Got my Carvin BX500

jzucker · #1 06-04-2010, 09:05 PM

Love it. I know I'll be labeled a heretic but I like it a helluva lot more than the Markbass. It's so much more transparent sounding and yet with the tube pre and the drive and the graphic EQ I can dial in a very markbass like tone. It's got a great slap tone and really nails the willis/jaco fingerstyle tones. Unlike the markbass, it's not thuddy sounding *AT ALL* and in fact, makes a great amplifier to use with a preamp. For example, the markbass always sounded "wrong" when I used it with an axefx but the carvin sounds perfect with it.

Anyway, I'm sure brad will chime in about how many gigs he's done with the markbass and how much more reliable it is and he might be right but for right now, this is a great setup and fantastic buy.

BTW, I'm using it with an epifunky 2x10 cab. Thanks Tom for the recommendation on both!

prokfrog · #2 06-04-2010, 09:12 PM

Congrats! I'm enjoying some "quiet time" with mine right now. Awesome amp.

jzucker · #3 06-05-2010, 01:33 PM

Surprising it doesn't get more kudos around here. For me, I want an amp that sounds like my bass and doesn't add color on it's own. If I want color, I'll use a tube preamp or something external.

resinboy · #4 06-05-2010, 03:15 PM

I have that head, just SITTING here, waiting on a cab I have coming, an EBS Proline 210. How is the head at low volumes?

Dave

jzucker · #5 06-06-2010, 04:57 PM

sounds great at low and medium volumes. Haven't cranked it yet.

prokfrog · #6 06-06-2010, 07:10 PM

It's stupid loud. Logged many high volume gigs..

Gearhead17 · #7 06-06-2010, 11:12 PM

Got the BX1200 myself and 100% agree that Markbass amp heads sound a little strange. Something about the 800hz zone with those heads and lack of clarity at 2khz. It's like those heads don't like upper mid growl or something. I never quite understood that. As soon as I tried the Carvin, I got the same experience as you. Clear tone, sounds like my bass, sounds really punchy, and good for just about everything. I wish these heads would get more publicity. The BX1200 was $570 with shipping when it was being discontinued. In relation to other heads on the market, it should have been around 3x that cost.

Cheers to you for getting something that kicks butt!

Rilander · #8 06-06-2010, 11:15 PM

it's soo funny that this thread came up at this time. i ordered this earlier today

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...product=SBX210

tombowlus · #9 06-07-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

BTW, I'm using it with an epifunky 2x10 cab. Thanks Tom for the recommendation on both!

Happy to help! I'm glad that this combo is working for you!

Truth be told, the BX500 has probably become the head I use more than anything else when auditioning other gear. I do goose the Bass knob up just a bit, but I leave everything else set pretty flat. It seems to be very revealing of what the other gear is bringing to the table, and of course, it's just a breeze to move around.

RobBobBass · #10 06-07-2010, 08:56 PM

Ordered mine today and am happy to read your take on it.

Will be pairing it with an Aguilar GS 212

jzucker · #11 06-07-2010, 08:59 PM

It's a very sweet sounding amp. Perfect for playing bass solos too. It really nails the Tony Grey sound.

wave rider · #12 06-07-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

[...]
Truth be told, the BX500 has probably become the head I use more than anything else when auditioning other gear. I do goose the Bass knob up just a bit, but I leave everything else set pretty flat. It seems to be very revealing of what the other gear is bringing to the table, and of course, it's just a breeze to move around.

Respect opinion noted. Have been eyeing one myself...

=wr=

jzucker · #13 06-08-2010, 09:32 PM

hmmm - starting to get some flakey behavior from it. It's been periodically just dropping in volume by about 25% and when it does,the high end disappears. Then it'll suddenly kick in back at the original volume. Anyone else seen this issue?

tombowlus · #14 06-08-2010, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

hmmm - starting to get some flakey behavior from it. It's been periodically just dropping in volume by about 25% and when it does,the high end disappears. Then it'll suddenly kick in back at the original volume. Anyone else seen this issue?

Is there anything funky going on with your AC power at home? Or any other switch-mode power supply devices on the same line (like laser printers) kicking on and off?

If not, I'd contact Carvin about a replacement. They are killer when it comes to customer service.

But I have to tell you, we've seen some odd behavior out of class-D amps with SMPS when the AC source has "issues."

jzucker · #15 06-09-2010, 04:51 AM

i hear you tom. No ac issues. I'm running it through a power filter and a power conditioner and it kicks in an alarm if the juice drops below 110. I also have 2 other class d amps and none of them exhibit this problem. Could be something else too of course. Need to do some additional testing.

prokfrog · #16 06-09-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

hmmm - starting to get some flakey behavior from it. It's been periodically just dropping in volume by about 25% and when it does,the high end disappears. Then it'll suddenly kick in back at the original volume. Anyone else seen this issue?

Sorry to hear. There is another TB'er that just posted a similar problem a few days ago on the "main" BX500 thread. Maybe you both got units from the same run. This seems to be a whole new problem. Although my unit seems to be fine, it makes me uneasy to hear this whereas there's no telling what lurks around the corner the next time I turn it on. This is a great amp, and could be a major contender. This is going to lose alot of momentum if people don't feel this thing is straightened out..

craig.p · #17 06-09-2010, 11:01 AM

Anyone know if there's any visible (to the end user) revision control on these units? In other words, do the ID tags contain part number and serial number AND REVISION (e.g. D01), or just part number and serial number? And if there is a revision number, is the revision number getting incremented when the "latest" fix is applied back at the shop?

The reason I ask this question is that sooner or later these are going to start showing up on the used market, and potential buyers -- at least the informed ones -- are going to want to know what revision they're getting.

jzucker · #18 06-09-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prokfrog

Sorry to hear. There is another TB'er that just posted a similar problem a few days ago on the "main" BX500 thread. Maybe you both got units from the same run. This seems to be a whole new problem. Although my unit seems to be fine, it makes me uneasy to hear this whereas there's no telling what lurks around the corner the next time I turn it on. This is a great amp, and could be a major contender. This is going to lose alot of momentum if people don't feel this thing is straightened out..

could you send me a link?

rpsands · #19 06-09-2010, 11:27 AM

Get a hold of their support and send it back with the quickness. One good thing about Carvin is they'll keep sending you models until you get a functional one, on their dime.

80'sRocker · #20 06-09-2010, 11:31 AM

I can't speak for the Carvin, but the Markbass that I had was very boxy and "muddy" sounding. Had to sell it