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Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.2 VS. Carvin BX500
- Thread starter Snakeman1066
- Start date
I just got my 6.2 left on my doorstep. Obviously haven't had time to gig it, but at first thump it seems to have roughly the same oomph as my LMIII, which one of the mags (Bassgear?) tested as an honest 400w into 4ohms. What does the BX500 put out?
So I guess I don't understand Jarrett's comment that the BX500 is a "much more powerful amp" than the Shuttle. Even if we derate the Shuttle to 400w at 4, which is about what my eyes read on the icepower spec sheet at 115v and 1% distortion, we're only talking 1.5 dB or so. Having played Carvin amps for years, I will grant that they're usually voiced brighter than some other amps and might sound louder, but there are knobs for that. All that said, I played a 6.0 at Sam Ash Monday afternoon, and it did have a definite lack of preamp gain. The 6.2 has fixed that.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
Maybe they have fixed it. I used to own a Shuttle 9.0 and BX500 at the same time. The BX500 had the same volume in the room as the Shuttle 9.0. The Shuttle 6.0 wasn't even close. Meaning the x.0 GenzBenz amps were fudging their specs a bit on the power they were putting out. I haven't played one since then. I guess the x.2 amps make more power than the older ones do? They would have to in order for the 6.2 to be any where close to the BX500.
Power output on the Shuttle 6.0 and 6.2 are the same, 375 watts at 8 ohms and 600 watts at 4 ohms.
That sucks. I told at least 4 posters to buy one at 399.00 in the last two weeks.
GearTree is still carrying them for $399--and there's a coupon (don't know that it works) I found in another thread:
I know what you mean. I think it might be a gain stage thing where the Carvin puts out more sound before you reach 50 percent and then a little less as you go forward. My Carvin's do seem louder and clearer than any amp I've ever owned. I never have to go past half on any of them.
I'm leaning towards getting one of the Carvin BX amps and was wondering if anybody has experience using the DI into a PA system?
I have a few years of experience with it. It works well. I had a BX500 that is pre out only and a BX250 that is pre/post optional and I've only ever wanted to run both in pre out. Works great.
I tried the 2 back to back. I'd advise against the Carvin. The actual sound quality and headroom offered by the Genz stuff is superior, IMO. The Carvin sounds overdriven and does not offer you the option of reducing the preamp gain.
Carvin is spanky and prone to distortion; and though it is versatile in the tone shaping department, you can't dial out the Carvin's sound character, which is, on my gear, unpleasing. Additionally the impedance at the input, even when switched, is not enough to prevent the overdriven sound I mentioned earlier. Not one of my 5 basses, passive and active, went through the carvin without breaking up when I played hard.
It was also more prone to noise from cable movement, pickup hum, and pretty much everything that is not a 'note.' The Genz is superior on all of my beefs. IF you need more EQ, you can buy a pedal or a pre for small $.
Carvin is spanky and prone to distortion; and though it is versatile in the tone shaping department, you can't dial out the Carvin's sound character, which is, on my gear, unpleasing. Additionally the impedance at the input, even when switched, is not enough to prevent the overdriven sound I mentioned earlier. Not one of my 5 basses, passive and active, went through the carvin without breaking up when I played hard.
It was also more prone to noise from cable movement, pickup hum, and pretty much everything that is not a 'note.' The Genz is superior on all of my beefs. IF you need more EQ, you can buy a pedal or a pre for small $.
I own both of these amps and I'll say they are both excellent. But there are differences - the BX500 is very transparent and hi fi sounding. It has excellent eq options, can get crazy loud and you can really get a lot of top end sizzle out of it. But the tube doesn't do a damn thing.
The 6.2 has much more warmth to it and the tube gain up around 3:00 gives a nice creamy tone. With my pbass and flatwounds it gives a fantastic old school bark that sounds great in my R&B band.
Both of those amps are terrific and I would recommend either one.
The 6.2 has much more warmth to it and the tube gain up around 3:00 gives a nice creamy tone. With my pbass and flatwounds it gives a fantastic old school bark that sounds great in my R&B band.
Both of those amps are terrific and I would recommend either one.
