Mykesbass Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Picked up a Carvin BX500 from Phil at BassGear in Twyford yeasterday. Had tried it previously with several thousand pounds worth of his stock basses but wanted to double check it with my own bass. What a great amp - does the sound that I have been carting 25kg of valves around for the last year or so to get in a tiny little class D box with a 12AX7 pre amp valve - big, warm, deep bass but full of clarity and definition. The amp has loads of bells and whistles should you need them but also works brilliantly with just the basic tone controls. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that it only cost £359 for a US built 500 watt amp. Highly recommended as of course is Phil and Vic's service if you haven't already experienced it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I've never failed to be impressed with any Carvin gear I've tried. I'll have to check these out as I'm on the lookout for a new amp & it sounds perfect from your description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I think Phil would us one of these as his first choice gigging amp based on what he was saying to me recently. Pretty impressive given he's had a lot of choice of much more expensive kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1344202962' post='1761315'] I think Phil would us one of these as his first choice gigging amp based on what he was saying to me recently. Pretty impressive given he's had a lot of choice of much more expensive kit! [/quote] Yes, he was telling me that he was using this more and more over the Aguilar Tonehammer. Looking forwrad to rehearsing tonight (and getting up the stairs ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD1 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I had one for a couple of years. Just sold it and replaced with a GK MB Fusion. I only really used it as a back up, but what an awesome little amp. Great basic sound and then more eq than you shake a stick at. Very loud too. Bit of a best kept secret I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Aw, now I've got amp GAS. Again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I've always fancied Carvin gear. Dead honest, no hype, great value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1344278562' post='1762211'] Aw, now I've got amp GAS. Again. [/quote] No you haven't, stop it. Looks a bargain though. It's a shame Carvin aren't more readily available in the UK, wouldn't mind hearing one of their cabs tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 My Carvin B1500 is readily available in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Once had the pleasure of gigging a Carvin Cyclops combo (1x15 + 2x8 + horn I think?), and it well near blew my socks off tone-wise. Their basses ain't to shabby either, and if I was ever to progress to a six string bass, Carvin would be right up there on the wish list after trying one of their sixers in the old Bass Centre many many moons ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1344288002' post='1762400'] No you haven't, stop it. Looks a bargain though. It's a shame Carvin aren't more readily available in the UK, wouldn't mind hearing one of their cabs tbh. [/quote] BassGear are bringing in a stock of Carvin gear from what I can make out, amps, cabs, combos and a few basses too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 (edited) I'm already corresponding with Phil at Bassgear re the BX500... I've got a terrible feeling it's only a matter of time. And money. Edited August 7, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Rehearsed with it last night - what a joy! Easily got the sound I wanted, plenty of volume, plenty of low end and yet still plenty of (and I use my words advisedly knowing Discreet is on this thread) penetration. And the get in at our rehearsal space is up a narrow staircase - bliss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I'd like one of their new Jazz basses...odd looking body but great tone, and kinda cool that they went with a different shape. Thing is, they are like £800 custom made over in the USA. Once you get it here, its more like £1300... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1344335339' post='1762860'] I'd like one of their new Jazz basses...odd looking body but great tone, and kinda cool that they went with a different shape. Thing is, they are like £800 custom made over in the USA. Once you get it here, its more like £1300... [/quote] My SB5000 should arrive end of this month. Got a gig up at Beamish Hall on 17th November, could possibly bring it over so you could have a try, if you're interested and not too far away from Beamish. Personally, I wasn't in the slightest bit bothered that it costs £800 in the US and £1300 (actually, mine is £1265) over here. If it plays, sounds, feels and looks like a £1300 bass I'll be well happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 [quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1350333344' post='1837547'] My SB5000 should arrive end of this month. Got a gig up at Beamish Hall on 17th November, could possibly bring it over so you could have a try, if you're interested and not too far away from Beamish. Personally, I wasn't in the slightest bit bothered that it costs £800 in the US and £1300 (actually, mine is £1265) over here. If it plays, sounds, feels and looks like a £1300 bass I'll be well happy! [/quote] Thanks! Get some pics when it arrives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kipper Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) Looked at lots of lightweight gear, Bought one of these from Bass Gear to go with my LB70P. Tried it out with a recording session late last night, What a sound, it made an old Aria sound just like an old school Gibson short scale with ease, Used DI out on a indi folk track (not what its going to be used for) not really my scene but the audio was perfect. Very pleased, I think people should look around and try something a little different. This can do the whole range from Ampeg to Trace, I should know ive used the lot over the years. Edited November 30, 2012 by Kipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born 2B Mild Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Believe it or not, we get some customers deciding against buying these because they are only £359, and are thus sceptical about them. We don't stock them because they are at this price, we stock them because they are an American-made amp of quality and flexibility. I have case histories of customers buying them in as a standby head, who then end up using them as their primary amp. I personally gig one in a 2u rack. I find the 2 ohm flexibility damn useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Now you've reminded me I've got Carvin GAS. D'oh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1354192645' post='1883308'] Now you've reminded me I've got Carvin GAS. D'oh. [/quote] Not a bad type of GAS to have considering the price - I'm still loving mine! Go on - join the club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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