^ I like that you progressively get more facial hair as you lift the bigger amps. The MB212 must be the manly-man amp.
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New Carvin Micro bass combo amps!
- Thread starter BassikLee
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
One thing that puts me a little on the fence about these things is that while the idea of a super lightweight amp sounds awesome, in reality it could many times be more of a hassle than than it's 60 pound competitor. I've had countless gigs where I had to lug my gear a block and a half from my parking spot, around 2 corners of a building, down a long hallway, up a handicap ramp, and across the huge room to the stage. Even with my NV610 that's not really a big deal cuz I tilt and pull it with no problem. When you have an extra chunk of gear weighing 30 lbs. tha you HAVE to carry, well... you get the idea.
I don't think the GK MB212 is in the same category as these. If Carvin would produce a "BR512N" based on the BX500, then yes, that would be direct competition, but they don't.
These are more like the GK MB112:
(from GK's site)
MB112
200W digital power amp
1/8 aux input
Headphone jack
12 Speaker
Active 4 band EQ with contour
XLR output
17.5x15.5x14.75
28 lbs.
...or were you referring to the old BRX212 that is no longer in production?
I would say that the MB212 is direct competition for sure.
It's about the same weight and dimensions, but more juice.
It's about the same weight and dimensions, but more juice.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,952
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Simply from a price standpoint, the Carvin MB12 is 200 dollars more expensive than the GK MB112. I think that really hurts its competitive factor here.
However, I haven't heard either amp yet, so the Carvin may be worth an extra 200 dollars, but that's another point: you can go to guitar center and actually listen to the less expensive GK. Of course, you can also return the Carvin if you don't like it, but I think people are more likely to buy something they can listen to beforehand - especially if it's cheaper.
And... for 200 bucks more than the Carvin, you can get the GK 2 12 Combo and come away with twice the power.
Again, still not a straight comparison. The MB15 from Carvina nd GK are certainly the most comparable units, and they are priced basically the same.
STILL, the Carvin can have an extension cab, while ht eGK can't. The 12's are even further apart with the 3 way coming from Carvin. The Carvin 10" is a more comparison to the 12" GK, and surprise surprise, the price is very similar, certainly made up by the extra 50watts with an extension speaker...
Priced very similarly when equipped similarly... the real question is HOW DO THEY SOUND? Talkbass is full of pleasant responses abotu the GK, if the Carvin doesn't impress, it may not be a great seller with such great competition.
They are both lightweight combo amps with a single 12" speaker in them.
How does that not put them into direct competition with each other?
that IS the real crux of it, yes?
I figure to make a trip to the Carvin factory store next weekend (I may well be ordering my SB5000...). If they have some of these new combos, I'll test drive them.
What I'd love to do is do a "Side by side" with gear I like next to Carvin gear... Say, in the case, like a Genz small rig next to a carvin small rig...
Anyway, if they have the amps, I'll file a report at that time.
They are both lightweight combo amps with a single 12" speaker in them.
How does that not put them into direct competition with each other?
One has an additional speaker and the associated more sofisticated crossover. They cannot be expected to compete on price. It is also hard to say wihtout a test drive, but the LF woofer from Carvin is "likely" to move a fair ammount more air, as it's not designed to extend high in the freq range.
If designed correctly, the Carvin should be appreciably louder in max volume before farting.
I'll head out to the Carvin store in Sacramento tomorrow afternoon and see if they have any of these in stock yet. If they do, then I'll noodle around on them and see what's what. 
So I'm clear here: The reason no one is comparing these to those lightweight GB rigs is price... right?
What if - just, what if - these are comparable sound / weight wise? Wouldn't THAT be cool...!
What if - just, what if - these are comparable sound / weight wise? Wouldn't THAT be cool...!
would have loved to see real ext cabs made for these and more power . why not drop in the bx500 ? but at the same time i really really hate the cosmetics of the bx500 rack adapter plate .... i mean wth ? that thing is ugly ! awesome would have been the 12 / 3 way combo in a 500 watt version with a 12" down firing matching ext cab ....
