Carr Mercury | A Look Beneath the Hood

Nice little amp!
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[@hovikmekhjian2464]

My mercury was built in 2005. Not a single issue to note. Mic it live, a pleasure to play at home at low volumes. The amp I’ve used the most since purchased.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I think that’s probably the best amp overdrive I’ve ever heard! Sounds like Neil Young post production with just a casual test!

[@hovikmekhjian2464]

The Carr original mercury is one of my favorite amps for home use and also gigs where I can mic. It is such a beautiful sounding amp. I run line with a gold lion kt66 and a scumback j75.

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

I realized as I was watching this video - that one of the reasons I will stop what I’m doing (when not at work :) ) when your videos post and usually watch them in full - are the wide variety of amps you feature. I’ve seen a lot of amps in my life - but for example the Park and this one - well I didn’t even know they existed. It’s so very interesting the different approaches used. And yes - I loved the sound of this one! You feature an amp emporium and museum all in one

[@chillpillology]

Wow this amp sounds fantastic.

[@telecasterbear]

I have had my 2003 Carr Mercury since 2019. I love it.

[@hovikmekhjian2464]

Put a gold lion kt66 and scumback j75 speaker in it. You’re welcome

[@jasonstone1046]

Nicely put together amp.

[@weschilton]

I didn't know about Carr amps... very nice stuff, and it sounds great!

[@chokkan7]

Thanks for the peek under the hood; what a treat. Like you, I may not have agreed with all of the maker's design decisions, but I certainly couldn't fault his execution. It's refreshing to see a contemporary amp made in this way...

[@richardlynch5632]

This amp brings back very gond memories 😎👍 Acquired one when 1st introduced...2003...? Think mine was a bit different though...? Loved mine and often miss it. 😎👍❤🖖

[@wrekkingcru]

Lyle - I've watched many of your amps videos for many months and the best thing is...there are till plenty more hidden gems like this Carr amp in your bowl of Lucky Charms :) I just started watching Uncle Doug as well, but keep coming back to your channel. Really enjoy your content and approach.

[@richclayton5785]

Cool 😎 always wa Ted to see inside a Carr! Thanks to you and the owner!

[@jamesf2918]

That amp sounded great. Can’t wait to see what else he’s going to bring.

[@BHJ7115]

Great channel! 👍🏼

[@dan_perry]

Nice lil amps! They make these right up the road from me.

[@reidponce]

Just moved to Raleigh, picking up a telstar soon!

[@grauscher1]

I have a Carr Viceroy and love it....

[@michaelmoore7975]

Full or near 100% capture ratio of bit-to-fastener engagement is a bliss to be experienced, especially when you get that solid, satisfying crack of breaking loose the threads. Although sometimes it takes a linear smack from a hammer on just the bit, "shocking" loose galvanic corrosion from the threads due to dissimilar metals. Oh yeah, cool amp.

[@oldguy5381]

You know it’s a hard thing to get two or more people to agree on the color of a crayon. And the tube war rages on. Your a smooth operator Lyle.

[@colbyjack7074]

I love, love, love my Carr Telstar!

[@AZCobraman]

Damn versatile little thing!

[@jamesmalamute7874]

Great Video ♥ Ed King from Lynyrd Skynyrd ( Rest In Peace) exclusively used the 'Mercury' , and the 'Rambler' in his home . There are a few videos on KZbin of him playing the Mercury , One with Marty Schwartz . The Tone is amazing on these Carr Amps. I think its time I find one. Thanks for the informative glimpse inside

[@imannonymous7707]

Missed this one very interested in seeing this

[@davidLPST]

I just purchased a 2005, Mercury. It’s the best amp I’ve ever played. Every frequency is there, clarity, bloom and dynamics. All the old cliche’s but it’s all true. My Princeton FSR and Blackstar Artist 15 are gathering dust. Unbelievable amp.

[@ptrisonic]

I've played one but it is kind of a personal amp (somehow) I just couldn't see myself using it with a band. How did you get on with it with a group? You want to try and track down Maven Peal's version of a Tweed Deluxe. I have a Maven Peal "Ganesha" but even with the incredible power attenuation (it puts out about 175 watts of power flat out) the head weighs nearly 120ibs and I can't lift it anymore... Pete.

[@roberthurless4615]

I see you finally got the Sold-A-Put solder sucker in. They work great.

[@jimdevries9479]

Wow ! Tone!

[@bazilbrushrocks]

The only amp I have enjoyed more than my Mercury is the Super Bee. Perfect amps for home use/ low volume settings.

[@zbaby82]

I wouldn't mind having those big film caps in my Marshalls.

[@johnwilliamson467]

Interested to know the leakage on the primary to ground for each of the phase switch settings . Transformer maker differ on quality the build . The question is far in the weeds for most viewer .

[@oldguy5381]

Well, a true point to point. Many mistake hand wired for point to point. Hey enjoy your day. Keep up the good work.

[@johnmeeks9308]

Anybody you thinks a hand wired is the same as point-to-point has never looked at the beauty of a real point to point because point-to-point does not have any kind of board in it not a line not a PCB nothing they are all hand wired problem with a point to point is if you ever put one in a car and go driving a cross country to try and use that amp to play Ha ha ha ha ha good luck with that

[@patrickmoore5580]

I’ve had a Mercury since January 2012. I’ve used it every other day, it’s had new valves and a fuse blew once. I get it looked over (as in the vid) every 2 or 3 years. Otherwise never a problem and it sounds great. Though it’s a big outlay to begin with, it’s quality and reliability have saved me a fair bit of money in terms of repairs and not buying other amps. Highly recommended.

[@mikeaustin4138]

I seriously lusted after either a Mercury V or Skylark from Carr, but couldn't justify the price. Bought a Morgan MVP23 that just didn't work for my situation, so I sold it. Interesting to see what's inside these amps and to hear your comments. Yeah, the Carrs are $800+ more than the Morgan (MVP23 is a "low end" Morgan) but the Carr appears to be much higher build quality.

[@badperson]

Carr is well, well, WELL worth the money.

[@orionwarren4244]

Nice layered distortion

[@motokev2727]

I'm a CARR fan.

[@a.j.scheidl6709]

What would be your KT type and brand tube of choice be for this amp? And is the reverb foot switchable? Thanks.

[@RokinLee]

Why is there no shielding cans for 12ax7s? Just got one of these and mine is the same.

[@faultlessguitarsandamps1116]

Hi . I haven't yet come across a SE fixed bias amp to repair yet , but I understand that such an amp has a safe maximum bias of 90% . So just wondered why not increase it ? Answering my own question , perhaps the transformers might struggle or something . Who knows ! You did get a nice range of good sounds from it all the same .

[@PsionicAudio]

Because that's where it was set, and the owner said the output tube was factory. For me to radically change it I would need to know all the specs on the transformers, which I don't have without disconnecting things and finding ratios. I would have to work out his bias circuit, his attenuation, etc. All of which I could do. But the amp sounded very good as-is so it wasn't worth spending the client's money on. Note that most SE Class A circuits are cathode biased, so the bias is pretty straightforward. This amp is fixed bias which introduces new wrinkles beyond the time I have today to explain. Long story short (too late), Steve Carr knows what he is doing and I didn't want to spend the client's money to argue the design. ;)

[@Anton-bn1qp]

Hi Psionic. Thanks for opening the amp for us!! May I ask what kind of transformers does he has? With what transformers does Carr work? Thanks.

[@_patrikjay_]

Sir, how would you compare the Solen to Sprague Atom's & F&T?...esp for a clean amp upgrade...thanks

[@PsionicAudio]

Atoms are a bad joke these days. F&Ts are about the only good axial high voltage aluminum electrolytic caps on the market. Solens are film caps. They are expensive and huge. They will have a longer lifespan than any electrolytic, but most amps don't have room for them.

[@kbkman7742]

I remember gut shots of carrs making the rounds on web forums when I was younger... everyone was ripping on all the silicone/glue.

[@fredscott7534]

Do you have a minute to explain bias percentages? SE vs PP,. Cathode biased vs fixed bias. Thank you for your time.

[@Earlvis]

That is a deep rabbit hole. I would subscribe to Uncle Doug and watch his videos on the subjects!

[@Toymortal]

Amp circuitry porn! I always feel that whilst well executed point to point looks lovely, I can never understand modern builds using it versus turret boards. It's harder to repair and if there is any audible difference, I wouldn't expect to hear it in a guitar amp. It's debatable if you'd hear it even in high end hifi. Does all the money spent on those expensive components and point to point wiring make it sound exquisite? It's definitely good, but personally I shall be waiting until I can afford a Psionic amp - from the early demos I've heard, I would say they have that rare mix of style, substance and the exquisite.

[@Earlvis]

By mounting the tone caps on the pots, it makes a big difference in the tone.

[@lousekoya1803]

Why so much silicon in there ? they could put a tie wrap and gunk the wrap instead of everywhere .

[@zechattack8801]

At about 7:20 you say point to point makes it much more expensive to service. Why is that? I’ve always found this to be the opposite.

[@gringopig]

The Carr uses a dummy voice coil as attenuator right? That's what the extra component is on the chassis.

[@PsionicAudio]

There is some kind of coil in the little metal box. I didn't look at that circuit too closely other than confirming it works.

[@gringopig]

@@PsionicAudio it's a speaker coil. My skylark has it too. It's a reactive load. Not just resistive drops. Those Carr's are indestructible! Unlike my lazy J which blew up!

[@cloudconnect]

Its not a speaker coil, its called an L-pad, sort of a rheostat that is designed to handle amplifier output wattage.

[@Fatherflot64]

The "vintage appeasement switch" --- 😆

[@goodun2974]

Surprising that you can't just remove the rear panel and expose the innards of the amplifier without having to completely remove it from the cabinet. With the cost of lumber these days, that stylistic "O" cutout on the back panel would be a non-starter, since it would waste 20% additional plywood, unless you used the cutoff strips/scraps to otherwise construct and brace the cabinet ---- or if you molded the rear panel from some kind of plastic resin.

[@jonnybeck6723]

...and the knee bone's connected to the speaker bone

[@r.weaver3769]

Which is the best sounding EL34?

[@PsionicAudio]

Mint chocolate chip. That said, of current production EL34s I like the Mullard RIs.

[@Earlvis]

It’s subjective. I haven’t heard the Mullards but the TAD Redbase EL34’s are a good tube to try.

[@russellhltn1396]

Acoustic properties of wire? Can you elaborate? I know of skin effect, but I wouldn't expect that to be an issue until RF frequencies. I'd imagine a sold wire might crackle as it's failing, but other than that, I'm drawing a blank.

[@PsionicAudio]

Just that they can vibrate against the chassis when notes are played, which can cause microphonics. No esoterica or new age stuff.

[@cloudconnect]

The pins in a tube socket are never really tight in the socket...so the tube ends up being what keeps the pins and the wire solid, or - not solid. The chassis vibrates the wire, which vibrates the tube, or vice-versa, in a vicious cycle. It can be horrible even in short lengths, and the only thing to do to silence it is to use silicone all over the place. I built an amp with solid core wire after a carryover of audiophile mysticism, but had to rewire the entire amp to rid it of microphonics. Solid core wire can be worse than an inherently microphonic tube. To add to the mysticism, however, is that I do think that solid core wire sounds a touch better if its not vibrating. It's just impractical in a guitar amp for that reason. Whether that has to do with skin-effect? Possible, because it's the harmonic clarity that seems improved, and that sound energy might tend to want to transfer at the exterior of the conductor.

[@musterionsurly]

mmmmm big film caps... must find ..haha

[@azguitar]

One speaker output in a low-powered amp. C'mon Steve Carr, what if the player wants to run an extension cab?

[@douro20]

I'm surprised they don't cost more than $2700 with that kind of construction.

[@davidmessina8108]

Smurfs? Why would they get excited?

[@kasakka]

Considering how expensive these are I don't really agree with the way they are full of goop to hold stuff down.

[@matthewf1979]

Very intelligent move on the owners part. He must have experience with damaging gear or knows what can go wrong by educating himself.

[@timmooney7528]

I have a theory that some electrical devices crave attention, and when they sit for long periods of time, they become bitter and find ways to fail.

[@billgreen3629]

@@timmooney7528 Mechanical devices too

[@timmooney7528]

@@billgreen3629 Either way screws find ways to get loose and things find ways to leak or dry up.

[@livekaos]

It’s full of glue not a good option

[@PsionicAudio]

Silicone, not glue. But it’s a bit overkill.