Kurt Cobain’s Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Power Amplifier
Please note that this amp was previously falsely identified as the PM-1200. Thanks, Ronald for clearing things up.
Kurt Cobain used this rack unit very briefly in 1992. More specifically it was seen during the Saturday Night Live gig in January 1992, during which it was paired with a Mesa/Boogie Studio .22 Preamp, and another unknown unit.
On Nirvana’s next show, on January 24, 1992, at the Phoenician Club, Sydney, Australia, Kurt was seen using a Crest 4801 Power Amp instead. So it appears that the Carver was only used for one gig total.
Feedback
GroundGuitar counts on your criticism and feedback. In case you notice anything wrong with the information posted on this page, or you have knowledge of something that you would like to share, be sure to leave a comment below.
If you notice a piece of gear missing, and you wanna add it yourself, you can do so on this page Add Gear to GroundGuitar.
In case you want to talk to me directly and privately, please use the Contact Form and I will get back to you as soon as possible. (Dan)
Does anyone know if these “Carver PM-1200 Poweramp” are still in production these days!? Which are made in the northwest and are very unique, Earnie Bailey (Kurt’s guitar tech) tells me.
Production of the Carver PM1200 (PM1201) – PM900 – PM600 stopped at approx. 1994
I have one if you are interested? In the Uk
I have a pair of Carver PM 1200 and it is not a Carver PM 1200 in the picture, it is a PM 900 or PM 600
Thank’s for clearing that up. It bugged me for so long that there some major differences between the amp in the photo and the PM-1200. But, I never got around to looking at all the different Carvers and try to match it to something else.
Too bad there are no visual differences between the PM600 and PM900, but I guess this is close enough.
Actually Kurt used the Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Power Amplifier more then once for just Saturday Night Live on January 11, 1992… It’s true that when Nirvana Started their Nevermind Pacific Rim Tour on January 24, 1992 at the Phoenician Club, Sydney, Australia, Kurt used the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Poweramp, and Two Crest Audio 4801 Poweramps which can be seen on January 31, 1992 – The Palace, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia until the last show of the Nevermind Pacific Rim Tour at Pink’s Garage, Honolulu, Hawaii February 22, 1992.
During the Nevermind Rescheduled European Tour on June 21, 1992 – The Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland Kurt Had in his rack a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, 2 Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Power Amplifier and a Crest Audio 4801 Power Amplifier.
Kurt used this set up of the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, two Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Poweramp and one Crest Audio 4801 Poweramp from June 21, 1992 – The Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland until July 04, 1992 – Pabellón de la Casilla de Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain.
Then Nirvana’s next show which was the August 30, 1992 Richfield Avenue (Reading Festival), Reading, UK Kurt’s Rack went back to the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, Black Shelf with “NIRVANA” written in white tape, and two Crest Audio 4801 Poweramps.
September 10, 1992 – Portland Meadows (No on 9 Benefit), Portland, OR Kurt used the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, 2 Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Poweramps, and 1 Crest Audio 4801 Poweramp.
September 11, 1992 – Seattle Center Coliseum (Washington Music Industry Coalition Benefit), Seattle, WA Kurt used the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, 1 Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Poweramp and 1 Crest Audio 4801 Poweramp.
October 30, 1992 – Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, Argentina Kurt used the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp, 1 Carver PM-600/900 Magnetic Field Poweramp and 2 Crest Audio 4801 Poweramps.