carvin BX500 anyone?

oldbassplayergu · #1 01-01-2011, 06:46 PM

thinking of buying this bass head. it has more features than the gk cheaper than the markbass and its made in the usa. I need a "real" reveiw. so what do you guys think?

oldbassplayergu · #2 01-01-2011, 07:36 PM

ok maybe I wont buy this thing. nobody has one I guess

jnewmark · #3 01-01-2011, 07:38 PM

Why don't you do a search and find the huge thread on it ?

cableguy · #4 01-01-2011, 07:40 PM

I don't but lots of people do. I've always had good luck with Carvin stuff myself. Do a search in the amps section you'll find a lot of info on it. For the price on it right now it seems hard to beat.

MyMusic · #5 01-01-2011, 07:52 PM

I've got one and the BRX 2x10 cab.Only had it for a couple of months, but I'm very happy with mine. I'm not a tone expert or audio engineer, but it sure beats my IBANEZ SW35 combo. Well worth the money so far.

Jarrett · #6 01-02-2011, 05:02 AM

I just got one and like it better than my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0. Pretty much dig everything about the head. The only question is reliability. Some people say its unreliable, but most (90+%) say it is. I've had mine a couple weeks now and its been fine.

brocco · #7 01-02-2011, 07:11 AM

Had mine since Feb 09.Love this amp,nice features,can dial in good sound easily and versatile.I play thru [2] 1 x 12 Deltalite 2512 cabs....and it kills,plenty of power.I do gig with one very loud 2 guitar band.....no problem

The amp has to be connected well to your power outlets or it will protect itself and shut down probably due to low voltage, Always powers right back up.Used it on many gigs never had a problem,won't ever sell this light weight little gem.

oldbassplayergu · #8 01-02-2011, 07:52 AM

thanks, all the other threads about the head were a little dated so i wanted a fresh view. first runs of amps differ after the bugs get ran out you know. I have bought carvin stuff before, but not an amp. I know its only$400, but who wants to piss away $400. My buddy had the old 1000w head in the 90's and it was a lemon. the DI first then the input stage went. Carvin fixed it twice. He got rid of it after that he bought a peavey that he still plays. the light weight head options now are plenty, but cash is a factor. its down to markbass or carvin. dont like the GK sound. thanks again

jnewmark · #9 01-02-2011, 08:02 AM

Well, the Carvin is definitely going to be cheaper than a MarkBass head, unless you buy used. I did have one of the first run carvins, and had to send back both heads because of distortion noises. But, when it was working, I liked the many eq options it provided, especially the graphic eq, which I actually liked better than the para. Compressor was a nice feature also, which you hardly ever get with these lightweight heads. Did'nt seem to lack for low end, and, with alot of these new 5 lb wonder bass heads, a little eq goes a long way. But, I finally settled on a Markbass F1 head. Very easy to use, seems to have more balls somehow then the other lightweight heads that I tried, not much tweaking at all needed. And, I sometimes go out the effects send to a power amp and get 1200 watt F1. Good stuff if you've got the cash, if not, I would go with the Carvin, or buy used.

Vintage Guy · #10 01-02-2011, 08:10 AM

I used one for several years with no issues. Opted to use my other Carvin heads. I have a Redline 1000,600,and a BX 600. Never had a problem with any of them,and they were all bought used.

Jarrett · #11 01-02-2011, 08:54 AM

I just finished another A/B session with my Carvin BX500 and Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 into just my Carvin 2x10 cab this time. This is where I really appreciated the Carvin graphic EQ and compressor. It allows me to really dig and tweak the sound when going between different cabs to get back to the same sound I had on another cab. The Genz Benz is not that flexible, but it still produces a good tone.

Interestingly they are both on three on the master volume and are producing the same sound level. Even though the Carvin is rated at 500 watts and the Genz Benz at 900 watts, they are putting out the same sound levels at the same settings.

I like both of the amps. They both have a signature sound to them that the other can't quite produce, although the Carvin can get closer to the Genz Benz than vice versa, again due to the EQ and compressor options on the Carvin. Considering the Genz Benz is $829 new and the Carvin is $369, it really makes the Carvin look good.

Bottom line, I've got a jam today and I am taking the Carvin BX500 and leaving the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 at home.

jnewmark · #12 01-02-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I just finished another A/B session with my Carvin BX500 and Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 into just my Carvin 2x10 cab this time. This is where I really appreciated the Carvin graphic EQ and compressor. It allows me to really dig and tweak the sound when going between different cabs to get back to the same sound I had on another cab. The Genz Benz is not that flexible, but it still produces a good tone.

Interestingly they are both on three on the master volume and are producing the same sound level. Even though the Carvin is rated at 500 watts and the Genz Benz at 900 watts, they are putting out the same sound levels at the same settings.

I like both of the amps. They both have a signature sound to them that the other can't quite produce, although the Carvin can get closer to the Genz Benz than vice versa, again due to the EQ and compressor options on the Carvin. Considering the Genz Benz is $829 new and the Carvin is $369, it really makes the Carvin look good.

Bottom line, I've got a jam today and I am taking the Carvin BX500 and leaving the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 at home.

Gain structures from amp to amp are different, especially the Genz Benz heads. You can't set two different amp heads at the same number on the dial and think you are getting the same volume.

Jarrett · #13 01-02-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Gain structures from amp to amp are different, especially the Genz Benz heads. You can't set two different amp heads at the same number on the dial and think you are getting the same volume.

I see your point, but what I'm saying is based on actual experience with the amps in the room, they are both capable of roughly the same volume despite the marketing.

agedhorse · #14 01-02-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

Gain structures from amp to amp are different, especially the Genz Benz heads. You can't set two different amp heads at the same number on the dial and think you are getting the same volume.

Yes, this is absolutely true. Gain structure is used to set the operating range of the controls to be the most useful to the widest number of players possible. Of course we could have played the same gain structure games as some other manufacturers by making the amp sound louder earlier in the control's rotation but then there's nothing more as you turn the controls up higher.

Now Jarrett, take the Shuttle and turn up the master a bit and it will continue to get louder (provided your speakers aren't the limiting factor and power compression is taking away most of the SPL gains of the higher power.