Carvin was there making amplifiers in the 1940s alongside the pioneers of electric guitar, companies like Danelectro, Dickerson (later Magnatone), Valco, and Fender. Having already outlasted most of their peers from that era, now after 70 years, Carvin Audio is folding. It's a truly sad day in the world of guitar and in the world of American manufacturing.
Perhaps the best era of success for Carvin was the 1980s when they secured endorsements from some of the best names in the biz, like Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Reb Beach, Craig Chaquico, Eric Turner, Joey Allen, Warren Cuccurullo, Kip Winger, etc.
Their popular products have included the fabulous X-Series amplifiers of the 80s and 90s, amps that aimed squarely at competing with hot rodded, high gain offerings from Mesa Boogie and others, and the Steve Vai Legacy amplifiers and cabinets. Other products included Belair series, which were tweed covered and aimed at a more vintage tone.
In recent years, the guitar and amp business had already been separated, by some accounts due to Obamacare employee number thresholds, and now the announcement has come the amplifier and pro audio arm had folded.