was only a matter of time...Carvin Micro HEAD

[eastcoasteddie]

I searched and didn't see a thread for it yet, only the MB series combos....but

page 7 of this .PDF section of the new catalog (page 39 in the entire PDF series, and page 38 of the actual catalog), not on the website yet:

250 watts, 3.2 lbs, $299.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog...pr11-part3.pdf

[christw]

So it has a tube pre in it that you can overdrive? Cool!

[StayLow]

Damn, I just yesterday bought a GK micro. I'd love a Carvin ! Well, the GK is much smaller though, less features, similar output. I guess I'll give it a shot.

The Carvin looks way better, the first mini/micro that to me looks like a real amp. More gig-oriented features on the Carvin. Awesome-looking light combos on that page too !

Thanks for this info.

[Zeb Norris]

Don't hit that PDF link above unless you have a lot of time; downloading the PDF is slow, and basically locked up my computer.

[oldbassplayergu]

Got the new carvin catalog ,now there is a bx250 half the size. they took the graphic eq and the tube out and cut the box in half. I have the bx500 and I love it. Loud,small,and light. Only have it a week, going to take it to jam this week,and gig saturday. I think it'll do just fine

[Jaco who?]

This endless fascination with the lowest weight possible is getting kind of silly, isn't it? I think my back would probably be able to "tolerate" a 5.8 lb BX500 for a hundred bucks more with twice the headroom, but that's just me.

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by christw

So it has a tube pre in it that you can overdrive? Cool!

I don't think so. There's no mention of a tube in the description, and I can't see the marketing department missing the opportunity to brag about "tube tone".

Seems like it's aimed at the Genz 3.0, not the 6.0 (and the Markbass LM 250 and Eden WTX264, of course).

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

This endless fascination with the lowest weight possible is getting kind of silly, isn't it? I think my back would probably be able to "tolerate" a 5.8 lb BX500 for a hundred bucks more with twice the headroom, but that's just me.

+1000 Your bad back can support 5.8 lbs just as well as 3.2 lbs. People need to eat some red meat lol. Lunchbox amps are the craze now. Until people realize that fixing these amps aren't like other amps and you have to replace the ENTIRE thing instead of just a single piece. These are throw away amps.

[christw]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

I don't think so. There's no mention of a tube in the description, and I can't see the marketing department missing the opportunity to brag about "tube tone".

Seems like it's aimed at the Genz 3.0, not the 6.0 (and the Markbass LM 250 and Eden WTX264, of course).

The drive control had my hopes up. I just looked again and I think you're right. That's unfortunate. A micro with a tube pre, 200-300 watts, and under $300-400 would put my SVT-II on the classifieds (until I realize how much I'd regret selling it.) I'd look at an MB Fusion but it's a wee bit out of my range.

Come on Carvin, make one for the guys with unrealistic expectations, like me! (And everyone else who spent too much of ther time on TB!)

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

This endless fascination with the lowest weight possible is getting kind of silly, isn't it? I think my back would probably be able to "tolerate" a 5.8 lb BX500 for a hundred bucks more with twice the headroom, but that's just me.

I'd go for the BX500, too. I'm assuming the real point of this amp is its lower price point.

What I'd REALLY like to see is a BX1500 or BX20000 without the integrated rack ears.

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by Zeb Norris

Don't hit that PDF link above unless you have a lot of time; downloading the PDF is slow, and basically locked up my computer.

Are you on dialup?
It downloaded and displayed in a heartbeat for me,
and I only have the medium speed cable service.

That said, the head is awful cute.
I was pretty sure we were going to see this after those little combos came out.

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

This endless fascination with the lowest weight possible is getting kind of silly, isn't it? I think my back would probably be able to "tolerate" a 5.8 lb BX500 for a hundred bucks more with twice the headroom, but that's just me.

I think it's about size rather than weight at this point.
I know I'd like one of these for practice, rehearsal and to just stick under the seat of my truck incase my main amp ever took a dump on me at the gig.
My guitarist keeps a little Crate Power Block under his truck seat for just this purpose. We even used it, in a pinch, to power the monitors on a gig once.

[tlr1293]

If you are an avid BX500 user - this would be a perfect , cost-effective back-up/practice amp.
I still have not decided whether I like all the bells and whistles my BX is offering up - damn frustrating to get THAT tone and once I think I have it...

I think Carvin should do what Fender is doing and provide some better cab options for this micro darling, like a 1x12. Hell, I'd possibly get 4 - 1x12's for the BX500 alone (mega tone versatility).

[christw]

Originally Posted by tlr1293

If you are an avid BX500 user - this would be a perfect , cost-effective back-up/practice amp.
I still have not decided whether I like all the bells and whistles my BX is offering up - damn frustrating to get THAT tone and once I think I have it...

I think Carvin should do what Fender is doing and provide some better cab options for this micro darling, like a 1x12. Hell, I'd possibly get 4 - 1x12's for the BX500 alone (mega tone versatility).

I would snag 2-4 110's for doubling and for an uber portable, highly capable mobile component rig. But only if they actually existed and had ample box size for their drivers.

[eastcoasteddie]

I got the BX 500 as a practice/rehearsal amp instead of firing up the SVT for such moments (especially for practice). The SVT in its 6-space rack (along with furman thing and rack tuner) probably weighs in at about 80+ pounds and at times it can be a handful...but that's why I go to the gym.

[ian_s]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Until people realize that fixing these amps aren't like other amps and you have to replace the ENTIRE thing instead of just a single piece. These are throw away amps.

I think the micro amps are just as repairable as any other SS amp. It's just that they hit the repair-or-replace threshold quick. What does your amp tech charge for a comparable repair on a non-micro amp?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Zeb Norris

Don't hit that PDF link above unless you have a lot of time; downloading the PDF is slow, and basically locked up my computer.

Get off dial up yet? My load time was about 3 seconds, so you might want to check your connection speed.

[jeff7bass]

Originally Posted by tlr1293

If you are an avid BX500 user - this would be a perfect , cost-effective back-up/practice amp.
I still have not decided whether I like all the bells and whistles my BX is offering up - damn frustrating to get THAT tone and once I think I have it...

I think Carvin should do what Fender is doing and provide some better cab options for this micro darling, like a 1x12. Hell, I'd possibly get 4 - 1x12's for the BX500 alone (mega tone versatility).

Exactly what I was thinking. BX500 + BX250 = 669.00 bucks for TWO AMPS.
One Avatar TB153 @ 4 ohms + BX500 = Killer main rig for 769.00 bucks.
One BR210 + BX250 = great backup, small gig rig for 500 bucks.
Total for two complete rigs = 1300 bucks.
BX500 is stable @ 2 ohms so both cabs could be powered by it alone, although it would not be necessary.
As for the pre-amp tube being left out of the BX250, I’d rather it be left out than adding to the cost.
I like the DRIVE control on my MB10.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

This endless fascination with the lowest weight possible is getting kind of silly, isn't it? I think my back would probably be able to "tolerate" a 5.8 lb BX500 for a hundred bucks more with twice the headroom, but that's just me.

I'm in complete agreement. When the amp stands a chance of being pulled off the cabinet by its power and speaker cables it's gone too far. I went for the BX1500. In a rack case with a power bar and tuner it's a two finger lift.

[UncleFluffy]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I'm in complete agreement. When the amp stands a chance of being pulled off the cabinet by its power and speaker cables it's gone too far.

People are going to have to start putting velcro on their amps as well as their pedals.

[rpsands]

I see very little reason to pay 299 vs. the 369 or so for the BX500 Sheesh.