Despite having a simplistic design, the Carmen Ghia offers a surprising
amount of versatility. Unlike most tone controls, this one becomes
bassier and thicker as you turn it clockwise, while delivering a bright,
cutting sound at its lowest setting. Both the amp and cab are in
excellent condition, showing only minor signs of previous wear. Here’s
what Dr. Z has to say about it:
"At first glance, the Carmen Ghia
looks rather, well, modest. Is this why, over the past 35 years, the
Ghia leaves so many people floored from the first note? Or is it the
notes spilling out with a warmth, complexity, and sustain that one would
never expect from such a small amp. Each pluck has a hugeness to it
that belies it’s 18 watt power section. All this before the amp really
starts to sing. As you turn the Volume clockwise, the clean tones
resonate even bigger than they were.
Sustain
rolls out smoothly, as musical as you have ever heard it. Notes seem to
hang in the air forever. Rich, harmonic overdrive is easily coaxed just
by digging into the strings. Just seconds into playing it, you’ll have
trouble putting your guitar down as the hours pass like minutes. The
Carmen Ghia interacts with your guitar, your touch is in complete
control of the amp, it’s dynamics, it’s distortion, it produces a sound
that is as uncanny as you."
