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Chef's Carvin B1500...

#81
Chef said:
Better than getting stuck with an amp that seemed to be non-functional, but Dr Funk-not what you're suggesting might have happened.
Click to expand...

I was just trying to share the fact that when my GB arrived slightly damaged cosmetically I mentioned it on this forum casually and by noon the next day I received an email from Jeff Genzler (and a phone call later to confirm) and Roger Hart. They sent me a new amp next day blue label before I even informed the vendor. Such a variance in the customer service policies of two competitors within the same industry.
BTW I'm afraid I know what you're saying about that preamp clippingt... unfortunately. :eyebrow:
 
#82
It's nice that you got that level of service-that kicks!
It was not my experience with them-many folks speak real highly of them.

I'm really starting to feel "like the Universe is punishing me for not acknowledging that I should just accept the TFB is the best amp on the planet for me" and let it go. Everything I've tried since I bought that has been fraught with issues/problems/trials and turmoil.
 
#83
Dr Funk said:
I was just trying to share the fact that when my GB arrived slightly damaged cosmetically I mentioned it on this forum casually and by noon the next day I received an email from Jeff Genzler (and a phone call later to confirm) and Roger Hart. They sent me a new amp next day blue label before I even informed the vendor. Such a variance in the customer service policies of two competitors within the same industry.
BTW I'm afraid I know what you're saying about that preamp clippingt... unfortunately. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

But as Chef's post indicates, you have variations even within the CS of a single manufacturer. And as a kind of counterpoint to your experience--which I'm not disputing or disagreeing with in any way at all--I've had nothing but good experiences with Carvin CS. When I had a problem with an R600 a few years back, they came and picked it up within a day, at no cost to me, and 2-dayed me a replacement. When I had an unfixable problem with the neck on an out-of-warranty bass, they made me a whole new bass at a truly nominal cost. If you were only to compare my Carvin experience with Chef's GBE experience, Carvin would look like the more responsive company.

I'm just saying, it's hard to generalize about one company's CS as opposed to another's without looking at as big a picture as you can. It's possible to have good and bad experiences with many, if not most, manufacturers. In fact, maybe that's the norm these days. I can only think of a couple companies who almost uniformly get raves for CS--EA being one of them--and even they no doubt drop the ball on occasion.

None opf this should be understood as a knock on GBE. AFAICS they're a good company, and I've always liked their gear.
 
#84
Dr Funk the Carvin was a B unit and the GB was new correct? So GB's response is what I would expect now days from a manufacturer warranting a new amp w/problems. Unfortunately Chef's Carvin has to be repaired.

I still think Chef should just get a new one. : )
 
#85
Again, disagreeing.
Mine came with the full one year unlimited warranty.
As smokin hot as this thing got, and given that this happened "after being repaired once," I feel the responsable thing to do *is to send me a new one.*
How many times do you think carvin will want to ship this one back and forth over the next 365 days when it keeps failing intermittently?
I wouldn't tie up my tech bench time and dollars with it if it were my biz....
It won't take long to tie up all their profit in two units at $50 shipping per round trip.
 
#86
Chef said:
Again, disagreeing.
Mine came with the full one year unlimited warranty.
As smokin hot as this thing got, and given that this happened "after being repaired once," I feel the responsable thing to do *is to send me a new one.*
How many times do you think carvin will want to ship this one back and forth over the next 365 days when it keeps failing intermittently?
I wouldn't tie up my tech bench time and dollars with it if it were my biz....
It won't take long to tie up all their profit in two units at $50 shipping per round trip.
Click to expand...

I totally agree on sending a new one Chef. I would just request one now.;) You have to ask though. Talk to Marco.;)

I played mine for 2hrs+ at 8ohms and the top was actually cold when I felt it.
 
#89
Chef said:
I'm really starting to feel "like the Universe is punishing me for not acknowledging that I should just accept the TFB is the best amp on the planet for me" and let it go. Everything I've tried since I bought that has been fraught with issues/problems/trials and turmoil.
Click to expand...

:D :D :D That just hit my funny bone! Not laughing at you, bro. I can be similarly hard-headed at times. Now quit Funkin' around and call Marco!

Ken
 
#90
Chef said:
Marco...he's not been in the loop of folks I've been talking to.
Is he CS or tech?
Mebbee I'll ring him tonight or tomrrow, thanks!
Click to expand...

Second that, or third it, I've lost count.

I don't know Marco Arias's title, but he is the guy to talk to at Carvin. If a thing can get done there, he is the guy who can get it done.

Good luck, and I hope things work out and the curse is lifted. ;)

Of course, being stuck with Thunderfunk is far from the worst of fates....
 
#91
BluesCat was nice enuff to send me Marco's email. Hopefully we'll get this sorted out to everyone's satisfaction...So far Carvin is trying-just not getting a "I can take it to work and trust it" result, but I trust that'll come in time.

Y'all, you're never stuck with a Thunderfunk: but you knew that already;)

Now, I gotta tell you, my TFB has had one singular issue as well. Something on the inside gave out..on the job, left me with no power, just a DI. Playing thru monitors not intended to "represent" your bass and trying to hear bites it, big.

I called Dave the next morning. Just like Carvin, he sent out a UPS call, fixed it-gratis-shipped it right back before my next gig. Been a trouble free ass whippin machine ever since y'all. That's what I'm talkin' about. I can't go to work with gear I can't count on-there's just too much riding on it.
 
#93
For those who have asked "whaddayathink," an update:

OK...so...Marco no longer works there. Thanks for throwing out a lead tho;)
Despite shipping it, what two weeks ago? or so? it's just now, today, hit the repair shop "waiting line," and they say it'll be another 10-14 days before they open her up and repair/replace. That decision will be made by the bench tech, whom I have emailed My Big Ole Long Soliliquy (tm).
 
#96
Chef said:
You buyin..?..;)
Maybe they'll let me "upgrade or something.
I dunno, we'll see what they say when they open it up I reckon.
Click to expand...

Guess it makes sense to wait and see what they say. if they look at it and then offer you a replacement with a new unit, you should be golden. If they want to repair it, you could then ask them how much it would be to get a fresh new one instead.

Good luck, hope it gets straightened out soon.

Bummer about Marco; he was great. Sorry about the bum tip; it's been a while since I had to call them about anything.
 

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