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Carvin B1500 club

#23
bassplayer7770 said:
Has anybody here compared the BX1200 and B1500 amps? My BX1200 should arrive today.
Click to expand...

While I've never owned or played through a B1500, I was going back and forth between those two when choosing a new amp. I looked over the specs dozens of times.

It seems to me that they are of the same family but the B1500 seems like the BX1200's bigger brother. You know, they both are big fellas, but the BX1200 is the "smart one" with more features and versatility but the B1500, while not as smart, is the brute whose always there to beat the snot out of anyone picking on his little brother.

I'd like to hear some direct comparisons from anyone whose actually tried both too.

bassplayer7770, I can't wait to read your thoughts on your BX1200 also. The waiting is the hard part.
 
#24
Sundogue said:
It seems to me that they are of the same family but the B1500 seems like the BX1200's bigger brother. You know, they both are big fellas, but the BX1200 is the "smart one" with more features and versatility but the B1500, while not as smart, is the brute whose always there to beat the snot out of anyone picking on his little brother.
Click to expand...

While that may be an entirely accurate analogy, I consider the B1500 to be the BX1200's mature, refined, handsome, charismatic, lothario-esque, best friend.

Not quite of the same family, as the B1500 is monoblock.

I see the B1500 as the amp for the guy who's been around the block, tried all the bells and whistles, and who now wants something that works flawlessly, simply, dependably, and with more power than anybody else.

Me? I got tired of elaborate EQ sections, Bi-amping, Stereo, Preamp/Poweramp rigs, and everything else. I wanted to plug in my bass, spin a few knobs, turn the volume up and GO.

No crossovers, no graphic EQ's, no onboard compressor, no Pull switches to shift EQ centers...none of that noise.

...but I haven't played the BX1200, so...yeah...
 
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#25
Sundogue said:
It seems to me that they are of the same family but the B1500 seems like the BX1200's bigger brother. You know, they both are big fellas, but the BX1200 is the "smart one" with more features and versatility but the B1500, while not as smart, is the brute whose always there to beat the snot out of anyone picking on his little brother.

bassplayer7770, I can't wait to read your thoughts on your BX1200 also. The waiting is the hard part.
Click to expand...

Nice description. :D

Yes, it is. I look forward to testing it out. I also have two gigs this weekend, so it should get a decent workout.
 
#26
Mo'Phat said:
While that may be an entirely accurate analogy, I consider the B1500 to be the BX1200's mature, refined, handsome, charismatic, lothario-esque, best friend.

Not quite of the same family, as the B1500 is monoblock. I see the B1500 as the amp for the guy who's been around the block, tried all the bells and whistles, and who now wants something that works flawlessly, simply, dependably, and with more power than anybody else.

Me? I got tired of elaborate EQ sections, Bi-amping, Stereo, Preamp/Poweramp rigs, and everything else. I wanted to plug in my bass, spin a few knobs, turn the volume up and GO. No crossovers, no graphic EQ's, no onboard compressor, no Pull switches to shift EQ centers...none of that noise.

...but I haven't played the BX1200, so...yeah...
Click to expand...

The BX1200 is a monoblock as well. Dual monoblock at that, with the ability to bridge into one 1200 watt amp into 4 ohms.

So yeah, I still think they are both big brutes of the same family. Both are some big ass trucks, but the BX1200 is the one with more options.

For what it's worth, though the BX1200 has a Graphic EQ I don't typically use it (as it has a switch to engage it or leave it off). I have it set up to use depending if I use fingers or a pick, or my wireless or a cable (each sounding decidedly different). And interestingly enough the sound I get with my fingers and wireless together is identical to using a pick with a cable, so the settings on my EQ can be applied to either of the 4 combinations. And it did come in handy at my last gig where the batteries in my onboard wireless died and it was easier to switch to a cable mid song at the beginning of a set. Plugged the cable in, engaged the EQ and it sounded just like it does with my wireless.

So, while the BX1200 has a lot of features and is very versatile, none of the features are just bells and whistles...it's all very well thought out and simple...and one can choose to just run it straight up without using any of them.

Still the B1500 is one damn fine head and would have bought it if the price were identical (though I am very happy with my BX1200).

Sorry for the B1500 hijack. Carvin makes some damn fine amps and all of them are a steal!!!
 
#29
metalbob said:
Well ok how about #7 noticed the Peavey Cirrus in your sig that is my current weapon of choice through my B1500 :bassist::hyper:
Click to expand...

I have 2 weapons that I regularly use... 5 string Fender Precision.. and the Peavey 5 string Cirrus Custom Shop. I am pondering on selling the Peavey and getting another 5 string Fender Precision.. but not sure yet..
 
#33
I just picked up a B1500, Korg DTR-1000, and Furman PC all squeezed nicely into a Carvin roadcase! Still waiting on it's arrival though and I feel I might go insane if it takes much longer. I'll post some pics once it arrives since everyone loves pics :D

Knifedge said:
I have 2 weapons that I regularly use... 5 string Fender Precision.. and the Peavey 5 string Cirrus Custom Shop. I am pondering on selling the Peavey and getting another 5 string Fender Precision.. but not sure yet..
Click to expand...

Let me know if you decide to go through with that :cool:
 
#37
It's finally here :D:hyper::bassist::hyper::D

So far I can't stop drooling... everything about this setup is divine! I'll officially take a number if you don't mind! Can't wait to gig it this weekend :cool:
 

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#39
My B1500 has been my primary gig rig for several years now; I'd like to be included. :)

For those of you who are interested, BassGear magazine (issue #2) provided a graphic showing the settings that come closest to providing electronically "flat" frequency response. I find the magazine image a little hard to read, but here's what the settings look like to me:

30 Hz.....Sub-bass....6.5..(1:30 o'clock)
100 Hz....Bass..........3....(10:00 o'clock)
300 Hz....Low Mid.....7.....( 2:00 o'clock)
1 kHz......Mid...........4.....(11:00 o'clock)
3 kHz......Hi Mid........5....(noon)
10 kHz....Treble........4....(11:00 o'clock)
Drive......................0....(fully counter-clockwise)

CUT & BOOST:
30 Hz.....Sub-bass....+7/-20dB
100 Hz....Bass..........+15/-9dB
300 Hz....Low Mid.....+6/-16dB
1 kHz......Mid...........+6/-16dB
3 kHz......Hi Mid........+19/-14dB
10 kHz....Treble........+12/-12dB
 
#40
Jazzdogg said:
My B1500 has been my primary gig rig for several years now; I'd like to be included.

For those of you who are interested, BassGear magazine (issue #2) provided a graphic showing the settings that come closest to providing "flat" frequency response. I find the magazine image a little hard to read, but here's what the settings look like to me:

30 Hz Sub-bass 6.5 (1:30 o'clock)
100 Hz Bass 3 (10:00 o'clock)
300 Hz Low Mid 7 (2:00 o'clock)
1 kHz Mid 4 (11:00 o'clock)
3 kHz Hi Mid 5 (noon)
10 kHz Treble 4 (11:00 o'clock)
Drive 0 (fully counter-clockwise)
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've been having fun playing around with the settings but usually prefer a flat response, so this will help out.
 

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