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Carvin BX500: Pt. 3

#761
I don't want anybody to unsolder any connections and I don't want the amp to need to come apart because I want it to keep working in the first place. I guess I'm just bitter about this amp -- my power section died out of warranty, it's not a ribbon connector issue. So now it's an odd sized preamp that I don't use because I don't need a preamp.

chucko58 said:
Ain't gonna happen. Ribbon cables save too much labor during manufacturing and repair. Do you really want to unsolder all those connections when the amp needs to come apart? And Carvin's not the only manufacturer who has had ribbon cable problems.

What should happen IMHO is that Carvin should quit using the cheapest possible ribbon cable connectors. Gold plated connectors don't add that much cost, and they significantly reduce intermittent signal issues.
Click to expand...
 
#762
jondog said:
I don't want anybody to unsolder any connections and I don't want the amp to need to come apart because I want it to keep working in the first place. I guess I'm just bitter about this amp -- my power section died out of warranty, it's not a ribbon connector issue. So now it's an odd sized preamp that I don't use because I don't need a preamp.
Click to expand...

That sucks. I feel your pain.
 
#768
Just picked up a BX500 and a used Avatar B212 Neo (4 ohm) cab. Haven't gigged with it yet but testing it out at home it gets plenty loud. Fine for most indoor and small outdoor venues I would think. What surprised me is that this is probably the most neutral sounding rig I have ever played through. Dial in some countour to tame the mids a bit, with tweeter control on the cab at 11 o'clock, I'm hearing the same signal I'm putting in. Perfect setup, I just use my Tech 21 pedals to shape my tone and that's what comes out of the speakers. Impressive. Now I just gotta hope the reliability bugaboo I've been reading about in this thread doesn't bite me. :eek:

Can't wait to play out with this rig. :D
 
#769
ibnzneksrul said:
Just picked up a BX500 and a used Avatar B212 Neo (4 ohm) cab. Haven't gigged with it yet but testing it out at home it gets plenty loud. Fine for most indoor and small outdoor venues I would think. What surprised me is that this is probably the most neutral sounding rig I have ever played through. Dial in some countour to tame the mids a bit, with tweeter control on the cab at 11 o'clock, I'm hearing the same signal I'm putting in. Perfect setup, I just use my Tech 21 pedals to shape my tone and that's what comes out of the speakers. Impressive. Now I just gotta hope the reliability bugaboo I've been reading about in this thread doesn't bite me. :eek:

Can't wait to play out with this rig. :D
Click to expand...

Had my since 02/09 without any problem. Just sold it.
 
#770
craig.p said:
+1 to the gold connector recommendation.

Another way to go would be to use a different (higher) class ribbon connector altogether. In the I.T. world we have large systems that have been running for decades, equipped with ribbon cables absent any gold at all. But they're well made, and lock in tight. Similar to those old IDE cables. They can even be had shielded. If crosstalk is an issue, games can be played with pinout.

OTOH, could just be another one of those otherwise-reliable pieces of gear that needs a (figurative) kick in the ass from time to time, that being cleaning+reseating those connectors. Do laundry, change oil in truck, wash kitchen floor, replace slide recoil spring in .45, clean BX ribbons, like that. :D
Click to expand...

Good stuff.

I work in IT also, and from my years experience, the equipment isn't subject to travel, packing and unpacking, multiple environments indoor and outdoor!! :hiding:
 
#771
I wish I knew about the ribbon-connector trick earlier. About 3 years ago I bought a powered sub from Carvin and after 2 uses it developed a constant static and crackle.
Still under warranty, Carvin instructed me to disassemble the sub, remove the internal amp and send it back for inspection.
Removing the amp was a hassle. I went to send the thing back but FedEx wanted over $70.00 to send it.
I decided to leave the amp out and use the sub passively.
The sub sounds fine now. But I wasted money buying the powered one.
 
#772
Well, after buying my second one of these a few months back, then changing my mind and sending it back, I took the plunge today on a BX500NT (no tube) from the Carvin eBay store. I'm looking forward to getting it and matching it up with my Carvin 112AG cabs. I almost went with the BX250, but for $70 more decided on the 500. Might pick up a 250 later on as well, who knows. It's a neat looking little amp.

Cheers,
Liam
 
#773
liam_g said:
Well, after buying my second one of these a few months back, then changing my mind and sending it back, I took the plunge today on a BX500NT (no tube) from the Carvin eBay store. I'm looking forward to getting it and matching it up with my Carvin 112AG cabs. I almost went with the BX250, but for $70 more decided on the 500. Might pick up a 250 later on as well, who knows. It's a neat looking little amp.

Cheers,
Liam
Click to expand...

Two is better than one, and if you get the 250, three is better than two! The more, the merrier. Enjoy!
 
#776
My BX500NT arrived a couple of days ago, and I just got my first chance to give it a go. I set everything flat, with drive at noon and contour at 0, graphic flat but disengaged. I hooked it up to one of my Carvin 112ag cabs, and plugged in my fretless P bass with fresh Chromes on it (just put on today). Plucked an open E and WOW. I can't believe the depth and clarity. Started playing some lines and soloing (well it was all solo, but you know what I mean), and I have to say I'm really impressed. I played with the compression a little, and settled with it on about 8:30 (very low). I was prepared to tweak the eq, and maybe play with the graphic a little, but the thing sounds so good with everything flat that I just didn't. The one thing I did was boost the bass a bit, but once I lowered the compression I found I didn't need it. The tone was very warm, even with no tube (the NT part of BX500NT). Having the drive at noon probably helps with this. I'll play with the drive knob some more to find my favorite, but I was very satisfied as I had it set.

I have to say, my bass hasn't sounded this good in a while. I'm very happy with this head, and am glad I pulled the trigger on it. It will be a couple of weeks before I get to try it out on a gig, but I can't wait. This and the 112ag stack will be a lot of fun to let loose with. :)

Cheers,
Liam
 
#777
liam_g said:
My BX500NT arrived a couple of days ago, and I just got my first chance to give it a go. I set everything flat, with drive at noon and contour at 0, graphic flat but disengaged. I hooked it up to one of my Carvin 112ag cabs, and plugged in my fretless P bass with fresh Chromes on it (just put on today). Plucked an open E and WOW. I can't believe the depth and clarity. Started playing some lines and soloing (well it was all solo, but you know what I mean), and I have to say I'm really impressed. I played with the compression a little, and settled with it on about 8:30 (very low). I was prepared to tweak the eq, and maybe play with the graphic a little, but the thing sounds so good with everything flat that I just didn't. The one thing I did was boost the bass a bit, but once I lowered the compression I found I didn't need it. The tone was very warm, even with no tube (the NT part of BX500NT). Having the drive at noon probably helps with this. I'll play with the drive knob some more to find my favorite, but I was very satisfied as I had it set.

I have to say, my bass hasn't sounded this good in a while. I'm very happy with this head, and am glad I pulled the trigger on it. It will be a couple of weeks before I get to try it out on a gig, but I can't wait. This and the 112ag stack will be a lot of fun to let loose with. :)

Cheers,
Liam
Click to expand...

Glad you're enjoying the head, Liam! I have a Trace Elliot, a new 200MB, and the BX500, and my Carvin is my fave. Oh, the rehearsal space my main band uses has an Ampeg, and the Carvin is still my fave :)

Enjoy! :hyper:
 
#778
Received my BX500 back from Carvin Yesterday. They had to replace the preamp board to fix the
white noise and static I was experiencing. It was out just shy of one month. Good thing I still had
my tank (41 lb Peavey Max 450) to play, while the BX500 was out.

I'm happy now - Carry on!

BX-down10-10-12.jpg
 
#779
WildWes said:
Received my BX500 back from Carvin Yesterday. They had to replace the preamp board to fix the
white noise and static I was experiencing. It was out just shy of one month. Good thing I still had
my tank (41 lb Peavey Max 450) to play, while the BX500 was out.

I'm happy now - Carry on!

BX-down10-10-12.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice looking rig! Bet those Bag End 15's rock with the Carvin!

:bassist:
 

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