Carvin B2000

ClassicJazz · #1 04-10-2011, 09:29 PM

After using the Carvin B1500 for the past three years, I decided to pull the trigger on a new Carvin B2000 amp! I must say that more power and half the weight was very alluring to me. Plus it is NOT a class D amp, good old class A with a tube. First let me say how much of a pleasure it is playing through the B1500. It is the finest bass amp I have ever owned.....period! Clean, powerful, punchy and best off.......simple to use.

I've mainly been using my GK MB 212 for the past 8 months or so. It has been great for the clubs I have been playing, plenty of power with a great punchy sound and only 36 lbs.

But have been starting to play in some bigger venues again, so out comes the Carvin. I forgot how heavy that puppy is, heck it weighs as much as the GK combo! So needless to say I am looking forward to the B2000!

So stay tuned for a review. (I'm sure I am going to love it as much as the B1500)

5StringPocket · #2 04-11-2011, 11:31 AM

I've seen a number of good reviews on the B2000 but haven't had the pleasure of playing one. What cabs and bass will you be using?

Big Mike Ipp · #3 04-11-2011, 11:40 AM

eagerly waiting to hear another review!

videomagician · #4 04-11-2011, 11:44 AM

Sub'd.

ClassicJazz · #5 04-11-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringPocket

I've seen a number of good reviews on the B2000 but haven't had the pleasure of playing one. What cabs and bass will you be using?

I use two Avatar B210 Neo cabinets. As far as basses, either one of my Sadowsky basses or my '72 Fender Jazz.

jerry · #6 04-11-2011, 01:22 PM

I've done a lot of gigs with the B2000, very nice amp.

jeff7bass · #7 04-11-2011, 04:24 PM

I played one in San Diego. I want one.

ErnieD · #8 04-11-2011, 04:38 PM

Ah, Big Mike Ipp, your avatar pic is mesmerizing.

Whew, Mine eyes.

Hope you don't mind but I copped it awhile back. Its now part my personal online banking I.D. code, LOL.

Oh yeah, and I put this out there awhile back anyone ever wanna trade their B2000 for my pristine B1500, get at me.

Yeah I don't see that happening anytime soon either so the big amp stays in my dark closet waiting to be used again but with 4 micro amps ahead of it, maybe not soon. But who knows just might take it out for a spin at a large outdoor summer gig. Its my massive backup amp, 5th in line, but still in play.

ErnieD · #9 04-11-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

I played one in San Diego. I want one.

Maybe I can hook you up jeff7bass. HAH, quick turn around huh? So much for my B1500 loyalty. Hey, I'm fickle.

Now back to Big Mikes avatar pic.

ClassicJazz · #10 04-11-2011, 05:22 PM

Hey! I started this thread. I need to sell my B1500 before you guys!

WingKL · #11 04-11-2011, 05:38 PM

@ClassicJazz - I'm pretty sure that the only part running class A is the preamp section of the B2000. The power section is very likely class AB.

ClassicJazz · #12 04-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WingKL

@ClassicJazz - I'm pretty sure that the only part running class A is the preamp section of the B2000. The power section is very likely class AB.

That is correct.

**tommyr01** · #13 04-11-2011, 08:27 PM

I got my B2000 last October. I run it into a Carvin Neo 4x10 and and 18......I absolutely love it !!!!! I used to use a B1500. I love the controls and their ease of use. It's nice and powerful....well made in my book..

Jason P Bass · #14 04-11-2011, 08:31 PM

I played many gigs with my B2000 into a LDS / nEarful 1212/6/1.

Phenomenal sound, dominating volume. The EQ is dangerous - it's easy to adjust it so that your overall volume changes dramatically. Also, the Q on those EQ knobs seems very wide to my ears. It makes fine tuning a little challenging.

And to be fair, my B2000 had a critical failure 2 weeks ago. It's back at the Carvin plant at the moment, but they can rebuild it - faster, stronger, better. I suspect that the root cause was low voltage coming from the wall, but it's really impossible to say. I'll update this post if Carvin provides me with any info.

Love the amp, very sad that it caught a bad case of the sparks.

FWIW I'm playing a USA Peavey Cirrus -> Line 6 DL4 delay -> Sansamp Programmable BDDI -> B2000

Jazzdogg · #15 04-11-2011, 08:42 PM

I've been using a B1500 for large gigs for several years and, aside from its weight, I love it: the fit & trim B2000 is very appealing.

For those of you who have gigged both heads, how would you compare their sound and volume? Are the function and sound of the drive control the same, or have they changed?

Thanks!

ErnieD · #16 04-11-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicJazz

Hey! I started this thread. I need to sell my B1500 before you guys!

Sorry dude, everytime one of these threads pop up, alot of us scramble to shove our B1500's up for sale, after stating how much we love it.

But I have a theory that a few years down the road, alota younger guns are gonna be looking for some "heavy iron" again and we're gonna have these pristine B1500's at home waiting to sell at maybe vintage prices.

Its' just a theory though so til then;
" Y'all come and get it, like-new B1500 for sale over here"

Laurent · #17 04-11-2011, 09:54 PM

I own a B1500 and tried a B2000 last week.
Both amps sound really good but they are different tonally. The B1500 sound more like a clean running SVT to my ears, it has tremendous punch and authority. The B2000 is more modern sounding, the pre-amp tube does not color the sound as much as I expected. It's a fast amp and it makes notes jump effortlessly out of the cab. It's hard to describe but the amp has a kind of airy character. It's not a warm or cold clinical amp, it's very tone neutral. There is nothing to dislike about this amp or its tone. The tone controls are the same on both amps and are extreemly effective. I think the B2000 offers an exceptional value for the money and it would be hard to beat its tone, per pound and per dollars.

I tried it side by side with the BX500 and I liked the B2000 a lot better. With all the tone controls flat the BX500 sounded a little thin compared with the B2000. That being said the BX500 has so many EQ'ing possibilities I suspect it would be easy to add in what the amp lacks when all the controls are flat.

cavedweller · #18 04-16-2011, 10:25 PM

With the combination of the tube pre and the drive knob,the b2000's tone sounds warmer to me,the b1500 sounds good but sounds a little thinner and metallic sounding,if that makes any sense. not much difference though.

MysticMichael · #19 04-16-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieD

But I have a theory that a few years down the road, alota younger guns are gonna be looking for some "heavy iron" again and we're gonna have these pristine B1500's at home waiting to sell at maybe vintage prices.

So then, why don't you just hang onto it? No doubt it will one day be a classic collector's item. Wouldn't you love to have bragging rights on such a fine piece of gear that's long since out of production?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent

I own a B1500 and tried a B2000 last week.
Both amps sound really good but they are different tonally. The B1500 sound more like a clean running SVT to my ears, it has tremendous punch and authority. The B2000 is more modern sounding, the pre-amp tube does not color the sound as much as I expected. It's a fast amp and it makes notes jump effortlessly out of the cab. It's hard to describe but the amp has a kind of airy character. It's not a warm or cold clinical amp, it's very tone neutral. There is nothing to dislike about this amp or its tone. The tone controls are the same on both amps and are extreemly effective. I think the B2000 offers an exceptional value for the money and it would be hard to beat its tone, per pound and per dollars.

Great comparative review. Thanks for that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent

I tried it side by side with the BX500 and I liked the B2000 a lot better. With all the tone controls flat the BX500 sounded a little thin compared with the B2000. That being said the BX500 has so many EQ'ing possibilities I suspect it would be easy to add in what the amp lacks when all the controls are flat.

A classic case of "apples and oranges", no doubt...

MM

Jason P Bass · #20 04-17-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent

I own a B1500 and tried a B2000 last week.
Both amps sound really good but they are different tonally. The B1500 sound more like a clean running SVT to my ears, it has tremendous punch and authority. The B2000 is more modern sounding, the pre-amp tube does not color the sound as much as I expected. It's a fast amp and it makes notes jump effortlessly out of the cab. It's hard to describe but the amp has a kind of airy character. It's not a warm or cold clinical amp, it's very tone neutral. There is nothing to dislike about this amp or its tone. The tone controls are the same on both amps and are extreemly effective. I think the B2000 offers an exceptional value for the money and it would be hard to beat its tone, per pound and per dollars.

I tried it side by side with the BX500 and I liked the B2000 a lot better. With all the tone controls flat the BX500 sounded a little thin compared with the B2000. That being said the BX500 has so many EQ'ing possibilities I suspect it would be easy to add in what the amp lacks when all the controls are flat.

I have not played the B1500 but I agree with this description of the B2000. The stock preamp tube does very little (swap to 12AT7 maybe?).