I'm sorry I listened.....

[JimmyM]

Well, so much for that. Getting a refund and taking my business elsewhere.

-1 for Carvin CS

hey, don't leave us hanging!

 

[ShawnStones]

Can't quite afford the 2001, but I will be getting the 1001.


Sorry Jimmy, I thought they were going to work with me on setting me up with a B2000 or BX1500, for a good price, and basically wanted the full difference. After what I went through, no thanks.

 

[Pat C.]

Well, so much for that. Getting a refund and taking my business elsewhere.

-1 for Carvin CS

hey, don't leave us hanging!

+1 for Jimmy to counteract Shawn's -1. What happened, what was the final verdict? Potential Carvin customers want to know.

Edit: posted at the same time as Shawn.

Sorry Jimmy, I thought they were going to work with me on setting me up with a B2000 or BX1500, for a good price, and basically wanted the full difference. After what I went through, no thanks.

That's a shame, and disappointing service. It's not like there is much of a price difference between their models, they could've accommodated you just to make it right.

 

[Joe Black]

Yeah, lots of people on here rave about Carvin, but my vicarious experiences (I haven't owned a Carvin rig since the 80's) with them have been, as you suggest: unreliable.

I think the story you spelled out is pretty typical for the brand as of late. I know the allure is that they're fairly inexpensive...but you get what ya pay for...

 

[Pat C.]

Can't quite afford the 2001, but I will be getting the 1001.

Based on your past experiences, and your apparent output needs, I don't see how that amp will put out enough power for you.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[ShawnStones]

I don't know, I've done a bunch of searching and reading, and what I keep seeing is, "this thing is loud/has headroom for days".

 

[B-string]

G-K puts out honest RMS power ratings, high current power supplies. No current limiting on their amps will give you a nice surprise for 700 watts!

 

[ShawnStones]

Based on your past experiences, and your apparent output needs, I don't see how that amp will put out enough power for you.

Let us know how it goes.

I guess I'm confused, what do you think are my output needs?

I had a Boogie 400+ that I got rid of because I didn't like the "pushed tube tone"? And then I got this BX1200, which I loved the sound of, had it on less than half volume, but had reliability issues. I don't think my output needs are that impractical and demanding. 700 watts from the GK should be great.

 

[kesslari]

Can't quite afford the 2001, but I will be getting the 1001.


Sorry Jimmy, I thought they were going to work with me on setting me up with a B2000 or BX1500, for a good price, and basically wanted the full difference. After what I went through, no thanks.

That seems pretty lame, CS-wise.
"hey, the customer has had two of our amps blow up. We'll allow him to buy a more expensive one from us, at full price".

Wow.
Once again, I'm glad I play Genz Benz.

 

[Pat C.]

I don't know, I've done a bunch of searching and reading, and what I keep seeing is, "this thing is loud/has headroom for days".

You may be right on that, I'm only basing my input on the needs that you've posted here, others' perspectives of the 1001 and my minimal experience with GK amps (admittedly not the 1001). I'd definitely rather be proven wrong on my suppositions, let me know how it works out for you.

 

[JimmyM]

i'm hard pressed to think of a scenario where 700w wouldn't be enough.

 

[ShawnStones]

I guess I'll find out?

 

[hall1k]

well if you really like the sound of the amp, if all you have is some cooling issues, it would be easy enough to fix them. You could possibly install a good cooling fan in the head, or just point a desk fan at one of the vents. If you go the cooling fan alternative, get the biggest computer fan you can fit in there, since larger fans need to spin slower in order to move the same amount of air, so they would produce less noise.

 

[johnk_10]

IME, the 1001RBII has plenty of power for most any gig. i think that you'll be more than happy with it.

 

[Pat C.]

I guess I'm confused, what do you think are my output needs?

I had a Boogie 400+ that I got rid of because I didn't like the "pushed tube tone"? And then I got this BX1200, which I loved the sound of, had it on less than half volume, but had reliability issues. I don't think my output needs are that impractical and demanding. 700 watts from the GK should be great.

It's possible I'm assuming too much, so take my input with a grain of salt.

My perception, based on what you posted here, is that the Carvin amp that many other players have used with no issues whatsoever, was inadequate for your needs. That implies that your needs`(power output, headroom, etc.) are greater than the average player's needs. FWIW, I think my needs are greater than the average players as well. I also think it's likely that the Carvin is over-rated in terms of its capabilities. JMO.

I also "know" from your prior postings (and your user name) that you have experience on the "big stage", with the associated high power amplification and monitoring. I therefore extrapolate (also from my own personal experience) that it will be difficult to go back to a rig with less headroom, less overall power and subjectively worse tone that what you've played through previously.

It sounds like you liked the Mesa, but not the way it broke up at high volume. You also liked the clean tone of the Carvin, but not the way it broke down at high volume.

It seems like you need a high power amp that can handle the transients you may be putting out, that other amps seem to not be handling very well. A return to a preamp/power amp combo may be a good move. Or a move to a high-quality, high-power amp head that'll provide the output that may need.

Moving from a high-power (yet unreliable) Carvin to a lesser power GK seems like a lateral move to me. But again, that's JMO based on what I've seen here. And I don't mind being completely wrong in my e-assessment.

i'm hard pressed to think of a scenario where 700w wouldn't be enough.

I know that JimmyM and I differ on power needs. I'm a big fan of headroom, and Jimmy (and most other players) have easily made do with the "normal" output of bass amps.

I think this is a case of different strokes for different folks, which stroke is most appropriate for Mr. Shawn has yet to be determined.

 

[JimmyM]

well all i can tell you is cliff williams faces up to 10 marshall stacks with two svt 2 pros and two 810e's, and he's clean, and he's not particularly shy about volume. of course he has a massive pa to go with it, but still...

i guess i'm old. what can i tell ya?

 

[Sundogue]

I don't see what the issue here is with the everyone and the OP.

I personally took issue what what I perceived to be somewhat of a "slam" at me and others who were/are very vocal about our love for the BX1200 (the amp in question) because he felt as if he was misled by us (He's sorry he listened to me). I stand by my words about the BX1200. Kick ass, powerful and versatile amp and I still feel that way and it is still driving my sound on stages for going on a year now, without any issues. I drive it hard sometimes, even bridged at 4 ohms and in mono down to 2 ohms and my amp doesn't even get very warm, much less hot and shut down. Not once in my review of the BX1200 did I ever mention reliability, and why would I have then? But now having used it for a year...I'd give a big thumbs to that based on my personal experience. I also have the older version before Carvin started using the BX1200 as an experimental predecessor to the BX1500, and the OP bought possibly one of their "transition" models and it may have had some bad parts. There is no way it should be inadequate given it's specs (which I tend to believe are pretty accurate). Posts mentioning that this is somehow his fault because of how he used it? It has gobs of power...more than anyone should even need (I mean, c'mon...1200 watts bridged isn't enough?). Not enough for what exactly?

Other than that, what's the issue? He had two identical amps crap out on him and he's PO'd and gun-shy about the brand/model now. Pretty understandable if you ask me. If I were in his shoes I'd take my money and shop elsewhere too.

Though personally, as upset as I might be, following the recommendations of others is no bigger a risk than trying one out for one's self. I've had great amps and crappy ones over the past 30 years...even purchasing after being able to try them out on gigs no less, only to have them die or give problems later...and that was long before Talkbass even. Imagine that!

It's capitalism...caveat emptor. Talkbass causes GAS and we're always jumping on the flavor of the month. It is what it is. The problems he had with his BX1200's had absolutely nothing to do with me...and he's already apologized to me for that (even though he didn't directly call me out).

Let him off the hook and stop trying to over analyze the situation. He's got every right to not be happy about his situation and it's completely understandable. At least by me.
I hope he finds an amp that works for him.

 

[georgestrings]

That seems pretty lame, CS-wise.
"hey, the customer has had two of our amps blow up. We'll allow him to buy a more expensive one from us, at full price".

Yeah, that about sums it up - except for the probability that he also ate some shipping charges during the whole fiasco...



- georgestrings

 

[lbwdog]

i'm hard pressed to think of a scenario where 700w wouldn't be enough.

Especially "G-K watts".....G-Ks are LOUD!

Yeah, that about sums it up - except for the probability that he also ate some shipping charges during the whole fiasco...

I agree. If these amps were defective, he should be credited or refunded all shipping charges, even if he doesn't get another Carvin.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Can't quite afford the 2001, but I will be getting the 1001.

I'd save up...