Carvin BX500: Pt. 3

[masonsjax]

Sorry, I don't remember exactly what the differences were that made me chose the tube I did. I just left the top off and A-B'ed a few different ones. It was like going to the eye doctor. Is this better, or this? Umm, not sure, maybe... the first one?? Very subtle.

 

[KeithPas]

Interesting thread; I just got a Carvin BX500 head to replace my Tec Sound Systems head that alternately sounded great and sounded like it was totally blown (which sounds similar to some of the problems people are having with the Carvin). Did my first gig with the Carvin last weekend and it sounded great; very punchy.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Sorry, I don't remember exactly what the differences were that made me chose the tube I did. I just left the top off and A-B'ed a few different ones. It was like going to the eye doctor. Is this better, or this? Umm, not sure, maybe... the first one?? Very subtle.

That is now what I am finding. I scored some more tubes from my neighbor to try.
I found little subtle differences that I thought I head but, I think they would be lost on anyone else.

In a band or audience situation, they probably wouldn't even notice the new amp let alone the sound of a new tube

 

[Gaffpro]

Well I just bought the BX500 and a brx 10.2 Neo cabinet and am really disappointed with the lack of volume considering it's a 500 watt head. Carvin sent me another BX500 today....same thing......I've used alot of their products over the years and am really stumped on this

 

[craig.p]

It's not the head. It's the cab. The Xmax spec for the 10" neo is 2.35 mm. (These are not Kappalite class, or even Deltalite class for that matter -- not by a long shot.) So, your experience lines up pretty well with the spec, imo.

 

[chucko58]

I run my BX500 into a fEARful 15/6/1 - at 8 ohms - and it puts out plenty of sound. Into a 4 ohm Acme Low B-2 it's almost as loud. I haven't had to take the master volume above 4.

As craig.p said, it's not the head, it's your cab.

 

[MarTONEbass]

Well I just bought the BX500 and a brx 10.2 Neo cabinet and am really disappointed with the lack of volume considering it's a 500 watt head. Carvin sent me another BX500 today....same thing......I've used alot of their products over the years and am really stumped on this

I have to agree with the others. I use this head and a single AE112 on small bar gigs and it keeps up really well.

 

[Chef]

Dropping in again to ask if there are happy "regular 2 ohm users,"
and
if it seems like these are still susceptible to "regular ribbon cable failures?''

thanks!

 

[Jannico]

After playing around with mine for a few months I can say this is probably the best head I own.
Works well at jams. Will test it out in a large gig soon.

 

[MostlyBass]

When trying tubes, what's the process? Do you turn the amp off? Mute? Just swap while everything is hot?

 

[JLS]

Dropping in again to ask if there are happy "regular 2 ohm users,"
and
if it seems like these are still susceptible to "regular ribbon cable failures?''

thanks!

By, "these", you mean Carvin amps, in general? The ribbon cables have been problematic since the R series.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

When trying tubes, what's the process? Do you turn the amp off? Mute? Just swap while everything is hot?

Amp off AND unplugged.

 

[MostlyBass]

Thanks! Unplugged too - serious stuff... But really - thank you for the info.

 

[Chef]

No, I mean, specifically, the BX500.

I want a 2 ohm micro head, but, i don't need one that's gonna fail bi-annually...

By, "these", you mean Carvin amps, in general? The ribbon cables have been problematic since the R series.

 

[Lia_G]

Well, I decided to try a BX500 again. I had one that went into protect mode on a gig with sketchy power. I traded that one to a TB'er, with full disclosure, and it's been gigging successfully for the last two years with no problems. I decided to grab another one to see if it will meet my needs now. We'll see. I'll be powering one or two Carvin 112AG cabs with it (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/carvin-112ag-177539/), although I also have a BRX10.2 Neo cab that I can use. I'm looking forward to seeing how it does relative to my GK 700RB.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[jondog]

I had been loving my BX500 for about two years until my gig last Saturday. We couldn't do a true soundcheck because there was another event in the room, but they let us set up quietly while they had their meeting. Then it was time for us to start, the first song was to be the soundcheck, but I had nothing. Nothing. All lights etc. looked normal but no sound. I plugged the DI out into the PA and that worked, so I did the whole set trying to hear myself through the 1 monitor over by the singer and the bleed from the mains. Ugh.

We all know reliability is key. I'm going to email Carvin to see how much they charge for an out of warranty repair, but I honestly don't know if I can trust it anymore. This sucks because I really really liked this amp. Great sound and features in a really small and light package. This is the only amp I've have ever had completely fail on me in 25 years of gigging (oh no I'm old!). My backup is a Peavey Mark VIII. It weighs 2 tons but is not likely to die.

 

[masonsjax]

From what I understand, a lot of digital amps will exhibit that behavior when the power is insufficient. I borrowed a micro for a party once that did the same thing, I think it was a Markbass. I moved to a separate circuit from the other equipment and had no further problems.

 

[bazzanderson]

I could never get the right sound/tone out of mine & WOULD NOT run at 2ohms. Went into protect mode after 5 mins or so at 2ohms. That being said.....it worked fine for hours at high volume at 4ohms.

 

[jondog]

It was a gig inside the Mid-Manhattan Public Library. The power was fine. I had a low power problem w/ the BX500 once playing in a large backyard on a long extension cord. It did not fail, it just sounded farty and I had a real soundcheck and backup available so it was no big deal. The complete failure Saturday was a big deal. It still doesn't work now at home. The power setion is dead.

 

[lukelogandennis]

I've had my BX500 for little over 3 years now. I love mine. I did have to send it back to be repaired once due to some weird humming. But that was in the first year I had it. It's run perfectly fine since I got it back. My stratocaster sounds great through it too!