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Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

#621
I think no matter what you are gigging, a backup is a good idea. I settled on a GK MB2-500 for that job. 4lbs and fits in the gigbag. So small and light, you don't even have to think about it. It's always there if needed.
Now if someone could help me finalize my decision between the B1500 and B2000, it would be much appreciated. I'm gigging both and can't decide!
 
#623
Dr Funk said:
Sounds like you are in a better position to decide that most of us. But you just can't ignore the 14 pound factor. :eyebrow:
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Well, having them both here, that 14 pound factor isn't as great as you would think. The B2000 is racked in a Carvin 2-space rack, and the B1500 is racked in a custom rack I made similar to the Carvin rack. Both can be carried in one hand with ease, and since I'm not walking multiple city blocks between the car and the venue, they feel pretty much the same.
I can pretty much get each of them to sound the same as each other. I think a couple of more gigs this weekend and next will help me decide. The maybe the winner will have to go up against a BX1500 :ninja:

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#624
Washishimi said:
Well, having them both here, that 14 pound factor isn't as great as you would think. The B2000 is racked in a Carvin 2-space rack, and the B1500 is racked in a custom rack I made similar to the Carvin rack. Both can be carried in one hand with ease, and since I'm not walking multiple city blocks between the car and the venue, they feel pretty much the same.
I can pretty much get each of them to sound the same as each other. I think a couple of more gigs this weekend and next will help me decide. The maybe the winner will have to go up against a BX1500 :ninja:

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If the weight isnt an issue I'd stick with the b1500 simply because its tried and true and the b2000 is a bit more of a roll of the dice since its a new product.

How does the gk mb500 compare tonally and volume wise? I'm thinking of getting one of those as well.
 
#625
So today a fellow forum member, gatorben24, drove north nearly an hour to play my new BX1500 and BRX10.4NEO. We have been PMing since I ordered it. After him noodling around for a good hour or so, he said that he was going home to order his Carvin rig. It was cool to hear him play through it being a much more talented bassist than myself. It really made me appreciate it even more. :) I am one happy MFer.
 
#626
Washishimi said:
Well, having them both here, that 14 pound factor isn't as great as you would think. The B2000 is racked in a Carvin 2-space rack, and the B1500 is racked in a custom rack I made similar to the Carvin rack. Both can be carried in one hand with ease, and since I'm not walking multiple city blocks between the car and the venue, they feel pretty much the same.
I can pretty much get each of them to sound the same as each other. I think a couple of more gigs this weekend and next will help me decide. The maybe the winner will have to go up against a BX1500 :ninja:

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4e397fa8.gif
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Note, I have never heard any of these heads in person. But form the sounds of it, the difference to you isn't huge. If you can still return the B2000 and try out a Bx1500 that would sound like a good idea.
 
#627
Just an update on my BX1500. I have been running it at 4ohms bridged cranked and no problems at all, only the power amp clip light comes on slightly for peaks (I think it means the limiter is working cause I have not heard any distortion). I love the graphic eq (leave it on all the time now) as well as the tube (also leave it on all the time). The compressor is great, but I only use it at low settings or else all of your dynamics are gone. This head is loud with great tone and have had zero problems with it. I could not find a better head at Guitar Center for even twice the price.
After having this head for a little while now I am glad I got this one instead of the B2000, cause I need a graphic eq to get my sound.

Carvin has a big winner with this head IMHO.

:bassist:
 
#630
::::BASSIST:::: said:
If the weight isnt an issue I'd stick with the b1500 simply because its tried and true and the b2000 is a bit more of a roll of the dice since its a new product.

How does the gk mb500 compare tonally and volume wise? I'm thinking of getting one of those as well.
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Tonally, the GK is brighter and grindier, but seems deeper naturally. Different in a good way. And although it's being pushed way harder than the B2000/B1500 in a very LOUD live setting, it actually holds it's own. Don't think I would rely on it as my main head for that reason, but we play fairly loud, so I'm sure it's fine for most people most of the time. As a backup head needed in a pinch, it's a no brainer.
 
#637
BigOldHarry said:
I had a chance to play a 2000 at the SD Carvin store - I was not impressed. Set flat, it seemed hissy and brittle to me. Could have been the Carvin cab, I suppose...

I'll keep my Ashdown, methinks.
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If you like the Ashdown sound, you'd probably have to torture all EQ methods available to get even a little bit close.
I could see getting close with either B2000/BX1500 if you add a Sansamp VT Bass pedal.
 
#638
The bass vt pedal sounds really good in the fx loop of the bx1500. Im really loving this head! The compressor is great, and is the only onboard that I have EVER liked. The eq is plenty powerful, there is plenty of output, the amp has a nice punch to it and weighs nothing. It sounds good through any cab that I have used it with. I owned the markbass LMII for awhile and returned it only because the eq was useless for my needs. This amp gets the same punch but with way more power and a good eq. I know that everyone has there own preferences but, for me, this one kills the markbass stuff. I got this amp just to hold me over until the Baer gear comes out but, Im pretty sure that I'll be keeping this one anway! I totally happy. I hated the previous carvin bass head by the way.
 
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