Now that the carvin 2000 has been out a while....

ledyard · #1 09-22-2010, 10:56 AM

Now that they have replaced the B1500 with the lighter B2000 and its been out for a little while, has there been any major issues one way or the other?
I really wanted to buy a used older B1500 or newer B2000 (dunno anything about the BX series) as a back-up head. But I wanted to wait and see if they were going to have any isses. Build wise or sound wise.
My primary is a SVT II so I would be using it as I said, for a back-up. Unless it blew me away enough that great tone + light weight made me use it as a primary. But I'm doubting.

ledyard · #2 09-24-2010, 11:20 AM

no b2000 users?

5port · #3 09-25-2010, 05:59 AM

Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

RNV · #4 09-25-2010, 06:11 AM

People complained about fan noise issues and I think something about the mid range being a little whacked. Check the link above. I have a BX1500 and love it. It is a beast.

ledyard · #5 09-25-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNV

People complained about fan noise issues and I think something about the mid range being a little whacked. Check the link above. I have a BX1500 and love it. It is a beast.

What do you like and dislike about the BX? what kind of bass and cab(s).
The question could become B or BX series. I have to do more research.
I play in a metal band, very reminicent of old Exodus/Testament/Pantera , riff wise. I also play in a old school heavy rock band. My SVT II does the trick for both beautifully and I have always loved the Ampeg tone. I use a USA Cirrus in the metal band and a Warmoth/Fender Jazz with MM pups for the other band.
It wouldnt entirely hurt my feelings to have a lighter amp rig. I will always have a big cab though.

I have no doubt the Carvin would get a great metal tone with my cirrus. I question getting a great oldschool (70's) tone though. But I have never used it.

As for the fan noise...its not an issue with me. Most Boogie/Ampeg heads I have had, have a loud fan. Especially my boogie. As long as its not in the circuit that makes the noise come through the signal chain i could care less about fan noise.

ledyard · #6 09-25-2010, 02:36 PM

For a rock tone, I would need a nice gutsy tone to fit into this band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE013...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkQS...eature=related

RNV · #7 09-25-2010, 11:35 PM

I too play in bands with your very same thrash influences. And I use a Peavey Grind tune to Drop C. I like the BX better for its versatility. I never will, but I like the fact that I could safely run four 4Ohm cabs. I like the switchable EQ that can be turned off and on with a foot switch for different tones. And I like the fact that IMO it sounds better than the B2000.

RockFistMusic · #8 10-12-2010, 03:50 PM

Got a LNIB Carvin B2000 on trade as a back up head, and I'm sooo tempted to use it one some upcoming shows. GREAT punchy clean sound, the "drive" knob kinda sucked then I called Carvin and spoke to Emmick the tech, confirmed, a cheap MADE IN CHINA 12AX7 tube. At first I thought "how can they put such generic chinese made garbage in here" then I realized, why go to any more expense when the player s never going to be fully satisfied anyway? Every 12AX7/equiv sounds different, they made it literally 6 tiny screws to access the whole insides and easily swap the tube- good move Carvin. I very easily swapped out that christmas tree ornament for a GT7025 I had sitting still new in a box, and WOW. Once you get past 11 o'clock it gets a fat tube tone, about 2pm on the drive dial you really hear it, after 3-4 o'clock it breaks up nicely and the harder your attack the more she breaks up. ** full disclosure , it does NOT sound like my Laney NXT400 but it's not 90 lbs and 13 tubes either!

It's a keeper

jeff7bass · #9 10-12-2010, 03:59 PM

I played a SB4000 bass thru the B2000 head sitting on a pair of BRX cabs and I loved it. Best bass sound I ever got BY FAR. Easy to dial in and very little fan noise (if any). I want one but have a fairly new BX1200 along with two other amps so no can do. I did order the new MicroBass 10" combo (in blue tolex) while I was there though. Great little amp.

BassmanPaul · #10 10-12-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledyard

What do you like and dislike about the BX? what kind of bass and cab(s).

In my case I don't use any of the EQ options. No contour, no compression and no bi-amping. It really is a clean loud amplifier. It drives a pair of my Acme 4Ω B2s with ease one per channel. It's light and even in an SKB four space rack case with a Korg tuner and a carvin power strip is very easy to move.