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Carvin vs. Mesa Cabs
- Thread starter tubaman2
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I can't say anything about Carvin's customer service, as I've never dealt with them, but the folks at Mesa are great. They just want to make sure all of your questions are answered, and they're in no rush to move on to the next person. Yes, I own a 400+ and a 4x10 roadready cab with the original Eden drivers. IMO, they make for an outstanding rig.
My rig is an older RL1000, RL410+ RL118. Got the whole thing for $400. It is OK and does the job, but I definitely will not be buying any more Carvin Bass gear. To be fair, I haven't tried any of the new amps or BRX cabs, but when I get the cash to upgrade, it will likely be older used Ampeg stuff. I'd really dig an SVT and an 8X10.
Also, I have never tried Mesa stuff, but I'd only imagine it blows the Carvin stuff away.
Also, I have never tried Mesa stuff, but I'd only imagine it blows the Carvin stuff away.
Mind you,I did not read every post. But,it seems (IMHO) that the majority of people replying to your particular quandary,are referring to Carvin's "older" stuff (Example: Redline Series Amps/Cabs). That's how I perceive it,at least.
My opinion on Carvin's older gear? I agree wholeheartedly,with most replies (esp. regarding their "older" Bass Amps). And,yes,I concur that Carvin's bass pre's and amps had NO "PERSONALITY" at all,whatsoever. Even though I STILL have the stock pre in my '97 LB75KOA! Go figure
.......
Carvin has made H-U-G-E,and I do mean H-U-G-E strides in "tonal-quality",when it comes to their current line-up of bass amplification/on-board bass pre-amps. Carvin's bass gear now has personality!
Whoo-Hoo!!
Finally they're listening to all us players here in the "real world".
But,then again......To each their own!
My opinion on Carvin's older gear? I agree wholeheartedly,with most replies (esp. regarding their "older" Bass Amps). And,yes,I concur that Carvin's bass pre's and amps had NO "PERSONALITY" at all,whatsoever. Even though I STILL have the stock pre in my '97 LB75KOA! Go figure
.......Carvin has made H-U-G-E,and I do mean H-U-G-E strides in "tonal-quality",when it comes to their current line-up of bass amplification/on-board bass pre-amps. Carvin's bass gear now has personality!
Whoo-Hoo!!Finally they're listening to all us players here in the "real world".
But,then again......To each their own!
I'm fairly convinced by reading all these posts that nobody has actually compared a NEW Carvin stack against a Mesa stack. The Redline series are inferior in every way so the words "DO NOT APPLY" do apply in this case.
A BRX10.4 + B2000 half stack has no equal in Carvin history.
Not even close and that doesn't include Carvin's other powerful head, the BX1500, which can drive a pair of BRX 410's in bi-amp mode at 450w each.
I have tried many variations of the NEW Carvin stuff as well as the Mesa stuff, and if I have 1500 bucks worth of new Carvin amp against your 1500 bucks of new Mesa amp, you'll be picking up the pieces of your Mesa that just got blown off the s
As for customer service, Carvin's is as fast and as good anybody's.
See!!??
Told'ya so! *Quote from a bass playing ancestor (34th cousin,IIRC) of mine,that lugged his gear to America on 1 of 4 boats called..... The,Mayflower,Nina,Pinto,or Santa Maria.
"Worry and fear not,all.... For one day,ALL will come to their senses,regarding gear."
I know,after lookin' at what I just typed^^^^. Yeah,it's corny. Ya just need to grow a sense of humor.
My first rig from '90 was an Ampeg SVT3pro w/ 4x10 and 2x12... underpowered and unimpressive. Kept that rig way too long, but I was not playing w/ bands for about 10 years until '07. Sold the whole Ampeg rig, bought an SVT4 and a 410hlf.... too quiet. Got a Carvin B1500 and another 410hlf and finally got the tone and volume I needed. Bought a Berg NV215 and a Thunderfunk 550B, A/B'd the two and sold the Thunderfunk. Decided to go w/ a 2 rig split signal setup and bought 2 Carvin B800s, sold the B1500. In the meantime, I compared my Carvins to SWRs and other amps, nothing dethroned the B series Carvins. When I decided I wanted my 2 amps in a rack, I went w/ Genz Shuttle 6s, but I still prefer my B800 (kept 1) and take it w/ me to the studio when I record. I've got a handful of primo cabs and a lot of great basses..... I could easily spend thousands on a Mesa amp (after selling some gear) and some of their cabs, but so far after playing them at GC, my ear says there's no need.
Also, I have an old Carvin 1x18 8 ohm w/ gray ratfur that I played thru at GC a few months back. Didn't need it, can't use it w/ my current setup. But for $125 (used) I couldn't walk away! Unplugged from my 2 Berg NVs and GB Shuttles the other day and just played thru the old Carvin 18 and my B800. The singer said, "You don't wanna know what I think!". I told him that I already knew it sounded fantastic!
Just telling my experiences, yours may vary.
Also, I have an old Carvin 1x18 8 ohm w/ gray ratfur that I played thru at GC a few months back. Didn't need it, can't use it w/ my current setup. But for $125 (used) I couldn't walk away! Unplugged from my 2 Berg NVs and GB Shuttles the other day and just played thru the old Carvin 18 and my B800. The singer said, "You don't wanna know what I think!". I told him that I already knew it sounded fantastic!
Just telling my experiences, yours may vary.
Pretty much this. Mesa is great, and I'd prefer a mesa cab (probably a used diesel 2x15) to a Carvin. However, there's nothing wrong with Carvin, either.
I can Not comment on Mesa, but i can on the NEW carvin brx cabs. first id like to say the old carvin 2x10/4x10 were Junk! i purchased a redline series 2x10 and within 15 mins i called carvin and told them i didnt want it. I play a 6 string and demand a 10 inch cab handle my low B. recently i purchased a brx210 Neo, and (not comparing it to mesa) but it has been the best cab i have owned. (peavey,ADA,Fender, ampeg) The 2x10 handles the thunderous Low B with power! but likei said i dont know how that can or can Not compare to a mesa. I must add, i have always had people (other bands) comment in a positive manor about my Tone.
1 guy Carvin-
Everybody else-Mesa
Either this guy knows more than everybody else, or he knows squat.
I own several Carvin rigs. They do a great job. I have a bassplayer friend/acquaintence, who uses a Mesa rig. His stuff does a great job also...@ 3X the price, but he gets bragging rights over the brand/pedigree.
In the end, 'ya spend your money and 'ya live with what 'ya bought. IMO, no need to apologize for owning either brand. And no need to get $%!^ty with others for having a different opinion.
As a stage monitor/backline either will do a good job. The pa is what people hear anyway, so make sure your bass sounds good. Everything else is personal choice.
bassplayer8953 said:
Oh my God!!! You mean that ancient Peavey or (God forbid) that Carvin PA at ALL the local venues is all the crowd hears!! This thread IS pointless! I'm getting a Peavey combo amp!
TOYOTA owns LEXUS...so..I'm not sure how the analogy fits here.
(I'm just sayin)
ANYWAY...
I've owned some Carvin stuff over the yrs...usually it was because it was not only affordable...but was the best soundind stuff (in that pricerange).
NOW..that being said..I would MUCH rather own the Mesa..they just sound better to me..Better than MOST stuff out there though (IMO)
If money was no object, I'd Go Mesa.
Money usually is an object..and the next (New) rig I get, will most likely be a Carvin (Head at least
)That should clear things up for ya.
YMMV,IME, IMO..some cars not for use with some sets.
I can't talk about both cabs as I've never heard any of them , heck , I don't even use a bass amp , I always use a PA or IEM , but a question poped my mind after reading your answer:
Isn't Carvin manufacturing PA' s and have a lot of models in their catalog ?
How about the companies you named above ?
Are they making PA's along their bass cabs ?
I've never heard a PA from Carvin I haven't heard their bass amp either , but personaly , being in the market for a bass cab , I wouldn't dismiss a company that has the knowledge and capacity to do other stuff.
Just sayin
BTW ; I use RCF products
This thread is great! I'm loving it! And now for my two cents. I am one of those guitar players who was asked to take on the bass because these guys couldn't find a bass player. Everybody plays guitar! Anyway, I needed some gear. I figured I'd buy a carvin. Get more for my money by cutting out the middle man. The amp I bought- Carvin BX 600 head with the BRX 10.2 NEO cab. Although I've gotten a lot of complements on my tone, this amp sucks. I could never get what I wanted out of this amp. Of course I have my board and tried to improve my tone through that. I'm close to what I want by using EQ, compression, and Sonic Stomp pedals into the SansAmp Bass Driver and from there to the return on back of the amp. Like I said this amp sucks so I tried bypassing the pre amp. Better but still searching. Next I find a used Mesa Boogie Road Ready 410 on E-bay. After hearing so much good about Mesa I went for it. I really like this Boogie! Besides it looks real cool too! Isn't that what it's really all about? Ha ha. Don't buy carvin if you can find used Mesa. I definately plan to replace that BX 600 head with a Mesa or a GK. I'll have to see what I can find but it won't be a carvin. I have dealt with carvins customer service and it seems to me like they don't really care. By the way that carvin cab is real light weight. Sounds not far from the boogie. The boogie is pretty damn heavy. So what
Well what started out as one guy standing up for Carvin, me, has turned into a whole mob of Carvin fans so there!!
I dont even know people who can say money is no object, but I dont object to paying big money for boutique gear.
Still, the way for most people to purchase gear is to set the price range and compare. New Carvins excel in this case.
I have owned a compact, powered PA from Carvin and it was a champ. Loud and clear, easy to move and built for abuse.
My new BX1200 bass head, if you are familiar with all its capabilities, is like a mini-PA bass head in itself because of its active crossover and bi-amp ability.
The B2000 head is on sale now for the price of a GK700RB so dont wait if youre looking for a new head.
I dont even know people who can say money is no object, but I dont object to paying big money for boutique gear.
Still, the way for most people to purchase gear is to set the price range and compare. New Carvins excel in this case.
I have owned a compact, powered PA from Carvin and it was a champ. Loud and clear, easy to move and built for abuse.
My new BX1200 bass head, if you are familiar with all its capabilities, is like a mini-PA bass head in itself because of its active crossover and bi-amp ability.
The B2000 head is on sale now for the price of a GK700RB so dont wait if youre looking for a new head.
Well what started out as one guy standing up for Carvin, me, has turned into a whole mob of Carvin fans so there!!
Nice troll - what I'm seeing is nearly everyone saying that Carvin's good for the money, but not in the same league as Mesa...
Maybe you should take some reading courses with the money you saved by cheaping out on Carvin gear
...- georgestrings
So, in other words, you haven't played any of those cabs, don't use a bass rig, and haven't experienced any of Carvin's PA gear, either - but figure, "hey, they make PA gear, so they must be good at bass gear, too"
Using that logic, Behringer must make good bass gear too, right??
- georgestrings
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