Carvin BX500: Pt. 3

[Matthew_84]

Hey guys, I've been using a small practice combo since I started playing, and now want to upgrade. I'm seriously considering getting the BX500. But since I don't have any experience with amps and cabs I have a basic question, and I've been reading some mixed information and I'm confused as hell.

I'm looking at getting a 500W @ 4 Ohms, 4x10 cab. The BX500 is 500W @ 4 Ohms. Eventually, I may add a 1x15 or more 10's, with at least 250W @ 4 ohm's. But for now would the 500W 4 Ohm cab be okay? I've read that the cabs should have more wattage than the amp can produce for safety reasons. Is that accurate?

 

[Matthew_84]

I know that if the amp gives less power than the cab can handle then there would be clipping. And that if the amp has more power than the cab can handle then the cab would "fart".

So my scenario would be ideal right? I mean there could some issues if I put the amp to its absolute max, but other than that, I should be fine right?

 

[dug dog]

You will be fine and if you do add another 4 ohm cab down the road, the BX500 will work with the resulting 2 ohm load.

Some of your facts aren't entirely accurate, but there is already lots of info about that elsewhere in these forums. (I think there's a sticky. (?)).

 

[craig.p]

The pieces you're looking at will run together fine in terms of power. Don't get enmeshed in the precise-power-rating/matching trap. Only thing I'd suggest would be sticking with the same cab when it's time to expand. Adding a fifteen would be a step backwards, in my opinion. I know DD mentioned this already but there are plenty of threads on this board on the topic of mixing cab styles in the same frequency range. If you add a second four ohm 4x10, though, realize your extra volume will come from the same power going through twice the number of speakers -- it's a very effective way to go in my experience. (Ask me about the time I annihilated a gymnasium with two 2x15 cabs stacked horizontally and only a V4B driving them.)

 

[Biga173rd]

Hey TB i have a question i'm a proud owner of a Carvin BX-500 with an Avatar B410 Great thread . Basicly when playing a slow set in church my bass sounds great. But when things go crazy and were playing a uptempo number i feel like my cab is not cutting through the mix sometimes sounds muddy when i past half way on my volume. Everything is so loud i get over powered by the band. I was thinking of maybe adding an avatar sb112 for more low end and volume and maybe cutting more in the mix. but i don't know if it's my amp that's the problem or maybe the church. Avatars are known for being super loud. Can anyone help me out on this one? thanks also i don't own another amp.

 

[TRob1293]

EQ - add a tad bit of 100 - 150Hz for punch and dial up some 250-400Hz for that low-mid cut. Try it at rehearsal first.

Scooped gets lost fast.

Basically, you want to EQ yourself to carry that low-end, but play in the space that is not occupied by any of them itty-bitty, teeny-tiny six'rs.

 

[bazzanderson]

man I love my BX500. It cuts through and I've finally got it to warm up the way I like. I maybe see a BX1500 in the future!

 

[TRob1293]

man I love my BX500. It cuts through and I've finally got it to warm up the way I like. I maybe see a BX1500 in the future!

Any sharing of settings?
Would love to cop a good warm tone with cut - but as a starting point for tweakage.

I've got a few settings I like, but I'm also trying to get that 'just right' setup to blend with my VT or BDDI.

Thanks!

 

[bazzanderson]

Bass, pedal board, amp then cab.

Bass
Gibson Tbird w/aftermarket Chinese pickups (actually sound good)

Pedals
Into a Daphon 2-band preamp volume maxed, bass and treble both at noon....into a Fender Flanger pedal (always on and all knobs at 9am).

Amp
Active switch, Tube Drive at noon, Bass at 2pm, Contour at 3pm, Low Mid volume at 3pm....mid sweep depends on room but generally around 2:30pm, High Mid flat, Treble at 2pm. Graphic eq is engaged but all sliders are flat (haven't really messed with them yet). Haven't gone above 9:30am on the volume knob.....generally keep it at 9am.

Cab
Going into an 8ohm Avatar DeltaLF 2X12" cab so I'm only pulling 300watts from the carvin but it's a LOUD 300 watts.

The trick (imho) is sweeping the low mids to the room for warmth.

I think the carvin kinda sits in between GK and the HartkeLH series as far as warmth goes.....maybe leans a little more toward the GK side but you can still it fairly warm.

Any sharing of settings?
Would love to cop a good warm tone with cut - but as a starting point for tweakage.

I've got a few settings I like, but I'm also trying to get that 'just right' setup to blend with my VT or BDDI.

Thanks!

 

[Biga173rd]

I'm an eq freak trust me. My sound is the modern finger style punchy sound the B string sound great too. Also my slap sound is very punchy aswell but i feel when things get very loud drums,keys i don't cut through the mix. when i get home today il take a pic of my amp settings. guys thanx for your replies il get back to you guys today. still considering adding an avatar sb112 i wonder if my amp can handle it?

 

[TRob1293]

As long as the combined ohms do not drop below 2 - use the switch in back.
A 410 and 112 may or may not sound well together, but that is up to you, my friend.

(anything under 4 ohms and above 2 - use switch in 2ohm position)

 

[Biga173rd]

I was thinking of getting the 4 ohms version of the sb112. So Tlr if i get this cab switch my amp to 2 ohms? Also when i get home il take pics of my settings so you can see how my amp is eq.

 

[TRob1293]

Ya - no matter if your 410 is 8 or 4 ohms, it should work with 2ohm switch engaged.
Now - how much power is being pushed is another deal - I can get easily confused, but I think that if both are 4ohms, the amp will split and send 250 to each.
If the 410 is 8ohms - I be a bit lost on that power distribution.


8ohm 410 + 4ohm 112 = 2.67ohms
4ohm 410 + 4ohm 112 = 2ohms

Great locale to calculate...
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Some helpful EQ tips that are very interesting...
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and
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[TRob1293]

Bass, pedal board, amp then cab.

Bass
Gibson Tbird w/aftermarket Chinese pickups (actually sound good)

Pedals
Into a Daphon 2-band preamp volume maxed, bass and treble both at noon....into a Fender Flanger pedal (always on and all knobs at 9am).

Amp
Active switch, Tube Drive at noon, Bass at 2pm, Contour at 3pm, Low Mid volume at 3pm....mid sweep depends on room but generally around 2:30pm, High Mid flat, Treble at 2pm. Graphic eq is engaged but all sliders are flat (haven't really messed with them yet). Haven't gone above 9:30am on the volume knob.....generally keep it at 9am.

Cab
Going into an 8ohm Avatar DeltaLF 2X12" cab so I'm only pulling 300watts from the carvin but it's a LOUD 300 watts.

The trick (imho) is sweeping the low mids to the room for warmth.

I think the carvin kinda sits in between GK and the HartkeLH series as far as warmth goes.....maybe leans a little more toward the GK side but you can still it fairly warm.

Gonna be fun to hack me amp with this - thanks a ton!

That is part of what I love about the BX500 - so many tonal possibilities (can be a bit daunting at times too) - AND... the BX1500 has an added Para and bi-amping - woot!

 

[bazzanderson]

Yeah man no problem. I think the magic to these heads lies in the sweepable mids.....which REALLY helps you adjust your tone to a rooms acoustics. The mid setting from my practice room at my house to my band rehearsal space is completely different....still surprises me how different rooms soak up different freqs. What I listed above was the mid sweep setting for my band rehearsal space btw.

Gonna be fun to hack me amp with this - thanks a ton!

That is part of what I love about the BX500 - so many tonal possibilities (can be a bit daunting at times too) - AND... the BX1500 has an added Para and bi-amping - woot!

 

[LaklandMike]

Amp
Active switch, Tube Drive at noon, Bass at 2pm, Contour at 3pm, Low Mid volume at 3pm....mid sweep depends on room but generally around 2:30pm, High Mid flat, Treble at 2pm. Graphic eq is engaged but all sliders are flat (haven't really messed with them yet). Haven't gone above 9:30am on the volume knob.....generally keep it at 9am.

The trick (imho) is sweeping the low mids to the room for warmth.

Hah! That's pretty much what I set mine at! I dial up a little more bass and a little less treble sometimes, depending on what I'm playing. Also, I've found that you can get much more volume by boosting the lows and low mids on that graphic eq. I'll stomp in the graphic eq when I need a little extra oomph.

 

[bazzanderson]

Yeah....I need to start experimenting with the graphic sliders for sure (more oomph)!

Hah! That's pretty much what I set mine at! I dial up a little more bass and a little less treble sometimes, depending on what I'm playing. Also, I've found that you can get much more volume by boosting the lows and low mids on that graphic eq. I'll stomp in the graphic eq when I need a little extra oomph.

 

[greenboy]

According to some TBers it's always better to buy new cabs and heads rather than ever move any knobs or sliders... If they were in charge of running PA much, that could get pretty expensive, make soundchecks last for days, and require a hella lot of storage space ; }

 

[Biga173rd]

Ok Tlr here are my setting i took 2 pics one flash one non flash and thanx for your replies.

 

[LaklandMike]

According to some TBers it's always better to buy new cabs and heads rather than ever move any knobs or sliders... If they were in charge of running PA much, that could get pretty expensive, make soundchecks last for days, and require a hella lot of storage space ; }

well said!