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Carvin BX500: Part II

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#781
prokfrog said:
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?
Click to expand...

I noticed a bit of that, too! :rollno:

Just pick one. :D
 
#782
prokfrog said:
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?
Click to expand...

Good question....
a-b'd with my Markbass rig -with all controls on both amps set "flat", filters off- the Carvin is much brighter sounding....
i'd love see where a flat amp response is to be found on the BX's controls...
 
#783
I was a bit nervous going into last nights gig because I had to go unsupported by PA, and the rest of the band was. It was a medium size room that we always ran full PA (and loud). I had my 112, and 210. Along the back wall, I started to dial up low mids, and mids on the para section, and a little 125K on the graphic. This thing gets freakishly loud as you start to push these parameters. The master was on one-and-a-half, and was told by the sound guy I was on the edge of "too loud" (who is also a bass player). He went on to comment how great my sound was coming across. This thing has amazing punch, fast accuracy, and articulation like I've never heard. My face hurts from my ear-to-ear smile all night. For four hundred bucks, this head is a game changer, and the competition has good reason to be concerned. I think I'm going to get another one , and keep it in a safe deposit box for the future..
 
#784
where did you have "drive" set?
does "drive" seem to be required to get at full headroom?

needing to use drive to get full volume is why I didn't like the B1500; it was required, and added to much grit tot the tone for me.
 
#787
Chef said:
where did you have "drive" set?
does "drive" seem to be required to get at full headroom?

needing to use drive to get full volume is why I didn't like the B1500; it was required, and added to much grit tot the tone for me.
Click to expand...

I keep the drive very low on my BX500 as well. Usually not past 3 or 4. It makes little difference in the overall output. I usually gig with the volume set around 3 at the most.
 
#791
Dang! 790 post in thread #2 alone. I hope you folks don't mind if I don't take the time to read them all, and just ask a few questions of you who have.

I'm thinking of buying a BR515N which has this head in it. I don't have any concerns about the cab, but it sounds like the head has issues.

Are folks still getting lemons left and right or have the issues been dealt with?

Is the direct signal out of the XLR pre or post EQ, and is there a way to change that?

Thanks!
 
#792
I believe this thread has had fewer "lemon" stories of late, but from all reports, Carvin has been *wonderful* about exchanging new ones for returns.

As far as the DI: It is pre-EQ with no switch, but the workaround has been suggested to connect the effects send into a direct box... the effects send is post-EQ. And since most (if not all) direct boxes include a 1/4" out, any effects you might want to have in the loop can go between the loop send and the DI's input to keep your effects in the DI send to the board; then the DI 1/4" out can go back to the BX-500's loop return to maintain all functionality.
 
#793
eli said:
I believe this thread has had fewer "lemon" stories of late, but from all reports, Carvin has been *wonderful* about exchanging new ones for returns.

As far as the DI: It is pre-EQ with no switch, but the workaround has been suggested to connect the effects send into a direct box... the effects send is post-EQ. And since most (if not all) direct boxes include a 1/4" out, any effects you might want to have in the loop can go between the loop send and the DI's input to keep your effects in the DI send to the board; then the DI 1/4" out can go back to the BX-500's loop return to maintain all functionality.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! So, theoretically, if I have problems with the head I could remove it and ship it back to Carvin to get a replacement, right?

Good idea on the effects send/DI box idea!
 
#796
fourstringbliss said:
Dang! 790 post in thread #2 alone. I hope you folks don't mind if I don't take the time to read them all, and just ask a few questions of you who have.

I'm thinking of buying a BR515N which has this head in it. I don't have any concerns about the cab, but it sounds like the head has issues.

Are folks still getting lemons left and right or have the issues been dealt with?
Click to expand...

I was one of the very first people to get the BX500 on this board or anywhere in the country back in early Feb '09' and didn't have any trouble with it until Aug '09'. It started to go into protect mode and shut down. It only did it twice, but Carvin replaced the head no questions asked and the new one has worked flawlessly.

I've got a friend who also bought the BX500 back in March '09' and he hasn't had any problems whatsoever.

It's a great amp for the money, you can't beat it. Carvin will stand by their product to problem.:smug:
 
#797
prokfrog said:
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?
Click to expand...

Yeah, LOL, I noticed that back on page 33. So far it seems like nobody knows.

thudfromafar said:
Also a funny inconsistency, for EQ points carvin is saying 3 different things.

One spot in the manual states Bass control @ 50hz and treble @ 10khz.
Another spot in the manual says Bass @ 80hz and treble @ 5khz.
Website says Bass @ 60hz and treble @ 8khz.

:hyper:
Click to expand...
 
#799
It seems like a shelving-type control to me. The Carvin is not at its best without the bass turned up (I actually like it at 3pm). It makes the amp fatter without mud (as it happens with other amps when you turn up the bass sometimes).

I would not judge the BX500 by running it flat. The eq(s) work really well.
 
#800
vinxbass said:
I was one of the very first people to get the BX500 on this board or anywhere in the country back in early Feb '09' and didn't have any trouble with it until Aug '09'. It started to go into protect mode and shut down. It only did it twice, but Carvin replaced the head no questions asked and the new one has worked flawlessly.

I've got a friend who also bought the BX500 back in March '09' and he hasn't had any problems whatsoever.

It's a great amp for the money, you can't beat it. Carvin will stand by their product to problem.:smug:
Click to expand...

Yes sir, great amp and my was bought back in Feb. '09 and love the way it sounds with any bass that I use. No problems so far.
 
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