I didn't think you were... neither was I. Just a straight answer to a straight question.
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CARVIN BX 500 OR MARKBASS LITTLEMARK 3
- Thread starter mike costelow
- Start date
I didn't think you were... neither was I. Just a straight answer to a straight question.
I've played on Carvin heads several times and it filled up the church I played at without running through the sound system. I've played on the LMII once and it was just in a Guitar Center, so I don't really bring a full range of experience. However, I have always loved how Carvin heads sound. I could always find that right sound for the situation and I could go between tones very easily. I don't have enough money to buy either, so I would take anything like these, but I am a big Carvin fan.
Im torn.I didnt realize until today that the bx500 has a tube preamp... that puts carvin back in the running.I am going to order the little mark(i have 45 days at musicians friend) and order the carvin when i have a string of gigs cause i only have10 days with them and see which one works best for me.My b1500 is due to arrive fri.just in time for weekend...cant wait!
Im torn.I didnt realize until today that the bx500 has a tube preamp... that puts carvin back in the running.I am going to order the little mark(i have 45 days at musicians friend) and order the carvin when i have a string of gigs cause i only have10 days with them and see which one works best for me.My b1500 is due to arrive fri.just in time for weekend...cant wait!
I was going to suggest the same thing
The beauty of dealing with either MF or Carvin is that you can test drive it and then return if you don't like it...why not take advantage of that?
I was very interested in the BX500 when it came out, but I have a long standing rule with all things electronic - I never buy one from the early production runs, I always wait a bit for the bugs to be sorted out.
I bought a BX500 about 2 months ago, I've gigged exclusively with it for more than a dozen shows, and I couldn't be happier with it. I have a B1500 too that I love, but the little amp sounds even better to me.
I know I'm in the minority at TB, but Markbass amps just don't do it for me, I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to dial in an LMII and a couple of the bigger heads, just couldn't find the tone I was after.
YMMV may vary of course, happy hunting!
I didn't like the Carvin much at all. It was way too bright. I have only played the LMII in GC, so my experience there is limited. From what I could tell, it was pretty darn versatile.
+1 Carvin is too bright to me set flat.
Especially considering the LMIII has the VLE which IMO / IME is *the* magic knob.
I'd bet you'll be keeping the LMIII.
Just sayin' !
thanks for the input,think im going with the lm3 or lm ta501.
I had a chance to A/B these two for a long while & the LM sounded much better IMHO.
Carvin amps have tons of power and features, but no tone. I had an older Carvin amp and my sound was loud but the tone sucked.
Some good amps are:
Aguilar AG500 or DB750
Trace Elliot
Ampeg SVT3-PRO
Markbass
Acoustic Image (very flat sounding, but great!)
Good luck man, but the Carvin amps just won't give you tone.
Some good amps are:
Aguilar AG500 or DB750
Trace Elliot
Ampeg SVT3-PRO
Markbass
Acoustic Image (very flat sounding, but great!)
Good luck man, but the Carvin amps just won't give you tone.
on your profile it says u have a bx500 coming soon?
That is because I am lazy and forgot I put that there. Time for edits! I have my DB750 and my Yamaha BBT500H still. I go back and forth about selling the Yamaha.
So, you've owned 1 Carvin amp in the past and have now written them all off as having " no tone " ? Wow.
How are you 'convinced' that Markbass is 'over-rated'
What does over-rated even mean... that there are too many on TB who like them
That being said, the Carvin B1500 is IMO right up there with the LMII/LMIII in quality, volume, price/value, and tone. If I needed a lead sled, the B1500 would be my call. If I was weight sensitive, and needed a moderate powered amp (which I am and do!), and enjoyed a clean, clear tone, one of the MB micro's would be (and is/are) in my gear stable!
I have not had the pleasure of trying the BX500. It looks pretty cool.
I've owned a Carvin B800 and BX1200. Good amps, no doubt.
However, the markbass stuff just sounds better to my ears, notwithstanding all the other stuff like weight, build quality etc.
To say that MarkBass is overrated is simply not true IMO.
However, the markbass stuff just sounds better to my ears, notwithstanding all the other stuff like weight, build quality etc.
To say that MarkBass is overrated is simply not true IMO.
That's a good policy! I jumped at the BX500 when it came out (I couldn't resist the $100 off) and I got one of the problem units. There was excessive hiss, even with all the treble and EQ turned down and the bass unplugged. I sent it back and a few weeks later received it with the fix and now it's fine. I really like the amp and it's cheaper than the Markbass. It performed very well on a gig a few weeks ago. I can't comment on the Markbass as I don't have any experience with it.
because....?
Markbass does what it does... and what that is is something that people who rate them highly seem to appreciate. So how could that be "over" rated?
No one is saying you'll like Markbass but the people who do like them, like them. That seems like a perfectly fair rating IMO. Disagree?
Not really. It's not like you have to own an amp to try one or hear one. I've heard and/or tried dozens of Carvin amps over the years, formed an opinion based on those experiences and owned one less than he has.
Carvin bass amps have come a long way over the past 2-3 yrs, to say that they have no tone is a unjustified blanket statement. I could go out today and buy a LMIII today (which I might just do) and I bet I could get the same tone out of it that I get from my Carvin BX500. I'm playing a '08' MIA Fender Jazz V thru my current Carvin BX500 and many a bass player has heard the tone coming out of my amp. Not one of those guys says there is no tone, that's ridculous - there's definite tone being pushed out, just maybe not the tone you particularly care for.
I think what he is saying is that the carvin tone is very bright... or at least somewhat bright.
I would definitely do some significant eq-ing with a carvin. With my passive J all I need do is adjust the VLE on the LMII and I am *there*.
I would definitely do some significant eq-ing with a carvin. With my passive J all I need do is adjust the VLE on the LMII and I am *there*.
because....?
Markbass does what it does... and what that is is something that people who rate them highly seem to appreciate. So how could that be "over" rated?
No one is saying you'll like Markbass but the people who do like them, like them. That seems like a perfectly fair rating IMO. Disagree?
+1.My thoughts as well.My LMII is going on 2 years-plenty of power,tone that I love,in a small light box.Im not sure I can rate it any other way but to give it two thumbs up.
