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Carvin BX500: Part II

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#141
+1 total bummer and very sorry to hear it :(


Mine is supposed to come in today - I guess I'll be keeping a more watchful eye over it than I'd planned. I guess that at 5lbs I might be able to detach it from the amp and put it in my messenger bag and just carry it around pre/post show. Wouldn't have thought I'd have to do that.
 
#142
jeff7bass said:
It would be nice if Carvin offered the new combos loaded with either 4 or 8 ohm speaker, as they do with some of their BR cabs. I prefer an 8 ohm speaker in a combo so I can drop it on an extension for bigger gigs. I also prefer a 15" speaker in the combo (for standalone gigs) and a 210 as the extension. I'm a rock player and find the 15" speaker sits in the mix better than a 210. 300w is plenty of power for small gigs (where the combo stands alone), IMO.
Click to expand...
Have you tried calling them? Perhps they would make the change for you, since some of their configurations come in both.
 
#144
I've had more time to dial in the eq to better compliment the 3015LF freq range. It did lose some of the stinging Ali jabs, but totally gained the Mike Tyson swat. The Low B makes the ground pulsate.

I'm glad that I chose the 3015LF instead of the 3015...which I felt would have given me something similar to the original speaker. I wanted the boom, and definitely got it. The guitar player could only shake his head in disbelief. Just still frowning about the $179, though. But I'm getting over it...in a hurry.
 
#146
Gecko 5 said:
I was going to pick up one of these heads.
Its right in my price range. I am rethinking that now.:hmm::eyebrow:
Click to expand...

G5,
These new heads sounds great to me. I've had no issues whatsoever with mine. If I did, I know Carvin will step up to the plate and take care of it.

jeff7bass said:
It would be nice if Carvin offered the new combos loaded with either 4 or 8 ohm speaker, as they do with some of their BR cabs. I prefer an 8 ohm speaker in a combo so I can drop it on an extension for bigger gigs. I also prefer a 15" speaker in the combo (for standalone gigs) and a 210 as the extension. I'm a rock player and find the 15" speaker sits in the mix better than a 210. 300w is plenty of power for small gigs (where the combo stands alone), IMO.
Click to expand...

We're cut from the same cloth. On my BR515N, Carvin installed an 4 ohm 15" speaker. But from what I understand this was only to the earliest models and 8 ohmers are now the standard. I could be wrong...
 
#148
vinxbass said:
I've got possibly the earliest head made and have had no one single problem with it - it sounds great.
Click to expand...

+1

This head has enough grunt to push my newly installed 3015LF into "sub" mission. For now, I don't even have to use my 2-15 or 8-10 cabinet, this lonely combo (BR515N) is God sent. My back is rejoicing.
 
#149
I turned mine on today for the first time (had it since Wednesday) and am completely pleased so far. It hisses a tiny bit when it's on without any input, but I only noticed b/c I was listening for it (that is to say, I literally had my ear to the speakers). Tone is outstanding and the volume is more than I need. So far, so great.
 
#150
Maybe we can turn this thread into a "Favorite Amp Settings for the Carvin BX500"?
-or is there one already?

Anyway, post your Bass/Para/Trebles settings, the sound and volume you get, EQ on/off, settings when on, drop in volume when off, compression, contour, drive...
- what kind of music you play, let's have it all!
---------------------------------------------
Style of music:
Cabinet config:

Drive:
Contour:
Bass:
Para 1:
Freq:
Para 2:
Freq:
Treble:
EQ on/off?

EQ on settings:
50:
80:
125:
250:
500:
800:
1.3k:
2.6k:
5k:

Any significant loss of volume when EQ switched off?
If so, how compensated?

Overall tone description:
Does the Carvin BX500 give you what you want/expected?
---------------------------------------------------------

The comparisons and amount of tone variance experimentation should be a blast!
 
#152
tlr1293 said:
Maybe we can turn this thread into a "Favorite Amp Settings for the Carvin BX500"?
Click to expand...
You left 1 thing out:
---------------------------------------------
Style of music:
Cabinet config:
Bass:

Drive:
Contour:
Bass:
Para 1:
Freq:
Para 2:
Freq:
Treble:
EQ on/off?

EQ on settings:
50:
80:
125:
250:
500:
800:
1.3k:
2.6k:
5k:

Any significant loss of volume when EQ switched off?
If so, how compensated?

Overall tone description:
Does the Carvin BX500 give you what you want/expected?
 
#153
This past weekend I was jamming with a few friends ( we play mostly newer rock, some classic rock), I was playing my BX500 through an Avatar Neo 212 ,I had both of my basses, a Schecter Stiletto Elite 4 string and my Lakland 44-01 roundwounds on both. This was the first session using the BX500, compared to my old BX600 I would say the 500 held it's own very well. The tone was clear and really cut through , the low end was also very full. I wasn't using the graphic eq or effects, just straight signal , I never had the master over 4, drive set around 6 . Most of the settings were close to 12:00 ,compressor set at 4. Tube engaged, I really like what I was hearing thus far,I just sold my BX600 head after owning it less than a year. BTW my BX500 also falls into the problem serial number batch, but I haven't had any problems with it yet. I may send it back to Carvin at some point ,so they can make any revisions needed. I 'm just waiting until all the bugs are discovered. thumbs up!
 
#155
Style of music: Gospel
Cabinet config: 2 15-inch PA cabs, one each from Yamaha and B52
Bass: MTD Artist or Warwick Corvette $$

Drive: Noon
Contour: 10:30
Bass: Noon
Para 1: Noon
Freq: Noon
Para 2: Noon
Freq: Noon
Treble: Noon
Tube engaged? No. No noticeable difference with tube engaged, though that may have changed now.
EQ on/off? Off, it was giving terrible hiss when engaged. Just received notice it's been repaired/replaced and is on its way back to me.
EQ on settings: Not applicable yet, will tell you next week.
50:
80:
125:
250:
500:
800:
1.3k:
2.6k:
5k:

Any significant loss of volume when EQ switched off?
If so, how compensated? See above.

Overall tone description: Can go deep and get loud (not boomy, though), used it through a Kustom KB60 bass combo's effects loop to help its sound. Nice. I'm thinking it to be a good match with my $$; I may dedicate my Artist to my other small amp which emphasizes low mids.
Does the Carvin BX500 give you what you want/expected? Yes, but I'm partial to Carvin products in all honesty: two BRX10.2NEO speakers, two DC127 guitars, one Bolt-T guitar, one LB75 bass -- you get the picture :smug:
 
#156
Style of music: Funk Hip Rock
Cabinet config:BR515N Combo or BX500 w/2-15 & 8-10
Bass:Roscoe SKB3005

Drive: 0
Contour: 1:00
Bass: 3:00
Para 1: 9:00
Freq: 500hZ
Para 2: 9:30
Freq: 450hZ
Treble: 9:00
EQ on/off? ON
Tube engaged? YES

EQ on settings: Smiley Face
50:
80:
125:
250:
500:
800:
1.3k:
2.6k:
5k:

Any significant loss of volume when EQ switched off? YES
If so, how compensated? Don't Turn EQ Off

Overall tone description: Brutal, powerful, great clarity and presence.
Does the Carvin BX500 give you what you want/expected? Absolutely YES. The sound I get can knock down the Great Wall of China.
 
#157
I'll post my settings once I get home, but I finally got to rehearse with my band using this head. I could not possibly be happier with the results. We aren't a quiet band, to say the least (though not nearly as loud as some), and I didn't have to turn it up past 1.5 through a BRX 210 to cut through and be easily heard. Seriously. One and a half. Awesome awesome awesome.

Style of music: Rock, some jazz
Cabinet config: BRX 2.10 (Carvin 2x10 neo, for those not aware)
Bass: Carvin LB70P (though the active electronics are shot)

Drive: 7
Contour: Flat
Bass: noon
Para 1: noon
Freq: noon
Para 2: noon
Freq: noon
Treble: noon
EQ on/off? on
Tube engaged? yes (though I can't tell any difference)

EQ on settings: This is tough, so I'll label it thus - if it's all the way down, 0, if it's in the middle, I'll say 5, if it's all the way up, I'll say 10
50: 2.5
80: 5.0
125: 6.5
250: 7.0
500: 7.0
800: 6.5
1.3k: 5.0
2.6k: 3.5
5k: 7.5

Any significant loss of volume when EQ switched off? not really
If so, how compensated? EQ is always on (for now)

Overall tone description: Very clear, cuts through well while leaving space for the rest of the band
Does the Carvin BX500 give you what you want/expected? Yes yes yes, 1 million times yes. And holy cow, it's LOUD.
 
#159
I hooked mine up with a SWR Hery the *th (4X8) cab on the bottom, a Aggie GS112 (I think..the one with a tweeter) on top of that and a Berg 112 no tweet on top off that!!! (bought it used and don't know the Serial#)
2 one 12's and a 4X8 all 8 Ohm cabs. I'm not sure what Ohmage that works out to but was told it's all good @ 2 Ohms
setting.
This stack was ripping loud and sounded great. Tone was awesome and I had more volume than I ever get to use anymore except for outdoor gigs.
I also hooked it up to my older Schroeder 4x10 (non neo) model and alternated between adding the Aggie and the Berg and was equally amazed.
Conclusion: 2 Ohms kicks ass

peace....Capt Kirk
 
#160
I let a buddy use my BR515N combo for his church gig....he said he was keeping it and that his bass never sounded so good. He couldn't believe the amount floor shaking bottom this combo was producing. I think it had a little to do with my secret weapon...Kappa 3015LF! But no doubt, this BX500 head can take most of the credit as it can push anything. Now, I just have to repossess my amp back...
 
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