I, have a R600 head with two cabinets one with two 10" and one with one 15" the tone is great on this amp, and is light and easy to handle, I have been using this amp about 15 months, but the first head that I received was defective and had to be returned it would get hot and shut down, the one I have now has been ok I guess, if you drive it to hard or have a bad cord there is a safety feature that will shut it down. This sucks it has only done this at practice thank goodness it has not happened at a gig yet. I called Carvin and they told me this is good, but I don't agree.
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Views on Carvin amps and cabs
- Thread starter Vladpire
- Start date
It is good. Which would you rather have, and amp that shuts itself off that you can use again once it cools off, or one that just burns itself up and needs to be repaired or replaced?
If you're constantly hitting thermal shutdown, you either need more amplifier, more speaker, or both.
Asad
My current "big rig" is a Carvin B1500 and a pair of Epifani UL310's. No regrets. The head's kinda' heavy, but really nice tone, tons of headroom, and eq'd nicely for my taste. I also like their choice on footswitch controls Of course the mute, but also the efx chain, so I can essentially have my "footswitchable" compressor even without using a stompbox or running a pair of cables all the way out front (stompbox inline, on amp, on all the time, powered on A/C).
It's not my total favorite amp tonally, but again, it does sound great to my ears, and for the louder gigs I use it for, the relatively minor diffs are usually lost anyway. Always run it all the way down to 2 ohms (long story) and never a shutdown. I can not say the same for the EA iAmp800 I had.
It's not my total favorite amp tonally, but again, it does sound great to my ears, and for the louder gigs I use it for, the relatively minor diffs are usually lost anyway. Always run it all the way down to 2 ohms (long story) and never a shutdown. I can not say the same for the EA iAmp800 I had.
I currently use the B1500 running an 8 ohm 410 Avatar and I have also ran a Schroeder 1210R with the 1500, I guess I am just not the expert on the sound, because I cannot imagine needing much more, the drive will add a little warmth and I find it runs quite and not at all noisey. I agree it is a little heavey but lighter than my last Ampeg. Heck maybe on my 57th birthday I will find I just can't handle the weight LOL!!
I own a R1000 full stack. The cabs are great but the amp is so so. I bought the system used. Got a great deal so even if the amp dies, I still made out on the cabs.
As mentioned before, Carvin uses consumer grade electronics, not the robust name-brand caps/jacks/pots/etc. Which is one reason they are able to sell at a lower cost. To their credit they try to include as many bells and whistles as possible at the lowest cost possible but it don't work. Kind of a jack of all trades master of none result.
I will give Carvin credit on their speakers and cabs. Everyone I've used has been outstanding. As for the amps, marginal.
Disclaimer: I used to be one of the biggest Carvinites but after a series of terrible customer service experiences I no longer do business with Carvin. Still, I try to keep my comment about Carvin gear as objective as possible.
As mentioned before, Carvin uses consumer grade electronics, not the robust name-brand caps/jacks/pots/etc. Which is one reason they are able to sell at a lower cost. To their credit they try to include as many bells and whistles as possible at the lowest cost possible but it don't work. Kind of a jack of all trades master of none result.
I will give Carvin credit on their speakers and cabs. Everyone I've used has been outstanding. As for the amps, marginal.
Disclaimer: I used to be one of the biggest Carvinites but after a series of terrible customer service experiences I no longer do business with Carvin. Still, I try to keep my comment about Carvin gear as objective as possible.
I loved my Redline combo. Worked all summer to be able to afford something based on a combination of price, power, and tone. I feel like I got the absolute best deal for my money.
Ex-wife sold it (when she was still the wife, while I was in boot camp) and I don't like the newer stuff as much as my BBE+QSC setup... Plus, the combo was HEAVY.
Ex-wife sold it (when she was still the wife, while I was in boot camp) and I don't like the newer stuff as much as my BBE+QSC setup... Plus, the combo was HEAVY.
So perhaps you would prefer the amp to self destruct??? Carvin's protection scheme is as good as virtually anything on the market and better than most. Consider the bass amps out there that have zero protection of any kind! I have had to repair hundreds of amps that the user has tried to operate with (1) too low an impedance, (2) shorted speaker cables - and what some people consider a proper speaker cable s laughable, if it hadn't been so sad for the amp, (3) insufficient ventilation - an amp mounted in a box that has no vents of any kind. I could go on but you get the picture. Owning several Carvin power amps IMHO if they are shutting down on you YOU are doing something wrong and the protection is saving you from destroying your amplifier.
Paul
I've tried a little Carvin combo that wasn't bad. It seemed to be built pretty solidly. I am guessing this combo was about a year old it looked like one of the newer models. I have heard bad things about their reliability but have not experienced it personally. My only other gripe is there wattage doesn't seem to add up. Their supposed 1,000 watt amps are a lot quieter than competing lower wattage amps.
I've tried and owned many a Carvin gear.
I will have to say as of recently they have really turned things around.
I was never a fan of any of their Redline bass products. I used to have intermittent problems with mine. r1000 and matching 810 cab (though back then, Carvin didn't use as robust internal parts as they do now and the cab just couldn't handle the extreme lows of a 5 stringer without farting out)
The new line of products they have now are absolutely top notch. (In construction and in value) I'm talking specifically from experience with the BRX line of bass amplification. Solid gear IMHO & IME. The tone the B1500 gets is very beefy with a lil growl. Amazing solid state amp.
They have since then replaced the Redline series with the new BR series. Which seems to be better in options as well as construction, though i've only had a chance to play through one for a couple of days.
As far as their cabs go.... I swear by their BRX Neo Cabs.
Hands down.... they are what i use exclusively as my backline cabs. 4-4x10, 4- 2x12 (they no longer make the 2x12)
The construction is that of which i wish alot of other companies started to use. Special Eminence Neodymiums, Steel handles, TITANIUM Tweeters (excellent crisp high end response without the brittleness..... has attenuator in the back too), 1/4 and Speakon ins and outs....industrial grade 3-inch casters, Duratex Truckbed liner (an option i wish more companies would follow suit with)
Soundwise these cabs deliver. They have a very tight and fast transient response. And are very very efficient in the handling and using of power. I would not hessitate or lighten my touch on my 5 string's B (sometimes tuned down to F#) In fact i like leaning into the lower notes now. These cabs can handle it!
Anyway, as far as the BR series cabs.... They are decent cabs, but IME sometimes they tend to fart out the subsonic lows.
This brings me to Carvin Poweramps.....
I own a total of 15 of them. They are used in heavy rotation during our tours throughout the US...(as with my BRX Cabs)
A majority of the power amps that are in use are alloted for our PA (EAW and TCS Audio!!) As a band we heavily rely on DCM1000s, but even more so on DCM2500. These are ROBUST and very very reliable poweramps. They take a beating and can handle the heat and almost anything you can throw at em 7 days a week. (i would recommend cleanning the fan and the heatsink out every 6 months ) But seriously these poweramps have plenty power and plenty of headroom.
As for BASS Equipment.... i do use a DCM 4000 exclusively for my rig. (overkill? yeah.... a tad bit, but then again i have 4 full stacks on stage almost every night depending on the venue that is)
Anyway, i hope this helps....
Cause now my Carpul tunnell is flaring...
I will have to say as of recently they have really turned things around.
I was never a fan of any of their Redline bass products. I used to have intermittent problems with mine. r1000 and matching 810 cab (though back then, Carvin didn't use as robust internal parts as they do now and the cab just couldn't handle the extreme lows of a 5 stringer without farting out)
The new line of products they have now are absolutely top notch. (In construction and in value) I'm talking specifically from experience with the BRX line of bass amplification. Solid gear IMHO & IME. The tone the B1500 gets is very beefy with a lil growl. Amazing solid state amp.
They have since then replaced the Redline series with the new BR series. Which seems to be better in options as well as construction, though i've only had a chance to play through one for a couple of days.
As far as their cabs go.... I swear by their BRX Neo Cabs.
Hands down.... they are what i use exclusively as my backline cabs. 4-4x10, 4- 2x12 (they no longer make the 2x12)
The construction is that of which i wish alot of other companies started to use. Special Eminence Neodymiums, Steel handles, TITANIUM Tweeters (excellent crisp high end response without the brittleness..... has attenuator in the back too), 1/4 and Speakon ins and outs....industrial grade 3-inch casters, Duratex Truckbed liner (an option i wish more companies would follow suit with)
Soundwise these cabs deliver. They have a very tight and fast transient response. And are very very efficient in the handling and using of power. I would not hessitate or lighten my touch on my 5 string's B (sometimes tuned down to F#) In fact i like leaning into the lower notes now. These cabs can handle it!
Anyway, as far as the BR series cabs.... They are decent cabs, but IME sometimes they tend to fart out the subsonic lows.
This brings me to Carvin Poweramps.....
I own a total of 15 of them. They are used in heavy rotation during our tours throughout the US...(as with my BRX Cabs)
A majority of the power amps that are in use are alloted for our PA (EAW and TCS Audio!!) As a band we heavily rely on DCM1000s, but even more so on DCM2500. These are ROBUST and very very reliable poweramps. They take a beating and can handle the heat and almost anything you can throw at em 7 days a week. (i would recommend cleanning the fan and the heatsink out every 6 months ) But seriously these poweramps have plenty power and plenty of headroom.
As for BASS Equipment.... i do use a DCM 4000 exclusively for my rig. (overkill? yeah.... a tad bit, but then again i have 4 full stacks on stage almost every night depending on the venue that is)
Anyway, i hope this helps....
Cause now my Carpul tunnell is flaring...
I've tried and owned many a Carvin gear.
I will have to say as of recently they have really turned things around.
I was never a fan of any of their Redline bass products. I used to have intermittent problems with mine. r1000 and matching 810 cab (though back then, Carvin didn't use as robust internal parts as they do now and the cab just couldn't handle the extreme lows of a 5 stringer without farting out)
The new line of products they have now are absolutely top notch. (In construction and in value) I'm talking specifically from experience with the BRX line of bass amplification. Solid gear IMHO & IME. The tone the B1500 gets is very beefy with a lil growl. Amazing solid state amp.
They have since then replaced the Redline series with the new BR series. Which seems to be better in options as well as construction, though i've only had a chance to play through one for a couple of days.
As far as their cabs go.... I swear by their BRX Neo Cabs.
Hands down.... they are what i use exclusively as my backline cabs. 4-4x10, 4- 2x12 (they no longer make the 2x12)
The construction is that of which i wish alot of other companies started to use. Special Eminence Neodymiums, Steel handles, TITANIUM Tweeters (excellent crisp high end response without the brittleness..... has attenuator in the back too), 1/4 and Speakon ins and outs....industrial grade 3-inch casters, Duratex Truckbed liner (an option i wish more companies would follow suit with)
Soundwise these cabs deliver. They have a very tight and fast transient response. And are very very efficient in the handling and using of power. I would not hessitate or lighten my touch on my 5 string's B (sometimes tuned down to F#) In fact i like leaning into the lower notes now. These cabs can handle it!
Anyway, as far as the BR series cabs.... They are decent cabs, but IME sometimes they tend to fart out the subsonic lows.
This brings me to Carvin Poweramps.....
I own a total of 15 of them. They are used in heavy rotation during our tours throughout the US...(as with my BRX Cabs)
A majority of the power amps that are in use are alloted for our PA (EAW and TCS Audio!!) As a band we heavily rely on DCM1000s, but even more so on DCM2500. These are ROBUST and very very reliable poweramps. They take a beating and can handle the heat and almost anything you can throw at em 7 days a week. (i would recommend cleanning the fan and the heatsink out every 6 months ) But seriously these poweramps have plenty power and plenty of headroom.
As for BASS Equipment.... i do use a DCM 4000 exclusively for my rig. (overkill? yeah.... a tad bit, but then again i have 4 full stacks on stage almost every night depending on the venue that is)
Anyway, i hope this helps....
Cause now my Carpul tunnell is flaring...
Cool, someone using them in a rather industrial application. What band are you touring in? I'd like to catch a show and hear them in action!
+1!!!!!I didn't realize Shea Stadium was hosting concerts again.
Holy crap VastDreamz, where the heck do you play out with that kind of wall of pain???
I have the B1500 head, and as others have already mentioned, it kicks some serious a**. It's a bit heavy, especially once it's in an ATA rack case, but it's practically bullet proof. I gig with it and rehearse with it quite a bit and it never even gets warm, nevermind hot. It's whisper quiet and the available power, even through an 8ohm cab, is far more than you'll ever tap into.
If I were you I'd also check out the thread that pedro linked earlier regarding the LS1503 cabinet, well worth the read.
If I were you I'd also check out the thread that pedro linked earlier regarding the LS1503 cabinet, well worth the read.
+1
Mine gets warm at times, but that's mainly because I push it at 2-3 ohms if I'm using it. I don't think it ever gets "hot" tho. That thing is a MONSTER. Incredible value, and major "sleeper" in the bass market... MAJOR sleeper.
I have a BRX2.10 Neo and it's really impressed me. The tweeter is totally usable, it has no problem handling a low B. I,d say it's more transparant than the avatar and the tweeter on the avatar was pretty useless. Plus the build quality of the carvin is outstanding.
I have a Carvin ProBass 500 head and Carvin 4-10 cab that I bought about 13 years ago. I had priced SWR and Eden stuff at the time and found this to be a good alternative for the money.
I still use this rig and it has never let me down. Between the EQ and my signal chain (featuring my SansAmp Programmable), I've never felt limited in terms of tone.
I would certainly look at buying from Carvin again.
Jim
I still use this rig and it has never let me down. Between the EQ and my signal chain (featuring my SansAmp Programmable), I've never felt limited in terms of tone.
I would certainly look at buying from Carvin again.
Jim
I own and gig with carvin cabs and G-K heads only , never had a problem one with either. Cabs have great tone and good bottom end.
- Mar 9, 2005
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- Avatar Club#12 Eden Club Lucky# 13--USA Peavey Club#37 Carvin Club#5
