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Carvin's Customer Service - PRIMO!!!!

#21
Well, I went into the Carvin Sacramento store this morning and they swapped out my defective BX500 for a brand new BX500. I purchased the BX500 back in early Jan and had been gigging with it since early Feb 09'. They took it out of the box and installed it into my SKB rackcase and fired it up for good measure. Everything worked out great, I'm very pleased with these guys.:)

Thought I'd let everyone know how things turned out with the exchange.;)
 
#22
vinxbass said:
Well, I went into the Carvin Sacramento store this morning and they swapped out my defective BX500 for a brand new BX500. I purchased the BX500 back in early Jan and had been gigging with it since early Feb 09'. They took it out of the box and installed it into my SKB rackcase and fired it up for good measure. Everything worked out great, I'm very pleased with these guys.:)

Thought I'd let everyone know how things turned out with the exchange.;)
Click to expand...

What exactly is going wrong with the 1st run mechanically and what are they doing differently manufacturing-wise to remedy?

What component is failing is the question.
 
#24
It's the same with any product - buying the 1.0 version is always a bigger risk.
Regardless, they're still selling them, they're not going out of business, so they must have worked out the kinks on the 2.0 versions.

They are also using the class-d in their powered mixers now. They've broadened their use of this technolgy. I'm looking forward to them coming out with class-d power amps. Peavey's is going to have the corner on this market if other Amp companies don't step up.

Incredible Carvin has a 500w powered mixer, with many more features that sells for less than a 500w bass head. That's what quantity of sales can do.
 
#26
I have returned too many amps to Carvin ! The last time I was in their shop I was talking with the rep and he laughed and said "Yeah,once you buy a Carvin amp your kinda stuck with us...huh",I said "Hell No" ! I will never buy another Carvin product !
 
#27
Blues Cat said:
What exactly is going wrong with the 1st run mechanically and what are they doing differently manufacturing-wise to remedy?

What component is failing is the question.
Click to expand...

Ok, heres the scoop. Apparently there was a hiss with the 1st run of BX500's that was what was causing problems with the amp. The problem I had with mine was different, it was going into protect mode while I was playing and would lose all sound for 10-15 seconds then come back on like nothing ever happened. The manager at the Carvin store told his higher ups that it was the hiss problem so that I could just get my amp swapped out. He kind of fudged for me.

As far as what component it is that's giving the BX500 problems, I wouldn't have the faintessed clue. All I know is that I've got a brand new amp that works perfectly and sounds great.
 
#29
shaboda said:
i had a Pro 500 head back in the early 90's - I bought it new. Went thermal all the time... it was somethin' else. I didnt even bother with it and unloaded it at a local store.
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Was it rack mounted?? I've been gigging a PB-500 since the early 90's myself. The only time it gave me thermal problems was when I put it in a rack case. They don't seal properly with outside the original box they come in.
 
#30
What were the problems that you had to return so many amps? can you elaborate?
thanks

p-bass said:
I have returned too many amps to Carvin ! The last time I was in their shop I was talking with the rep and he laughed and said "Yeah,once you buy a Carvin amp your kinda stuck with us...huh",I said "Hell No" ! I will never buy another Carvin product !
Click to expand...
 
#31
my brand spankin new BX500 kept shutting down (protection mode) last nite and put a real damper on the show as far as i was concerned. i was running a 4 ohm, 2 x 10 cab at 12 oclock power. i called it in today and was told to leave an email-the tech was out. and then i read they are slow w/email.
i hope they treat me right too.
maybe i shoulda went italian and got the LMIII ???
 
#34
rpsands said:
If they're gonna replace it try to get 'em to hook you up with one of the new lighter ones ;)
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Carvin will replace it with a newer model...you will just have to give them more money. I have owned five Carvin amps and had trouble with all five. After talking with a rep in the Carvin store,and him telling me I was pretty much stuck with Carvin,I sold the remaining Carvin gear I had, and never looked back. I am using Ampeg gear now and have not had an issue,I even use some of the new Chinese made Ampeg gear and would choose it over Carvin anyday.
 
#36
p-bass said:
Carvin will replace it with a newer model...you will just have to give them more money. I have owned five Carvin amps and had trouble with all five. After talking with a rep in the Carvin store,and him telling me I was pretty much stuck with Carvin,I sold the remaining Carvin gear I had, and never looked back. I am using Ampeg gear now and have not had an issue,I even use some of the new Chinese made Ampeg gear and would choose it over Carvin anyday.
Click to expand...

See, this is an example of an agenda for anyone watching at home :)
 
#38
I wouldn't call my experience a "nightmare" just yet but...based on the Boutique 3-way on A Budget megathreads I ordered a 1503.
The description of the cab on Carvin's website led me to believe it would have the bedliner-ish finish.

When my cab arrived covered in black carpet I called and talked to Bart who said he'd have to check but thought they might have some of the bedliner covered cabs we could switch it out with...and that I should email him so he doesn't forget.

So I did...few days passed...no response. So I emailed again a couple days ago and I'm still waiting to hear from them :scowl:
 
#39
Years ago bought a Carvin 300 Watt head and 2x15 Cabinet. The cabinet arrived damaged and had to be swapped out. They changed models between the time they took my money and the time they shipped it. Did not attempt to notify me. The older model had features I was looking forward to using, the new model did not. I needed it for a series of gigs so I kept it. I ordered the optional heavy duty 400 Watt EV speakers but as a noob I did not realize (& they did not tell me) that the "300 watt" amp was only spitting 150 watts into the 2x15. Years later I bought a Cyclops from them, it had intermittent problems which I tried to fix locally, when the problem was properly diagnosed a faulty tweeter was the problem, they refused to give me a replacement part because it was a year and two weeks that I had owned it, even though I had been corresponding with them all year & paid a local tech out of my own pocket to diagnose & fix the problem. I have owned two Carvin bass amps a 5 string and a PA. I'll never order so much as a guitar cable from them.
 
#40
TheBassTard said:
I wouldn't call my experience a "nightmare" just yet but...based on the Boutique 3-way on A Budget megathreads I ordered a 1503.
The description of the cab on Carvin's website led me to believe it would have the bedliner-ish finish.

When my cab arrived covered in black carpet I called and talked to Bart who said he'd have to check but thought they might have some of the bedliner covered cabs we could switch it out with...and that I should email him so he doesn't forget.

So I did...few days passed...no response. So I emailed again a couple days ago and I'm still waiting to hear from them :scowl:
Click to expand...

As has been said about a gazillion times, USE THE PHONE if you want timely results. Also, if you ordered LS1503 that IS a carpeted enclosure. LSx1503 is Duratex finished, but it has been discontinued as a standard item for quite awhile now, with only limited production runs occasionally being offered up.
 

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