So what do we think of Carvin? Good, bad? How's the quality? Value? What kind of tones do you get out of a Carvin head? How are they for volume? They are seeming like a great value to me, but I need some help from the experts. Thanks.
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Carvin Amplification
- Thread starter Blacksheep
- Start date
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
bongomania
Commercial User
What Quad is modestly saying, among other things, is: Go search for the thread he started talking about how awesome the B-1500 is. 
The old Red Line amps and cabs were ok for the money, but sketchy as far as reliability goes. The new BRX line, however, is quality stuff. The amps especially, such as the B1500, are getting glowing reviews.
Here's everything you should need.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224326&highlight=carvin+b1500
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224326&highlight=carvin+b1500
I was most likely thinking of getting the B1500, an Avatar 4X10, and a Stingray(Or Geddy, or Marcus, or Warwick etc..) bass to get a tight agressive hardcore tone, that is low and growly, but cuts through. I would later buy another 4X10.
How does that sound?
How does that sound?
I'm using a 1500 for metal and it destroys. I actually reccomend the carvin cabs too. Tight and clear at high volumes.
Anyone have ANY experience with the BX1200? At 4ohms bridged it's close to the B1500 at 4ohms.
It would be great for me as I could run it as an alternative to my '76 SVT into my Berg NV425. I could ALSO use it at 400watts into 4ohms a side into my Carvin 2 x 8", 1 x 15" cab from the redline series. I don't miss that amp, but I actually like that cab. The ability to bi-amp is a big plus for me.
On the downside is a one knob compressor. actually, any compressor that Carvin puts out will get a funny look from me after the Redline compressor. What the hell was up with that? Another downside with me is three bands of parametric eq's AND a graphic eq??? Seems overkill to me, but you can turn it off.
I just found Carvin's discussion board and it seems that people over there love this amp and some have favored it in direct comparison over the B1500, but I've lurked here longer and know y'all's tastes a bit. Thanks in advance.
It would be great for me as I could run it as an alternative to my '76 SVT into my Berg NV425. I could ALSO use it at 400watts into 4ohms a side into my Carvin 2 x 8", 1 x 15" cab from the redline series. I don't miss that amp, but I actually like that cab. The ability to bi-amp is a big plus for me.
On the downside is a one knob compressor. actually, any compressor that Carvin puts out will get a funny look from me after the Redline compressor. What the hell was up with that? Another downside with me is three bands of parametric eq's AND a graphic eq??? Seems overkill to me, but you can turn it off.
I just found Carvin's discussion board and it seems that people over there love this amp and some have favored it in direct comparison over the B1500, but I've lurked here longer and know y'all's tastes a bit. Thanks in advance.
One case? You have got to be kidding. There's an ENORMOUS thread with a review by SMASH, one of the most thorough and detailed reviews I've ever seen of any piece of gear. There's also another good and detailed review by KJung. And people like BluesCat, Nico, svtb15, and myself have talked about this amp repeatedly for months or even years now. How did you miss all that?
If you really couldn't find something to use, I respectfully suggest you take the time to look a little harder. There is a lot of stuff already there. (I should know, because I said my share of it.) Then if you have residual questions that weren't answered, by all means bring 'em on. But honestly, and I mean no offense by this, people sometimes do get tired of repeating themselves answering the same questions over and over. Especially when whatever they have to say about it is available right there in preexisting threads.
Don't know if you tried this, but when I do a search for a specific item or brand name, I go to the advanced search. Then I type in the keyword (Carvin or B1500 or b800 etc...). In the pulldown menu below, select search titles only instead of search entire thread. Maybe this will help.
Oh, yeah and I have the 800 watt combo version BRX800neo and it is awsome!
Affordable, reliable basic amplification.
No frills or overly special features but solid build of amps and cabinets.
My first professional rig was a Carvin head and 2X15 cabinet. Used it for several years in several different situations and was never let down.
Made in the USA, we used to call them the West Coast Peavey.
No frills or overly special features but solid build of amps and cabinets.
My first professional rig was a Carvin head and 2X15 cabinet. Used it for several years in several different situations and was never let down.
Made in the USA, we used to call them the West Coast Peavey.
A change, how about the B800 on Avatar 4X10s, two 4 ohms, so I could get a 2 ohm load when stacking two for 800 watts? How would that sound and would 500 watts through one 4 ohm be massive as well?
B800 =less power but same sound as B1500. Just depends how much damage you want to inflict on people's ear drums. 
I recently bought a BR610 (600W and 2 x 10" combo) and so far so good. I have yet to gig with it as it hasn't left the basement, but it has a good range of sound and was priced right.
The only con so far is the ridiculous number of control knobs and sliders.
The only con so far is the ridiculous number of control knobs and sliders.
