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Carvin MB210 Micro Combo Initial Review

#21
Crabby said:
The red looks fantastic too! is that a 210 cab you have underneath hrobert696? it looks quite a bit larger.
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It is a 2x10, but it's the full sized BR210-8 rather than the 210MBE they made to go with the combos. I got it used, actually before I got the MB210, so I ordered the combo in a matching color - which I like too, thanks! Didn't realize the size difference till the combo arrived, but I think it's OK.
 
#22
lgrankin said:
Great review! I thought about pulling the trigger on one of these, but the shipping cost and inability to try in advance killed it for me. I went for the BG250-112 and I'm very happy so far.

Cheers,
LR

I see you are in Canada. I am too but live 15 minutes to the US border. I was able to have the amp shipped to a post office box in a small Washington down directly across the border. Shipping to Washington was $38. Shipping to Canada (Vancouver) was quoted from Carvin at about $160 as they factor in brokerage fees, taxes, duties etc. That kind of kills the deal for a lot of Canadians.
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#23
Crabby said:
lgrankin said:
Great review! I thought about pulling the trigger on one of these, but the shipping cost and inability to try in advance killed it for me. I went for the BG250-112 and I'm very happy so far.

Cheers,
LR

I see you are in Canada. I am too but live 15 minutes to the US border. I was able to have the amp shipped to a post office box in a small Washington down directly across the border. Shipping to Washington was $38. Shipping to Canada (Vancouver) was quoted from Carvin at about $160 as they factor in brokerage fees, taxes, duties etc. That kind of kills the deal for a lot of Canadians.
Click to expand...

I'm about an hour from the border as well and thought about a PO Box...
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#24
Works great. I will usually have to pay Canadian taxes at the border on the way back, but no other duties or fees. Sometimes they even just wave me through even though I declare what I bought. Saves a ton on shipping.
 
#25
Used the MB210 in a bit of a jam last night. At first I wasn't loving the tone which seemed thin with not much going on in the bottom end. I had the Contour control up about halfway and have since realized that the amp sounds so much fatter and warmer with this control turned off. I dialed up the low mids at around 100hz to about 2 oclock and everything just filled out nicely. The Contour reminds me of the scoop feature on amps like the old Eden and SWR models. More of a "suck" control then anything. :)

I am also understanding the input gain or "drive" control much better now. You can actually turn it right off and the sound simply gets a bit cleaner. You do lose some punch and overall volume but the comp isn't so extreme if the Drive level is kept low. I love that I can bring up the Drive and still have a nice clean signal, but the added punch and overall level make the amp seem like a real powerhouse.

Dialing in just a touch of the compressor, really allows you to push the amp harder but the comp really takes the overall volume level way down if not used sparingly.

What I love its that even with a hot 18v active bass, the input section doesn't clip or fart out. I dialed up such a good tone today playing along to some drum tracks that I could not wipe the smile off my face.

I can't wait for the 210 extension cab to arrive. But even on its own, the MB210 is proving to be a very usable micro combo with some great features.
 
#26
Received my matching 210 extension cab this week. What a sweet little cab for so little money. The extension cab adds a ton of volume, punch and depth to the combo. Its a dramatic difference. The amp seems to do just fine powering the 4 drivers. I don't feel its an underpowered rig at all so far. The compressor is really an essential tool for using such small cabs at higher volume. really tightens up the tone and keeps the drivers from farting out.

So far, very impressed. I will post some photos of the full rig asap.
 
#27
I just recently Picked up the mb210e extension cab. I wanted a lightweight 2x10 cab for shows and this little cab was great. All the other bands at the show laughed when they saw it setup but were jealous when I was able to load everything out in a single trip! Im seriously consitering one of the 2x10 combos though.
 
#28
Here she is:

P1040987_zpsbf9a629b.jpg
 
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#29
I'd be interested in trying one out. Buying one here is completely out of the question. After the distributor quoted me $900 for the AG100, which sells for around $399 in the states, I walked away. I can only guess what they'd want for this bass combo.
 
#32
Hey Crabby. Thanks for the review and posts. Still using the pair? Any new thoughts on the combo and extension. For $570 it sounds like too good a deal for 250 watts and 4x10s. Any chance you could snap a pic with them stacked vertically with a bass next to it for size comparison. I'm 5'10". I wonder if I can see the controls if stacked vertically.
 

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