Carvin users

opiate · #1 04-05-2010, 12:13 AM

Hey i just found out that the amp im interested in discontinued.Im talking about Carvins BX1200. But i found out that they now sell BX1500. Is that just a bigger version of BX1200 or does it sound different? Im very grateful for your input!

JimiLL · #2 04-05-2010, 12:20 AM

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opiate · #3 04-05-2010, 12:54 AM

I sincerely thank you for your very informative reply!

wave rider · #4 04-05-2010, 12:59 AM

Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

opiate · #5 04-05-2010, 01:01 AM

Oh never mind... i didnt know that the BX1500 is also discontinued... i wonder why carvin is mad at money... And i doubt that the B2000 sounds even vaguely similar to BX1200 or 1500!?? Depressing.

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 04-05-2010, 01:02 AM

Yes, the bx1500 is the lighter, more powerful version of the bx1200. I used to own the bx1200 and currently have the bx1500 and prefer the bx1500s tone. Its warmer, due to the tube I believe.

The bx1500 is a great amp.

Edit: The bx1500 just came out a few weeks ago and is certainly not discontinued.

MooseLumps · #7 04-05-2010, 01:02 AM

1500 has a tube and a different amp topology from the all solid state 1200.
It's lighter, but largely the same as it's predecessor. I believebut am not certain that it's nominally more powerful.

lposavad · #8 04-05-2010, 01:04 AM

Check with the factory, there may be a BX1200 lurking around. I'm kicking myself for not picking one up a month ago - I was at the factory and their demo model was on blowout for $350!
Also, call the guys at the factory. They are very helpful, they'll explain any differences (other than power) between the two models.
I picked up the BX500 at the factory store about a month ago, and I LIKE it. It's a very loud 500 watts, and I'm happy with the tones I can pull out of it.

Sundogue · #9 04-05-2010, 05:16 AM

The BX1200 became the BX1500. They made it lighter, added a tube preamp and a bit more power. Otherwise they are identical amps.

I own an older, rock solid BX1200 and I'm glad I got mine when it was still the led sled it is. No problems and at the weight it's at it may not be a lightweight, but it's not a boat anchor either.

The B1500 (rave reviews everywhere) became the B2000. Again, made it lighter, added a tube preamp and more power. From what I hear it's not quite the same amp the original B1500 was.

Don't confuse the BX line with the B line. Two different amps.

This was my thread on the BX1200...

Carvin BX1200

Some people have had problems with the BX1200 when Carvin started messing with it's design before it was replaced by the BX1500. If you want a BX1200, try to find an older used one (one manufactured perhaps a year ago or more).

opiate · #10 04-05-2010, 08:28 AM

Oh i see... a load has dropped my heart.I have seriously misread some things.Im glad to hear that the BX1500 is available.So it is identical but they added a tube... which you can bypass as i understand... so its identical if bypassed.The BX1200 reviews are phenomenal.Not a bad one yet... i would love if someone would do a video review or recorded some audio with this workhorse.

Sundogue · #11 04-05-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opiate

Oh i see... a load has dropped my heart.I have seriously misread some things.Im glad to hear that the BX1500 is available.So it is identical but they added a tube... which you can bypass as i understand... so its identical if bypassed.The BX1200 reviews are phenomenal.Not a bad one yet... i would love if someone would do a video review or recorded some audio with this workhorse.

Funny thing about a video or audio sample for heads, cabs or basses...I find them pretty much useless because no matter what they actually sound like, it is being filtered through the device/speakers you are listening through so it won't sound the same regardless.

Yes the BX1500 is available (it's the newest model). It has more power, a bit lighter and has a tube pre. Otherwise they are identical in every other way. Personally I've never been a fan of tube preamps that use only one little tube. Not worth the trouble IMO.

::::BASSIST:::: · #12 04-05-2010, 12:46 PM

Actually, the tube in the bx1500 DOES make a difference. Its not a super tiny tube like in the markbass stuff, but its not a large one either. Sort of between the two I guess. Personally, I'm glad the tube is there and keep it engaged at all times. Its a great sounding amp. Before my gig last Saturday, I wired up my pedal board wrong, which meant that I could not use my VT Bass which really gives nice tone. So I played straight into the bx1500 and was very pleased with the results. One thing I will mention is that I do not play this amp flat. There are lots of knobs to turn and I take advantage of that.

FunkMetalBass · #13 04-05-2010, 12:55 PM

A tube? Wish they'd had that when I had my BX1200. Even at full-on drive, I couldn't get anywhere near a good OD sound, which is one reason I switched to the preamp/power amp combination I currently use.

Sundogue · #14 04-05-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Actually, the tube in the bx1500 DOES make a difference. Its not a super tiny tube like in the markbass stuff, but its not a large one either. Sort of between the two I guess. Personally, I'm glad the tube is there and keep it engaged at all times. Its a great sounding amp. Before my gig last Saturday, I wired up my pedal board wrong, which meant that I could not use my VT Bass which really gives nice tone. So I played straight into the bx1500 and was very pleased with the results. One thing I will mention is that I do not play this amp flat. There are lots of knobs to turn and take advantage of that.

What kind of tube is in there? I'm assuming it's probably a 12AX27 or similar. How is that different than any other preamp tube? I didn't know there were tubes that fell somewhere in between a "tiny" preamp tube and a "large" valve amp tube in it's power section.

Perhaps it makes a difference. I haven't heard any single 12AX27 preamp tube do much more than anything I couldn't dial in without one. It's not like it's going to simulate the power tube section of a valve amp. Some hear a difference and so it must be worthwhile for them, but I don't hear much of a difference that is appealing to me...and I really dig that warmth of a true all tube amp.

rpsands · #15 04-05-2010, 01:42 PM

My understanding is that the Carvin BX1500's tube is not a preamp gain stage but a driver stage.

Sundogue · #16 04-05-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

My understanding is that the Carvin BX1500's tube is not a preamp gain stage but a driver stage.

From Carvin's site...

"The BX1500 dual mono block rack mount bass head delivers huge power that's rich and warm all generated from discrete Class A preamps and 12AX7 tube driven power amps...

...- Rich, warm 12AX7 tube drives each power amp and features a rear In/Out switch...

...- Warm 12AX7 Tube"

I'm not really sure where in line the 12AX7 tube is located, but it's a single 12AX7 tube that is not a power tube. If it is not located in the preamp section, I don't know how a single tube drives both mono heads. I'm not an amp expert, so I don't know what the difference is between the preamp or drive stage. Not sure how much difference it makes. I've owned quite a few amps with 12AX7 preamp tubes (Peavey, Eden and others) and honestly I didn't see the big deal having it. That doesn't mean I expect others will feel the same way...just my experience with them. And I haven't heard the BX1500 with the tube to know how different it sounds from my BX1200 without one. I only know that using my BX1200 through my 210/6 cab (not so much through my mini 215) I can dial in a very warm tone that sounds more "tube-like" than I ever could with other amps I've owned that had a tube pre.

I'd be interested in knowing what the 12AX7 tube exactly does for the BX1500 and where it is located in the signal path.

rpsands · #17 04-05-2010, 02:04 PM

A mesa 400+ has 3 or 4 12ax7s in the preamp. One is the driver tube, three or so are the preamp gain stages.

I don't know exactly how the driver tube works but it is not part of the preamp as such.

I do know that the 400+ swapping a 12ax7 to a 12au7 made a huge difference in clean headroom, drastically affecting the overall sound of the amp.

I *believe* most conventional hybrid heads use the 12ax7 for its two gain stages and not to actually drive the power amp.

Sundogue · #18 04-05-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

A mesa 400+ has 3 or 4 12ax7s in the preamp. One is the driver tube, three or so are the preamp gain stages.

I don't know exactly how the driver tube works but it is not part of the preamp as such.

I do know that the 400+ swapping a 12ax7 to a 12au7 made a huge difference in clean headroom, drastically affecting the overall sound of the amp.

I *believe* most conventional hybrid heads use the 12ax7 for its two gain stages and not to actually drive the power amp.

Thanks for the info. So, is this similar to say a Walkabout head that is a hybrid that sounds more like an all tube head than other conventional hybrids that use only a single preamp tube?

It is precisely the conventional single preamp tube that has never impressed me much. However, I've tried a Walkabout in a store a long while ago and was very impressed with the tone.

I think more clarification for those who might be interested in the BX1500 would help their decision. I'm perfectly happy with my BX1200, but since it's discontinued this info would be very helpful to others.

Anyone know for sure what the configuration of the tube in the BX1500 is/does?

rpsands · #19 04-05-2010, 02:16 PM

The walkabout definitely uses a tube driver stage but I would expect something fancy in the power section affects its "tubey" sound as well.

Sundogue · #20 04-05-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

The walkabout definitely uses a tube driver stage but I would expect something fancy in the power section affects its "tubey" sound as well.

Oh, I'm not comparing the BX1500 with a Walkabout in tone by any means. I'm just trying to understand the use of tubes in different stages...meaning that if the tube in the BX1500 is in the "driver" stage as opposed to the preamp it would have more affect (like it does for the Walkabout) than a simple, single preamp tube.