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Carvin's BX1500 and B2000
- Thread starter vinxbass
- Start date
I have tested the BX1500 in the Hollywood Carvin store and to my ears it sounds pretty close to the BX500 tone wise.
It's a primarily mid voiced amp that is quick and modern sounding. It does not quite have the authority/depth of a B1500 (which I own). I find the B1500 bigger and warmer sounding, more old school in many ways.
The weight of the BX1500 is impressive for such a powerful amp the B1500 is a heavy beast.
It's a primarily mid voiced amp that is quick and modern sounding. It does not quite have the authority/depth of a B1500 (which I own). I find the B1500 bigger and warmer sounding, more old school in many ways.
The weight of the BX1500 is impressive for such a powerful amp the B1500 is a heavy beast.
Anyone having overheating issues at all with their bx1500?
I'm inline to pick up a 1200 for fairly cheap, my friend who is a touring musician has had his overheat on him while running at 45% volume a few times.
I ask this because I'd be running a near identical setup to his and would rather pick up something with a bit more power (and tubes) if it got me away from the heating issues.
I'm inline to pick up a 1200 for fairly cheap, my friend who is a touring musician has had his overheat on him while running at 45% volume a few times.
I ask this because I'd be running a near identical setup to his and would rather pick up something with a bit more power (and tubes) if it got me away from the heating issues.
Dr Funk
"If you ain't appearing then you be disappearing"
So last night was the first gig with my B2000. It was a big club, I used a UL410 4 ohm and it was a great night. The B2000 exceeded my expectations and was just a tone monster. The tube gave it that elasticity that only a tube can. Sound engineer just loved it and was quite pleased with the DI as well. It sat in the mix with authority, depth, girth and clarity that NONE of the micros could give me. The EQ points are really near perfect. It performed flawlessly (keeping my fingers crossed) and at the end of the night my master volume was on 3. I think between this and a Staccato 51, updates to my big and small rigs are complete. If I had to compare this amp tonally to any of the amps I have had in the last year and a half it would clearly be the Glock Heartrock, same robust clarity with powerful EQ... but with the tube.
So last night was the first gig with my B2000. It was a big club, I used a UL410 4 ohm and it was a great night. The B2000 exceeded my expectations and was just a tone monster. The tube gave it that elasticity that only a tube can. Sound engineer just loved it and was quite pleased with the DI as well. It sat in the mix with authority, depth, girth and clarity that NONE of the micros could give me. The EQ points are really near perfect. It performed flawlessly (keeping my fingers crossed) and at the end of the night my master volume was on 3. I think between this and a Staccato 51, updates to my big and small rigs are complete. If I had to compare this amp tonally to any of the amps I have had in the last year and a half it would clearly be the Glock Heartrock, same robust clarity with powerful EQ... but with the tube.
Sweet!
Glad it's working out for you and thanks for the review!
You should have no thermal issues with the BX1500. In all situations my BX1500 has been running cold. Last night I bought mine to rehersal and using one channel and a 2X15 ported bottom it sounded full and warm.
My favorite set-up so far is a 8 ohm 1X15 on the low channel and a 4 ohm 2X10 on the high channel for 750W. Not overpowering for the band but very full with a lot of headroom.
The tube adds warmth that the BX1200 doesnt have and the light weight is much appreciated if you have to carry it on a regular basis.
BX1200 class A/B (heat)
BX1500 class D (no heat)
Again thermal issues are a thing of the past with this head...forgetaboutit.
I'm glad to hear it's working out for you. I have to agree about the tone, it's killer!! I finally had the opportunity last night to bring my B2000 out to a gig for the first time in three weeks and was just loving it. I think it was gig number five for me with this particular head and I have had no issues with it thus far. I still have my B1500 but I'm not really missing it with the B2000...obviously a good thing. The tone has been right there for me with the B2000 and I've got it cutting through the mix just great.
I really hope these amps prove to be reliable in the long run because I plan to hold onto mine for as long as it lasts. As far as I'm concerned, the B2000 has it all...great tone, lightweight and LOUD!!
I tend to run in full range mode (no biamping). The 2X10 is the BRX210 it can handle it no problem. If you mean the 2X15 I was just running it on the Low (450W at 4 ohms) channel with the high channel turned off.
Dr Funk
"If you ain't appearing then you be disappearing"
You are singing to the choir on this, Amen!
Tonight I'll use my UL610, it's outdoors marina side. I'm sure it will be interesting to say the least. I really dug it with the UL410 last night.
I sure hope I don't sink someone's yacht!
From your post, it says like you were running the 115 on low and the 210 on high channel. That's what I was asking about.
Thats correct. When I run the 1X15 on ch#1 and the 2X10 to ch#2 I leave the crossover switch off. This runs full range to both speakers. Heres the manual if it helps:
My BX1500 just arrived today!
I'll give you all an update by this weekend.
We're waiting !
Some thoughts about the BX1500 after playing it for several hours.
Very quick sounding head, reminds me of several different amps, more for people who like flat response with punch. You can dial in lots of eq, but the preamp sounds good flat to me, then I add some graphic eq to shape the sound.
I play fingerstyle, so slap and pick players might have another opinion. I think the compressor is REALLY good, but you have to set it low if you crank the drive like me, or you will lose all of your dynamics. Another thing is the tube - with it off the amp just sounds super bland to me, when you turn it on it has a voice of warm tube with punchy solid state (sort of like the first Hartke 3500 where you can blend them) and I really like it.
With the tube on I give this head a 9, with the tube off I give it a 5 - it makes that much difference in tone!
I am running mine in 4ohm bridged mode and turning up to 5 on the master the power amp clip led is flashing on with the low notes, but it has a limiter working and sounds fine to me.
I am happy with the purchase so far, but I will update again later after more playing time.
Very quick sounding head, reminds me of several different amps, more for people who like flat response with punch. You can dial in lots of eq, but the preamp sounds good flat to me, then I add some graphic eq to shape the sound.
I play fingerstyle, so slap and pick players might have another opinion. I think the compressor is REALLY good, but you have to set it low if you crank the drive like me, or you will lose all of your dynamics. Another thing is the tube - with it off the amp just sounds super bland to me, when you turn it on it has a voice of warm tube with punchy solid state (sort of like the first Hartke 3500 where you can blend them) and I really like it.
With the tube on I give this head a 9, with the tube off I give it a 5 - it makes that much difference in tone!
I am running mine in 4ohm bridged mode and turning up to 5 on the master the power amp clip led is flashing on with the low notes, but it has a limiter working and sounds fine to me.
I am happy with the purchase so far, but I will update again later after more playing time.
Some thoughts about the BX1500 after playing it for several hours.
Very quick sounding head, reminds me of several different amps, more for people who like flat response with punch. You can dial in lots of eq, but the preamp sounds good flat to me, then I add some graphic eq to shape the sound.
I play fingerstyle, so slap and pick players might have another opinion. I think the compressor is REALLY good, but you have to set it low if you crank the drive like me, or you will lose all of your dynamics. Another thing is the tube - with it off the amp just sounds super bland to me, when you turn it on it has a voice of warm tube with punchy solid state (sort of like the first Hartke 3500 where you can blend them) and I really like it.
With the tube on I give this head a 9, with the tube off I give it a 5 - it makes that much difference in tone!
I am running mine in 4ohm bridged mode and turning up to 5 on the master the power amp clip led is flashing on with the low notes, but it has a limiter working and sounds fine to me.
I am happy with the purchase so far, but I will update again later after more playing time.
Thanks for the update. What kind of bottom are you using with the amp in bridged mode? Just curious. I agree with your comments on the tube. I leave it in all the time (much warmer).
Oh no! warmer is not good for me... is it warmer only when the tube engaged.If you bypass the tube is it like the BX1200?Someone also commented the drive on the BX1200 and said that its very comparable to a GK growl.Is that true?
Thanks.
If it's like the BX500 (which I suspect it is), then you'd be correct in assuming that the tube warms it up. My BX500 sounds very much like my BX1200 when the tube's disengaged. And yes, the SS drive is similar in sound to GK drive.
