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Carvin BX500: Part II

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#761
#762
while youtube links are ok, you really need to factor in the fact that many times, crummy mics are used, crummy speakers are used for playback, low sample rates are used.
carvin has a 10 day return policy.

if you think it is gonna suit you, you might consider just ordering one, and sending back inside 10 days if you don't like it.
 
#763
themattacaster said:
is there any chance someone could post a good review on youtube so I can hear how this thing really sounds. I have been looking at this head for a while now and it looks like it has everything I could need and more but I really havent gotten a good feel for how it sounds.
Click to expand...

To add a little more to this,
The clip I posted before is fairly representative of the tone I was getting in that particular instance. (at least through my computer speakers)

This head is really capable of sounding many different ways because of it's eq capabilities. Add to that pairing it with different cabs will change how it sounds as well.

Here is the signal chain used in the clip: (reposted below)

Custom PJ bass with Dimarzio model p&j pickups ->
Ibanez PD-7 phat-hed (used here for harmonics grunge) ->
Carvin BX-500 (first run) ->
fEarful 15/6/1 3-way cab

xbassmanx said:
ditto....

IMO the BX500 can get many tones including fat and boomy.

Here's a clip of my band that my wife shot with a digital point and shoot. The sound is just coming in from the tiny mic on the camera. Even so, the sound isn't thin and gutless like the youtube clip.

Clip edited for size and suckage.... :o

Link Removed (5MB)
Click to expand...
 
#764
Chef said:
while youtube links are ok, you really need to factor in the fact that many times, crummy mics are used, crummy speakers are used for playback, low sample rates are used.
carvin has a 10 day return policy.

if you think it is gonna suit you, you might consider just ordering one, and sending back inside 10 days if you don't like it.
Click to expand...

+1. The only way you are gonna know for sure is on the gig. This goes for just about every piece of gear I've ever owned, imho.
 
#766
I ordered a BX500 a few weeks ago based on the specs and price, and on positive reviews I'd read. After receiving it, I was pleased with the small size and big power. However, I noticed an odd mosquito-like buzzing coming from both the speaker and headphone outputs. The sound did not vary based on inputs or on volume settings. It wasn't loud enough to really interfere with my practicing, and I doubt it would be heard on a gig, but it was odd and didn't seem right. I did a Google search and came up with the threads here, as well as others. So I called Carvin and asked for Emeric. He happened to be out that day, but Danny got on the line and after I explained the situation he said he thought there had been a fix, and he was surprised I got a non-fixed unit. He set up a UPS pickup for my unit, and before I had a chance to actually pack it up and bring it in to work for shipping, I got an email saying a package was on its way to me from Carvin. Since it would be arriving in a couple of days, I figured I'd just wait until it arrived before shipping back the old one, just to make sure the new one was actually better than the old one. I got the new one and noticed right away it had a higher serial number than the old one (1800 series vs. 1700 series) and upon checking it out, also noticed it had printed "DTEC - POWER" stenciled under the EQ, while my old one didn't. Most importantly, the new one had NO BUZZ. No mosquito sound, no buzzing, nothing. Nice and quiet and works great. So I'm glad I called and went to the trouble to get a corrected unit. Happy I stuck with Carvin and have this nice, light powerful amp. And thanks to Danny for getting my new unit out so fast!
 

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#767
sgorman said:
I ordered a BX500 a few weeks ago based on the specs and price, and on positive reviews I'd read. After receiving it, I was pleased with the small size and big power. However, I noticed an odd mosquito-like buzzing coming from both the speaker and headphone outputs. The sound did not vary based on inputs or on volume settings. It wasn't loud enough to really interfere with my practicing, and I doubt it would be heard on a gig, but it was odd and didn't seem right. I did a Google search and came up with the threads here, as well as others. So I called Carvin and asked for Emeric. He happened to be out that day, but Danny got on the line and after I explained the situation he said he thought there had been a fix, and he was surprised I got a non-fixed unit. He set up a UPS pickup for my unit, and before I had a chance to actually pack it up and bring it in to work for shipping, I got an email saying a package was on its way to me from Carvin. Since it would be arriving in a couple of days, I figured I'd just wait until it arrived before shipping back the old one, just to make sure the new one was actually better than the old one. I got the new one and noticed right away it had a higher serial number than the old one (1800 series vs. 1700 series) and upon checking it out, also noticed it had printed "DTEC - POWER" stenciled under the EQ, while my old one didn't. Most importantly, the new one had NO BUZZ. No mosquito sound, no buzzing, nothing. Nice and quiet and works great. So I'm glad I called and went to the trouble to get a corrected unit. Happy I stuck with Carvin and have this nice, light powerful amp. And thanks to Danny for getting my new unit out so fast!
Click to expand...

Interesting, maybe this was the problem I was having with my amp. Mine is 14's serial number, and no D-TEC.

Unfortunately my amp fried recently and I'm calling carvin this week to get a replacement or refund.
 
#768
I too have an earlier post referring to the serial number differences. I went from a 17XXX, to an 18XXX serial number, different silk screen, etc. and the new one is great. Looks like this thing may be out of the woods once and for all (knock wood!)

My wife is about to kick me out of the house as i am "hypnotized by the blue light" and have not come out of the basement in days!!!!
 
#771
Hi Fellow Bass Weenies,

I bought a BX500 (in a 15" combo format) last year and after a blowout (stuck in protect mode - see my previous posts in this thread) they sent me a new head immediately. It's been great ever since. I decided that the 15" wasn't as punchy and clean at volume as I really wanted, so I recently added BRx 10.2 Neo Cabinet for $349. plus $35 shipping. I also bought 2 of the very nice speakon cables from carvin (1-10' and 1-5') for very reasonable prices for such high quality cables.

Bottom Line. I couldn't be more happy. The sound has more punch, distorts less when all the speakers are connected and volume is and gives a nice sound.

I play a '65 jazz bass with flat wounds and really dig into the strings for fast rock. My best sound is if I put the Tube = On, Ohm switch =2 ohms, Active switch = on (my bass is a passive and stock dual single coil Jazz Bass) and the Compressor = on full, and Contour = on Full Scoop, Drive = 0 , Master = 5, Bass = -3, Treble = +3 and both my pickups on full. The sound is great, clean and punchy with minimal fret buzz noise and no pickup hum/noise.

I can then manage the tone with the passive tone control on the bass to work within a range that suits me so far, increasing the treble as the room fills up, and managing the amp volume via the master as appropriate. The volume, even with the compressor and active switch on, is what I need.

I also like the XLR Direct out, and the tuner out. I bought the dual footswitch which I use to mute, but I've always had the Parametric = Off. So far, it's not been needed, but nice to know I can use it if I get Slap Happy in my old age.

Just what I wanted.

PS I also bought one of the Carvin Power Conditioner with 10 outlets, this thing is really nice and consolidates a lot of cords in my home/studion to one great connection and switch. The high quality is quite obvious on this unit and all the LEDs are cool.

I like Carvin a lot. I can only control my spending by restricting my buying to when I travel to San Diego and go to the factory store. I'm in New Jersey, so that's an adequate brake on my spending, so far.

Take Care
 
#772
AWESOME!:hyper::hyper::hyper:

My BX500 fist gig was in a very large, hotel sports bar. I ran it with a vertically stacked Avatar. 4ohm SB112, and a Carvin V210 @ 16ohms. Very loud rock band with hard hitting drummer, two loud guitars, and keys. I had the drive at about 4 (tube engaged), bass at +3, pushed the mids a bit at 350hz,& 900hz, treble flat, graphic eq flat, and the master at about 2.5 My drummer ask me to turn down because he couldn't hear anyone else! Not sure what the problem is with that;)
Anyway, compared to how we normally sound, the overall sound of the band seemed much tighter, and cleaner, with great separation.

This amp delivers great punch with pinpoint accuracy, and definition. I love it!
 
#776
I've found it to be dependable. What's really great is that Carvin is a relatively tight group of people (a family) that's been doing this their whole lives. I've always been able to call them and talk to pretty much the same people and although they can be harried, they are very committed to doing the right thing.

I've not found this at other companies, and I ran my own company for 25 years, so I know it's not something to take for granted, nor something that can be expected from bigger public firms.
 
#778
mike costelow said:
so is this a dependable amp or not? sounds like carvin takes care of you if amp malfunctions but have they worked out the bugs? I want to pick one up to share duties with lmiii,just don't want anything that im going to worry about shutting down during gig.
Click to expand...

my BX500 is an earlier one....paired with their BRX10.2Neo cab, it's been great, no issues.

All things considered though, i do prefer my Markbass Mini CMD121/NY121 rig...and that's NOT to slight the Carvin rig, which is phenomenal, it's just my quirked up tonal taste buds....

MarkbassandCarvinrigs.gif
 
#779
just got everything racked and I want to be able to swap out heads (lmiii for bx500)depending on what sound im looking for. happy with lmiii,want the bx500 for a little brighter sound which i understand it does.sounds like they r dependable,picking one up soon,then im done buying gear!:hiding:
 
#780
The owners manual states the BASS control is 50hz on one page, and 80hz on another. The specs on the website show 60hz :confused:

For the TREBLE knob, the manual staates 10k on one page, 5k on onother, and the website shows 8k:confused::confused:

Anybody know what we are really working with here?
 
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