Carvin BX Amp reliability?

[jzucker]

Thinking about buying the new BX250 but it seems that there are lots of reliability issues with the BX amps including one that I owned previously.

Can folks vote in the poll to indicate whether they've had to send theirs back or not?

 

[TBPlayer]

I've had a BR515N, that's the 15 inch combo with a BX500 in it, for about a year and a half and I haven't had any problems with it. I really like this thing!

 

[jeff7bass]

No issues with my BX1200 in over a year.

 

[Bassman7PM]

I've had to take my B1500 to the shop for repair but the reason it blew was totally my fault not Carvin's. I recently bought a BX1200 and I can say both amps are built like tanks and sound incredible.

 

[Raymeous]

I've had my BX1500 since July or so and no issues what so ever.

I do own a lot of Carvin gear and the only issues I've ever had were trivial stuff that they corrected immediately. I ordered a custom finished X100B (guitar amp) with a two tone finish and the modern logo and knobs, something they had never done before, so there was a minor issue when I went to pick it up in that it still had the vintage logo on the head and cab. 5 minutes later it was fixed and I went home with an awesome amp.

Another props to their customer service is that I took my C66T and LB76 in for a set up and pot cleaning on the guitar. I figured I would have to drop them off and pick them up a few days later. Coincidently the SB's had just come out so I started noodling on a couple of those, and when I went to leave the sale guy stopped me and told me not to forget my guitar and bass. Huh? They were already done, showroom clean, new strings, perfect string height, all within about an hour?! Awesome!

I do have an advantage (or curse) of living within a half hour of Carvin HQ and I'm sure that helps but from talking to several members of the Kiesel family they really do seem to care about their customers.

 

[Jarrett]

Welcome back, Jack

I've had my BX500 for a month now. Lots of play time, all good. Just sold my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and thinking about using half that money to purchase another BX500 for back up just because they are so inexpensive and portable.

Here's a similar poll I posted after you told me you had so much trouble with your BX500:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=725046

 

[jzucker]

So, 47% had problems and you're using that to bolster your argument???

I have to admit though, I'm tempted to buy a bx250...

 

[thudfromafar]

Just remember about the crappy 1 year warranty carvin offers.

 

[Jarrett]

So, 47% had problems and you're using that to bolster your argument???

Not arguing, just providing info that you requested.

 

[MyMusic]

Show me a manufacturer of anything that hasn't had problems of some kind. If that 47% poses that much concern, this is not for you.

 

[Jarrett]

I'm not sure where the 47% stat came from. The poll I linked to shows 88% still happy with their BX500.

 

[UncleFluffy]

Had a fan fail on a BX1200, they made it right with no hassles.

Personally, I would never buy anything within the first six months of release. Let some other guys test it out for you.

 

[Phalex]

I've had a BR515N, that's the 15 inch combo with a BX500 in it, for about a year and a half and I haven't had any problems with it. I really like this thing!

I've had mine for not quite a year yet. It seems to run a bit hot temperature wise, but that could just be me pushing it hard. I don't have anything negative to say about it. It does what I bought it for flawlessly so far.

 

[MyMusic]

I've had mine for a few months and so far it is more than worth the money that I paid.

 

[jzucker]

I'm not sure where the 47% stat came from. The poll I linked to shows 88% still happy with their BX500.

simple math. 17 had no problems, 8 did.

That's not a good track record, happy or not...

 

[Jarrett]

simple math. 17 had no problems, 8 did.

Your math is off, Jack. Not 8/17 but 8/25. But the more interesting number is that 88% of those are still using the product and happy with it.

But there are a lot of good products out there, if you are uncomfortable with Carvin as a company, there are other options.

 

[jzucker]

Your math is off, Jack. Not 8/17 but 8/25. But the more interesting number is that 88% of those are still using the product and happy with it.

But there are a lot of good products out there, if you are uncomfortable with Carvin as a company, there are other options.

No, according to my poll 30% have had problems. Doesn't matter if carvin takes care of the problems and if they're happy. I don't want to spend money on a product with that kind of failure rate. Whatever...

 

[seamonkey]

Just remember about the crappy 1 year warranty carvin offers.

That is really bad

At least these are small and light to ship, still 1 year is not a pro-grade warranty.

 

[Jarrett]

That is really bad

At least these are small and light to ship, still 1 year is not a pro-grade warranty.

What are others offering?

 

[seamonkey]

Genz Benz 3 years
Ampeg 2 years
GK 2 years
Eden 2 years
...
All 90 days on Tubes if used.