Questions on Carvin BX500

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Rick, by chassis do you mean a rack? If you mean rack, I don't know. I never use the the Carvin in a rack - I just carry it with a shoulder bag and set it up from there. If I use a rack for reverb and preamp (heavier than the Carvin), I put the Carvin on top of the rack. If, by chassis, you mean something else, I don't know about that either.
_________________
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

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

A comment on the preamp tube in the BX amps. There is a definite "hearable" difference between full solid state or with the tube switched in the circuit. The first triode stage of the tube is a true tube amplifier stage, the second triode stage is basically a buffer.

Many devices with a tube "preamp" are not really a true amplifier stage but merely "starved plate" (low B+ plate voltage) buffers. I've had several devices with the starved plate design and none really added anything to the signal. For example, a Presonus Dual Blue Tube preamp, for mic or instrument. This is a starved plate type, and in my recording studio it made no difference whether going direct to the recording interface unit or with the Dual Blue Tube preamp in the line - either with a microphone, instrument or a direct line from a guitar amp line out. The inexpensive ART preamps are another example of the Starved Plate design.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Rick Contino · From: Brattleboro, Vermont

Weird...I edited my prior post. I was asking about whether the tube makes a noticeable difference. I hear you, Jack. Are you saying that you can't hear a difference between tube and non-tube mode, Susan?
_________________
Shobud "The Professional" D-10, National "New Yorker," Gwin Custom Tube Amp thru 15" SICA neo speaker.

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Jack, yes, I did write that I did not hear much of a difference, but I was mistaken - not thinking clearly. I did actually hear a difference, but I didn't care for the sound of the tube "drive". However . . . I need to amend that. I just looked at the "perfect" setting I arrived at, and the drive was on 7 1/2 with the master on 1 (for my music room). I have a feeling that my preferred settings may not be what everyone else wants, but if you'd like, I'll post a photo.

Also, here's an interesting article about graphic eq on the Carvin website:

http://carvinaudio.com/blogs/guitar-bass-education/the-guitarist-s-introductory-guide-to-graphic-eq?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=blog&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The%20Guitarist%E2%80%99s%20Introductory%20Guide%20to%20Graphic%20EQ
_________________
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

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I came to my conclusion when the original 12AX7 tube went bad on a job (started distorting). I bypassed the tube with the rear panel switch and immediately noticed a difference in sound. Its subtle but it had sort of a "sterile" sound that I hear with some solid state amps. Next day I replaced the tube and the slight added tube sound was back.

As a side note, my BX500 now has a NOS RCA 12AX7 tube in it.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

I just looked at the back of my Carvin, and the tube is bypassed. I'm getting a nice rich, clear, warm sound without it. When I play through it again, I'll turn the tube on and see what the difference is - maybe I'll like it better. Either way, it is possible to get a nice sound on this (affordable) amp.
_________________
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

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Susan, how the EQ is set can have a major difference between two pickers. Also how we hear the sound.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

I agree, Jack. No two ears are the same, we all play differently using different guitars, and we each have a slightly different sound we want to hear. We can get ideas and maybe a starting point from looking at someone else's eq, but ultimately we're on our own. However, when I get an eq setting I like, I take a photo on my phone. The eq will always change (as will our ears throughout a day and through time), but it's nice to have as a point of reference.
_________________
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

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

Can you use the power amp with just one speaker or is that a no no?

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I'm only using one speaker. Its a "mono" amp. There are two connections for speakers, either 4 or 8 ohms or if the "2 ohm" switch is activated it will accept a 2 ohm load (two 4 ohm speakers in parallel would be 2 ohms load).
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

Can i ask Susan and Jack if you use the EQ or or flip the bypass switch?

I just got one today, so the experimenting begins.

Ron Hogan
Nashville

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Hi Ron,

I use mine with a single 15" 40hm speaker. I usually turn off the tube preamp; sometimes I use the eq and sometimes I turn it off - it depends on the sound I'm getting at the time. I can't say that I have that amp completely figured out, but that's what I do when I play it.
_________________
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

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I don't use the graphic EQ. I set the other controls similar to how I would set a Peavey steel amp. I'm using a single 15" Eminence EPS-15C speaker (set up on a stand not on the floor). Works for me and my D-10 Franklin with Lawrence 710 pickups.

I had a person from the audience, at my regular Monday evening gig, that goes to many of the country shows in the area and he told me my steel tone was the best.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Norman Evans · From: Tennessee

Ron, Set the eq for steel with the graphic eq off, then set the graphic eq to get a Dobro sound with the steel, then you can switch it in and out. Norm

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

The only problem I have ever had with any Carvin equipment is when a young man blew up my PB-100-10 amp. I had to get a power amp module (aka IC). Carvin wanted an exorbitant price for it ($30-$40). It had a sticker over the factory number, after peeling it off carefully I found out it was a standard IC power amp chip that cost about $6.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!

Ollin Landers · From: Willow Springs, NC

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

Thx Steel Men and steel Women!

I'll try some stuff today and report back.

Ron

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've never found a graphic EQ that could compete with my Goodrich MatchBro. I've fooled Bluegrass pickers with my MatchBro. My MatchBro died a while back and the current Goodrich co did not get any schematics for the Matchbro when they bought the company. I was afraid I was doomed and bought one of Tom Bradshaw's Dobro boxes. It is good but the Goodrich MatchBro has the edge. Fortunately another forumite had reverse engineered the MatchBro and made a schematic. He sent me a copy and I was able to repair mine.

I've seen some old Goodrich products (not the current owner's) that had the original part number markings removed. Same way, one of the 3rd Party mod kits for the Peavey steel amps does or did paint over the IC numbers. So its not just Carvin.

I used to do amp repair (in Nashville) and saw components in amps that only had the company part number on them (although they were standard components). Standel was bad about that. The original Emmons amp was made for Emmons by Standel and the one that I worked on had the Standel part numbers on components.

Many older TV's had vendor part numbers on components. I had a friend that had a TV repair shop and he always complained about that, especially with Sylvania and Sony's. Some could be cross referenced but not all.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

A sample so far using the Carvin BX500. So far so good. I'm really liking it for a Peavey man!

http://picosong.com/vUXA/

Thx,
Ron Hogan

Ollin Landers · From: Willow Springs, NC

Ron.

Mic'd or direct out?

Sounds like you've got it dialed in. I hope I was able to help.
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.

I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

Mic.

Thx to Ollin, Jack and Steve. Good tips for setting it up. I can't wait to try it on a gig.

Ron

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

I'm still experimenting with the CARVIN BX500 power amp. First gig out with it tomorrow.

Some samples thus far:

http://picosong.com/wseEy/

http://picosong.com/wseE4/

http://picosong.com/wseEg/

Ron Hogan

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Please delete.

Forum Index > Electronics	Goto page Previous 1, 2	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic