dialing in the dirt...?

E.C.E.

I've been reading the Carvin specs in their catalogs for the BX1200 and B1500, thinking about how they'd sound.

Carvin talks about "discreet class A amplifiers" being very clean and "distortion free".

I'm an Ampeg user and own an SVT-2Pro all tube monster. It has a "drive" knob on it and I like it set around 12:00 tp 2:00 for dialing in the perfect amount of grit underlying the tone.

I see that Carvin amps also have a "drive" knob, but my question is, when using these super clean distortion free Class A amps, how much "grit" is actually attainable?

I'm thinking about getting a smaller, lighter amp to use on a more frequent basis, so that I don't have to "fire up" the SVT for short, low volume jam sessions, and I'm wondering if the Carvin Amps will give me a tone that I'll like. I'm not looking for an exact SVT tone reproduction, just something that I'll like, coming from an Ampeg user.

I actually wondering if I'd like the Carvin amp sound over my SVT....(possible?)

Thinking of the BX500 since it's small, light and has a tube in it...I have found that I like the tone of a tube preamp over an SS preamp.

Thoughts? Opinions?

Bass FreeLee · Gold Member Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 171

well dude..i like Carvin..but as far as grit goes... there is None! i've personally found a SVT-3 to posses the best tone i could find..but those amps don't get that loud... so i've moved on to a GK for loudness and grit/growl ... it also has less weight (20 lbs) ..but from personal experiance Carvin has a good warm sound.. warm like a tube.. but no grit like a tube.. yes the BX500 has a tube.. but from what i know about tube amps you need at least 3 tubes given at least 300 volts to obtain a "grity" tube sound..the BX500 only has one..so even though i have never played a BX500..i doubt you will get a "grity" sound from one..
But Bugera has a new amp out that obtains a grity sound and is about the same price as a BX500 ..
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bugera-Ultrabass-BVP5500-Classic-550W-Valve-Bass-Amp-Head?sku=581274
check it out
by the way.. i'm not out to sell a bugera- nor do i know if there great amps.. all i go by is sound.. from one bass player to another

floyd · Carvinite Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 569

A Bugera over a Carvin or an SVT-3 ? Shocked

If the SVT-3 isn't loud enough, use 2 of them or get an SVT-6. Wink

JoeBelc

Isn't Bugera the new name for Berhinger?

My BR510N can bring the grit if I max the drive out, but then you lose definition and it's still a bit on the loud side.

1Gearmadman

I seem to get a very decent 'dirty' tone by dialing in my Drive control on my BX1200 with both active and passive basses ... I just wish it was footswitchable and had a separate level control so you have 2 different tones , clean and dirty that are at the same level.

I should add that it's not a full blown distorted sound but rather a slightly overdriven sound ... which is more to my liking anyways . If your looking for that sound, your best bet would be some kind of pedal that accomplishes that.

floyd · Carvinite Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 569

On a related note, I just got off the phone with my old guitar player, who has a Bugera. He was bitchin' up a storm about that thing. Laughing

Bass FreeLee · Gold Member Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 171

well like i said..i don't know if bugeras are any good..i've jus read a review on em that said they get a nice grity/near overdriven tone ..and there the same price as a BX500..that was my point ...
i most certainly would not choose one over an svt-3 ..
and also dude you can buy a BX500 and try it out for a while and if you don't like it..just return it- Carvin has a return policy
and when i say "grit" i'm comparing it to the ampeg tube grit..
the drive knob on a Carvin gets "grity" but not in a SVT kind of way... the Drive knob just seems to make the sound trebly and sensitive to string touch and distorts the higher end notes.. in my opinion it doesn't add tube like grit

Bass FreeLee · Gold Member Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 171

Slim

I was looking at the Bugera. It has (4) 12AX7s in the preamp, is about $400, and 550 watts at 4 ohms. It's also made in China, which may mean it's due for a new $80 to $200 tube swap right out of the box. I'd rather have an American made amp, but that's just me.

Wannabe1

Tubes arent gonna make a possibly bad amp in sound or quality any better...

Sounds like you might be interested in the BX500, or just hold out go get the ampeg that you know you like...

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