I'm looking to get a new head, and own a Carvin Bass and guitar. I was going to save up for the Warwick WA 600 but I'm curious how Carvin's amps are. Has anyone owned/played one before and what were your thoughts?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Has anyone tried Carvin Amplification?
- Thread starter Zarathustra3
- Start date
I've owned a couple of their older amps (RL600 and RL1000) and currently use one of their lightweight amps (BX500) for back-up and small gigs. They've always been dependable for me, and they tend to have a hi-fi, uncolored, clear tone that I enjoy. The more modern amps seem to have a bit more coloration, but not too much, and plenty of EQ options.
Edit: The only reason I don't still use their amps for my main rig is that I've switched to a power amp + preamp configuration. However, my power amp is from Carvin (DCM1500).
Edit: The only reason I don't still use their amps for my main rig is that I've switched to a power amp + preamp configuration. However, my power amp is from Carvin (DCM1500).
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
scottbass
Bass lines like a big, funky giant
My experience with Carvin amps has all been good. They are mega-dependable and have great features for the price. Every make and model of preamp/amp has its distinctive sound, and Carvin stuff, IMHO, is pretty mainstream, middle-of-the-road. You don't get Aguilar or Thunderfunk, but then again you are only paying a fraction of the price. Carvin amps are a great deal, especially if you are looking for a gigging workhorse, not a bedroom queen.
I have and love, a B1500. It is a fantastic beast of an amp. From their current line up I think the BX1500 is one of the best offerings available today.
I've used Carvin amps since the 90's.
Had a R1000, and now own two B1500's and a BX500
Try them, most likely, you will like them - if not, you have 10 days to return it.
Had a R1000, and now own two B1500's and a BX500
Try them, most likely, you will like them - if not, you have 10 days to return it.
My first "real" amp was a bx600 and I loved it. Super dependable, easy to eq the tone, still serves as my back up amp. Being young when I first got it there were a few shows it drank as many beers as myself and is still going strong. Carvin is really the best bang for the buck around.
+1. Bx1500 owner here, and, imho, the best bang for the buck bass head out there. More options than you will ever need, including a crossover if you ever get the urge to bi amp. Tons of power.
I currently use a BX500 for gigs where there's a house cabinet. It's been very dependable, seems quite powerful for it's rated output, has tons of EQ options, will drive a 2-Ohm load, weighs only 6 lbs., is made in America (if that's important to you - it is to me), and was very inexpensive.
It's tone is pretty modern; not a lot of coloration, just clean and punchy and loud. With a little knob-twiddling, I've been able to get good tones out of a wide range of cabinets (some good and some not-so-good) and with my own cabs, I can dial in very clean or slightly "old-school" tones. IME, I have not gotten real "vintage"- type tones the way you can with an Aggie TH or a modern Ampeg head, but I also haven't tried that hard, to be honest.
It's tone is pretty modern; not a lot of coloration, just clean and punchy and loud. With a little knob-twiddling, I've been able to get good tones out of a wide range of cabinets (some good and some not-so-good) and with my own cabs, I can dial in very clean or slightly "old-school" tones. IME, I have not gotten real "vintage"- type tones the way you can with an Aggie TH or a modern Ampeg head, but I also haven't tried that hard, to be honest.
BX1200, MB210, DCM2000L, PM15A here.
The BX1200 needed a fan replacing (in warranty), everything else has been solid + gets the job done. They're the first place I look.
I'd recommend not buying anything within the first six months of being released to give them time to iron the bugs out (see the BX500 threads for good examples of this) but that's good advice for pretty much anything you buy from anyone.
The BX1200 needed a fan replacing (in warranty), everything else has been solid + gets the job done. They're the first place I look.
I'd recommend not buying anything within the first six months of being released to give them time to iron the bugs out (see the BX500 threads for good examples of this) but that's good advice for pretty much anything you buy from anyone.
I too own the BX1500 but it's my backup rig. My main rig is a tube pre-amp driving a DCM1000L. I also own a DCM1000. My PA monitor amp is a DCM1204. They are all superb, reliable amps. I would not buy a Warwick amplifier.
I'm using a Carvin BX1500 head into a single Carvin BRX10.4 neo cab.
Sounds immense, loud as hell with no farting out.
Carvin amps are definitely "modern" amps, and they all sound pretty much identical regardless of model. If you're looking for the classic SVT growl, these amps are not for you. They are however very articulate so every note pops right out at you. This has been great for my 6 strings, whether doing two handed tappy stuff, or just going for the "B string of dooooom!"
Darryl Williams demo of the Micro bass line of amps. Invalid Link Removed
Sounds immense, loud as hell with no farting out.
Carvin amps are definitely "modern" amps, and they all sound pretty much identical regardless of model. If you're looking for the classic SVT growl, these amps are not for you. They are however very articulate so every note pops right out at you. This has been great for my 6 strings, whether doing two handed tappy stuff, or just going for the "B string of dooooom!"
Darryl Williams demo of the Micro bass line of amps. Invalid Link Removed
On this forum, asking if Carvin amps are any good is like asking if Ford or Chevy is better. But you got some surprisingly honest input.
For 2 years now, I've used a BX1500 hard at all gigs - outdoors, hot summer days - bridged into 4ohms and loud. Not one problem, ever. It led me to buy a BX500 for the rehearsal room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPn5afVzrxo Carvin amp at work here.
For 2 years now, I've used a BX1500 hard at all gigs - outdoors, hot summer days - bridged into 4ohms and loud. Not one problem, ever. It led me to buy a BX500 for the rehearsal room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPn5afVzrxo Carvin amp at work here.
I use the rl600. The tone is great. and that thing is durable. Its been dropped twice inside a skb rack and it still works...
I've got an MB-15 with the MB-115 extension cab. Nice amps. A bit "bland" sounding if you ask me, a bit like a keyboard amp (until you mess w/the EQ). A great deal for the $$$$
I use a Carvin DCM 2000L - it's a power amp. I've been gigging it for 1 year with no problems. It's user friendly and made well.
I have owned a couple of Carvin amps (PB200-12 combo, BX500 head) - very satisfied with the sound. Just today I ordered a BX1500 head - cannot wait to see what that beast will do !!
