Carlsbro CS 60 TC..

[Jumping@Shadows]

Going to go have a look at this amp next week. All point to point wired, allegedly Drake trannies, Mullard valves accross the board and two (possibly) pre-Rola Celestions..
Does anybody have any experience with these amps, or Carlsbro in general? Ive had a snoop about and they sell really, really cheap for all the good iron and other attractive features- im guessing they just dont sound too good huh? or are they a well kept secret?:hmm
Thanks all!

 

[EdMan57]

Isn't Carlsbro made exclusively for the British and Euro markets?Btw,is the CS60-TC an older model?Anyways,it sounds like a well built amp.If it sounds good and the price is fair,then I say buy it.Cheers and good luck.

Ed

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

Hi, yeah its from '69..i went and checked it out the other week- was really, really loud, started to break up around 10 o'clock and by then i had no more desire for sound of any kind since my face had been removed..
Quite a good sounding amp, fairly bright, but not overly rich or 3d sounding cleans- totally unusable except on very loud stages or with a power break..was very cheap conscidering the components etc.. The guy suggested the value of the Mullards and Celestions made up the asking price- i'd get the amp for free.
The power/size meant it just wasnt practical..im not dissapointed i didnt get it..

 

[EdMan57]

Yeah,it seems that sometimes what looks good on paper does not translate into reality.Anyways,thanks for the update.

Ed

 

[keef]

I've seen these too - the Drake trannies that I saw do not have the same number codes as on the Marshall amps of the era - in case yer thinking of parting out.

The '71 amp that I saw last had two DD marked H30 pre rolas. I don't know how these amps sound, but they're ugly as hell...

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

There's a number of Carlsbro enthusiasts out there who swear by them- come to think of it there's a immense number of people who regard certain late 60s PTP wired, Drake trannied, Pre-Rola and Mullard EL84 loaded amps as the holy grail- just the badge is wrong i guess..
Would probably be a good platform to build something else from and for $500 I think you'd do ok...just not overly a knock-out when i tried it..
Maybe these will be the next Selmers or SoundCity who knows?

 

[keef]

The value of the parts of this amp could easily exceed its price. But in order to keep a clear conscience (and home) I've decided at one point in time not to buy anything musical anymore, even if it is a GREAT deal, unless I REALLY want it, like it or need it. Others may disagree....

Good luck.

 

[Jumping@Shadows]

Its so tricky sometimes when you come across something just plain cheap, and you dont really need it, nor particularly are in love with it, but it gnaws away at you 'But I'm REALLY, REALLY cheap!..' I was going to buy it and stick it in a corner (much like the present owner in fact..) and maybe wax lyrical about the value of the parts in relation to the price i paid for it..and probably never play it..

 

[kitmac53]

I have one I found at the local recycling dump!!! Had it serviced and fitted JJ Tesla valves and it sounds great,like a plexi when clean and takes pedals very well for manageable levels of OD.Also has a cut control which calms the treble similar to Vox AC30. Mine has Celestion Greenbacks which sound fantastic.They're really loud amps,but if you use the lower gain input,you can turn them up loud without stunning birds in flight! They aren't worth much in money terms,but sound terrific,and I won't be selling mine.They are ugly though,but if you play well,nobody will be looking at your amp,will they?!!!!

 

[keef]

When I was contemplating buying one I think I found a Carlsbro forum where a number of mods were suggested to improve the amp's sound...I recall that factory techs participated in that forum...

 

[jcs]

i have a 73 carlsbro 60tc with the drakes and btw, this amp has a circuit board but its well made.

this amp has the limiter too (which i leave off), i have gone thru the whole amp, recapping all electrolytics and new power tube sockets, all is well now and it sounds superb, cleans are sparkly and it gets fat and mean when pushed by od pedals,excellent tight bottom end but not stiff either,very responsive.

i own a 71 marshall 50 and numerous tweed-black and silver fender amps,my carlsbro is a joy to play and i suspect the huge drakes are a big part of its charm along with the simple circuit (the limiter being the only complicated thing).

these carlsbros need total proper servicing to really shine and yes you need a few choice od pedals.

overall a kind of hiwatt-marshall vibe with beautiful sparkly cleans (ala david gilmour style imo).

bill nelson used these amps all over the 'be bop deluxe' records,check out the live record for killer carlsbro 60tc sounds!

 

[barman]

Hi guys, I'm resurecting this thread which I know is 10 years old. But why starting a new one if ther's already a topic on the Carlsbro CS60TC?

I got one three days ago and I absolutely love it. I previously had a Marshall 1959 Super Lead from 1970 which I had to sell.
The Carlsbro has many similarities as well as differences, but I would say the build quality is on the same level.
Here's a quick sample I recorded with my 2002 Les Paul Standard.
The amp is stock, PTP build, Drake transformers, Mustard and tropical fish caps, includes 2x Mullard EL34 and 3x Brimar 12AX7, and only cost me €500 which I think is incredible value for the money.

 

[EdMan57]

Sounds really good,barman. Do you know what year the amp was built?

Ed

 

[barman]

Thanks Ed, the amp should be a 1968, according to what I could gather on the internet.
Carlsbro started using PCB builds in the early 70s, just like Marshall. So my amp is likely from the previous decade.

 

[EdMan57]

Wow! The amp is so clean. Especially for an amp 50 years old.


Ed

 

[barman]

It sure is, there are a few brown rusty spots on the chassis, but it's to be expected for an amp that old. And they've been treated.
Thanks!

 

[barman]

 

[EdMan57]

I really like Brimars in British voiced amps. I put a couple in my '94 Bedrock 600 head to superb results.



Ed

 

[barman]

I really like Brimars in British voiced amps. I put a couple in my '94 Bedrock 600 head to superb results.



Ed

I love them too. I had never tried them before.
I'll have to test them against other NOS tubes I have in my small stash.

 

[C Bishop]

I bought on Reverb and they really are great! Loud as you would expect.

You can hear it here: