The Carr Sportsman 1x12 is still manufactured but Carr has moved the control panel to the top of the amp, instead of having it on the front panel. So, this version of the Sportsman is no longer available, aside from existing stock.
The Carr Sportsman is like a Fender Princeton Reverb with a Master Volume and it's built from extremely high-quality components. Like every Carr Amp, it is flatter in terms of its frequency response. A Princeton Reverb has boosted highs and lows and not a whole lot of midrange. The Carr is flat, almost 'monitor-like' in comparison. With the EQ all set at noon, the mids don't come across very scooped at all.
Having the Master Volume (labeled Headroom) allows you to overdrive the amp at very low volumes which you just can't do with a Princeton. This is very handy for recording, practicing, or just getting true tube saturation at volumes that won't drive your neighbors/family nuts. It does stay rather clean with the Master all the way up, that is until you hit it with Humbuckers, or push the volume all the way up.
Speaking of humbuckers, the 1x12 Sportsman handles them in a much more articulate fashion than any Fender amp. Whether you want the 10" or 12" both can handle higher output pickups without getting flabby. The lows stay tight and in their place, not dominating or washing out articulation.
We all love this amp because of its portability, tone, and how well-built they are. Also, they are very touch sensitive and respond incredibly well to volume and tone changes via the guitar controls. And let's not forget it's very pedal friendly.
