Replaced the crappy old cable with a new speakon. It's been a few days and that seems to have done the trick. Thanks!
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Carvin BX500: Pt. 3
- Thread starter Chef
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Replaced the crappy old cable with a new speakon. It's been a few days and that seems to have done the trick. Thanks!
What's funny for me is that my upgraded speakon went! The jacks took too much stress (probably from the cover). Oh well. Easy fix. Glad it is working out for you.
First of all, I'm new here, and this is my first post. Hi all. Now, I've been following this thread for a while. I need a small amp, and can't afford the $1200 for a Markbass. I decided to give the Carvin a try. So here is my opinion, for what it's worth. It is a good bang for your buck amp. It is good. Not great, but good. Without using the graphic eq, I would describe the tone as solid. It is the kind of tone that sounds good in the mix. That is, by the way, an educated opinion; I haven't played this in a gig yet. With the EQ I could shape the tone a lot more (as many have noted). The compressor is surprisingly good. I've never actually had an onboard compressor that was especially useful, but this one works well. The tube doesn't do a whole lot. No real surprise.
OK, there is a good story involved in my acquisition of this amp. I got it in the Sacramento store, sort of. I got it home and the guy accidently gave me a bx1500. I decided to be honest, and called him. Now, you should know that I had to drive two hours each way to the store. The guy insisted I drive it back (he knew about the drive). We had to go back and forth for a while before he agreed to do the whole thing by mail. I was about to say, "fine, I'll keep it."
So far, I'm glad I bought the amp. We'll see about reliability, but it sounds very good, incredibly good for the price.
OK, there is a good story involved in my acquisition of this amp. I got it in the Sacramento store, sort of. I got it home and the guy accidently gave me a bx1500. I decided to be honest, and called him. Now, you should know that I had to drive two hours each way to the store. The guy insisted I drive it back (he knew about the drive). We had to go back and forth for a while before he agreed to do the whole thing by mail. I was about to say, "fine, I'll keep it."
So far, I'm glad I bought the amp. We'll see about reliability, but it sounds very good, incredibly good for the price.
3 reasons really.
1. Bang for your buck. I don't need biamp capabilities, though the 900 watts could be nice for my 4x10 (GK 410 rbh). I don't really need the big gun.
2. Cosmetics. I want to stand the 2x10 on its end, and I don't want the edge of the amp hanging off.
3. Portability. I want a small, good sounding rig, to play at café gigs and the like.
Interestingly, the high mid control on the bx1500 was more useful, it got at the high frequencies that I think bring out the hi tone without bringing on the brittle.
A few pages back there was some discussion whether the mute function was completely silent when plugging/unplugging the instrument. I was one of the folks who reported completely silent operation.... until now. I bought a new cable (mogami) and oddly, I get a pop when plugging in ONLY if the EQ is disengaged. When I use my old cable, its dead quiet either way. What would be an explanation for this?
My mute is silent for plugging and unplugging passive basses, but active basses make a little pop.
New owner of a used unit.(It came out of a combo).
Very satisfied thus far. This sucker is LOUD! and very solid. Coming from an SWR I'm a little thrown by the lack of the really high, sibilant frequencies(Read: Finger Noise), but I enjoy the more subtle, less hissy treble in the BX.
My mute works best with the graphic engaged. the only thing I hear is the pop from a cable coming out of a bass, which I can live with. Engaging the graphic makes it silent.
I'm digging this unit thus far.
Very satisfied thus far. This sucker is LOUD! and very solid. Coming from an SWR I'm a little thrown by the lack of the really high, sibilant frequencies(Read: Finger Noise), but I enjoy the more subtle, less hissy treble in the BX.
My mute works best with the graphic engaged. the only thing I hear is the pop from a cable coming out of a bass, which I can live with. Engaging the graphic makes it silent.
I'm digging this unit thus far.
I've been considering one of these for awhile to replace my SWR Bass 750 since it doesn't really meet my needs anymore (want something smaller/lighter, more eq options, the BX500 seems plenty loud by comparison). Anybody here who was owned an SWR, can you make a tonal comparison between the two? Ironically they seem to have many similar features - single tube pre, onboard compressor, parametric mids, 2-ohm capability - but the Carvin has two mid controls instead of one, plus a graphic, and is waaaaay lighter.
If anybody here has experience with both, can I get a little insight about what to expect? I appreciate it in advance.
EDIT: just noticed that Mooselumps post right above me mentioned SWR. What model did you switch from?
If anybody here has experience with both, can I get a little insight about what to expect? I appreciate it in advance.
EDIT: just noticed that Mooselumps post right above me mentioned SWR. What model did you switch from?
I used to play SWR years ago. The Carvin can do what the SWR does well. It has a sweeter midrange though IMO.
I have a pre-fender sm 400s. I love it and it's my stay at home amp now.
The pre of the carvin is flatter. The pre of the SWR's has a dip around 300 hz that is pretty pronounced and gets worse with the aural enhancer. The carvin has more bark in that range. However, the top end does not extend the same way. I sometimes miss the extra top in a band context, as it helps me gauge how hard I'm playing, the projection of the sound, ect.
I don't think it's a vertical move, though. a lateral move is a better comparison.
The pre of the carvin is flatter. The pre of the SWR's has a dip around 300 hz that is pretty pronounced and gets worse with the aural enhancer. The carvin has more bark in that range. However, the top end does not extend the same way. I sometimes miss the extra top in a band context, as it helps me gauge how hard I'm playing, the projection of the sound, ect.
I don't think it's a vertical move, though. a lateral move is a better comparison.
That's good to know; I tend to boost that area of the low mids to make up for the dip, so I don't think I'll miss it. Plus my cab is tweeterless so I probably haven't noticed the super highs you mentioned.
Dear All,
in search for a replacement for both my Yamaha BBT500H (too early Digiamp) and Trace RAH400SMX (tooo heavy), I came across the BX 500. After reading through parts I and II of this thread,I had enough GAS to decide for the BX 500 and so, last Thursday, I placed an order with the German Carvin distributor.
Yesterday, USP delivered the amp; today in my lunch break I went home and connected it to my 2x12 and 2x10 FMC custom enclosures (both 4 Ohm).
I only had time for a short test, but was impressed by the amp's clarity, punch and power. Only went to "2" on the master volume once and for a very short time
I am looking forward to the rehearsal next weekend, where I will see how it sits in the mix with the rest if the band.
Br, Matthias
in search for a replacement for both my Yamaha BBT500H (too early Digiamp) and Trace RAH400SMX (tooo heavy), I came across the BX 500. After reading through parts I and II of this thread,I had enough GAS to decide for the BX 500 and so, last Thursday, I placed an order with the German Carvin distributor.
Yesterday, USP delivered the amp; today in my lunch break I went home and connected it to my 2x12 and 2x10 FMC custom enclosures (both 4 Ohm).
I only had time for a short test, but was impressed by the amp's clarity, punch and power. Only went to "2" on the master volume once and for a very short time
I am looking forward to the rehearsal next weekend, where I will see how it sits in the mix with the rest if the band.
Br, Matthias
Dear All,
in search for a replacement for both my Yamaha BBT500H (too early Digiamp) and Trace RAH400SMX (tooo heavy), I came across the BX 500. After reading through parts I and II of this thread,I had enough GAS to decide for the BX 500 and so, last Thursday, I placed an order with the German Carvin distributor.
Yesterday, USP delivered the amp; today in my lunch break I went home and connected it to my 2x12 and 2x10 FMC custom enclosures (both 4 Ohm).
I only had time for a short test, but was impressed by the amp's clarity, punch and power. Only went to "2" on the master volume once and for a very short time
I am looking forward to the rehearsal next weekend, where I will see how it sits in the mix with the rest if the band.
Br, Matthias
Hope you grow to love that head as much as I have! Keep us posted
Well, played the amp for the first time with my band at our rehearsal last Saturday ... Boy, this beast is loud!
I absolutely love the amp's clarity - even at very high (master at 3
) volumes. Funny thing is that the amp's sounds is so clear that you don't realize how loud you are until you get angry looks from the guitar players ... hehe ...
Until now: double thumbs up!
Br, Matthias
I absolutely love the amp's clarity - even at very high (master at 3
) volumes. Funny thing is that the amp's sounds is so clear that you don't realize how loud you are until you get angry looks from the guitar players ... hehe ... Until now: double thumbs up!
Br, Matthias
tocs100
Utah Bass of Doom, Metal DJ @ leafpileradio.com
I've followed this thread on & off since part 1, but don't recall reading the signal-order.
The way I'd prefer it is
Pre > knob eq > comp > fx loop >graphic eq.
Also, isn't there a direct/effected switch for the D.I.? If not, is it post-eq like the adjacent phones out?
The way I'd prefer it is
Pre > knob eq > comp > fx loop >graphic eq.
Also, isn't there a direct/effected switch for the D.I.? If not, is it post-eq like the adjacent phones out?
Anyone a/b'd the bx500 VERSUS the bx1500?
I owned the bx1500 for a while, which I liked alot, and was just wondering how close they are tonally.
Well, played the amp for the first time with my band at our rehearsal last Saturday ... Boy, this beast is loud!
I absolutely love the amp's clarity - even at very high (master at 3
Until now: double thumbs up!
Br, Matthias
+1000..............
sweet little amp
I was quite surprised to discover that the DI out is PRE-eq, with no selector switch. Grrrr... so, yes, if you want a post-eq out, you need to use the phones out jack to a little outboard DI box.
