Carvin amps?

[hrodbert696]

I have the 2x10 MB combo and I'm a fan. Pretty light, plenty loud for most situations, nice punchy tone, quite a few features. The only thing is that it doesn't make a good bedroom amp because there's no aux in like most practice combos have. Doesn't matter if you're just playing out loud and can run anything you're playing along to out of computer or stereo speakers. Great for band rehearsals, jams, and smaller gigs.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Lots of love here for the BX-500. If you get one of their cabs, don't get the cheaper Line. Head is nice and light, cabs are bulky and heavy.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

Carvin amps are generally good value for money. They hold up pretty well, you get a nice set of features, and the price is very reasonable. The only gripe I would have against them is they don't have a lot of "personality". By that I mean GK, Ampeg, etc all have "their sound" whereas a Carvin is pretty much just an amp with a solid EQ section. Also, they don't get too far into grit/dirt territory. If you want a more overdriven tone you will likely need to use pedals or look at a different manufacturer.

 

[G On Bass]

The idea is to remove the twin's amp from the combo and put it in the head case. Makes it a head then all you need is a bass cab.

"I am currently playing through a Fender Twin Reverb."

Ah..he said he had a Twin Reverb. Try to keep up.

My bad. The assumption was that he was looking for a separate bass amp since he said 'amp', and not 'cab'. I clearly overlooked the part where he said he wanted to take the Twin Reverb apart and use that as the head. My apologies.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I clearly overlooked the part where he said he wanted to take the Twin Reverb apart and use that as the head. My apologies.

He didn't. I was merely giving him a cheaper and, in my opinion, better alternative than he was being offered by other posters. To me, there is no better bass sound than that offered by a Fender (Dual) Showman amp (essentially the same as a Twin Reverb, minus the reverb) coupled to a good quality 15" cabinet(s). However, I would build my own head case for at least $100 less than the one in the link. Now, many will say that the Showman doesn't offer enough power, to which I say "bunk". It will offer plenty of volume to damage your hearing. If you still want more volume, you need to be going to the P.A.

 

[OldCityBassman]

As an alternative check out Ampeg's line of combo's. The BA-210v2 is 450 watts and $419. They also have 112 and 115 models for cheaper $.

 

[Phalex]

Carvin amps are a great choice! (I own 3) They are definitely meat and potatoes amplifiers, but in the dollars to watts category, they are the best thing going IMHO.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Love my Carvin MB15. I have the 15" extension can also, which gives me all that I need.

 

[mark beem]

I've been using a Carvin BX1600 through my Greenboy rig and have had a Carvin BX250 in my studio. Great amps, both! I find them very transparent. Love the built-in compression.

 

[Phalex]

Love the built-in compression.

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+1! Their on board compressor has improved a LOT over the last 20 years or so. On the PB-500 it was pretty much just useful as a limiter. The new stuff...... I actually use it!

 

[lowerclef]

I've been using a Carvin BX1600 through my Greenboy rig and have had a Carvin BX250 in my studio. Great amps, both! I find them very transparent. Love the built-in compression.

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I imagine that 1600/Fearful setup must be stupid loud!

 

[mark beem]

I imagine that 1600/Fearful setup must be stupid loud!

It is! Gotta be careful going in bridged mode!

 

[tastybasslines]

I have the 2x10 MB combo and I'm a fan. Pretty light, plenty loud for most situations, nice punchy tone, quite a few features. The only thing is that it doesn't make a good bedroom amp because there's no aux in like most practice combos have. Doesn't matter if you're just playing out loud and can run anything you're playing along to out of computer or stereo speakers. Great for band rehearsals, jams, and smaller gigs.

I would have had one already, if it wasn't for the aux in. You would think that for ALL the massive multitude of features that they pack into their amps, that they would add an aux in also.

 

[JMurph6655]

I'm a beginner at bass and I made the transition from guitar. I am currently playing through a Fender Twin Reverb. I want to invest in a nice bass amp under $400 because I am starting to take a liking to bass and I don't want to bust my Twin Reverb's speakers. My friends told me about Carvin amps and I found a couple I liked for around $350.

Are Carvin amps a good choice? If not, can I have some suggestions?

I've been very happy with the Carvin BX500.

 

[s2bs2]

I'm using a Carvin MB 110 with a 15 extension cab for both electric and upright gigs. I gets loud and is super clear. I hardly even touch the tone controls, just use a bit less scoop and more of the built in compression for upright. It's light and easy to move around.

 

[tastybasslines]

I'm using a Carvin MB 110 with a 15 extension cab for both electric and upright gigs. I gets loud and is super clear. I hardly even touch the tone controls, just use a bit less scoop and more of the built in compression for upright. It's light and easy to move around.

And it can keep up with a drummer for all but hard rock/metal?

 

[1stnamebassist]

It should with the 15" extension. Plus you can line out for PA support.

And it can keep up with a drummer for all but hard rock/metal?

 

[s2bs2]

And it can keep up with a drummer for all but hard rock/metal?

I can only imagine so. I do a weekly blues jam with various drummers and also play upright in a 10 piece big band with an awesome drummer who isn't too loud, but can get loud. I never move the volume much over 12-1 o' clock at most.
It doesn't have as much house shaking rumble as my previous large form 2x10's and 1x15's have, but plenty of volume and awesome clarity. A bunch of other players play through it on sundays and everyone comments on how much they like it. I have de-badged it to stymie the snobsquatch eye-listeners ;-). I love being asked "what kind of amp is that? it sounds awesome!"

 

[s2bs2]

And it can keep up with a drummer for all but hard rock/metal?

sometimes I have forgotten to plug in the extension cab for the first couple of songs, and start thinking 'oh my volume is too low', and then realize what the problem is. It's then that I think to my self 'that thing was keeping up (barely) with just a 110!'

 

[Jeb]

Carvin amps are generally good value for money. They hold up pretty well, you get a nice set of features, and the price is very reasonable. The only gripe I would have against them is they don't have a lot of "personality". By that I mean GK, Ampeg, etc all have "their sound" whereas a Carvin is pretty much just an amp with a solid EQ section. Also, they don't get too far into grit/dirt territory. If you want a more overdriven tone you will likely need to use pedals or look at a different manufacturer.

Agreed, except for the gripe. Personality, to me, means colored. I love the Ampeg tone and I love the GK tone. The Carvin BX500 is very transparent sounding and I think that works well in a band situation. I've gigged mine since Jan. 2012. Yes, I've had to do the Deoxit thing a couple of times in that period. But I've pushed that head hard over the past 3 years (I average 4 cover band gigs per month) and it still sounds great and is really easy to transport. I split duties with a GB shuttle 6.2 with it. Depending on the cab config will determine what I bring to the gig.

Anything outdoors, the Carvin goes. Its got lots of volume and capable of gobs of top end. Also, with minimal PA support the Carvin goes with a pair of 115s. Otherwise the GB goes over a 212 standalone. I will absolutely not carry more gear than I have to. I've been doing this for a long time and weight and portability are my main considerations. I like that Carvin is made in the US. Most everything now days sounds good enough to appeal to most everyone.