• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

I saw the B2000 at NAMM, but did not know about the BX1500 until today when I checked their website for new products. I have a BX500 that I bought right after if was released and got a bad one, which they replaced with a new one, which is fine - but I'm going to wait a few months before buying either of these two new amps. I've now learned my lesson on first batches of anything. I bought the new Micro 500 head from Euphonic Audio right when it came out and got a bad one then too. The BX500 is a little short on power of course - great for its size, but I'm thinking about buying both of these new amps - and even selling my BX1200 because I won't need it anymore - I'd rather have the new more powerful and lighter stuff. Anybody else agree with not buying from the first batch?
 
I saw the B2000 at NAMM, but did not know about the BX1500 until today when I checked their website for new products. I have a BX500 that I bought right after if was released and got a bad one, which they replaced with a new one, which is fine - but I'm going to wait a few months before buying either of these two new amps. I've now learned my lesson on first batches of anything. I bought the new Micro 500 head from Euphonic Audio right when it came out and got a bad one then too. The BX500 is a little short on power of course - great for its size, but I'm thinking about buying both of these new amps - and even selling my BX1200 because I won't need it anymore - I'd rather have the new more powerful and lighter stuff. Anybody else agree with not buying from the first batch?

I would wait as my story is like yours - got two bad BX500's and then I gave up and bought a MB F1. Still, would'nt mind either one of the new heads, but I am definitely gonna wait awhile.
 
I would wait as my story is like yours - got two bad BX500's and then I gave up and bought a MB F1. Still, would'nt mind either one of the new heads, but I am definitely gonna wait awhile.

I have a GB 9.0 that's working great, a GK MB2500 in the shop due to a bad pot (bought a "scratch & dent" unit off of Musicians Fiend - bad idea - it's being sent to GK as we speak and I'm hoping they just send me a damn new one), then I have the Carvin BX500 and BX1200 - so I'm good, but I'd like to replace both Carvins with the 2 new ones. I will wait until at least June before I buy - and of course will keep reading about them on this thread.

I almost bought that F1, but they were hard to get at first. When they showed them at NAMM, it took almost a year for product to actually hit the streets. You like the F1?
 
I have a GB 9.0 that's working great, a GK MB2500 in the shop due to a bad pot (bought a "scratch & dent" unit off of Musicians Fiend - bad idea - it's being sent to GK as we speak and I'm hoping they just send me a damn new one), then I have the Carvin BX500 and BX1200 - so I'm good, but I'd like to replace both Carvins with the 2 new ones. I will wait until at least June before I buy - and of course will keep reading about them on this thread.

I almost bought that F1, but they were hard to get at first. When they showed them at NAMM, it took almost a year for product to actually hit the streets. You like the F1?

Yes, I do like the F1, it seems way more powerful than any of the other 5 lb, 500 watt amps, I tried, including the Carvin, but with less bells and whistles.
 
maiden bass, if you had to return the B1500, might be fine to order and wait for a B2000 now. OR, get a full refund and snag a used B1500 from here on CL's (mines not for sale) so I aint pitching him to buy mine.

bwoodman, scratch n dents from MF, etc, come with full warranty, correct? Was your GK past the warranty? You could've returned it for a refund. But if the pot issue happened way past the warranty/return times, then this coulda happened even with a new amp. Did the issue show up right away or did you drop it or bump it hard, etc?

Just saying, issues of pre-damaged/abused gear usually occur pretty quick. So scratchNdent or new GK, this mighta happened to either one. Unless you can elaborate as to why you feel your purchase of a "used" item was a bad move. I've bought a few things used/demo scrtchNdent from such online stores with confidence since they usually offer full warranty/return policies. So anyone get a B2000 yet? Sorry, had to ask.
 
By the time I called Carvin back, their customer service had already shipped me another B1500 (3 day service), so if this one arrives ok then I will keep it unless I don't like the sound then I can return it under their 10 day return policy.

I have to say Carvin customer service is probably one of the best in the industry!
 
I'm very surprised Carvin would discontinue the B1500, I'll definitely be holding onto mine.

Hopefully the B2000 will be equal to or a step up from the B1500, but those are some hard shoes to fill. I'll be anxiously waiting some B1500/B2000 comparisons.

i'm so glad i have my b1500 now as well- not going anywhere. i was a bit concerned when i read 'bx1500'. i thought "OH NO, am i going to want this?" but upon inspection it seems to be more like the bx1200s older brother.

i don't think this stuff is going to be able to live up to the b1500- **** might make the world explode if it does
 
I'm having a tough time deciding between the bx1500 and the b2000. I really like that the bx1500 does 1000w at 8 ohms bridged, weighs 3LBS less and has the switchable 9 band eq, but I have a feeling the b2000 will sound better. However, I plan on using my 15 band eq so I think I can get the tone I want with that and the bx1500. Also, of course the bx1500 is $100 cheaper so that weighs in as well.

I plan on running it with my LDS 15/6 so I need a loud amp that will do mucho wattage at 8 ohms.

Decisions, decisions...

Any input?
 
I'm having a tough time deciding between the bx1500 and the b2000. I really like that the bx1500 does 1000w at 8 ohms bridged, weighs 3LBS less and has the switchable 9 band eq, but I have a feeling the b2000 will sound better. However, I plan on using my 15 band eq so I think I can get the tone I want with that and the bx1500. Also, of course the bx1500 is $100 cheaper so that weighs in as well.

I plan on running it with my LDS 15/6 so I need a loud amp that will do mucho wattage at 8 ohms.

Decisions, decisions...

Any input?

Personally, I like bells and whistles. Tho, simplicity is nice I have to admit. I'd go with the BX1500 because it's got the onboard compressor. I have to have compression when I play, because of the slapping that I do is very powerful and I can blow speakers without it. I know, I've done it too many times in my early career. I don't want a multiple rack system anymore so with the BX1500 I've got everything that I need.
 
maiden bass, if you had to return the B1500, might be fine to order and wait for a B2000 now. OR, get a full refund and snag a used B1500 from here on CL's (mines not for sale) so I aint pitching him to buy mine.

bwoodman, scratch n dents from MF, etc, come with full warranty, correct? Was your GK past the warranty? You could've returned it for a refund. But if the pot issue happened way past the warranty/return times, then this coulda happened even with a new amp. Did the issue show up right away or did you drop it or bump it hard, etc?

Just saying, issues of pre-damaged/abused gear usually occur pretty quick. So scratchNdent or new GK, this mighta happened to either one. Unless you can elaborate as to why you feel your purchase of a "used" item was a bad move. I've bought a few things used/demo scrtchNdent from such online stores with confidence since they usually offer full warranty/return policies. So anyone get a B2000 yet? Sorry, had to ask.

I think MF says 45 days and I was past that. I said it was a bad idea to buy the scratch & dent because now I'm going to spend another $100 to get it fixed instead of spending the extra $100 for a new one. Recently found out that GK sent the wrong parts to the repair center twice and now they want the amp sent to them - could be another 2 weeks - jeez - at this point I'm hoping GK just sends me a new amp.
 
Personally, I like bells and whistles. Tho, simplicity is nice I have to admit. I'd go with the BX1500 because it's got the onboard compressor. I have to have compression when I play, because of the slapping that I do is very powerful and I can blow speakers without it. I know, I've done it too many times in my early career. I don't want a multiple rack system anymore so with the BX1500 I've got everything that I need.
I guess my main concern is the different poweramps of these amps and how they effect the tone.
 
I guess my main concern is the different poweramps of these amps and how they effect the tone.

I know a few people have mentioned this in the thread but I'm just not convinced. I spent some time over the weekend playing with EQ settings on both my BX1200 lead-sled and my BX500 back-to-back and could not detect any real difference in low-end push. The BX500 is a touch brighter than the BX1200 but I suspect that's more voicing than amplifier.

Note I have no reference point for the new amps, I simply have my suspicions based on previous experience with various amplifier types and YMMV, etc. I also have little doubt as well as to how the eyes can trick the brain into thinking something sounds better based on aesthetic preference as I've seen/heard it happen first-hand.