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Carvin BX500: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
- Start date
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So, I'm quoting myself...
I got back from a Carvin rep that, although some BX500's have "DTECH POWER" stenciled under the graphic EQ and some others don't (much like the Star Bellied Sneeches), the insides have remained the same since the amp came out (with minor tweeks to fix some reliability issues, of course). They're using a different vendor to make the amp's outer shell - that's the only difference.
I'm personally happy to know this since the used BR510N I just bought doesn't have the dtech power thingy. Good to know that my Plain Bellied Sneech is welcome on the beach.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,943
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
So, I'm quoting myself...
I got back from a Carvin rep that, although some BX500's have "DTECH POWER" stenciled under the graphic EQ and some others don't (much like the Star Bellied Sneeches), the insides have remained the same since the amp came out (with minor tweeks to fix some reliability issues, of course). They're using a different vendor to make the amp's outer shell - that's the only difference.
I'm personally happy to know this since the used BR510N I just bought doesn't have the dtech power thingy. Good to know that my Plain Bellied Sneech is welcome on the beach.
Love the Sneech reference.
GK used to make guitar amps, too. But the ones I have experiece with sounded very thin and sterile. It's probably better they stuck to Bass stuff.
Love the Sneech reference.
I have a four year old.
(My tag line below my username is something she used to say all the time).
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,943
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I have a four year old.
I have a 6-year old and an 8-year old, so I have read about Sneeches on beaches for many years, now (though not as recently as you have, I am sure).
On a BX500-related note, I recently did a gig with a full TC Electronic stack (RH450/RS210/RS410/RS212), and I brought the BX500 as a backup head. Of course, I had to try the BX500 with those TC cabs, and the funny thing is, after spending a bunch of time dialing in the RH450 to sound just right (and it did sound great!), when I switched to the BX500 and set everything "flat" the tone was remarkably similar to my "tweaked" RH450 sound.
I have a 6-year old and an 8-year old, so I have read about Sneeches on beaches for many years, now (though not as recently as you have, I am sure).
On a BX500-related note, I recently did a gig with a full TC Electronic stack (RH450/RS210/RS410/RS212), and I brought the BX500 as a backup head. Of course, I had to try the BX500 with those TC cabs, and the funny thing is, after spending a bunch of time dialing in the RH450 to sound just right (and it did sound great!), when I switched to the BX500 and set everything "flat" the tone was remarkably similar to my "tweaked" RH450 sound.
+1, this is great to hear!!!
She's started memorizing the books we read and can "read" them to us. It's really cool!I have a 6-year old and an 8-year old, so I have read about Sneeches on beaches for many years, now (though not as recently as you have, I am sure).
This is very encouraging! I'm a big one for wanting my bass and amp to sound good with the EQ's set flat. I don't want to have to tweak the natural sound too much to get a good sound. I think this is going to be the first really nice amp I've owned.On a BX500-related note, I recently did a gig with a full TC Electronic stack (RH450/RS210/RS410/RS212), and I brought the BX500 as a backup head. Of course, I had to try the BX500 with those TC cabs, and the funny thing is, after spending a bunch of time dialing in the RH450 to sound just right (and it did sound great!), when I switched to the BX500 and set everything "flat" the tone was remarkably similar to my "tweaked" RH450 sound.
I have a 6-year old and an 8-year old, so I have read about Sneeches on beaches for many years, now (though not as recently as you have, I am sure).
On a BX500-related note, I recently did a gig with a full TC Electronic stack (RH450/RS210/RS410/RS212), and I brought the BX500 as a backup head. Of course, I had to try the BX500 with those TC cabs, and the funny thing is, after spending a bunch of time dialing in the RH450 to sound just right (and it did sound great!), when I switched to the BX500 and set everything "flat" the tone was remarkably similar to my "tweaked" RH450 sound.
A magical box! Five Pound Perfection.
I have been gigging with my BX500 over a year now with no problems and must say If you get one that working right it's the best small size amp you can get dollars wise. IMO this baby can handle most cabs in it class and some.
Just got mine today, and all I can say is WOW.....................
I am so used to hauling my B1500 around that when I first picked up the box I thought it must be empty. This thing is so light, that it almost seems impossible that it gets the sound and volume it does.
I left the EQ knobs flat, drive at noon, contour around 1 o'clock, engaged the graphic EQ and boosted a little at each end (a very slight "smiley" face), compressor at 10 o'clock - then let her rip. Have not even turned her up past 3 yet, and damn this thing is loud.
Got a tone very close to how I run the B1500. Nice lows, good amount of punch, and enough high end for some bite and sweet harmonics. I am very impressed to say the least.
I ran it through a modded Carvin 2X12 cab. I recently picked up one of the old discontinued 2X12 BRX cabs for a song (had a blown speaker). I reloaded it with a pair of 3012HO's, and all I can say is this cab is now screaming.
I think this cab and the BX500 could handle just about any gig out there, and definitely will give my B1500/Mesa setup arun for it's money.
I am so used to hauling my B1500 around that when I first picked up the box I thought it must be empty. This thing is so light, that it almost seems impossible that it gets the sound and volume it does.
I left the EQ knobs flat, drive at noon, contour around 1 o'clock, engaged the graphic EQ and boosted a little at each end (a very slight "smiley" face), compressor at 10 o'clock - then let her rip. Have not even turned her up past 3 yet, and damn this thing is loud.
Got a tone very close to how I run the B1500. Nice lows, good amount of punch, and enough high end for some bite and sweet harmonics. I am very impressed to say the least.
I ran it through a modded Carvin 2X12 cab. I recently picked up one of the old discontinued 2X12 BRX cabs for a song (had a blown speaker). I reloaded it with a pair of 3012HO's, and all I can say is this cab is now screaming.
I think this cab and the BX500 could handle just about any gig out there, and definitely will give my B1500/Mesa setup arun for it's money.
I run 1 4ohm cab for most shows or 2 4ohm cabs every once in a while,worried about not putting amp into 2 ohm mode when I run both cabs,I am not used to having to do that.
Will have a chance to check it out at rehearsal tonite.
I got my BR510N in and I can see what folks say about it sounding a little thin (with flat EQ), but it might just be my bass. I've got a bit of a bright bass.
I love how light the amp is! As a cat owner I also appreciate the tolex covering. I just need to spend more time finding my sound. I'll bet it would be fuller sounding if it were the head and a separate 210 cab.
I love how light the amp is! As a cat owner I also appreciate the tolex covering. I just need to spend more time finding my sound. I'll bet it would be fuller sounding if it were the head and a separate 210 cab.
I've got both BRX10.4 and BRX10.2 neo cabs to run with my BX500 and lately I've just been using the BRX10.2 with the head and with a little eq'ing, I can get a great tone. Of coarse, I'm playing an American Standard Jazz V thru it to and that helps alot.
I think it's my bass. I've got a great bass and I really like it - I've put a lot of work into it to make it that way - but it's on the bright and aggressive side. It's a mahogany bodied BTB510. I replaced the Bart pups with Nordstrand Big Splits, and I replaced the stock Bart preamp with an Audere Classic 4-Band.
I did an A/B test at a local GC and found that when I cut the low and high mids and boost bass and treble on the Audere I get a very similar sound to a JB. I think I'm going to try that, since I like that sound.
Yup! That's all it took! I just cut the low/high mids on the Audere in half, boosted the bass half way and I get a nicely balanced, deep tone with the amp EQ flat. Boost the graphic EQ at 80 Hz and 1.3 KHz and I've got a very nice tone, even with the 10's. I love this amp!
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