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Carvin BR515N "true weight" ?

phillm47

phillm47

Sep 7, 2001
670
14
Fort Wayne, Indiana - USA
#1
Does it really wight only 40lbs? I was going to go for one of these, but read on these forums that it really weighs about 52 lbs.

Any owners of the latest version actually weighed theirs?


The PDF on Carvin's website states these are 52 LBS. The online specs say 40lbs, Called Carvin this weekend and they say 40lbs (guy just look it on the computer ), and emailed them about the ones they've been selling on ebay and they say 52lbs).

Is this a new version verses an old version, or just confusion?
I would pop for one of these if the new ones were really 40lbs, but not at 52

:confused:
 
#5
well....
I had called them, and they said 40 lbs on the phone, but hte salesman sounded like he just looked it up on the computer. I emailed them, and they said 42 lbs. I sent a question to them via Ebay for the ones they had listed there (new style cabinet, old style tweeter), and they said 52 lbs, and 40 lbs was incorrect.

Swimmer says his weighed 52 lbs in this THREAD, post 473 (13 down on this page)...but I don't know if his is the new style, or old style.

Seems like the info is convoluted. I'm hopping that someone who owns the new style can confirm the "true weight". I have a killer gig rig, and looking for something like this for rehearsals, small gigs etc. If it's 50+ lbs, there are other options. I know they have return policy, but I don't want to pay shipping both ways because of a typo, or bad info.

So...does anyone own the new style and can confirm the weight?

Thanks folks
 
#6
It feels light, but using my scale it weighs about 50 pounds. No way it is 40 pounds.

That being said, the side handles make it very easy to move and if it was any lighter, it would "walk" from all of the power it is pushing. :D

It is a fat sounding amp, and really sounds good. I have to find out why the DI has hiss, but besides that, no issues so far for me.
 
#11
Just don't buy something from that guy on ebay. I tried a BR510 and two BR515s. The BR510 was probably working fine. It was necessary to turn the bass way up, to compensate for the sealed 2x10 cabinet, but it sounded excellent. However when turned up "medium" loud it started clipping, because the bass control was turned so high. Sent it back and got a BR515N. It was much better sounding in the bottom end, and the speaker was more sensitive. Unfortunately, when I turned it up just a little bit I discovered the cabinet would "buzz" very loudly when I hit a C. It would resonate a couple octaves above the fundamental. It was so loud my wife could hear the buzz upstairs, and so annoying she made me stop. Sent it back and got another 515. It had just about exactly the same issue! Sent it back and bought a "used" MB212 combo from Musician's Friend. The box was pretty shredded, but there was a strip of green tape that said "QA Inspected. Took it out of the box with one hand, immediately noticed the lower left grill was kicked in by about an inch. Set the controls as recommended in the manual, plugged in my Jazz bass and started inching up the gain. The first thing I heard was a heavily distorted, raspy sound, as if something in the amp was blown. It got really loud, but never could get rid of fuzz-tone with any control settings or with the Active input. So now that one's been returned. They're sending me a brand new one for the same price. I hope it works right, with not issues. What are the chances????
 
#13
So you had issues with both the Carvin and the GK? Are you waiting for another GK?

I found that with the Carvin, I could make the tweeter buzz, but I turn it off anyway. I should call them and see what they can do about that. The BR515N rocks though. So much power for a light box.

I used my Hartke Kickback 10 for a gig yesterday (right on top of it and DI'd). It is way smaller than the Carvin but...it is only a few pounds lighter and doesn't feel it with the rubber over metal handle. Plus...in no way can the Hartke hang with the Carvin for depth, power, or tone.
 
#14
The two BR515N cabinets would both buzz like a kazoo whenever I hit a C - it seemed to be coming from the back panel where the jacks and tweeter control are located. I'm waiting for another GK - but am not totally happy about it. Notwithstanding the operational issues, I really liked the Carvin better. It looks better, and the amp head is more flexible and powerful. I think it was less hissy than the GK too. The GK seemed kind of cheap - but if it has the sublime tone everybody says it does, that would work. I don't care for Hartke. Too bright. Since when is bass supposed to sound like the Seinfeld theme? Just a personal peeve of mine. Turn the frigging treble control down! ;)
 
#15
Has anybody else experienced the buzzing cabinet with the BR515N? Just hit a C on the G string and you'll know. But maybe it was just something with those leftover proto models the guy was selling on ebay. Maybe if I get a brand new one it won't have this problem? Should I keep trying? It's pretty cool that they pickup the return shipping.
 
#16
philtronics said:
Just don't buy something from that guy on ebay. I tried a BR510 and two BR515s. The BR510 was probably working fine. It was necessary to turn the bass way up, to compensate for the sealed 2x10 cabinet, but it sounded excellent. However when turned up "medium" loud it started clipping, because the bass control was turned so high. Sent it back and got a BR515N. It was much better sounding in the bottom end, and the speaker was more sensitive. Unfortunately, when I turned it up just a little bit I discovered the cabinet would "buzz" very loudly when I hit a C. It would resonate a couple octaves above the fundamental. It was so loud my wife could hear the buzz upstairs, and so annoying she made me stop. Sent it back and got another 515. It had just about exactly the same issue! Sent it back and bought a "used" MB212 combo from Musician's Friend. The box was pretty shredded, but there was a strip of green tape that said "QA Inspected. Took it out of the box with one hand, immediately noticed the lower left grill was kicked in by about an inch. Set the controls as recommended in the manual, plugged in my Jazz bass and started inching up the gain. The first thing I heard was a heavily distorted, raspy sound, as if something in the amp was blown. It got really loud, but never could get rid of fuzz-tone with any control settings or with the Active input. So now that one's been returned. They're sending me a brand new one for the same price. I hope it works right, with not issues. What are the chances????
Click to expand...


I assume you're talking about the GK MB212?? I had the same issue and went through two before I gave up and continued my search for a new amp. Never really seemed to get anywhere with GK. Good luck though, I'd like to hear how it turns out.
 

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