This reminds me; Has anyone swappred tubes in this head yet to see if it makes any difference?
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Carvin BX500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
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This reminds me; Has anyone swappred tubes in this head yet to see if it makes any difference?
You took the words right out of my mouth
... the Carvin seems tighter and has more punch...and the low end is more focused. The big difference I noticed is when I play the low-B string on my five stringers...there was always something muddy and bland about the low notes of the Neo Pak...and I thought it was due to the tube in the preamp...so I was worried about that when I bought the Carvin too. But the Carvin sounds fantastic on the low notes
However I think the Neo Pak is still a fantastic head and it definitely had its own sound.
The big difference I noticed is when I play the low-B string on my five stringers...there was always something muddy and bland about the low notes of the Neo Pak...and I thought it was due to the tube in the preamp...so I was worried about that when I bought the Carvin too. But the Carvin sounds fantastic on the low notes
However I think the Neo Pak is still a fantastic head and it definitely had its own sound.
Excellent point on the Low B - I actually thought it was a problem with my cabinet until I switched to my BX1200 (precursor to my BX500). As you stated, the Neo Pak is a terrific piece of gear, just different.
Hi,
I apologize in advance if the weight issue has been covered here before, I didn't see it in the thread... I like Carvin and wish that they continue in business, but they should be a little more careful in their publishing. IMHO.
I've been reading this thread for a couple of days. Amazing amount about the BX500. After reviewing my options and after the death of my previous amp, I decided to buy a Carvin BR515N combo. I first went to the Carvin Ebay Store and found them on sale for about $549, but discovered that these were a previous model (mylar tweeter and different port and grill cloth) and that was why they were discounted on Ebay...OK, except they had a picture of the new cabinet on their postings, I pointed it out to them and it's been changed as far as I can tell.
I wanted the latest model, so, I called Carvin and ordered a current one ($629) based on the catalog, the discussions here, and my previous experience with Carvin (I have two great Carvin guitars).
Anyway, I got the notice that it had been shipped and that the shipping weight was 62 lbs. This was confusing, since the catalog clearly says that it weighs 40 lbs. I couldn't image 20+ lbs. of packing material. Anyway, I found out that the catalog and other materials have a typo error and the BR515N really weighs over 50 lbs, either 52 or 56 depending on which source I want to believe. I'll weigh mine when I get it and post the results here. I'll probably still keep the combo if it works, but I'm disappointed, since I was looking fwd to a 40 lb. combo.
I apologize in advance if the weight issue has been covered here before, I didn't see it in the thread... I like Carvin and wish that they continue in business, but they should be a little more careful in their publishing. IMHO.
I've been reading this thread for a couple of days. Amazing amount about the BX500. After reviewing my options and after the death of my previous amp, I decided to buy a Carvin BR515N combo. I first went to the Carvin Ebay Store and found them on sale for about $549, but discovered that these were a previous model (mylar tweeter and different port and grill cloth) and that was why they were discounted on Ebay...OK, except they had a picture of the new cabinet on their postings, I pointed it out to them and it's been changed as far as I can tell.
I wanted the latest model, so, I called Carvin and ordered a current one ($629) based on the catalog, the discussions here, and my previous experience with Carvin (I have two great Carvin guitars).
Anyway, I got the notice that it had been shipped and that the shipping weight was 62 lbs. This was confusing, since the catalog clearly says that it weighs 40 lbs. I couldn't image 20+ lbs. of packing material. Anyway, I found out that the catalog and other materials have a typo error and the BR515N really weighs over 50 lbs, either 52 or 56 depending on which source I want to believe. I'll weigh mine when I get it and post the results here. I'll probably still keep the combo if it works, but I'm disappointed, since I was looking fwd to a 40 lb. combo.
That's is bad news. I see their website has it at 40lbs, but the pdf has it at 50lbs
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Let us know what it weighs when you get it.
I also see their warranty is 1 year - that is kind of weak for pro gear. I'd expect it to be at least 2 years.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Let us know what it weighs when you get it.
I also see their warranty is 1 year - that is kind of weak for pro gear. I'd expect it to be at least 2 years.
I'll be out of town when it arrives (due on Weds.) and will weigh it when I get back next weekend and post the results as well as anything else of interest.
Oh yeah, I forgot to say the following in the previous message.
They are sending the combo with a 4 ohm 15" 600 watt speaker so (they said) that I could get full power from just the combo. I have another cabinet (8 ohm) so this could be run with the 2ohm switch on to accommodate the resulting 2.6 ohm load from both cabinets.
They are sending the combo with a 4 ohm 15" 600 watt speaker so (they said) that I could get full power from just the combo. I have another cabinet (8 ohm) so this could be run with the 2ohm switch on to accommodate the resulting 2.6 ohm load from both cabinets.
I think you must mean the other way around (running a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm setting). I can't imagine any reason for a solid state amp to shutdown because of a higher impedance load (I'll pass on that amp thanks
). If that were the case, the amp would never work with any speaker since it's impedance varies significantly over frequency. Take a look at the impedance plot (gray curve) of the venerable Deltalite II 2512 (look at any speaker spec sheet on Eminence's site and you'll see the same basic thing). [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It's supposed to be an 8 ohm speaker but could one tell this for sure from the plot alone? Depending on frequency it's anything from 5 ohms to 40 ohms. It's only near 8 ohms in a small range of frequencies.
Also from the BX500 manual:
* If you are using less than 4 ohms, be sure to set the 2 OHM SWITCH on the back of the BX500. If you go below the minimum load, your amp will shut off and go into the protect
mode. To reset, turn your amp off and connect the recommended load or set the 2 OHM SWITCH.
I think you must mean the other way around (running a 2 ohm load on the 4 ohm setting). I can't imagine any reason for a solid state amp to shutdown because of a higher impedance load (I'll pass on that amp thanks
Here's the post that I was referring to. I did not visit the Carvin forum first to confirm it...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7644012&postcount=32
Well, I tried out the replacement BX500 tonight. It's dead quiet, so that's a good thing! I'm not completely sure on this amp yet. Tried it with both of my main basses (fretted and fretless P's), and my GK SBX410, a TL606 and the Carvin BRX10.2 Neo. Yes, it is a bright head. I find myself boosting bass slightly to about 1:30 and cutting treble to about 9:30 if I'm using the non-graphic eq. Haven't messed with the graphic yet. So far it still sounds a tad hollow to me. I was hoping with everything set flat and the treble cut a bit that it might mimic my beloved B1500, but no. I'll have to find the right settings on this one to get my sound, if I decide to keep it. Unfortunately, I don't have a loud gig that I can use it on until the 24th, which is outside the 10 day return period, so I'll have to make a decision based on the practice room.
It's about 50/50 right now. I'll jam it some more this weekend in between gigs (quiet trio gigs I'll be using an Acoustic Image combo on) and see what I think.
Cheers,
Liam
It's about 50/50 right now. I'll jam it some more this weekend in between gigs (quiet trio gigs I'll be using an Acoustic Image combo on) and see what I think.
Cheers,
Liam
Sorry for quoting myself! Just wanted to say that if anyone has any settings that they find make this head sound more like the B800/B1500, please let me know ...
Otherwise, I may just be sending it back and scouting for a used B800 ...
Cheers,
Liam
While the EQ'ing isn't as extensive as my BX1200's, I think you really need to look at the semi-parametric EQ more. I've found that if I leave the Bass and Treble alone and set the Hi-Mid Frequency control to 1.3kHz and cut that back on the Level control to about -7 or -8, and add just a bit of Contour (like two clicks above flat) it really takes that bright "hollowness" out without boosting the lows.
Of course that is on my BX1200 which has substantially more power and more features, so maybe it won't help you with the BX500. I have noticed that the more I crank my BX1200, the less noticeably bright it is. I haven't even touched my Graphic EQ yet and the BX1200 doesn't sound hollow at all and my 115 cabs are quite mid-voiced to begin with.
If that doesn't do enough, then try the Graphic EQ.
For what it's worth, when I had this head, I liked the graphic eq more than the parametric. I was using it with a Carvin LS1503, so maybe that had something to do with it. I kept the treble at about 11 o'clock and the bass flat. Nothing too drastic on the graphic settings, but I found it more " musical " sounding than the parametric, and not as harsh sounding as alot of graphics I have had before. Both of the heads I got had issues, so I eventually gave up on it. Might be time to take another chance.
Spent some more time this morning. Better, but not convinced. I have a sneaking suspicion that this thing just isn't my bag, which is sad. I wish they had a head which had this power section and the B1500 preamp. That would be my dream head.
I'll play it a little more this weekend and see what I think, see if anything changes.
Cheers,
Liam
I'll play it a little more this weekend and see what I think, see if anything changes.
Cheers,
Liam
Well, played some more this morning and am coming around. With everything set flat, it does seem to sound very similar to my B1500. I hooked both up to a TL606 and swapped the speakon cable back and forth figuring I'd mess with the BX500's eq until I got close. Amazingly, once I set the eq back to flat, the tone was very close except for a little more finger noise, so I cut treble slightly (as I also do on my B1500) and there it was.
I was going to take it and the TL606 and gig it this afternoon, even though it might have been overkill, but some unforseen circumstances interrupted the gig. I'm now back in the boat of needing to decide on this before I will get the chance to gig it. Was thinking of trading it, and even had a deal under consideration for a Hartke LH500, but the guy changed his mind. Who knows, I might have changed my mind too after this morning. Maybe I'll keep it.
Cheers,
Liam
I was going to take it and the TL606 and gig it this afternoon, even though it might have been overkill, but some unforseen circumstances interrupted the gig. I'm now back in the boat of needing to decide on this before I will get the chance to gig it. Was thinking of trading it, and even had a deal under consideration for a Hartke LH500, but the guy changed his mind. Who knows, I might have changed my mind too after this morning. Maybe I'll keep it.
Cheers,
Liam
Thanks! I love them. They have Kappalite 3015's in them now. I posted about them on about the 3rd and 4th pages of the TL-606 owners thread here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528039
Gig reviews of them with the EV drivers, then again after changing them out for the 3015's, and a gig review of using a single one as well.
Cheers,
Liam
Okay, for now at least I'm keeping the BX500. I must be getting used to it, or it's burning in or something. The more I listen and compare with it set dead flat, the more it sounds like my B1500. It's amazing how different it sounds to me now than when I first heard it.
Do amps burn in???
Liam
Do amps burn in???
Liam
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