Carvin Vs GK Vs GenzBenz

bigeyejim · #1 04-11-2011, 09:16 PM

Just ordered an Avatar TB153 cab...should arrive late this week.

Now on to the head: Based on experience, which would be a better/more reliable amp?

Carvin BX500

GK MB500

Genz Benz Streamliner

No need to go huge power at this point... Playing Squier P Bass.

Cheers!

GrowlerBox · #2 04-11-2011, 09:32 PM

Better for what? Pretty different from one another.

All reliable, although failures can always happen. What counts then is customer service. Genz Benz is unparalleled here, although the others have largely good reputations, too.

dukeisdog · #3 04-11-2011, 10:15 PM

What ohms did you order the cab at? The Carvin can do 2 ohms, and I belied the GB can also, but the GK can't.

noahw1 · #4 04-11-2011, 10:26 PM

The GB can't do 2 ohms. As stated above the GB Customer Service is great.

bigeyejim · #5 04-12-2011, 05:51 AM

Actually ordered the cab as an 8 ohm. Mainly because if I add another cab, that will effectively change it to 4 ohm. If I had to chase 2 ohm, I would just start over with different cab/amp. We play mainly rock covers, and some country so there is a need for deep down tone. Nothing overly punchy.

From what I've read, I like the Genz and Carvin, more specifically the Carvin since it's domestically produced, and I have heard great things about their customer service.

Tech21, anyone?

solarplexus · #6 04-12-2011, 06:18 AM

I have a BX500 and I'm satisfied with it. Plenty loud. With a TC RS212, for rehearsal, the master never goes up more than 1. I don't know about the GB, although a Streamliner looks really nice. Could be a little too much for you, for now. I have also tried the MB500 and MB200 in the local music shop. Very nice too. The cheapest choice for 300W+ is the Carvin though.

bigeyejim · #7 04-12-2011, 07:32 AM

Thank you! I was thinking that the 500W amps (4 ohm), that yield about 300W (8 Ohm) would be plenty for me for a long time. Right now I am playing with 35 watts, so anything will be an improvement. Having too much is much better than too little amp. I want a system that won't kill me monetarily whilst giving me a sound that can be heard and felt. I also want something that will last for years.

Thought about the MB200, but for a few bux more, I can move to the 500's.

4Mal · #8 04-12-2011, 08:19 AM

I've been playing with the MB2-500 A07 which was the release before they rebadged it the MB500 since December of 09. No issues - it's GK so frankly I wouldn't expect any. I like that head a lot. My few experiences with GK customer service have all been good - for the most part, other then GC and MF and Avid, I havent had bad customer service from anyone in a long time though.

What I find with the GK is that it is someewhat cab neutral. I seem to be able to find 'me' in there with whatever cab I choose. I run the gamut cabwise with a compact 1x10, a couple of compact 1x15's (stashed in rehearsal spaces), a recently departed Epifani 1x12, a fEarful 12.6 and matching sub. The GK sounds great with all of them with very little messing about.

So - if it were me, I'd keep an eye on the GFS here for a used MB500 or call RMC audio for a new one. RMCAudioDirect.com - Pro Audio, Live Sound, & Musical Instruments for Less! these guys generally have very competitive, if not the very best prices on Gk around and their customer service is stellar.

FWIW - I do a bunch of blues, classic R&B and country with a P or PJ when I'm playing in an electric setting. Tonally I leave most everything close to 'flat' with a smidge of contour to richen things up if necessary.

Jarrett · #9 04-12-2011, 09:53 AM

I had the GB Shuttle 9.0 and sold it after getting the Carvin BX500.

jeff7bass · #10 04-12-2011, 10:08 AM

I would get the Carvin BX500 and a BX250 as a backup. Both together cost around the same as the GB and only a bit more than the GK.
Keep the BX250 in your car for gigs. The BX250 has plenty of juice to drive the TB153. I’m a firm believer in “two of everything” when I’m gigging.
All that being said the Streamliner looks like a killer amp. If money was no object, I might get the GB.

vinxbass · #11 04-12-2011, 11:31 AM

I've been playing thru the BX500 since Feb. '09 and have to say that I think it sounds great; plenty of power and good tone.

OTOH, I had to swap the BX500 nine mths after I got it because it stopped working, but I lived next to a Carvin store and they swapped it for a new one - no questions asked. Then the 2nd BX500 stopped working months after it's warranty ran out, but Carvin repaired it free of charge and now it works flawlessy. Just keep that in mind, but Carvin's CS is very, very good.

I've not tried the other 2 heads.

bigeyejim · #12 04-12-2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the info, guys! The more I think about it, I might even get the BX500 as a main and the GK MB200 as a backup. I don't know...

At least that way I can check out both their sounds. I like the GK's simplicity - it only has a few dials, etc. I have read where a lot of people just run the EQ flat and adjust the parametric/contour to alter the sound.

Who knows, I might be leaning towards the Carvin at this point...

I just don't have any dealers within 2 hours, so it makes for a difficult time to check out this stuff in person!

J-wall · #13 04-13-2011, 08:55 AM

Just remember that the MB200 does not have a dial for the contour, it is a mini-toggle switch. That means there is no adjusting the contour. I like it plenty when I am by myself, but the -10 db at 500 hz (Mid dip when it is on) really helps me disappear live, so I leave it off.

I love my MB200, don't get me wrong, I am just not sure what you expect its contour abilities to do.:-) I think it is my favorite amp I have ever owned - that is over a Carvin B800 (little brother to the B1500/B2000), an Ashdown Mag 300, and an Eden WT800. That is based on features, simplicity, sound, and weight.

bigeyejim · #14 04-15-2011, 02:00 PM

Just bit the bullet....Performance and Dollar ratio, along with several recommendations led me to the Carvin MX500. We'll see how it goes!!

Thanks again for all your help and input!

Grateful · #15 04-15-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeyejim

The more I think about it, I might even get the BX500 as a main and the GK MB200 as a backup. I don't know...

My main amp is the Carvin BX1200. I had an MB200 as my 'practice amp', but sold it as it sounded sooo different from the Carvin. I ended up replacing the MB200 with the Carvin BX250 and am super happy with both Carvins.

bigeyejim · #16 04-15-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grateful

super happy with both Carvins.

Awesome! Great to hear that! I hemmed and hawed on the BX500 versus the BX250, but I thought for $79 more, why not go with the amp with more juice. Will give a bit more room to grow, although both would be plenty powerful for what I'm doing.

Hopefully my amp will get here about the same time as the cab....

Cheers!

Jarrett · #17 04-15-2011, 02:34 PM

Still digging my BX500. Another gig with it tomorrow night.

Nedmundo · #18 04-15-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

FWIW - I do a bunch of blues, classic R&B and country with a P or PJ when I'm playing in an electric setting. Tonally I leave most everything close to 'flat' with a smidge of contour to richen things up if necessary.

I have the newer MB-500 running through two first gen G-K Neo112 cabs. With my other head, a 700RB-II, I leave everything close to flat, but the MB-500 is brighter, so I cut the treble and high mids to about 9:30/10:00 -- and still roll off the treble a bit on my J-basses. It's very bright otherwise IMO, but once dialed in, it sounds great, and I really dig the boost channel. Of course, these cabs have lots of treble and high mids, so with other cabs I'd probably have it close to flat. It's an excellent head IMO.