplifier.

Electrical Safety

Instructions regarding power cord, grounding, and avoiding moisture.

Operation Precautions

Guidelines for safe operation, including tube replacement and fuses.

CARVIN MTS3200 Specifications

General

Effects Loop	Yes
Impedance	4, 8, 16 ohms
Effects	Reverb
Speaker Configuration	4 x 12"
Type	Tube
EQ Bands	3