I had issue #1 (ribbon cable) after 1 year on my BX1500. Sprayed all connectors with Deoxit and problem never returned.
Never had a power supply related problem.
I've had mine since the 1st week they were issued.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Carvin BX500: Pt. 3
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
I had issue #1 (ribbon cable) after 1 year on my BX1500. Sprayed all connectors with Deoxit and problem never returned.
Never had a power supply related problem.
I've had mine since the 1st week they were issued.
I ordered the BX500 before I read this thread. Now I'm a little nervous about reliability. If it's just a matter of cleaning the ribbon cable connectors every once in a while, that's really not a problem for me. BTW, I'm replacing my GK RB 700 MKII with the BX500 until I can figure out why my GK is humming fairly loud when I turn up the lower mid control without anything plugged into the input. Called GK 3 times and never got a return call from their tech.
Hum when turning up the low-mids? I have never heard of that before, not a lot to go wrong with that circuit. If you know how to repair or have a tech I can send you schematics. You could email [email protected] or [email protected] .
It is a strange problem. I've tried with no luck to find a schematic. I'm thinking it's either a faulty op amp, or cap. Possibly AC bleed on the incoming DC to the pre-amp. When I have more time I'll check that. I cleaned the grounds, interconnects, and tightened all the power amp and preamp mounts.
I bought mine in 2006. It's been a great amp up until recently. I hope the BX500 works out. From what I've read, it's a great amp.
PM me with an email address and I'll send you the schematics or the email contacts I posted will send you them on Monday or Tuesday. G-K does not hold back info. U4 would be the opamp.
Thanks B-String! I sent you my email address
I'm going to pull out the pre-amp again and order some parts. I'll replace U4 and see if that fixes the problem.
Well I got my BX500 yesterday along with a 8 ohm BR210C for my bedroom for practice. I have to use a lot of low end EQ for the sealed cabinet, but that was expected. The sound quality is excellent for what I'm using it for. I'll probably get one of Carvin's 15" cabs in the near future for doing gigs. BTW, I've noticed that some of you mentioned that the fan doesn't turn when you first turn it on. Mine starts at a low speed from the start. I'll take the cover off and see what revision I have. Maybe they updated it recently?
Well I got my BX500 yesterday along with a 8 ohm BR210C for my bedroom for practice. I have to use a lot of low end EQ for the sealed cabinet, but that was expected. The sound quality is excellent for what I'm using it for. I'll probably get one of Carvin's 15" cabs in the near future for doing gigs. BTW, I've noticed that some of you mentioned that the fan doesn't turn when you first turn it on. Mine starts at a low speed from the start. I'll take the cover off and see what revision I have. Maybe they updated it recently?
The fan will speed up when it needs to. Until you jam LOUD with a band you'll probably never see it speed up much.
I would bypass the 115 and add an identical 210 cab for equal power/sound distribution. When gigging, you can stack them vertical if the stage is REAL LOUD and you need to cut through the mix. Stack them horizontal if you want a deeper/darker sound.
Wanted one of these for a while. I like to be prepared, and the feature set is perfect for my wedding/cover gigs where I have to EQ crazy rooms and sometimes need extra oomph for outdoor venues. Fresh off of having two Portaflex amps die on me before making it to a gig, I decided against the BX500 because of the reliability concerns.
However, a year and many amp trials later, I decided to give it a go based on a good trade deal. First gig was last night, and I was blown away by the sound. I expected it to be a bit sterile or even tinny/hi-fi, but I had a good, old-school, almost vintage tone with everything just about at noon. I was playing through sealed Ampeg 210AVs, which had a lot to do with it, but I was still surprised at how well it paired. Tons of power, I never got past the third notch on the master with hardly any drive dialed in. I fully expected to need a pedal for flavor, but the BX500 was great all on its own with a bit of tweaking on the parametric.
While reliability is still in the back of my head, it's simply not as distracting as having an amp whose sound I don't really like, which is what I've been doing for the past year.
However, a year and many amp trials later, I decided to give it a go based on a good trade deal. First gig was last night, and I was blown away by the sound. I expected it to be a bit sterile or even tinny/hi-fi, but I had a good, old-school, almost vintage tone with everything just about at noon. I was playing through sealed Ampeg 210AVs, which had a lot to do with it, but I was still surprised at how well it paired. Tons of power, I never got past the third notch on the master with hardly any drive dialed in. I fully expected to need a pedal for flavor, but the BX500 was great all on its own with a bit of tweaking on the parametric.
While reliability is still in the back of my head, it's simply not as distracting as having an amp whose sound I don't really like, which is what I've been doing for the past year.
Those cabs definitely add to the vintage vibe but the BX500 is a true chameleon if you now your way around that EQ section. I like my low mid FREQ set to 100 and boosting it to around 2 or 3.
Used the BR515N last night...went through FOH...stage volume was nice and fat, but man it sounded killer out front. Many compliments on the tone from friends at the gig. The DI is pre-eq, but the baked-in tone of it is nice...clean and warm with a hint of compression...
Based on that picture, you're cutting low mids out instead of boosting them. Refer to my post about low mids and tell me what you think.
Agreed, after some great advice on here I find my BX500 kills in tone and volume vs the two twin reverbs I have to contend with in practice.
To sound loud and great in a band setting, I use the Graphic EQ to completely cut the 50 and 80 frequencies, this is sub bass and is felt more than heard. It kills the power. I keep 125 and 250 at 0 or boost a tiny bit. On the parametric I do a boost of 250 and a cut of 900. Sounds great for my situation. give it a try!
Anybody jump on on of these yet? Looks to be a BX500 up-rated to 700W @ 2ohms, and they added a pre/post switch to the direct out. And a red face with LED illumination (woo hoo).
I really want to hear about the voltage sensitivity... both the older BX500 and this new BX700 say power input 90-250V, 50-60Hz... I'm pretty sure my BX500 has cut out well above 90V. Might just pull the trigger on one of these if they appear to be reliable.
I really want to hear about the voltage sensitivity... both the older BX500 and this new BX700 say power input 90-250V, 50-60Hz... I'm pretty sure my BX500 has cut out well above 90V. Might just pull the trigger on one of these if they appear to be reliable.
They only have one speakon output now. The 700watts is only at 2ohm, it looks like the same thing with some really minor adjustments (marketing?). I do like the buttons instead of the switches. I'm skeptical that the performance would be noticeably better than the 500. Now if this new box results in an eventual lower price on the 500? That would make the 500 even more of a bargain.
As far as reliability I don't think that this new one would be any better or worse than the 500 - its basically the same thing. My 500 has some hours on it and I'm very pleased with the performance.
As far as reliability I don't think that this new one would be any better or worse than the 500 - its basically the same thing. My 500 has some hours on it and I'm very pleased with the performance.
I'd pay a few extra bucks for the pre/post switch alone. That's the ONLY reason I didn't get the BX500. I admit that I like the way the new amp looks, and that, yes, that does matter to me. Okay, maybe I'm a little shallow, but I like to look at Christmas lights, too. 
Hello. Anybody have any new info or "adventures" with defects in BX500 ?
I actually thinking about sell my Genz Benz Streamliner and buy this head. BX have parametric mid knob or many other extras(probably is time for something new) but i worry when i readed about technicals problems.
I actually thinking about sell my Genz Benz Streamliner and buy this head. BX have parametric mid knob or many other extras(probably is time for something new) but i worry when i readed about technicals problems.
