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Carvin's BX1500 and B2000

#801
...once they are out and about, and I can see some feedback.
I'm the proud and impressed fairly new owner of the BX500 (played mainly through a Carvin BR118N-4 cab). At just 5 lbs. and 59 lbs, the rig provides crazy good power, sound, and tonal flexibility w/o challenging my 62-year-old back. I think I'm a "US of A" Carvin guy from here on in.

By the way, I know that "economy" bass cabs from Seismic Audio are looked down on among serious bass players, but I have a Seismic SA-15" cab which I also like due to its light weight (about 45 lbs). Replacing its stock 15" speaker with a Carvin PSN-15" has given me terrific results. No question that the cab is not made for heavy gigging (so you have to treat it more gently when loading, but the tonal quality/resonance of the cab itself is very good for what I'm looking for---a cab that can handle and deliver a deep, resounding bottom. I get a lots of compliments and queries from bass players who hear the rig when I use it at small venues.
 
#807
BX1500: $499 is an incredible deal for that amount of power and eq flexibility. I still haven't seen a good head to head review versus the B2000. The reasons I've seen for preferring the B2000 are simplicity, greater 2 ohm capability for running two large 4 ohm cabs, and a warmer tone. Downsides for the B2000: choice of low mid eq point could be better, high mid eq interacts too much with treble, and power section reliability issues (which hopefully have been addressed). Both are fine amps but one must have a reason for choosing one versus the other. The BX1500 has unlimited eq possibilities, can use or bypass the 12AX7 tube, and also has a compressor. Any experience out there with how this compressor sounds or other comments?
 
#809
5StringPocket said:
BX1500: $499 is an incredible deal for that amount of power and eq flexibility. I still haven't seen a good head to head review versus the B2000. The reasons I've seen for preferring the B2000 are simplicity, greater 2 ohm capability for running two large 4 ohm cabs, and a warmer tone. Downsides for the B2000: choice of low mid eq point could be better, high mid eq interacts too much with treble, and power section reliability issues (which hopefully have been addressed). Both are fine amps but one must have a reason for choosing one versus the other. The BX1500 has unlimited eq possibilities, can use or bypass the 12AX7 tube, and also has a compressor. Any experience out there with how this compressor sounds or other comments?
Click to expand...

I've noticed that the compressor is very sensitive and you don't need much at all for it to kick in. I'm actually preferring the graphic eq over the semi para. Probably just me, but it seems more intuitive and easier to use. Gobs of power, though, bridged. Can't get much past 4 on the Master. The Drive control does'nt seem to differ much when the tube is engaged or not. Frankly, I have'nt been able to distinguish when the tube is engaged or not. There is a button on the back of the amp to do this , but no indication of what position engages it. Anyway, I've tried in and out and don't hear much of a difference.
 
#810
Dekker said:
Well, I finally pulled the trigger and am awaiting delivery of my BX1500 :) Can't wait to start playing through it, and I'm already wearing my happy grin :)
Click to expand...

Cool, and a stupid price ! I've tried a bunch of the newer lightweight heads and this one, by far, hit a homerun with me. Very easy to get a great tone right out of the box.
 
#811
The BX1500 is a beautiful head. I bought one used to see what it was like and then sell it if I didn't like it. Well now I have a BX500 and a BX1500. Looks like this will take care of my amp issues for quite some time. Can anybody tell me what cabs will allow me to take advantage of the bridged power?
 
#812
jnewmark said:
I've noticed that the compressor is very sensitive and you don't need much at all for it to kick in. I'm actually preferring the graphic eq over the semi para. Probably just me, but it seems more intuitive and easier to use. Gobs of power, though, bridged. Can't get much past 4 on the Master. The Drive control does'nt seem to differ much when the tube is engaged or not. Frankly, I have'nt been able to distinguish when the tube is engaged or not. There is a button on the back of the amp to do this , but no indication of what position engages it. Anyway, I've tried in and out and don't hear much of a difference.
Click to expand...

The button you mention is labeled 'tube bypass' (on the pic on their website).
My assumption would be that as a default, the tube would be in the circuit until you pushed the 'tube bypass' button to the 'in' position in order to bypass the tube.
 
#815
Dekker said:
Yes, I had noticed your announcement as well. What a coincidence!
Dekker
Click to expand...

Well i got home last night and saw that they were having the Black Friday sale....So i decided to pull the trigger first thing this morning. really looking forward to that head...I like it for the fact it is very strait forward no frills head...with a ton of power behind it!! The bx1500 was just a bit to fancy for what i do...i like just strait raw Power!! I guess we will be getting them at about the same time we will have to comparer notes!!:hyper:
 
#816
jnewmark said:
I've noticed that the compressor is very sensitive and you don't need much at all for it to kick in. I'm actually preferring the graphic eq over the semi para. Probably just me, but it seems more intuitive and easier to use. Gobs of power, though, bridged. Can't get much past 4 on the Master. The Drive control does'nt seem to differ much when the tube is engaged or not. Frankly, I have'nt been able to distinguish when the tube is engaged or not. There is a button on the back of the amp to do this , but no indication of what position engages it. Anyway, I've tried in and out and don't hear much of a difference.
Click to expand...

The compressor on my BX1200 is very sensitive. I hit the strings hard so I like it, but not past 2 or 3. Any higher and it doesn't let enough dynamic punch through.
My DRIVE control pre-dates the TUBE-PRE on the BX1500 and I notice quite a bit of change when I turn it. Definitely warms up the tone with harmonics, minus the tube, so it must do it with some type of emulation circuitry. Mine stays at half (noon).
 
#817
I have the tube in my bx1500 disengaged ( I think you do that by pushing the button 'in') and I crank my drive to maximum. I think the drive knob does very little with the tube disengaged. I max the drive because its just one less "volume" control to worry about that way.

I use my bx1500 with a VT Bass and my settings are as follows:

VT = treble off, mids, drive and character 10:00, bass noon

BX1500 = treble off, everything else flat except graphic eq = 80 and 250 slight nudge up and 125 a healthy nudge down.

I have this amp close to a year now and I'm still not done experimenting with the tonal options. :cool:

May as well throw a pic up.
amprig2-1.gif
 
#818
::::BASSIST:::: said:
I have the tube in my bx1500 disengaged ( I think you do that by pushing the button 'in') and I crank my drive to maximum. I think the drive knob does very little with the tube disengaged.
Click to expand...

It actually does plenty (at least with my basses and in the BX500), but probably nothing you would hear with the treble rolled completely off...;)
 
#820
::::BASSIST:::: said:
Could be right about that!
Click to expand...

Heh!

FWIW, the Drive control is nearly all the way at the other end of the circuit from the tube section. The graphic EQ is in front of the tube and works fairly well for regulating tube grind, although the tube comes all the way after the Master Volume, which is pretty goofy IMHO. I tend to use the tube section for a slight clean boost and subtle fattening rather than for grind though, personally, so it works for me. Again, all this is in reference to the BX500, which appears pretty similar to the BX1500 in most regards as far as the preamp section, although I haven't been able to find a BX1500 schematic online so far.
 

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