Carvin B1500 club

[Jazzdogg]

I tried the VT pedal in front of my B1500 for a little while in a solo setting, not live. It sounded pretty good, but I just prefer the solid state tone by itself. I know there are plenty of players that really like that sound though. I ended up selling my VT pedal because my Sansamp Bass Driver DI could get essentially the same sounds and had the DI, which is my "backup amp" for gigs.

But to answer your question...Yes, you can get a pretty convincing Ampeg Tube amp sound from the B1500 and VT pedal.

Thanks! Might be fun to experimenting with for some of the songs we play.

 

[Maiden Bass]

As happy as I've been with my B1500, I've been growing curious about the VT bass pedal after reading several threads on TalkBass that extoll its ability to make an amp sound more like a 70's Ampeg tube amp.

Has anyone tried a VT bass pedal in front of their B1500 in an effort to emulate the sound of an Ampeg tube amp?

YES, and it sounds great however it will sound EVEN BETTER when I use the new Tech 21 Leeds instead of the VT Bass!!!

 

[RBASS930]

Front handles stick out 1-1/4" from the face of the amp. Rack ears to the back of the amp is 10-3/8" but I would include an extra 1/4" for protruding jacks, fan guard, direct out level control etc.

Are you trying to mount the B1500 in one of those SKB X-Racks or something?

Custom case done (sorry for the crappy pics):

 

[ShawnStones]

Just called and ordered myself a B1500. 5-7 business days. Can't wait.

 

[ShawnStones]

Nevermind. Just got an e-mail from Carvin, the B1500's are all gone. :/

 

[Limeman]

Nevermind. Just got an e-mail from Carvin, the B1500's are all gone. :/

Get a B2000. From what I've heard, they are nearly sonic twins, but the B2000 weighs only 14lbs. Sounds like a winner to me.

 

[ShawnStones]

Cept that the B2000 is back-ordered atleast for another week, maybe week and a half and I don't have that much time. I ended up ordering the BX1200.

 

[jerry]

My latest Carvin catalog has a 100 dollar rebate on the B2000, comes to 599.00.....a hundred bucks cheaper than I paid for mine a week before.

 

[Fetusyolk]

Wow they're officially finished making b1500s ? already? damnnn. good thing i have one ! gimme a ****ing number!

 

[triplelutz]

I just bought the last B1500 from the Carvin Hollywood Store yesterday. Just because.... i dig the amp and they were blowing them out for $500, Brand New!

Does anyone here use the Drive as the main volume? I dig it with the drive at about 3 o'clock and the Volume at 9 o'clock. gives it that ampeg grit without being too hairy....

 

[mrpackerguy]

I just bought the last B1500 from the Carvin Hollywood Store yesterday. Just because.... i dig the amp and they were blowing them out for $500, Brand New!

Does anyone here use the Drive as the main volume? I dig it with the drive at about 3 o'clock and the Volume at 9 o'clock. gives it that ampeg grit without being too hairy....

Actually, yea. I love the drive knob. Really "tubes" it up IMO.

 

[RBASS930]

I just bought the last B1500 from the Carvin Hollywood Store yesterday. Just because.... i dig the amp and they were blowing them out for $500, Brand New!

Does anyone here use the Drive as the main volume? I dig it with the drive at about 3 o'clock and the Volume at 9 o'clock. gives it that ampeg grit without being too hairy....

In all the years I've had a B1500, I never tried that. Tried it last night for the first time, and it was awesome. Glad the B1500 is back in my arsenal. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Razor]

Custom case done (sorry for the crappy pics):

This is the case you made?

 

[RBASS930]

Yes sir

 

[Wademeister63]

Yes sir

That is excellent! Love it.

 

[Razor]

That is excellent! Love it.

+1

Absolutely love that!

 

[RBASS930]

I sewed my very own vinyl slipcover for it last night as well. My wife says that I'm so domesticated.

 

[idealtracks]

I've had my b1500 over 2 years. I have owned dozens of amps at all price points, and this is by far my favorite. Tons of power, great tone, super clean, 2 ohm capable, quiet, no tubes to replace, and ultra-durable. I don't see the moderate weight as an issue considering all of the above. The only real issue to me was that the Carvin brand is a stigma to some snobby sound guys--so I addressed that with a small peice of black electrical tape covering the name.

I can't believe they've discontinued this amp. The B2000 must really be something!

 

[jonesn4bass]

I've been a proud owner of a B1500 since a week or two after their release date. I never really looked for a club before, but now that they're all gone I'm looking to represent my pride!! Can I get a number!?

Also, since we're all playing through the same amp, can anybody make me some cab suggestions? Currently running through a Redeye 4x10 and 1x15 but looking to move on to something a little more portable (neo?) and (possibly) deeper sounding. I've been gravitating toward the Genz Benz Neox 212T's, the Acme B2's (Andy suggests 2 8ohm versions), or maybe doing a fEarful 1212/6.....but I'm still trying to decide if I'm too lazy to finish that project!

Any suggestions? I'm thinking 2 cabs still just for the versatility that it offers for different venues. They don't have to match - I've been looking at pairing an Uber 2x12 with 2x10 etc. I play mostly hard rock with 2 guitarists and a LOUD drummer.

Thanks for any help. Glad I found you guys!!

 

[tombowlus]

Welcome to the club! I have found the B1500 to be pretty neutral as far as which cabs pair up well with it. On the Carvin side, I really like two LS1503's. One or two fEarful cabs would be along the same line, but even better sounding (most likely - I haven't completed my fEarfuls, but they should be done this weekend). I've also had great luck driving Bergantino cabs with my B1500. Acme cabs really do sound fantastic, but only if you supply them with enough watts, IME/IMHO. The B1500 is certainly able to deliver in this regard, so I think that would be a good match, too.

Kudos on being an early adopter!

Tom.