Bel Air 212 Review

True vintage tones give 'open-ness and breath' to your playing as you power soak the EL84 tubes. Dual channels offer all the vintage features you need including long-tail reverb. This amp comes loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.

Features:	7.5
Sound:	10
Reliability:	7.5
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9
Reviewer rating:	8.5
Users rating:	9.4
Votes:	18

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 24, 2007

Purchased from: Music Go Round

Features: This a 50 watt tube amp with clean and overdrive channels. Mine has two Carvin designed Vintage sound 12 inch speakers but Carvin now ships these with Celestion Vintage 30. It has channel switching and long-tail reverb. The reverb is not very strong but noticable when you turn it off. I believe this amp was made in 1995 or 1996. It's great for what I play: classic rock, blues and heavy rock. The overdrive won't handle heavily distorted sounds, but a cheap pedal can easily fix that. // 7

Sound: I use an Ibanez RG4EX1(h-s-h). I use a Crbaby 95Q wah, Dunlop Fuzz Face(only sometimes) and a compressor (again only sometimes) with this amp. No matter what it sounds great. I was picking between this and the Fender Ultimate Chorus and there was no competition. Right when I heard the just saturated pure tube overdrive the decision was made. The clean channel has nice punchy mids, smooth lows and defined highs and distorts at high volumes for that classic overdriven tube tone. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have had this amp for six months, therefore I cannot properly rate it. I haven't mentioned this but the amp has a fake tweed covering, which although not as cool as real tweed is more durable. On that topic, this amp has a nice Vintage look that really catches your eye. A real beauty. // 7

Impression: This amp, is a Vintage designed amp so metal and anything distorting your tone beyond something recognizable is not going to work. But as I said a cheap distortion pedal on the clean channel will fix that. Also, if you're wondering if it's loud enough, rest assured. This amp can crank. Perfect for jamming and small gigs. If it was lost I would buy another one and if it was stolen blood would be spilled. I do wish mine had the celestion Vintage 30 as opposed to Carvin's speakers. I love this amp. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 20, 2009

Price paid: $ 599

Purchased from: Carvin

Features: all tube 50 watts, 2 channel clean and dirty(overdrive). This is a Vintage voiced amp, you will need to build up to metal etc; you guys know what I mean... features are solid for the price- trust me I looked everywhere and beyond. Presence on the back, effects loop, line out and reverb. Reverb is subtle on first few settings then increases. Was hoping for V30 but came with Carvin speakers. They are not broken in yet but sound really good so far. // 8

Sound: I currently use Epiphone Les upgraded pickups and a Kramer 424 (h-s-h). Right now I plug in straight to get a feel of the amp, effects delta tube driver, digi hot head and a Pandora Px4. Amp sounds smooth, crisp, clear and articulate on the clean channel, the presence on the back pushes this channel over the edge with definition. I will not mention other amps here but it is up there with those. The amp has it own quality sound as well. Dirty channel, classic over driven tone, Vintaged Voiced, more or less 60's 70's tween type of thing going on. The eq is very responsive, take the time to find your sound there is a lot there. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Had the amp for 4 days now, build like a tank, they use really good wood, tolex is nicely fitted. It looks 40 years old, classic. So cool.

They have to save money so handle is rubber - looks like leather and the knobs are plastic. Switches are metal inputs are solid, they put it where it counts. Pots and equip inside solid. // 8

Impression: I play, folky stuff, metal, classic rock, rock etc, this amp is for people that love tone and are so called tone searching. This amp can be loud as hell but can be played at bedroom levels ok - no pro there. Was hoping for V30, my first set but, they came with carvins, kinda sux but they will do for a little while. But again good. Breaks up nice - probably will get better.

Thanks hope I helped someone out there. // 9

Comments

[angus69]

it looks awesom

[skweezmylemon]

carvin has made some great amps in the past
(good enough for zapa). think im gonna buy this amp or the nomad model sometime soon

[enselmis]

not just zapa, check jennifer batten out on youtube, she'll blow ur friggin mind. if its good enough for both of them, well...

[Straydogger]

I've had my Belair since 1997 or so and still love it. Very loud for a 50 watt amp. Sounds great with my Strat or with humbuckers. I like it so much I went out and bought a SX200 to have on the side. It's another fine Carvin product.