CARR Bel Ray Prototype

With the big, powerful amplifiers of the golden age of guitar tone ever harder to use on stage and in the studio, the Carr Bel-Ray reconfigures three legendary ’60s to early ’70s sounds from across the pond into a portable, club-friendly package that dishes out classic British chime, crunch, and kerrang in a format today’s player can actually use.
Fronting a dual-EL84 output stage that generates 16 watts of power, the Bel-Ray sports a front end of two 12AX7s plus a fat British-voiced EF86* pentode tube in a triple-threat preamp that delivers Top Boost chime, Plexi grind, and H-Watt punch at the twist of a switch.
Juicy, tactile dynamics and multi-dimensional playing feel are ensured by tube rectification courtesy of an EZ81-an essential part of the power supplies in the smaller ’60s AC combos and 18-watters alike-and atmospherics are maximized by a tube-driven, bias-modulated tremolo circuit that oozes a warm, lush, swampy throb.
Atop this versatile foundation, the Bel-Ray carries the kind of feature set that has made Carr Amplifiers famous for their ability to deliver vintage-caliber tones to modern playing situations. The Level (aka Volume) control is coupled with a High/Low volume-taper toggle which selects between a direct signal or one with a partial Master Volume inserted after the following EF86 stage. In High, the volume comes on fast and furious, hitting the output stage harder for increased crunch. Set to Low, the volume rolls up gradually and drives the EL84s less aggressively, perfect for at-home nighttime playing and quieter settings.
The Bel-Ray’s decibels are further dialed in with Carr’s acclaimed built-in attenuator: a toggle switch flips between the full 16 watts and anywhere from 0 to 2 watts of power. And behind it all is Carr’s hand-wired, point-to-point circuit construction, acknowledged as among the finest in the business, using military grade power components, signal elements from the golden age of analog amplification, and other high-end parts to optimize clarity, depth, and playing feel.
The Bel-Ray - legendary British tone via top-flight American engineering.

[@MikeyHayes-n2s]

This is the “Mikey” that built this cabinet and stand. It feels really nice to hear everyone’s kind words and excitement about this project!

[@GTRJohnny66]

Love it! Even if they don't make it, please make that stand! :)

[@mojo6778]

Class act!

[@Underhover]

Best guitar store ever!

[@paulh4954]

I stopped by Carr last week and saw this beautiful piece of artwork! What great guys and killer amps! Deadly combination for my wallet. Awesome playing as usual Baxter! I’ll be in touch soon about a Carr order.

[@TheFeelButton]

I love my Bel Ray in blue! Cheers Casino!!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Oh I love the blue!!! And back to you my friend!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I will be watching to see when it is time to preorder these magnificent pieces of artwork.

[@CasinoGuitars]

It is time my friend:) If you have any questions and would like to reserve on (there will not be many at all) shoot us a note at [e-mail] All the best, Baxter

[@John_MacLean]

Functional art for sure

[@DK-rv5tt]

Sick tone and playing is fantastic as always!

[@surinderpunia2804]

That's beautiful! A true piece of art!! ❤

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Surrender:)

[@collierm1285]

I definitely have interest!

[@CasinoGuitars]

If you would like any more information please feel free to email me at: [e-mail] Sincerely, Baxter

[@rebeldedelsur8830]

NC rocks!

[@adambrunner9462]

Holy crap! Next level! Just super cool! The jam you did Baxter was F'N killer. Take on some Green Day??? Great stuff all around. I thought I was sold on the Skylark spesh but now IDK. What I do know is my next amp wil be a Carr! Thanks boys!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you and I am here to add confusion to the mix of amp lust!!! Let me know if we can help :)

[@stringlocker]

The tone is also worthy of the cabinet build

[@jameswhite5806]

Very cool. Carr amps meet Herman Miller

[@MikeyHayes-n2s]

Such a HIGH COMPLIMENT! Thank you!

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

Beautiful piece!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you sir Cheese:)

[@DaphneBluesLawyer]

Are they just doing it with Belray or other models too?

[@friedtaters8940]

i love that 54 strat

[@CasinoGuitars]

Yes indeed and thank you for watching!

[@neiljohnsen276]

Sweeeet!!!

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you!

[@chasinguitars]

Great job 👍..sounds good

[@homegrownson]

A really good Amp can eliminate the need for pedals, since most of the desired Tones can be found in Amps like Bel Ray although I am a fan of The Rambler , so I am already a Carr fan

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on and I have to agree with that sentiment:) Thank you for sharing!

[@mattonthewater]

Sweeeeet

[@CasinoGuitars]

Thank you Matt!

[@MoggyMel]

I have a Bel Ray in the standard black tolex. It is a killer amp. Knowing what the regular version cost, I am afraid to find out the $$$ for a wood cabinet version. Regardless, it would be worth it, but I do not have any more children to sell for scientific experiments.

[@mikenoble5049]

50’s look Mercury Sound. 😊

[@CasinoGuitars]

Right on!

[@hod8931]

They are nice! Almost bought that anp but went with the Amplified Nation spliphonix and gain 50 watt head instead. It was great but dont think it would keep up with a heavy drummer and keyboard band. If it was 30-50 watt amp I would have got one.

[@bks252]

I never understand these types of comments. If you’re playing in a place where the drummer is banging the heck out of the drums, why don’t you have your amp mic’d? I use either my DR Z Maz 18 or my Mesa Express 5/25 and I use them for small and large gigs, even outdoor festival gigs and have never even had to turn the volume over 5-6 and I didn’t even need to go that high. We mix our stuff almost everywhere we play.

[@hod8931]

@bks252 i have, dont like it when stage volume is low. Dont like in ears either. Not enough amp for me.

[@CasinoGuitars]

I completely hear that. Some of the Carr amplifiers really are tough to compete with a full kit type setup. This one is a bit of a shocker though. For her wattage read, she is ...LOUD! These little gals have definitely taught me not to judge an amp by its wattage:) Thanks a ton for sharing and congrats on a great amp as well!

[@hod8931]

@CasinoGuitars they sound great and for studio or home they'd be fine. I played through a Mercury v and thought not b enough air being moved.

[@kwyatt261]

I'm gonna get me a Mercury someday

[@CasinoGuitars]

I have one of those lovely beasts:)

[@kwyatt261]

@CasinoGuitars The 16 watt V or the older, 8 watt version?

[@kellygrant3074]

If you put the mic that close to the speaker to record your demos, it has too much gain in the mix for the speakers in a laptop.