• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Popping Sound on Carvin BX500

Thanks! The more extreme wiggling worked! Which ribbon cable should I clean (or blow with compressed air for now because I don't have the cleaner)?
I believe De-oxit or similar product is what you really want to use. The compressed air is more to dry the contacts off. Re-seating the cables may do the trick. Maybe you can reach out to a friend or music store to borrow a back up head for the gig tomorrow? Or a DI box just in case. Good luck and break a leg at the show:cool:
 
Hello guys. First post on this forum. Just to let you all know that I recently bought a BX500 ( like one and a half months ago) and after talking with an amp tech by phone because of an intermitent and distorted sound he told me to use contact cleaner on the ribbon connectors. Turns out my amp says Rev K on the board. So there have been more revisions to the amp since Rev G. Please excuse my english :)
 
Hello guys. First post on this forum. Just to let you all know that I recently bought a BX500 ( like one and a half months ago) and after talking with an amp tech by phone because of an intermitent and distorted sound he told me to use contact cleaner on the ribbon connectors. Turns out my amp says Rev K on the board. So there have been more revisions to the amp since Rev G. Please excuse my english :)
So we're talking 4 more revisions after the G for the PC Board. It would be nice to know what they were correcting.
 
So we're talking 4 more revisions after the G for the PC Board. It would be nice to know what they were correcting.

Not much!!! Mine suffered from the ribbon connectors the second gig I used it and since opened the box and turned it on had some kind of "white noise", not too loud, but noticeable. Got to say that after cleaning the ribbon connectors it has not failed but the white noise is still there, more noticeable when turning the graphic eq on. Also got to say that this little amp sounds great and for the money I can't think of a better sounding one. It's really LOUD!!!
 
Not much!!! Mine suffered from the ribbon connectors the second gig I used it and since opened the box and turned it on had some kind of "white noise", not too loud, but noticeable. Got to say that after cleaning the ribbon connectors it has not failed but the white noise is still there, more noticeable when turning the graphic eq on. Also got to say that this little amp sounds great and for the money I can't think of a better sounding one. It's really LOUD!!!
I'm not sure what the "white noise" could be. I have not experienced even the slightest bit from mine. +1 to Sounds great for the $$.
 
Not much!!! Mine suffered from the ribbon connectors the second gig I used it and since opened the box and turned it on had some kind of "white noise", not too loud, but noticeable. Got to say that after cleaning the ribbon connectors it has not failed but the white noise is still there, more noticeable when turning the graphic eq on. Also got to say that this little amp sounds great and for the money I can't think of a better sounding one. It's really LOUD!!!

Did you ever find out anything about the white noise? I just got one, used, and there is definitely static. Ribbon and input cleabing so far didnt help. Dont know what to do!
 
Did you ever find out anything about the white noise? I just got one, used, and there is definitely static. Ribbon and input cleabing so far didnt help. Dont know what to do!
That noise was more noticeable in some places than others, making me think it has something to do with the power (current). There are some venues where I can't hear nothing, and in others the noise was there, bothering like a sore thumb...
 
Hey guys, I just have a slight concern with my Carvin BX500. Or atleast I'm assuming it is the amp because every time I turn the amp off, instead of the usual soft (almost) noiseless shutoff, I get a pop. It's not loud enough so that the speakers sound like it will blow or anything but there is still a decently audible pop. Any idea what is wrong?
Probably the ribbon cable. Just open up the top of the amp and pop off the cable and deoxit on the inside of the connector. I believe there's two of them. Problem probably solved. I had the same thing happen about a year after I bought mine. Never had another problem since.....hope it helps.
 
Hey guys! Update!

Opened it up and cleaned the ribbon cables and jack input plus fx loop. Didnt help at all. So I shot an email to Carvin, specifying that I had tried three basses, different cables, different cabs and whatnot.

First answer was the kind of automated troubleshooting answer "Have you tried a different cable". So I answered specifying that I had already provided ample information of my troubleshooting. Next email tells me to take out the preampboard and measure pins 1 and 7 on the A5 opamp. It shouldnt have current. It did, so I ordered a part for 1$, 6$ shipping and replaced the opamp. Amp is now clean, silent and sounds great! I was really happy with the customer service. Props to Emeric amp tech at Carvin.

Probably the ribbon cable. Just open up the top of the amp and pop off the cable and deoxit on the inside of the connector. I believe there's two of them. Problem probably solved. I had the same thing happen about a year after I bought mine. Never had another problem since.....hope it helps.