Carvin BX1200

[mrjim123]

I'm seriously considering getting a BX1200, but am concerned about putting it on top of my vertically placed 2x10 cab, due to the amp's width.

Can someone tell me the exact length from the outside of one front foot to the outside of the other front foot? Also, does it appear that I could drill new holes and move the feet inward without risking damage to the amp?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[mrjim123]

I really don't get what the big deal is with weight.

When I was your age, 48, weight would not have been a consideration. I'm 58, and my knees aren't so good after decades of jogging several miles a day. My playing days will probably end when I can no longer load in/out.

I'm currently lugging a 51 lb. Peavey head around. I was seriously considering getting the BX500 (6 lbs. rocks!), but after an outdoor gig with no PA support (no sub) for the bass I realized I need more power, so I'm probably going to get the BX1200. I figure if I'm going to have to load 40+ lb. cabs I should be able to manage a 32 lb. head.

Thanks for all the great reviews, by the way.

 

[vinxbass]

I'm seriously considering getting a BX1200, but am concerned about putting it on top of my vertically placed 2x10 cab, due to the amp's width.

Can someone tell me the exact length from the outside of one front foot to the outside of the other front foot? Also, does it appear that I could drill new holes and move the feet inward without risking damage to the amp?

Thanks for any replies.

On my BX1200 head that I bought back in Feb 07' the measurements are 10 3/8" from tip of the front foot to the back of the back foot and 19 1/16" from the side of one foot to the other side of the other foot.

 

[Sundogue]

I'm seriously considering getting a BX1200, but am concerned about putting it on top of my vertically placed 2x10 cab, due to the amp's width.

Can someone tell me the exact length from the outside of one front foot to the outside of the other front foot? Also, does it appear that I could drill new holes and move the feet inward without risking damage to the amp?

Thanks for any replies.

Screw some extra feet on the bottom further in.

 

[Sundogue]

When I was your age, 48, weight would not have been a consideration. I'm 58, and my knees aren't so good after decades of jogging several miles a day. My playing days will probably end when I can no longer load in/out.

I'm currently lugging a 51 lb. Peavey head around. I was seriously considering getting the BX500 (6 lbs. rocks!), but after an outdoor gig with no PA support (no sub) for the bass I realized I need more power, so I'm probably going to get the BX1200. I figure if I'm going to have to load 40+ lb. cabs I should be able to manage a 32 lb. head.

Thanks for all the great reviews, by the way.

I'm in basically the same boat career and health-wise. However, my cabs weigh about the same as the head, and since I have to carry them, the head is actually easier because it's smaller.

Since the head itself weighs only 22 lbs. Even if lightweight heads weigh only 5 lbs., with all the power and versatility in configuration and tonal control the BX1200 has, the extra 17 lbs. is worth it.

 

[bassplayer7770]

I know I've said my BX1200 popped when I used the switches. I actually sent my original heavier BX1200 back because of it, and Carvin sent me a new, lighter weight version. The new one still had the popping noises.

I recently bought a Zoom B2.1u multi-effects unit, and I've hooked it up to my Effects Loop. I just realized today that now the switches on my amp make zero noise! For some reason, it seems that using the Effects Loop has solved my problem, and it doesn't hurt that I'm also really digging the Zoom and the sounds I'm getting so far.

 

[Drop-the-One]

If I were a gambling man I would wager that's exactly what the boys are Carvin will unveil next in their amp line.

Maybe! The BX1200 went down $50 :O

 

[Sundogue]

I know I've said my BX1200 popped when I used the switches. I actually sent my original heavier BX1200 back because of it, and Carvin sent me a new, lighter weight version. The new one still had the popping noises.

I recently bought a Zoom B2.1u multi-effects unit, and I've hooked it up to my Effects Loop. I just realized today that now the switches on my amp make zero noise! For some reason, it seems that using the Effects Loop has solved my problem, and it doesn't hurt that I'm also really digging the Zoom and the sounds I'm getting so far.

What a coincidence...I use a Zoom B2 pedal with my BX1200 too. I'm not an effects freak but with just a click on the pedal I can totally change my sound for a given song. I mostly use it for some chorus, flanger, octave/chordal tone (which gives me a pretty close sound to Tom Peterson's 12 string bass) and one kind of neat trippy fretless sound.

I always keep it on my amphead (as I don't switch during songs anyway) next to my tuner and wireless...as you can see in this pic...

Link Removed

 

[bassplayer7770]

What a coincidence...I use a Zoom B2 pedal with my BX1200 too. I'm not an effects freak but with just a click on the pedal I can totally change my sound for a given song. I mostly use it for some chorus, flanger, octave/chordal tone (which gives me a pretty close sound to Tom Peterson's 12 string bass) and one kind of neat trippy fretless sound.

I always keep it on my amphead (as I don't switch during songs anyway) next to my tuner and wireless...as you can see in this pic...

Link Removed

I lean my cab back during shows, so putting it on top of my cab wouldn't work for me. Still, it's a nice tool to have to get different sounds, and the Carvin footswitch makes it simple to activate/deactivate the Effects Loop when needed. I had a show last night, and I was hoping to debut this setup, but our stage area was severely lacking, so I didn't feel comfortable making things even tighter. Now, if I want to make sure these sounds are going through the PA, I want to make sure the DI output is set to Post EQ, correct? I don't do any severe EQ tweaking. In fact, most of the patches except the "Slap" patches have a flat EQ on the Zoom.

 

[Sundogue]

I lean my cab back during shows, so putting it on top of my cab wouldn't work for me. Still, it's a nice tool to have to get different sounds, and the Carvin footswitch makes it simple to activate/deactivate the Effects Loop when needed. I had a show last night, and I was hoping to debut this setup, but our stage area was severely lacking, so I didn't feel comfortable making things even tighter. Now, if I want to make sure these sounds are going through the PA, I want to make sure the DI output is set to Post EQ, correct? I don't do any severe EQ tweaking. In fact, most of the patches except the "Slap" patches have a flat EQ on the Zoom.

I run my bass into my wireless, then from my wireless into the Zoom, then the Zoom into the input of the BX1200. I don't use the effects loop.

Anything you want to go from the amp into the PA, you'll have to set the DI "Post EQ". That will not only send your Zoom sounds to the PA but also your entire amp settings.

I always send my signal "Post EQ" regardless. Mostly because our PA is lacking in control over my bass tone in the PA and this gives me more control.

But I do the same...most of my EQ'ing is on my amp, not the Zoom. Though I do have a whole 'nother set of duplicate patches where I have my EQ more tailored to my sound. That set is for quick pickup gigs where I only bring my bass and the Zoom and I might be using a rig I don't know well. That way I at least can set the rig fairly flat and let my Zoom tailor my sound closer to what I want. Saves on tweaking an unfamiliar rig too much.

 

[Drop-the-One]

omg omg omg! Just bought it! I haven't seen 1 bassist with a carvin amp in Van, I'm excited.

THANKS everyone for posting everything on here! It's helped so much w my amp research which was at 0 three weeks ago.

It's gonna be worth the extended Ramen Diet XD

 

[bassplayer7770]

omg omg omg! Just bought it! I haven't seen 1 bassist with a carvin amp in Van, I'm excited.

THANKS everyone for posting everything on here! It's helped so much w my amp research which was at 0 three weeks ago.

It's gonna be worth the extended Ramen Diet XD

You just bought a BX1200? What music you play? What cab and bass do you play? I'm still rather enjoying the amp. Quite a deal if you ask me.

EDIT: The amp does have a lot of features, so I would suggest reading through the manual as well to make sure you're using it properly. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Sundogue]

You just bought a BX1200? What music you play? What cab and bass do you play? I'm still rather enjoying the amp. Quite a deal if you ask me.

EDIT: The amp does have a lot of features, so I would suggest reading through the manual as well to make sure you're using it properly. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

+1.

The BX1200 has so many features and is so versatile that you really need to study those features and be prepared to play around a lot with all that it offers. I've had ti for a while now on plenty of gigs and tweaking at home as well, and I still haven't exhausted the possibilities.

And by all means, if you have any questions let us know. We understand all of it's features and uses, even though I may not use them all at the moment.

 

[Drop-the-One]

I'm gear-tarded... so I've been asking questions and reading non-stop. I mostly play a schecter elite-4 and Jazz 5str... pop, hard-rock,jazz, 70s funk/hip hop... I've been neglecting my blues tho

bassplayer7770, I think you said your cabs are bridged, and the amp ended up getting real hot at the end of a gig... Is that normal? It makes sense I guess... I'm curious about the lifespan of the amp because of it though :S

The toughest part is choosing cabs. I'm gonna rent a bunch of different cabs and see what happens. It gives you 10 days If you guys have any suggestions, I'm totally open. Thanks again.

 

[bassplayer7770]

bassplayer7770, I think you said your cabs are bridged, and the amp ended up getting real hot at the end of a gig... Is that normal? It makes sense I guess... I'm curious about the lifespan of the amp because of it though :S

The toughest part is choosing cabs. I'm gonna rent a bunch of different cabs and see what happens. It gives you 10 days If you guys have any suggestions, I'm totally open. Thanks again.

Yes, I run the amp bridged into my single 8 ohm cab. My band generally plays a 4-hour time slot, so the amp is on for about 5 hours straight. At the end of the night, it does feel a bit warm to the touch, but it has never failed on me. I'm not sure what else to say...

I've only played my Carvin head through my LDS cab, so I can't really suggest anything else...

 

[Drop-the-One]

I'm going thru an 800w 8ohm Markbass 410 w a tweetie...

... when I turn it up half considerably in bridge and slap/pop w/out a compressor, it shuts down.
I guess since it doesn't have a coil-transformer? This is a gear-tard guess.

 

[Sundogue]

I'm going thru an 800w 8ohm Markbass 410 w a tweetie...

... when I turn it up half considerably in bridge and slap/pop w/out a compressor, it shuts down.
I guess since it doesn't have a coil-transformer? This is a gear-tard guess.

If you are in Bridged mode (and make sure that you actually are...check the manual), you MUST be plugged into the CENTER speaker jack (out of the three). When in Mono, you use one or both of the outside speaker jacks, but the center speaker jack is for bridged mode only.

If you don't do that the amp will shut down (go into protect mode).

Read your manual carefully. Check your bridge button (it's recessed on the back) to be sure you are in bridged mode and that you are plugging the speaker cable into the CENTER jack.

 

[bassplayer7770]

If you are in Bridged mode (and make sure that you actually are...check the manual), you MUST be plugged into the CENTER speaker jack (out of the three). When in Mono, you use one or both of the outside speaker jacks, but the center speaker jack is for bridged mode only.

If you don't do that the amp will shut down (go into protect mode).

Read your manual carefully. Check your bridge button (it's recessed on the back) to be sure you are in bridged mode and that you are plugging the speaker cable into the CENTER jack.

What he said. My BX1200 has never shut down.

 

[Drop-the-One]

Been through the guide a few X, and triple checked the "bridge" button, all was hooked up right. (already heard horror stories )
I plugged it in a different breaker altogether... and it did not shut down. I was told because popping spikes the signal (when really loud) the amp draws more power and relies on the outlet for that. The 1st plug I was in had lots running from it and coudn't handle it. Something called a power conditioner will help that I guess.

Also, are your guys' 2 footswitch option buttons in the back recessed as well????

 

[bassplayer7770]

Also, are your guys' 2 footswitch option buttons in the back recessed as well????

Yes, and I assume it's because they don't want those things to get accidentally bumped. At shows on rather dark stages, I often have to reach behind my amp to adjust DI Level or find the Post/Pre EQ or Ground/Lift button. If the Bridge and Footswitch buttons weren't recessed, I could bump them and cause damage to the amp or get a real surprise when my footswitch doesn't work as expected in the middle of a set...