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Carvin vs. Mesa Cabs

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How is that any different from the Carvin or Mesa stuff you haven't heard, either???


- georgestrings

It means that I won't make a judgement before hearing one.
I don't trust what people write on the Interwebs.
And I don't make an opinion just by reading what other people say , I make and say my opinion on stuff I use/try.


Oh and BTW , I'm a professional musician and I use some Carvin stuff.
 
Mesa doesnt.
They give power handling figures for their cabs, but no freq range or sensitivity figures.

They never really put out any specs for their earlier bass amps either. They would just say 500 PEAK watts! or something similar.

There is no bass cab companies that produces real charts.
Most of them probably don't have the right equipement or tools to do so compared to Companies like JBL, Meyer , nexo , RCF , etc...
 
As far as cabs go, I've definitely liked the Mesa cabs that I've heard better than the Carvins.

But...keep in mind the whole fEarful movement had roots in a modified Carvin 3-way PA cab.

As far as amps go, that was not the OP's question, but I've used a Mesa M-2000 and a couple 400+ and both were cool, but I'm currently using a Carvin B1500 that is easily in their league.

What the B1500 lacks in panache it makes up for in power, volume, good tone and controllable EQ.
 
groovaholic said:
As far as cabs go, I've definitely liked the Mesa cabs that I've heard better than the Carvins.

But...keep in mind the whole fEarful movement had roots in a modified Carvin 3-way PA cab.

As far as amps go, that was not the OP's question, but I've used a Mesa M-2000 and a couple 400+ and both were cool, but I'm currently using a Carvin B1500 that is easily in their league.

What the B1500 lacks in panache it makes up for in power, volume, good tone and controllable EQ.

Yeah as we all know - the M2K is just SO lacking in the controllable EQ dept I mean gawd how can it keep up with the mighty B1500.
And oh yeah we all remember how lacking in volume the 400+ compared to some Carvin.
The fact you can write this out and keep a straight face is beyond impressive.

Comparing Mesa to Carvin yet again is laughable. It's like trying to compare your Kia Rio to a new M5 by saying "Oh it's just as good they're both cars right?"
:facepalm:
 
Recently I've been using a carvin BX600 for the power amp, which I believe is class D. I don't really know what that means. It is solid state and my pre stuff is supposed to emmulate a tube amp (tech21 BDDI. And of course EQ, comp, and sonic stomp pedals). I'm plugged into the return but am still able to use the graphic EQ on the amp (post). My cab is a mesa road ready 410 8ohm. I never liked the amp but when i listen back to our recordings i really like how my bass sounds in the mix. I have the volume around 1-1/2 maybe 1-3/4. I'm telling ya that is loud as $&!@! We play pretty heavy at times and trust me, this amp gets loud and could go way louder if i need to. I still claim to hate the amp. Not the cab though. I think I would like to replace the head with a Mesa or GK.
 
I have played some impressive and unimpressive mesa gear (mostly guitar amps) same with carvin. All companies put out crap gear and have some great "pro" offerings.that being said the carvin b1500 can hold its own against mesa gear i've played but both mesa and carvin fall short of the glorious tone that emanates from a g.k. 800rb!
 
Claiming to hate something you just praised is..... well pretty confusing.

Also, everytime I've called Carvin about bass related gear, I'm connected to a rep that has SO FAR always been a bassist who gigs/records w/ Carvin amps and/or cabs. Not all of them were playing Carvin basses, but that's irrelevant. YES, they could be flat out lying, but you can get that from anyone (Dr B*** cabs for instance).

Also, companies that sell direct, can do so at less than half the cost of what we pay at GC. I have friends that work there and there's a 100% markup I'm told. Considering this, it's not hard to see why an amp that sells used for around 3-500 bucks can hang w/ those that list for nearly 2K in stores.
 
cavedweller said:
I have played some impressive and unimpressive mesa gear (mostly guitar amps) same with carvin. All companies put out crap gear and have some great "pro" offerings.that being said the carvin b1500 can hold its own against mesa gear i've played but both mesa and carvin fall short of the glorious tone that emanates from a g.k. 800rb!

What are the noticable differences?
 
Comparing Mesa to Carvin yet again is laughable. It's like trying to compare your Kia Rio to a new M5 by saying "Oh it's just as good they're both cars right?"
:facepalm:


Yeah, one look at the "High end bass amp" thread tells the tale - atleast 75% of the posters there listed Mesa as one of their top 5 high end picks...

Not a single mention of Carvin - hmmmm...



- georgestrings
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cavedweller
I have played some impressive and unimpressive mesa gear (mostly guitar amps) same with carvin. All companies put out crap gear and have some great "pro" offerings.that being said the carvin b1500 can hold its own against mesa gear i've played but both mesa and carvin fall short of the glorious tone that emanates from a g.k. 800rb!



What are the noticable differences?


I was going to ask specifically what "crap gear" Mesa has put out, and what "great pro offerings" Carvin has put out, but your question is pretty valid, too...


- georgestrings
 
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