Carvin BX500: Pt. 3

[Jarrett]

Through my PC speakers, the Shuttle had a bigger bottom and a well defined top end while the BX500 was more midrange-y. Both sounded good and the difference was subtle on some clips, more pronounced on others.

I thought so too. Surprising to me me the GB sounds a little smoother or more SWRish as I call it.

I say the Genz almost sounds scooped compared to the Carvin...

This was probably the biggest surprise to me A/Bing the two. Set flat, the GB is pretty scooped sounding.

I dig the Carvin tone, personally. Thanks for the comparison!

No prob and I was surprised to come to the same conclusion.

I did own a BX500 for a short time and now have a S9 but I have to admit the BX500 DI sounds better in my opinion.

I think I do too. I like the BX500 tone all around better so far which I didn't really expect. It's a really versatile, fun amp to play.

 

[Jarrett]

Took the BX500 to jam with a different band today and really dug the sound. This is my first time to haul Carvin only gear (SB5000/BX500/BR210N-4) to a gig and I thought it sounded fantastic. The other players did as well. I usually use a little Ampeg combo for this group, but used the Carvin stuff today and everyone was really complimentary on the overall sound and tone. I was playing with a pretty heavy handed drummer and a decently loud guitar player and I never needed to get over three on the master volume to be very present in the mix. Very pumped about the BX500 and my whole Carvin rig at this point.

 

[tocs100]

Kinda torn between this and a Carvin DCM power-amp. Has anyone (esp rock/metal) found the BX500 NOT loud enough into a 4x10" (or even 15/6)?

 

[mfromwhere]

Has anyone (esp rock/metal) found the BX500 NOT loud enough into a 4x10" (or even 15/6)?

I have the BX1500 with a 4x10 and a 1x15 and sometimes I still feel like I could use some more juice while playing with certain drummers.

 

[optikhog]

I have the BX1500 with a 4x10 and a 1x15 and sometimes I still feel like I could use some more juice while playing with certain drummers.

Whoa, that's loud. I've had the exact opposite experience with the BX500 - even with the loudest drummers I've never had to open mine past 3.5 on the volume knob in the biggest club we play.

 

[Jarrett]

Whoa, that's loud. I've had the exact opposite experience with the BX500 - even with the loudest drummers I've never had to open mine past 3.5 on the volume knob in the biggest club we play.

I've only had mine for two weeks, but I'm more in this boat. If I connect my 4x10 cab and my 2x10 cab, I can't get the master volume over three without practically giving myself a concussion. I've used way less that than when playing with our heavy handed drummer. Yesterday only a 2x10 and it was plenty. I can't imagine how loud a cranked BX500 into one of those BRX 10.4's would be.

 

[optikhog]

I can't imagine how loud a cranked BX500 into one of those BRX 10.4's would be.

Trust me, it's loud. I do not recommend for anyone with a pacemaker.

 

[Jarrett]

I've decided the BX500 is my new fave amp. I just bought it on a whim almost a month ago and it's completely replaced my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0. I never expected that as I was pretty happy with the Shuttle aside from the 2 ohm deficiency. I've A/B'ed them quite a bit now at home, with a band, recording, etc. and I just dig the BX500 all around better. It sounds better/more consistent going from cab to cab, room to room. I'm considering selling my Shuttle 9.0 and then maybe buying another BX500 to have as backup. Regardless, its a cool amp.

 

[schafhalter]

I've only had mine for two weeks, but I'm more in this boat. If I connect my 4x10 cab and my 2x10 cab, I can't get the master volume over three without practically giving myself a concussion. I've used way less that than when playing with our heavy handed drummer. Yesterday only a 2x10 and it was plenty. I can't imagine how loud a cranked BX500 into one of those BRX 10.4's would be.

perhaps if you play into a cabinet with a very low degree of efficiency ... i have two custom built fmc cabinets (2x10 and 2x12 - both 4ohms) and i RARELY ever crank the volume up past 3.

 

[fyrbass]

Hey Guys,I purchased a BX500 from another TB'r a couple of months ago,I like it,but to me it does'nt seem to have much bass to it.I play a Ibanez SR 505 ,and it always seems trebley to my ears.I have turned the treble clear off and it makes no difference in the tone.I have the EQ set for bass with the highs cut,and the EQ on my bass,treble off,bass on and it's still not as bassy as some of my other amps.( I have a Kustom 1200 Groove Bass,and a Peavey Sessionbass head that both have more bass output). Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be.I have a 2-10,2-12,and a 1-15 cab,and they all sound about the same with this head. Thanks...........

 

[Thundar]

Hey Guys,I purchased a BX500 from another TB'r a couple of months ago,I like it,but to me it does'nt seem to have much bass to it.I play a Ibanez SR 505 ,and it always seems trebley to my ears.I have turned the treble clear off and it makes no difference in the tone.I have the EQ set for bass with the highs cut,and the EQ on my bass,treble off,bass on and it's still not as bassy as some of my other amps.( I have a Kustom 1200 Groove Bass,and a Peavey Sessionbass head that both have more bass output). Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be.I have a 2-10,2-12,and a 1-15 cab,and they all sound about the same with this head. Thanks...........

I noticed the same thing when I play thru mine with my Spector...highs down on the bass and highs all the way down on the amp, still had too much treble....but had no problem with the low end with the Spector...now some of my passive basses I do have to boost the bass to about 2 or 3 on the amp, and then bump the 150hz eq as well. Its definitely voiced differently than my other heads.

 

[eli]

I noticed the same thing when I play thru mine with my Spector...highs down on the bass and highs all the way down on the amp, still had too much treble....but had no problem with the low end with the Spector...now some of my passive basses I do have to boost the bass to about 2 or 3 on the amp, and then bump the 150hz eq as well. Its definitely voiced differently than my other heads.

This has been my experience with a 115 cab too. I find the best fix is to crank the Contour... helps remove most of the clanginess. And yes, I have to boost bass on the graphic too.

 

[LaklandMike]

Hey Guys,I purchased a BX500 from another TB'r a couple of months ago,I like it,but to me it does'nt seem to have much bass to it.I play a Ibanez SR 505 ,and it always seems trebley to my ears.I have turned the treble clear off and it makes no difference in the tone.I have the EQ set for bass with the highs cut,and the EQ on my bass,treble off,bass on and it's still not as bassy as some of my other amps.( I have a Kustom 1200 Groove Bass,and a Peavey Sessionbass head that both have more bass output). Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be.I have a 2-10,2-12,and a 1-15 cab,and they all sound about the same with this head. Thanks...........

This might be totally off base (see what I did there?), but make sure you are using quality instrument cables between your bass, all the effects, and the amp. I had the same impression as you at first, and I had to tweak the eq to no end to get rid of the highs and bring out the lows. I did find my sound, but it took a lot longer than I thought it should. All the cables I had in my rig were good quality Hosa cables...except for one. I had a crappy old Fender California series cable from 1999 between my effects and the amp input. Not thinking it would make any difference at all to my tone, and only because I got a good deal on it, I ended up buying a Monster cable intended specifically for bass, and HOLY &%@#!!!!! I could not believe the difference! Not only did I get MUCH more low end, but the volume increased big time, and I finally had to turn my volume below 3 like everyone else on here talks about. Amazing difference.

The only problem now is that I can't help but wonder what would happen if I switched all the Hosas out for Monsters. That would cost way too much for me, but no matter, I'm perfectly happy with the tone I have now.

Wow, I rambled! Long story short: try a good cable if you haven't already...it may surprise you!

EDIT: I almost forgot... the first time I fired up my rig with that Monster cable, my wife came in the room all pissed of because she thought I bought a new pedal or something! She said it was WAY louder sounding than ever before and that stuff was shaking in the other room

 

[oldbassplayergu]

ok first gig tonight with the bx500. bringing the hartke as a backup just incase. the power in this place has done strange things in the past. the 8ohm 4/10 hartke gets the call tonight. I'm pretty charged up for this. love new gear!!! post results tomorrow.

 

[Jarrett]

I don't have the same experience with low bass and too much highs on my BX500, but I am using a SB5000 as my bass. My guess is the SB was probably the bass they used to test it when they were building this thing or at least one of the basses. I like the EQ pretty flat when I play my SB through my BX500. Plenty of bass and low end, even with a 2x10.

 

[oldbassplayergu]

ok first gig tonight with the bx500. bringing the hartke as a backup just incase. the power in this place has done strange things in the past. the 8ohm 4/10 hartke gets the call tonight. I'm pretty charged up for this. love new gear!!! post results tomorrow.

ok well it worked without any problems. thats good right. very loud gain-3 vol-3 was plenty for my 6 piece classic rock coverband. with a 2007 mia pbass sound was a little too pro mid-range so boosted the low knob. left the graphic alone (mid scoop smile).bass and a cord nothing else.got some good feedback from the band. cut thru good. overall pleased need some more time with it. felt good to pack light 2 basses 4-10 cab and a knapsack. yeah I like my new amp.

 

[fyrbass]

I think I fixed my problem with not enough bass in my BX500,my SR 505 always was a little tinny with the stock EQ.I had bought an ARTEC 3 band EQ off E-bay several years ago to try in this bass,but didn't like the sound,I thought I'd try it again and what a difference it made.I've got all kinds of bass now,but still have some highs if I want them,plus,I can change the mids how ever I like.....Made a big difference........

 

[bazzanderson]

I rewired my 8ohm 2X12 DeltaLF Avatar last night to parallel (to 2ohm)....disconnected the crossover and tweeter and put in a new jackplate (2X12 is now full range which is how I like my cabs anyway). Now I'm pulling all 500watts out of my BX500. What a difference it made (just testing it at the house) volume wise. Run it through rehearsal tonight. My rewire job is totally reversable so not worried about the resale value as I can wire it all back to original in about 30mins.

Great heads.

 

[Jarrett]

Update on my BX500:
I had a rehearsal with a different band yesterday. It was a hard rock band that I've played with for many years with all different types of gear. In the past they complained that my sound was a little mushy and couldn't be heard when I was using my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0.

Before the practice I broke out my old early 90's Trace Elliot AH350SMX and A/B'ed it with the Carvin BX500. Surprisingly, they sound pretty similar with BX500 being slightly more raw/less compressed sounding. The BX500 held the low end tighter and was overall punchier, so I put the old lead sled back in the closet again.

For this practice I was using my Carvin BX500 + SWR 4x10 + Carvin 2x10 and I was happy with the results as were they. I put the master volume at 5 where I've never turned it up that loud with any band before and the sound was just crushing. Great clear low end with just the right about of girth and harmonic content for this band. I had the tube engaged, drive around 8 with Contour in the same position. Everything else was flat and the compressor was off. Sounded fantastic tonally. It was a little too loud for me, but they really liked it. Their favorite song was one where I tuned down to Drop D and pounded out a driving line throughout the song. The sound was massive and they loved it as did I. Afterward, they guitar player said, "Where's that amp been for the last 20 years?!"

 

[BlacksHole]

I can answer your guitarists question - on most every bass player's wish list (and fantasy until the last 2 years).