New (cheap) Amps From Carvin

vespasian1 · #1 07-03-2010, 10:19 AM

I bought a Carvin BR115 (130 watts) a few months ago. It had a defective speaker, so I returned it. Nice clear, neutral sound, but it buzzed loudly whenever I played a 'D'. I was told the speaker was defective.

Next, I bought a GK MB115. Nice amp, plenty of power and low mid extension, but the sound was a bit colored. It was colored toward the dark side, which is not a bad thing for a bass amp, but I missed the clarity/neutrality of the Carvin, so I returned it.

About 2 weeks after I returned the Carvin, they discontinued it. So I popped for a couple hundered more bucks, and bought a 515N, which I like very much. Before I bought it (about 2 months ago), I contacted Carvin to ask if there was a replacement for the 1st amp, the BR115, in the works. I was told "not to my knowledge", so I went for the 515.

Well too late for me, but Carvin has replaced the BR115, with 3, count 'em 3, new amps. all rated at 250 watts. Very interesting stuff. :hyper,

http://www.carvinguitars.com/bassamps/microbass.php

IconBasser · #2 07-03-2010, 10:40 AM

interesting. Reminds me of their old Redline Cyclops series.

Tony-bobs · #3 07-03-2010, 10:44 AM

I think my peavey deltabass head weighs almost as much as that 10 incher! and the carvin has more power!!! these new fangled amps are crazy...

billoetjen · #4 07-03-2010, 10:57 AM

Wow! I was wondering why Carvin's stock of combos had all but dried up. These look like exceptional rigs. I love the EQ section, speaker out and clean lines. I wonder how the compressor sounds. Probably stick with my BBE Optistomp.

I'd like to A/B it with the newish Ibanez P5110 (Promethean).

BassmanPaul · #5 07-03-2010, 12:20 PM

I have to admit I like the features of the three way twelve. Looks like Carvin has been listening.

Paul

billoetjen · #6 07-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Wait, I missed something - the twelve is a three-way? Somebody HAS been listening!

rpsands · #7 07-03-2010, 12:35 PM

3-way with a tiny tiny box. Not pointless, but, certainly wasteful. You can keep the weight very similar and increase the size a bit, and get a LOT more low end.

CoffeeBass · #8 07-03-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Wow! I was wondering why Carvin's stock of combos had all but dried up. These look like exceptional rigs. I love the EQ section, speaker out and clean lines. I wonder how the compressor sounds. Probably stick with my BBE Optistomp.

I'd like to A/B it with the newish Ibanez P5110 (Promethean).

For what it's worth, I am using the BX500 with a Bill fitzmaurice Jack 112 (which rocks BTW) and I love the compressor. My previous rig was a BBE bmax preamp which I think has the same compressor as the opto stomp, into a carvin power amp. I never used the compressor on the BBE because it felt like it squished the sound to much. On the carvin I put it at about 3 and I can't even tell it's kicking in without the light. It is very musical. I am no expert when it comes to compressors but that has been my experience. The Bx500 is rated at 300W and my Jack 112 will only take 200W before it starts to fart (reaching the xmax limit) with the speaker I have in it. If I put the compressor on at about 3 or 4 I can max out the amp and it sounds great. I can hear the compression a little, but in a live setting you would never notice it. The EQ sections are great too! The Jack is a midrange monster and I find myself toning it down a bit when practicing at home. Haven't tried it yet in a band scenario though. All I need to do is engage the contour (read mid scoop) and it mellows out to a beautiful clean sound. I am trying to get my hands on some other cabinets to do some a-b comparisons with the BX500 because all I have right now is the Jack. We'll see how it works out.

Coffee

gregoire1 · #9 07-08-2010, 09:04 AM

bump for GaryLC

TechJunky · #10 07-08-2010, 09:47 AM

I just got a catalog from Carvin in the mail a few days ago and saw these amps. I must say, I'm very intrigued. I have not been able to find any reviews yet, has anyone used one of these? The site says they will be in stock July 30th...is that the release date, or are they just backordered? I'm mostly interested in the 10" and 15" models, as I think they'd make a great practice amp and still be easy to move around.

Bmorefoozler · #11 07-08-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I have to admit I like the features of the three way twelve. Looks like Carvin has been listening.

Paul

I hope they offer an extension cab and don't expect you to throw it on a 15" or 2x10".... Because it absolutely looks interesting and adding another Sub should make it pretty gig-able...

chubrocker · #12 07-08-2010, 01:16 PM

The MB12 is exactly what I've been looking for!! I was looking at GK's MB210, but Carvin is getting my interest now....

blendermassacre · #13 07-08-2010, 01:25 PM

I just wish they had more wattage and didn't have the external speaker jack/ power cable out of the top of the amp section. Good ideas, but I think they're lacking in execution from a feasibility standpoint.

kreider204 · #14 07-08-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

I just wish they had more wattage and didn't have the external speaker jack/ power cable out of the top of the amp section. Good ideas, but I think they're lacking in execution from a feasibility standpoint.

The wattage is fine for my purposes, but I completely agree about the placement of the speaker jack and power cable - very odd. Still, everything else about it, I like, so I'm wondering if I could put up with it.

seamonkey · #15 07-08-2010, 03:54 PM

If they just made the 12" cabinet to size - they'd have something incredible.
And the marketeers need to get out of the hype.
It is Not
"12” NEO HORN LOADED WOOFER"
As it says in their PDF
They just tilted it back to fit a smaller outside box size.
They know better.

Gearhead43 · #16 07-08-2010, 09:03 PM

The MB12 looks interesting. Might try one when and if they get one in at my local ****** Carvin store.