GK MB800 & Carvin BX500

[TheAngryPocket]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I called Carvin about the BX500 handles and also looked at McMasters-Carr and couldn't find anything that would work. Carvin said you could do the rackmount kit and that would have handles, but it also makes the face plate rack mount width which seemed counterproductive.

So I went ahead and ordered a BX250. I remembered I had a $20 off coupon, so the whole total was $278. I'll post some info on the BX250 compared to the BX500 and MB800 when it comes in. Hoping it will be here in time to gig with this weekend.

Excited to here your thoughts, good AND bad.

[Jarrett]

Out for Delivery, can't wait to give it a whirl today and on the gig this weekend.

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by TheAngryPocket

Excited to here your thoughts, good AND bad.

I already see one bad. Not really a bad, but undesirable for me. It only has a 1/4" out. I know it probably doesn't generate enough power to need a speakon, but I prefer then. At least a combo jack would be nice.

[Chef]

What?
From what I see, both the MB800 and BX500 both have speakons...???

[Jarrett]

Nah, this is on the Carvin BX250. The thread morphed

I wanted a smaller, easier to carry version of the Carvin BX500 to take to small gigs with me. I've been spoiled by the GK MB800's size and handles and looking for something like that.

Technically, there is nothing wrong with the MB800. It's a great amp. The only reason I even started looking recently is because I got shocked at a gig with it and thought I should probably have a backup amp anyway. Some sort of ground lift issue at that venue specifically. Plus I thought it would be nice to have an all Carvin (made in US) rig.

Speaking of, would you mind changing the title to "GK MB800 & Carvin BX500/BX250" I tried but wasn't able to.

[Chef]

understood....

[Jarrett]

It's here

[Chef]

Cool.

For me, that's not significantly smaller to be worth having.
I tried the MB200, and felt the same way.

[B-string]

That is a space saving "micro" amp?

[Jarrett]

Couple of quick thoughts between meetings.

The BX500 and BX250 sound slightly different with the same settings. Seems like the BX500 has a little more girth to the low end and the BX250 has a hair more mids. Likely something that can be dialed in/out. Also they seem to move about the same amount of air when BX500 is on 3 versus BX250 on 5 on their masters.

[TheAngryPocket]

One of the main "pluses" for me was all the controls usuallu on the back are on the front (i.e. the DI level, Ground lift, and pre/post DI). Not that I use'em that much to warrant buying it over another head, but it is nice. Also, since I usually put away my "home studio" when I'm done(due to little ones), it fits nicely in the top of my V3M's gigbag.

[jeff7bass]

My Carvin MB10, loaded with the BX250 head, is now my rehearsal amp due to it's great sound. Sitting on top of my Avatar SB112, it's a dynomite little stack that keeps up with the band with the volume at 10:00. We rehearse to our drummers natural volume.
Played my Spector euro through it and WOW, studio quality sound. The key is in the low mids though, without boosting them (low mid freq at 100, low mid gain at 2:00), the amp sounds kind of sterile and boosting the bass knob doesn't really solve it.
I like the GK's but don't think they are as flexible as the Carvins, plus they cost more and have less features. The fact you can get two of them for the price of an MB800 seals the deal. If you gig you should have a backup.

[B-string]

MB800 is over 3 times the power! So....you can get 500 watts for the price 800 watts? Good deal!

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by B-string

MB800 is over 3 times the power! So....you can get 500 watts for the price 800 watts? Good deal!

Actually you can get a BX500 + a BX250 for the price of one MB800.

The fact you can drive four 8 ohm cabs (say 4 BAER ML112's) with the BX500 means you can probably get more sound out of it than a MB800. Right Chef?

[Chef]

I e never played the carvin. No comment.

[cableguy]

seems we're haggling over two great micro amps that have different flavors......Different strokes..........I'd be happy with either of em.

[2milehighspike]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

It's here

Wow,that puts things into perspective. I can't believe the BX250 is that big.

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

The key is in the low mids though, without boosting them (low mid freq at 100, low mid gain at 2:00),

It's funny you mention that, I figured that out today. It really brought something better out of the amp. I tried it on the BX500 and it didn't have quite the same effect.

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

I like the GK's but don't think they are as flexible as the Carvins

Yeah I really like the MB800, but with my new fretless I'm finding the flexibility of the BX EQ is nice. Sometimes I need more EQ and less watts.

Originally Posted by B-string

MB800 is over 3 times the power! So....you can get 500 watts for the price 800 watts? Good deal!

BX250 cost me $258
BX500 cost me $379
MB800 cost me $630

I think each one of them is a bargain for what you get. Also, the Carvin power specs are underrated, imo. The BX500 is easily as loud as my old Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 was, but I don't think it's quite as loud as the MB800. Not as far off as you would think though.

Originally Posted by cableguy

seems we're haggling over two great micro amps that have different flavors......Different strokes..........I'd be happy with either of em.

Yep, I really like all three of the amps.

Originally Posted by 2milehighspike

Wow,that puts things into perspective. I can't believe the BX250 is that big.

Yeah, the BX250 is taller than the other two, but what might be hard to tell is it is more narrow and considerably less deep. I kind of like its dimensions actually and with the handles, its as easy to carry as the MB800.

[Chef]

None of those three are "hard to carry."

[Jarrett]

So Ilike the handles, sue me