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Topic: Carvin Bass Heads |
Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 8 Jan 2016 10:28 am |
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| I own both of these amps. Pros: lightweight, powerful, reasonable price, great eq section. both amps have a "drive" control, and a master volume control. The BX500 has a tube in the preamp, which will give some overdrive if the "drive" is turned up high and the master is lowered. But these amps are intended for use with a bass, and mainly have a clean tone. The sound is very neutral with the controls straight up, both amps have a 2 parametric eq's and the BX500 also has a graphic eq. So there is lots of eq to work with. Since they are heads, you can use any speaker, and the speaker will have some effect on the sound too. I'm a very big fan of both of these amps for pedal steel. I've used; the Peavey Session 400, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, Roland 80, Stereo Steel/power amp, Profex and Tubefex with various power amps and speakers. I like the Carvin amps the best. If nothing else, having the BX250 as a "spare" amp would be a great idea. |
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George Macdonald
From:
Vancouver Island BC Canada
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Posted 8 Jan 2016 4:04 pm Carvin amp heads
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| I Have the Carvin BX500. It's a very good amp for pedal steel. Don't really need 500 watts but the graphic eq. and tube in the pre amp are nice features that the 250 doesn't have. They happen to be on sale right now at very low prices. |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2016 6:00 pm
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I have been using the BX250 and liking it for all of the reasons Bill gives. Mainly pairing it with a Peavey/JBL 4 ohm in a light weight closed-back cab. But(!), if weight were not an issue, I would be using my LTD 400 or Fender Twin. They sound better to me.
Dan |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 8 Jan 2016 10:22 pm
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Probably not that good at grit. I'd rather use a good OD pedal with this amp. Something like an EarthDrive is quite nice with these heads.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Don Mogle
From:
Round Rock, TX, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2016 10:51 pm Carvins
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I read a review of the BX500 where the owner stated it was not reliable and after a year or two had some problems.
Have any of you using these amps had a similar problem?
The BX500 looks like a GREAT amp for the money and an excellent grab-and-go choice in a light-weight package. I'd love to get one. However, I am very reluctant to spend money on a piece of equipment that only lasts a few years and quits. Peavey amps have stood up to the test of time and are known to take a tortuous beating. I wonder if these Carvin amps will do the same? I also wonder how these Carvins would sound after being dropped off the back of a pickup truck or kicked around on the road a few years?
Could someone reassure me about the longevity of these little tone monsters?
Thanks,
Don |
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Susan Alcorn
From:
Baltimore, MD, USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2016 10:05 am
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I play sometimes with the Carvin BX-700 and like it a lot, though dialing in the tone has not been easy. However, there's lots of headroom.
My understanding is that with the 700 they fixed the problems that the 500 had (though I think the issues with the 500 had work-arounds). Still, I wouldn't kick it (or any amp) around or drop it into a pickup truck (if I had one).
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www.susanalcorn.net
"So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray."
- Mary Oliver |
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Ian Worley
From:
Sacramento, CA
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Posted 9 Jan 2016 1:52 pm
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| Don Mogle wrote: |
| I read a review of the BX500 where the owner stated it was not reliable and after a year or two had some problems... |
| Susan Alcorn wrote: |
| ...My understanding is that with the 700 they fixed the problems that the 500 had (though I think the issues with the 500 had work-arounds)... |
Don, Susan, I'm curious, what are the problems/issues you are referring to? I have a BX500, I haven't encountered anything negative as yet. Are there specific issues we should be watching for?
I use mine primarily for bass but have used it in my practice room with just a VP and a black box for my steel and it sounds great. By itself, with no enclosure, the amp would definitely be vulnerable to a drop; if it were mounted in a heavy tolex covered wooden box with metal corners etc. like a Peavey it would be a lot more durable, but I don't see this as a problem. I really like how light and compact it is. I carry mine over my shoulder in a small padded laptop computer bag along with cords, charts, etc. I think this package would fare much better than a 60lb Nashville 400 if dropped randomly from a tailgate or something.
I've had mine less than a year so I can't attest to its long-term reliability, but overall I am very pleased with the amp thus far. |
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Don Mogle
From:
Round Rock, TX, USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2016 7:15 pm Bx 500
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Ian,
I researched some user reviews on Google which is my common practice when considering any new purchase. There were many who had good things to say about the BX500. However, there's always someone who is not happy. This one particular reviewer had the amp for about a year or two and it just quit. Not sure why.
Glad to hear your amp is going strong. They really look tempting when you consider size, weight, power capacity, ability to run multiple ohm loads, etc. Also, I cannot deny the fact many users here on the Forum are using them with great results!
Don |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 3:26 am
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I'm happy with my BX500. If I were to buy one today I would choose the 500 over the 700. The 500 has more power than I'll ever use so no need for 700. I don't know what "problems" were fixed in the 700 but it was probably something for Bass players that may not be an issue with Steelers.
I don't use the Graphic EQ section, just the basic EQ but one reason I bought this is the Paramid EQ sort of like the Peavey Paramid EQ where the 800Hz can be cut.
I was asked about noise from the stock 12AX7. I don't have any noise problems.
Our lead guitar player is a "must have Fender tube amp" guy. We have worked together for the last 15 years and he says the BX500 amp is the best I've sounded. |
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Don Mogle
From:
Round Rock, TX, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 5:59 am Bx500
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Great endorsement Jack! Thanks for the information.
I'm just wondering if this same technology is what's in the new Quilter amps. The class-D technology is seemingly what decreases the weight. Perhaps the way the other components are put together make the total sound of amp.
Don
Last edited by Don Mogle on 10 Jan 2016 6:21 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 7:25 am
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There are a lot of amps that are strictly solid state (e.g. the GK MB200) and there are amps that have a tube but its a "starved plate" design and basically is only a buffer. Then there are amps like the BX500 that the tube (one side) is actually a triode amplifier and really does something.
The Class D power amp is used in many new amps. |
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Les Cargill
From:
Oklahoma City, Ok, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 5:14 pm Re: Bx500
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| Don Mogle wrote: |
Great endorsement Jack! Thanks for the information.
I' just wondering if this same technology is what's in the new Quilter amps. The class-D technology is seemingly what decreases the weight. Perhaps the way the other components are put together make the total sound of amp.
Don |
I wish I could carefully A/B a Steelaire with a Carvin. But the following things put the Steelaire up a leg for me:
- 500 and 2k ( fixed-Q ) EQ bands. Just the right spots. The place last night proved this - I needed a wee bit of cut @ 500 and actually more 2k in this room. Those are "wooly" and "shrill" on steel.
- The Quilter has 400W "internal" power that ( presumably) a microcontroller ( or something) limits to 200W on the output. This means no distortion but still limits it to 7 amps or 28 V on the output into a 4 ohm load. I am a big fan of well-integrated limiting on equipment that sports > 40 watts and is used on stage.
- No 300Hz notch ala a Twin. I suppose the same is true of the Carvin.
- An input that will take anything. No need for a Black Box or Hilton pedal. Those are fantastic devices but it's nice to not need them. Again, it's possible the Carvin does this as well but it's not designed or steel. |
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Ian Worley
From:
Sacramento, CA
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 6:43 pm
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I'm curious about some of what you said Les, I assume you own a Steelaire and not a Carvin. I've never owned Quilter amp; I know his stuff is top notch but since the OP was asking about Carvin amps...
Can you explain what you mean by the 400w internal power and 200w limited output? How does this work? What exactly does it do and what is the advantage over the 500w power section in the Carvin?
I'm also curious why you feel two fixed frequency midrange controls are a leg up over two sweepable mid controls (plus a 9 band graphic eq)? I understand that you like the frequency placement in the Quilter mids for steel, but do you see a disadvantage with sweepable mids?
Also re: "no need for a black box", does this mean you are you running your volume pedal through your effects loop, or using an active VP, or just not worrying about the impedance mismatch there? I just wasn't sure what you meant by that. I run my black box ahead of my volume pedal to buffer the 18kohm pickup signal before it hits the 500kohm pot, with any amp I use. Is there something I'm missing here?
To me the "designed for steel" thing can sometimes be a bit of a red herring. Amps are designed to amplify signals. A good steel amp does this with plenty of clean headroom and versatile tone controls. Like the Quilter, the Carvin does this very well. I know it's apples and oranges, the Quilter is a fine amp, but it's worth noting that you can actually buy four BX500s for the price of one Quilter. One could keep a few spares around for backup I suppose. Not for everyone though, I know. |
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Les Cargill
From:
Oklahoma City, Ok, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 7:53 pm
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| Ian Worley wrote: |
I'm curious about some of what you said Les, I assume you own a Steelaire and not a Carvin. I've never owned Quilter amp; I know his stuff is top notch but since the OP was asking about Carvin amps...
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He'd asked about a comparison to Quilter. I listed
things I suspect the Quilter has and the Carvin lacks.
These turn out to be dealmakers for me for a steel amp. This decision was at the end of a long and convoluted process.
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Can you explain what you mean by the 400w internal power and 200w limited output? How does this work?
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I'm sure the power limiting on the Quilter is proprietary, but the claim is that it has 400W "internal power" but somehow actively produces only 200W at a single output. I'm pretty sure this has to do with the fact that Class D is inherently
digital and that the final ( D/A and lowpass filter of the PWM) stage can have active controls that limit the output.
Anyone know if the Carvin does the same? It's an excellent safety feature.
also: I don't mean the "limiter" as set by the front controls - which is excellent for playing fills. I call it "limiting" but it's not - it might be serving the role of a limiter on a Class AB solid state or tube amp.
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What exactly does it do and what is the advantage over the 500w power section in the Carvin?
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I have a 900W bass rig that has excellent limiting. When I used that wrong once, I roasted a speaker.
If you use a 500W amp with a 200W speaker, it's possible to (inadvertently) damage it in the heat of battle.
If you use a 200W amp that cannot clip, then there's much less chance of damage.
Things happen.
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I'm also curious why you feel two fixed frequency midrange controls are a leg up over two sweepable mid controls (plus a 9 band graphic eq)?
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It's possible that *a* random graphic would be an improvement, but my habit from dealing with certain issues in audio leaves me with a preference for parametric EQ. Graphic EQ is generally cheaper and of less quality than parametric. Graphic has a higher part count and can also be less transparent ( even with the sliders at nominal/off ).
From the sound of the Quilter, the 500 & 2000Hz knobs seem to be of the good type. Of course, it's effectively like a 2-band graphic in a way, but this is a case where the two bands are well-chosen and 2 is better than, say 10.
It's the right, minimal set of controls, IMO.
I know bass EQ well, and cannot imagine that 500 or 2k is as interesting to a bass player, except
perhaps to cut them.
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I understand that you like the frequency placement in the Quilter mids for steel, but do you see a disadvantage with sweepable mids?
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No, other than there being more knobs.
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Also re: "no need for a black box", does this mean you are you running your volume pedal through your effects loop, or using an active VP, or just not worrying about the impedance mismatch there?
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The principal reason I got a Quilter instead of a Twin was when I learned that the standard 12AX7 on the input of a Twin would overload.
So a Black Box or active volume pedal is probably in order - or just be better at volume pedal. I'm working on my VP technique but it's not there yet. I slip, and didn't care for the distortion.
I do not know the details of the input on the Carvin. Active basses can throw quite a bit of delta-V, so hopefully, it handles a steel.
The Steelaire also offers a buffered pedal loop. This means the guitar goes straight in, then the volume pedal has its own two cables. It's the best of both worlds - you can use a (simpler) passive pedal ( meaning no power needed ) and you don't need a buffer.
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I just wasn't sure what you meant by that. I run my black box ahead of my volume pedal to buffer the 18kohm pickup signal before it hits the 500kohm pot, with any amp I use. Is there something I'm missing here?
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Nope - that's the right way, SFAIK. The Steelaire just means it's built into the amp. One less thing to rig up.
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To me the "designed for steel" thing can sometimes be a bit of a red herring. Amps are designed to amplify signals. A good steel amp does this with plenty of clean headroom and versatile tone controls. Like the Quilter, the Carvin does this very well.
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Well... I've managed to solve very real problems
with "designed for steel" equipment. YMMV 
I am sure it does. Like I say, I wish I could A/B them. I am sure it's a fine product. I was simply enumerating things on the Steelaire that I have found very useful that I'd wonder about on the BX500.
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I know it's apples and oranges, the Quilter is a fine amp, but it's worth noting that you can actually buy four BX500s for the price of one Quilter.
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Yep! It's a very real consideration.
I will say - for me, the alternative to the Quilter was a much more expensive separate preamp/power amp and a speaker box.
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One could keep a few spares around for backup I suppose. Not for everyone though, I know. |
I might have been deliriously happy with it, or the Fender Bassman 500. But having it all in one package was a dealmaker. |
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Ian Worley
From:
Sacramento, CA
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Posted 10 Jan 2016 9:04 pm
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| The only thing I see that that the Carvin lacks from your rather lengthy accounting is the output limiting thing, which it's still not clear to me provides any great advantage except to possibly prevent operator error. In forty years I've never blown out a speaker by putting an overpowered amp in front of it -- it's just headroom. If you care to have a closer look at the Carvin amps, the manual for the BX500 is here: http://carvinimages.com/manuals/BX500-BR510-BR515-web-revB.pdf. Like most modern amps, the Carvin too has a buffered effects loop. This is what I was asking about re: your VP, same difference if you choose to use it like this. It has two sweepable midrange controls (yes, with two more knobs) PLUS the bi-passable 9 band eq if you choose to use it. I assume by "delta-v" you mean changes in input signal level -- this has not been a problem with the Carvin in my experience in terms of any discernible input distortion (if that's what you meant). It also has "active" attenuation switch to pad the input 10dB (I don't use this with my steel), a built-in DI, the preamp tube is bi-passable if you so choose, it also has a sweepable mid scoop (contour) which can be handy dialing in different rooms, can be run all the way down to 2 ohms, and in any case, oodles of headroom to spare. |
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Michael Remming
From:
Kimberly, Idaho, USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Jan 2016 8:09 am
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Susan Alcorn [/quote]I play sometimes with the Carvin BX-700 and like it a lot, though dialing in the tone has not been easy. However, there's lots of headroom.
[quote]
I agree with Susan it does take some time to dial in tone and after several months I am still adjusting. I have never had my BX500 above 3.5 on volume in a non mic'd setting. Tons of power. And I really like having the amp in my rack rather than reaching back for adjustments. |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 12 Jan 2016 9:09 am
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Thanks to all who replied. A very enlightening conversation.
As I suspected, the Carvin Bass heads would be "clean" amps and then one would add pedals as needed to color/boost.
If I went with a Carvin, it would probably be the BX250, being the smallest head available.
At this point, I will only be playing in the house, so it might be time for the Quilter 101. |
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Michael Remming
From:
Kimberly, Idaho, USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Jan 2016 2:27 pm
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Here is a reply I received from Joe Stone at Carvin in regards to this thread.
"There were a few isolated incidents that we experienced with a handful of BX amps but nothing really major or ongoing or inherent with those particular models. They are actually very solid and reliable and dependable."
Joe Stone
Service Manager
Carvin Audio & Amplifiers
12340 World Trade Drive
San Diego CA 92128
1-800-854-2235 ext 170
joes@carvin.com |
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Les Cargill
From:
Oklahoma City, Ok, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2016 8:27 pm
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Ian, sorry about the length of that.
Yes, it looks very much to be a fine amp.
The EQ in particular looks very useful - two more knobs is no real burden at all.
I don't know that you can use the F/X loop for a volume pedal - be interesting to find out. F/X loops are not at the same level or impedance as inputs. It may also be bad to short the output of the preamp.
I've roasted four speakers and two amps in going on forty years of playing, so my habit is to look for output protection if I can get it. |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 12 Jan 2016 10:42 pm
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| Jack is the 700 a "triode" amp as well, like the 500? |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 13 Jan 2016 3:25 am
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| I don't know. I don't have a schematic for the 700. |
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