Carvin BRX10.4 Neo, an unsung hero of a cabinet. Solid, punchy, real nice clarity, 1,200 watts rms @ 4 ohms, Duratex covered - NICE!!
+1000! Don't forget light!
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Carvin BX500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
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+1000! Don't forget light!
I know I am beating a dead horse here, but with the fEarful 15+6 you get all the lows and punch you'll ever need (better than most 18s) and the quick resonse and bite typical of 10s. That and the fact that it is near impossible to over power with most available amps, and weighs > 60lbs, I dont see a downside, unless for some reason it doesnt color the sound the way you may like (they dont color much at all-unlike most commercial cabs-just clear and clean).
I'd like to find something used arround $2-300. I know I can find something. I think I do like a 4x10.....the more you talk about the Fearful cabinet, the more I want one. However it seems like it would be an expensive build. The speakers alone would be $200?
I posted earlier in this thread somewhere about issues I had with the BX500 shutting down on me and having to send it back. At the time I did not re-order it and proceeded to experiment with the GB Shuttle 6.0 and LM II in my quest for a light weight rig. I really wanted to like the Carvin as it did have (to my ears) fantastic tone, not to mention a couple hundred less in cost.
Come to find out the reason the Carvin was shutting down was due to a loose speaker wire in a new cab from a very reputable company. Vibration was causing the loose metal end to make contact with the frame of the speaker. I love their cabs as do many of you on this forum. I think it was just a fluke that this one in particular had this problem because I have owned a few of their cabs. Luckily, it didn't do any permanent damage to the amp. It wouldn't shut down my GK 1001 RBII though. I called them on it and they offered apologies and a discount on my next purchase. I thought this was good of them.
So, back to the Carvin amp. I re-ordered it and have had it a little over a month and out on several rock gigs. All I can say is that (again to my ears) I have never had such awesome tone. I won't list and compare to everything I've ever owned but I have been through my fair share of gear over the last 27 years and this is it for me. In fact, I recently ordered 2 of Carvin's BRX10.2 Neo cabs, together running at 2 ohms. Wow! I'm sold. I could go into more detail but I've already written a mini novel here. All I can say is that I am impressed, Carvin! I can only imagine what their bigger amps sound like. I probably will have to find out sooner or later.
Come to find out the reason the Carvin was shutting down was due to a loose speaker wire in a new cab from a very reputable company. Vibration was causing the loose metal end to make contact with the frame of the speaker. I love their cabs as do many of you on this forum. I think it was just a fluke that this one in particular had this problem because I have owned a few of their cabs. Luckily, it didn't do any permanent damage to the amp. It wouldn't shut down my GK 1001 RBII though. I called them on it and they offered apologies and a discount on my next purchase. I thought this was good of them.
So, back to the Carvin amp. I re-ordered it and have had it a little over a month and out on several rock gigs. All I can say is that (again to my ears) I have never had such awesome tone. I won't list and compare to everything I've ever owned but I have been through my fair share of gear over the last 27 years and this is it for me. In fact, I recently ordered 2 of Carvin's BRX10.2 Neo cabs, together running at 2 ohms. Wow! I'm sold. I could go into more detail but I've already written a mini novel here. All I can say is that I am impressed, Carvin! I can only imagine what their bigger amps sound like. I probably will have to find out sooner or later.
Sounds great running a Schroeder 1212R and 15L at 2 ohms total.
For this middy cab stack, I have the tube engaged, set drive at 8, boost bass a bit, treble a bit more, cut 3db at ~650hz on the parametric, set contour at noon, and compressor at 10 o'clock, with graphic EQ off. Nice to know that I'll have plenty of EQ to spare to suit any given room.
Happy so far!
For this middy cab stack, I have the tube engaged, set drive at 8, boost bass a bit, treble a bit more, cut 3db at ~650hz on the parametric, set contour at noon, and compressor at 10 o'clock, with graphic EQ off. Nice to know that I'll have plenty of EQ to spare to suit any given room.
Happy so far!
I own two BRX10.2NEOs, I get great tone and efficiency from them. I don't use them together yet, but that should change in about a month.
I had posted a while back about having to return my Carvin BX500 - it shut off and would not turn on anymore (it wasn't the fuse) - no lights or sounds. Yesterday, I received a replacement head (they shipped it 3 day express at no charge to me) and all is well again. I really like this head and certainly hope no issues occur with my second unit as I would prefer to use this head for most if not all of my gigs.
I found a gk 212 neo cab used local for $250. It is 8 ohms.
Should I buy it? I'd have to run a seperate 8 ohm cab. any ideas?
Should I buy it? I'd have to run a seperate 8 ohm cab. any ideas?
Well fellow bass players,I just recieved the bx 500 thursday, I have been wanting one and was waiting for most of the bugs were worked out before i orderd one, I have been playing the heck out of it with no problems and did a small 3 set gig saturday no problems,I just had to show it off the the guitar player who has a 50watt marshall head he bitches about having to transport,he could not believe it it was lighter than the mug of beer he was drinking. ( ha! ha!) Anyway like with any new amp I had to play around a little untill i found my tone and once i did it was killer. I,am using a Fender deluxe jazz and a GK neo 212 neo and I must say this is a good combination. So the guy in the above post grab up the GK cab it is a good cab.
I just wanted to post now I better go knock on wood.......
I'am sure carvin has worked most of the bugs out now and it is a matter of how well she holds up in the gigging world,and i hope there as strong as the 1500 power amps that i have had for years and draged over the coals in the PA rack,that has been dropped many times and everything else in the rack has been replaced except the two carvin amps, kinda like a timex ..takes a lickin and keeps on tickin, so lets hope the bx 500 will last....
Eno
I just wanted to post now I better go knock on wood.......
I'am sure carvin has worked most of the bugs out now and it is a matter of how well she holds up in the gigging world,and i hope there as strong as the 1500 power amps that i have had for years and draged over the coals in the PA rack,that has been dropped many times and everything else in the rack has been replaced except the two carvin amps, kinda like a timex ..takes a lickin and keeps on tickin, so lets hope the bx 500 will last....
Eno
I just ordered a BR510N yesterday. The combo that has the BX500 and two 10s in it. I'm very excited. Now I just have to wait...
Hey, hello from a former Murray State student. I played electric and upright in one of the jazz combos there, and my wife played electric bass in the jazz band for several years, and double bass in the orchestra.
Hope your gear choice turns out well!
Best Wishes,
Liam
Hope your gear choice turns out well!
Best Wishes,
Liam
Hello ,
Has anyone found a carry bag for the bx500, I was thinking a laptop case if i can find the right size.
What are you guys using?
eno
Has anyone found a carry bag for the bx500, I was thinking a laptop case if i can find the right size.
What are you guys using?
eno
I had a small travel bag that was just a little loose, so I added padding and its a perfect fit. Others have used laptop bags if I remember correctly from past posts.
Carvin has their own bag for pretty cheap which supposed to be specifically for that amp:
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I'am just running the one GK cab @8 ohms and it is plenty for the old holiday inn gig. But if I need more I have an other 8 ohm 15" cab I could add,but I really dont think I will need another cab,after setting my EQ the amp is only on 4 with the graphic on and I 'am loud enough.
All tho i think the GK is very efficient 212 cab or maybe it is the two 12's that make a difference because the ampeg 15e
is not as loud and clear, I did AB them with the same settings and you can tell the difference.
But man what a back saver too GK is light and the amp is light.i'am pretty much sold on the 212 neos,I'am not sure I would stack them if i had two(and may get another one) side by side is the way i would go...
If you ever got a 2nd 212, I'd suggest stacking them vertically so you have all 4 spkrs in a vertical line, giving MUCH more effective sound transmission a la grateful Dead "Wall of Sound"... I've always wanted to try that.
Anyone using a GB neoX 212 with the bx500? I'm curious how that combo sounds versus using a GB head or LM head with the neoX 212.
I'm all giddy - picked up a BR510 from Big Joe yesterday in the classifieds and am looking forward to using the BX500 in a variety of ways (all clean and bass related, of course). I ordered a set of rackmount thumb screws so I can easily change the amp config around to do my bidding (e.g. use in the combo box for practice, move to a 2U rack for gigs, etc.).
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