Razvan S.
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Posts posted by Razvan S.
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Carvin V3 Mods finally done after a lot of tests. Way more usable now!
If anyone that owns this actually wants a usable Carvin V3 head, I am posting the modifications below. You also have a detailed explanation.
Carvin V3 mods (stock value in brackets):
- [x] C1 - 1uF non polarized / 2.2uF on a dpdt 2 way switch (220nf)
- [x] R2 - 750ohm (2.2k)
- [x] C13 - 82nF (220nF)
- [x] R9 - 4.7k (10k)Both at once on a switch:
- [x] R10 - 220k / 330k on a dpdt 2 way switch (220k)
- [x] R7 - 330k / 910k on a dpd 2 way switch (220k)- [x] R65 - jumper (1.5k)
- [x] C9 - 2.2uf /82nf / 220nf / 2.2uF on a switch 3 way on-off-on (1uF)
- [x] C15 - 470uF (47uF)
- [x] R33 - 4.7k
- [x] R41 - 2.2kCarvin V3 "Frankenstein" Mods: The Final Build
Status: Tested & Complete.
Verdict: Transforms the amp from a fizzy/stiff stock unit into a versatile monster capable of shifting between Tight Modern Metal and Liquid Doom/Sludge.
Here is the complete recipe for anyone who wants to make this amp actually usable.
1. INPUT & PRE-SHAPING (Cleaning up the Signal)
• [MOD] C1 Input Capacitor: Switchable 1uF / 2.2uF (Stock: 0.22uF)
• The Fix: Stock value cuts too much sub-bass.
• 1uF: Full-range input (great for standard tunings).
• 2.2uF: Massive "Wall of Sound" low-end extension.
• [MOD] R2 Grid Stopper: 750Ω (Stock: 2.2k)
• The Fix: Lowers the thermal noise floor slightly for a cleaner input signal.
• [MOD] C13 Cathode Bypass (V1A): 82nF (Stock: 220nF)
• The MVP Mod: This is the most critical change. It aggressively tightens the bass before the distortion stages. This prevents the amp from "farting out" or getting muddy when you crank the gain, allowing for huge plate resistors later in the chain.
• [MOD] R9 Cathode Resistor (V1A): 4.7k (Stock: 10k)
• The Fix: Stock was a stiff "Cold Clipper." 4.7k biases the first tube warmer and hotter, giving a richer, more organic drive texture right from the start.
2. GAIN STRUCTURE & VOICING (The "Jekyll & Hyde" Personality)
• [MOD] R10 Plate Resistor (V1A): Switchable 220k / 330k (Stock: 220k)
• 220k: Stock value. Tight, punchy, dynamic.
• 330k: High Gain Input. Adds saturation and compression immediately.
• [MOD] R7 Plate Resistor (V3B): Switchable 330k / 910k (Stock: 220k)
• 330k (Modern Mode): Aggressive, "hot-rodded Marshall" grind. Cut and definition.
• 910k (Liquid Mode): Starves the tube voltage. Creates infinite sustain, massive compression, and rolls off the harsh high-end fizz (via Miller Effect). Sounds like a tube-driven fuzz/doom channel.
• [MOD] R65 Cathode Resistor (V2): Jumper / 0Ω (Stock: 1.5k)
• The Fix: Runs the V2 gain stage "wide open" with maximum gain and zero negative feedback. Adds raw, uninhibited aggression.
• [MOD] C9 Bypass Capacitor (V2): 3-Way Switch (82nF / ~220nF / ~2.2uF) (Stock: 1uF)
• 82nF (Center): "Djent/Cut" – Ultra-tight midrange, zero mud.
• ~220nF (Side A): "Crunch" – Classic rock/metal body.
• ~2.2uF (Side B): "Sludge" – Massive low-end bloom for slow, heavy riffs.
3. POWER & STABILITY (The Engine Room)
• [MOD] C15 Main Filter Capacitor: 470uF (Stock: 47uF)
• The Fix: 10x stiffening of the power supply. This eliminates "ghost notes" and ensures the low end stays punchy and immediate, even when using the massive 2.2uF input settings.
• [MOD] R33: 4.7k & R41: 2.2k
• The Fix: Fine-tuning the bias of the later gain stages to sit perfectly in the mix between the hot front end and the power amp.
SUMMARY
This build fixes the three main complaints of the stock Carvin V3:
1. Fixed the "Fizz": The 910k plate mod and capacitor tuning smooth out the harsh treble.
2. Fixed the "Mud": The 82nF C13 mod tightens the bass where it matters.
3. Fixed the "Stiffness": The 4.7k R9 mod and C15 power filtering make the amp feel responsive and huge.
Warning: If you do these mods, ensure you discharge filter caps safely and check your bias! (Recommended bias for 6L6/EL34 is approx 60% dissipation to keep the headroom clean for the preamp distortion). -
Did a pickup swap (so a partial rewire) in my Carvin DC727 USA 7 string guitar.
Had to physically sand the DiMarzios (Illuminator neck + insane X2N bridge), because these Carvins before a certain year had smaller routings stock. Came out great!
Before:
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Daca e superglue cum imi pare, poti incerca un debonder, e special pt indepartat super glue:
ZAP Glue Z-7 Debonder 29.5ml - High Quality RC Car Glue - TRA Shop the ULTIMATE TRAXXAS ONLINE SHOP
Eu il foloseam in trecut la diverse lucruri intre refrets si fix chestii de genul, doar ca tu ai cam gros stratul ala de glue.
Daca nu merge, ai treaba
cu slefuit si polish si etc. Nu e mare lucru, dar iti trebuie tot felul de lucruri si nu cred ca le ai, asa ca mergi la un pro mai bine.
Eu mi-am facut singur , debonderul a ajutat doar partial, tot a trebuit mecanic indepartat.
Bafta.
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M-am uitat cu placere la:
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Adaugat si un fuzz cute si mai ieftin decat originalul.
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On 19/11/2025 at 14:06, charvelfan said:
Eu aveam un Ibanez Roadstar RS 440 (cu care Manuel Savu inregistrase discul "Făra teama" (Krypton) cu ceva timp înainte). Btw, pe chitara aia am dat în septembrie 1990, 50000 de lei, bani cu care îmi putem cumpăra o garsonieră confort 1 la Dristor, de exemplu.
Dayum
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Ultimul pret, 1700 ron + transport, gata negociat.
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Se adauga la Fortin Zuul clone si un EQ semi parametric misto
, a se vedea postarea initiala.
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* HGE Contraptions Core Shaper EQ clone (167th pedal built)
Will most likely use two hifi OPAMPS when I have them instead of the 5532 and 072 (SMD adapted to THT, with the OPA1678 IC -> lower noise and clearer)
This is a parametric mid frequency eq (Mid knob + Mid Frequency knob), which also has Bass and Tone controls. Can also be used as a booster of sorts, in conjunction with the Volume knob.
In detail, the gain is +-16dB, the frequency sweep is about 300 to 3.3K, the Q is 2.4 in HI and 1 in LO. The beauty of this circuit is that the Q stays constant across the whole sweep and so does the gain.
Before this, there's a low gain input stage which gives a strong input signal and buffers the input while avoiding clipping at guitar levels throughout the circuit. The charge pump helps with the headroom, providing a +-9V supply so the boost levels can be reached without problems.
Following the bandpass, there's a very standard Baxandall 2 band EQ to take care of low and high frequency and add quite a lot of flexibility to the circuit when combined with the bandpass.
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Un bass similar este 687 euro la Thomann acum...
https://www.thomann.de/intl/jackson_x_series_spectra_sbxp_v.htm
Pretul meu de 2500 ron este negociabil
Indrazniti!
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Se duce si AC Booster clone in curand, a ramas doar Fortin Zuul clone.
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Sold si Nobels ODR-1 clone. Au ramas practic Fortin Zuul clone si Xotic AC Booster clone
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Sold si Fortin 33 clone. Au ramas celelalte.
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TC Integrated Preamp clone s-a dat, posibil si Fortin 33 clone sa dispara.
Sunt deschis si la schimburi cum spuneam
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Pret: In descriereLocalitate: TimisoaraContact: PMStare: Foarte buna/Ca nouAccept schimburi: Nu accept schimburi
Buna, obisnuiam sa fac pedale handmade pe comanda (pe langa alte lucruri gen amp repairs, etc) la HGE Contraptions, (RGC), dar nu mai fac asta de ceva vreme. In schimb, imi fac mie uneori lucruri pe care sunt curios sa le testez. Am construit peste 160 de pedale, din care aprox. 150 s-au vandut.
Daca vedeti ceva ce va intereseaza mai jos, se pot cumpara, dar doresc si schimburi (cu alte pedale, dar originale) -> ideea este ca poate va ajuta mai mult sa detineti una din efectele acestea si chiar le doriti vs. altceva ce aveti si de care vreti sa scapati. Imi ''bat eu capul'' dupa sa vand ceea ce mi-ati dat la schimb
,am mai facut asta, si sunt destui care vor sa dea la schimb drives/delays/reverbs diverse originale. (exemplu am primit TC Hall of Fame 2, Keeley USA Compressor Plus, etc).
Multe din pedalele de mai jos sunt mai scumpe daca se gasesc in original, chiar si second. Va rog sa tineti cont ca desi sunt clone, fiecare e facuta manual, individual, cu atentie si grija. Dupa cum se vede le fac cu simt de raspundere, piese bune, wiring estetic si totul estetic, cositor bun, etc. Preturile nu sunt batute in cuie, depinde si la schimb ce aveti.
Contact PM, vedeti detaliile dand click pe fiecare + poze mai multe, aceasta lista se poate si mari in timp cu alte clone:Fortin Zuul Gate/Suppressor Clone (157th pedal built) - 750 Ron
HGE Contraptions Core Shaper EQ clone (167th pedal built) - 750 Ron
Mythos Golden Fleece clone in a Silly Box 🐶 🐱 (HGE Contraptions 168th pedal built) - 320 RON
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SOLD Fortin 33 Fredrik Thordendal Boost Clone (148th pedal built) - 700 RonSOLD <MOJO Clone> TC Electronic Integrated Preamp variant clone (158th pedal built) - 700 RonSOLD Xotic AC Booster clone (163rd pedal built) - 650 RonSOLD Nobels ODR-1 Clone (164th pedal built) - 550 Ron-
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On 28/09/2024 at 18:54, Jozsef said:
Charvel din 1991
Aia albastra fusese a mea, and I refretted it
HGE Contraptions (hobby/non-business): Refret and setup on a Charvel 275 Deluxe Japan
Ca tot discutam de Charvel, bag si eu un Jackson aici ''umblat'' de mine:
HGE Contraptions (hobby/non-business): Jackson DK 2004-2005 Japan tinkering
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On 08/09/2022 at 01:43, Carol Vitez said:
Este Maestrul Jean Prosteanu, un discipol al lui Hubay Jenö, violonist de mare anvergura din Timisoroara. O adevarata legenda a violonisticii din Romania, dar din pacate nu exista inregistrari cu el. A fost insa comparat cu Maestrul George Enescu in presa si la vremea lor. Cunoscut ca mare virtuos, ca interpret excelent al muzicii lui Paganini.
Multumesc pentru completari!
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250 ron final, pret gata negociat
(transportul platit de cumparator)
cu slefuit si polish si etc. Nu e mare lucru, dar iti trebuie tot felul de lucruri si nu cred ca le ai, asa ca mergi la un pro mai bine.
HGE Contraptions (DIY hobby/NON-Business) -> Pedale Chitara Handmade / Modari Pedale / Wiring si Setup Chitare / Reparatii Ampuri
in DIY & Minitehnicus
Posted
HGE Contraptions Keeley Java Boost custom shop MP41 russian transistor version (170th pedal built).
I actually repurposed a noname pedal housing and made my own circuit clone inside haha.
A random take boosting with it before it was housed, in an FX loop switcher I did: