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Carvin BX500: Pt. 3

#824
I used one for a PA power amp one night, when our 17-piece swing big band's amp went out. I ran (4) 8 ohm PA cabs all night (paralleled), the first hour with 2 ohm switch mistakenly in the wrong position. No problem!
 
#826
Oh oh-hit by the unwanted farty distortion bug last night at the gig (my BX500, not me). Same issue people have reported (and happened to me a few years back).

I hadn't used my BR515N combo in a little while, and decided to bring it last night for the smaller venue with no PA support. For some reason, which turned out to be very good, I also brought along my Ampeg PF500 head as a backup.

I got everyone set up for sound (vocals/kick) and then I plugged in to set my volume to hit for the gig. Was getting that kinda distorted/volume-swing tone...sounded like my battery in my MTD K5 was going. This happened once before with my Carvin and re-seating the tube/ribbon cable fixed it.

I didn't have time to take it apart and do this since the band was almost ready to go...I ran out to the car and grabbed the Ampeg. Used that as a head with the BR515N as a 1x15 cab and was good to go. Sounded great, actually. Love that Ampeg.

Anyway, I will pull the Carvin head this week and see if re-seating the tube/ribbon cable fixes it. The amp has been move around quite a bit, so that could be the issue (I hope).
 
#827
Lync said:
Oh oh-hit by the unwanted farty distortion bug last night at the gig (my BX500, not me). Same issue people have reported (and happened to me a few years back).

I hadn't used my BR515N combo in a little while, and decided to bring it last night for the smaller venue with no PA support. For some reason, which turned out to be very good, I also brought along my Ampeg PF500 head as a backup.

I got everyone set up for sound (vocals/kick) and then I plugged in to set my volume to hit for the gig. Was getting that kinda distorted/volume-swing tone...sounded like my battery in my MTD K5 was going. This happened once before with my Carvin and re-seating the tube/ribbon cable fixed it.

I didn't have time to take it apart and do this since the band was almost ready to go...I ran out to the car and grabbed the Ampeg. Used that as a head with the BR515N as a 1x15 cab and was good to go. Sounded great, actually. Love that Ampeg.

Anyway, I will pull the Carvin head this week and see if re-seating the tube/ribbon cable fixes it. The amp has been move around quite a bit, so that could be the issue (I hope).
Click to expand...

Instead of just reseating...remove>>Deoxit>>replace to all connectors for a much longer lasting effect.
 
#829
Actually, I did use contact cleaner the last time now that I remember. I will do that again and report back.

It's funny, back when I had a "heavy" amp, I never carried a backup. Now with these micro amps, they are nice and light, but I feel I always need a backup (and I have used the backup).
 
#830
I just ordered another BX500 this week, for two reasons. One is I play Carvin SB5000 & SB5001 basses and run through a Carvin BRX10.2 Neo cab. My amp is a GK MB800 though. I love the MB800, but I thought it would be nice if I could run a whole Carvin rig.

The second reason is the MB800 shocked the crap out of me at my last gig. It looks like it turns out that it might have been an electrical issue with the outlet I was plugged into, but it prompted me to order a BX500 as a backup. They were on sale for $359 so I couldn't pass it up.

I used to own a BX500 a couple of years back. It's going to be interesting to revisit it with fresh ears and compare it to the tones I'm getting now.
 
#831
Bumping this one again. I played a gig with my Bx500 the other night through one of my Epifani T-112 cabs. I thought the room was going to be a lot smaller than it actually was! I cranked the volume to 5, louder than I've ever had it, and it was AMAZING. Glorious, full, hi-fi tone for the entire 90 minute set. Goodbye Mesa M9! Thinking about grabbing the BX1500, that's how good this amp is!
 
#832
MarTONEbass said:
Bumping this one again. I played a gig with my Bx500 the other night through one of my Epifani T-112 cabs. I thought the room was going to be a lot smaller than it actually was! I cranked the volume to 5, louder than I've ever had it, and it was AMAZING. Glorious, full, hi-fi tone for the entire 90 minute set. Goodbye Mesa M9! Thinking about grabbing the BX1500, that's how good this amp is!
Click to expand...

+1. I own the BX1500, and I think my amp gas is done for quite some time. Amazing bang for the buck bass heads.
 
#833
I've been using mine a lot along with its little brother, the BX250. Great amps.

I used my MB800 with an SWR Golight 2x10 (not a good match) last night and struggled with the sound a little. I'm just used to Carvin's powerful EQ section that lets me dial in/out exactly what I need.
 
#838
Reading thru the threads it seems the BX/BR had some issues early on. Have they been addressed on the later models? Are they relatively reliable nowadays?

The bassist in on of my bands (I play lead guitar) is selling a BR510. It's almost a year old and has been ok thus far.
 
#839
The only issue now seems to be with the ribbon connectors. Plan on opening it up once a year or so and spraying the connectors with deoxit and working them on and off a few times and you should be good.

Liam
 
#840
Thanks, that's good to know. I really like the sound of the 210 combo. It is very hi-fi with clear upper mids, while still thumping on the bottom (contrary to a couple of posts here on TB). And it could be EQ'd to old school smooth punch, too. Me likee. However, I was more than a little concerned by all the issues reported here and elsewhere. Glad they seem to have it straightened out.
 

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