BX500 Head 2x10 Cab

Wolfhound32

Wolfhound32

Sep 10, 2013
1,072
3,099
4,571
WA State
#1
I'm going to place my order soon, but thought I'd see if any of y'all are running the same rig:

Carvin BX500 head + BR210 cab

I'm torn between the 2x10 and the BR 1x15...

While I considered two from the Fender Rumble series (200 & 500), I simply can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on something made in Indonesia. The Fender amps sounded okay-- I liked the 15 over the 10's (which farted out with its volume set at 4, using a US P-bass). Add to that the flimsy feeling logo and grill... nope; money is tight these days, so I've gotta spend it wisely ;)

Since I don't play 5-strings, and believe no stringed instrument should be slapped, there's no need for anything too fancy. Just American made, new, and no more than $650.

Anyway, just thought I'd pose the questions to current/past users of the BX5/BR210 setup think before I place the order ;)
 
#4
Thanks guys,

My thought was a 2x10 cab to be different, but the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward the 1x15 cab. I'll be ordering before the 30th to take advantage of the free custom Tolex cover, but the foot switch really doesn't interest me much... maybe they'll knock some $ off the cost instead :)

Eric eh...? Got it!
 
Last edited:
#6
If money is tight, why not go used? I got a perfectly functional, Harkte 4200 Pro cab off Craigslist for $100 bucks. I bet I can sell it for what I paid for it also. Buy that Carvin, and you lose almost half it's value immediately, and even worse if you don't like it.
 
#8
I have the mb15 combo with 15 Ext that sounds great. Why not look at two of the mb15 Ext to go with your amp. Someone else who was on the forum but is taking a hiatus for a few months had the same setup and loved it. Played his Rick 4003 live with it and said it killed. Probably sound the same as my combo but with additional headroom.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueMINI and BadExample
#9
Thanks all!

Why not used: don't care to inherit someones's problems, as has happened to me in the past-- charmed I guess :)

Carvin resale: not an issue as I only buy gear I like, then hold onto it-- if I don't care for the sound of the mail-order Carvin, I'll return it within the 10-day window. Never have understood the "resale" argument, but I'm weird that way I guess LOL :D

Cover color: "Navy Bronco" (I.e. Blue)

I currently have a MB15 which sounds great, but this one is going to be my gig amp. That's another reason I was thinking the 2x10 cab as it would be different from my current amp, but the 15 sound is my favorite... Haven't considered MB cabs with the 500 head... Something else to think about ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassist4Eris and BadExample
#10
The mb15 with the my 15 ext is giggable . By itself it's ok, with the Ext it's a whole new ballgame! That bx500 with the two mb15 ext would be killer. You could install a jack to use the mb15 combo as an ext and just bypass the onboard amp. That way you would only need the one ext and you would have the option of the combo with ext, or the bx500 with the combo spkr and ext. Someone had done that and I believe the info may be in the Carvin microbass thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueMINI and BadExample
#12
I'm close. I use a BX600 with 2 BRX 2.10 cabs. Used to have a BRX 4.10 and BRX 2.10; never used 'em together. 2.10 for home, 4.10 for gigs. Sold th 4.10 and grabbed a second 2.10 as I wanted a bit more flexibility. Been a great rig, reliable, good volume, sounds good (to me).
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueMINI
#14
I use the BX500 head on a pair of BRX 10.2's turned vertically in the TB-approved manner. I went with the BRX series cabs because they had lower frequency response. The BR series 2x10 only goes down to 50 Hz, which I was afraid would be insufficient for my low B.

One caveat here is the BRX series are apparently only available in 4 ohm configurations, although I've heard rumors they will build you an 8 ohm one if you ask. The BX500 head is 2-ohm stable, but my backup head (GK400RB) is not, limiting me to a single cab if I should need the backup head.

As for my opinions on the rig: the head is wonderfully versatile and sounds great, but I'm not crazy about the plastic EQ faders. I ended up mounting it in a rack case just to protect the controls. I'd also say that if you're not really comfortable with a large number of EQ options, it could be overwhelming, but in my case it's my favorite thing about the head. The cabs are modern and punchy. They'll deliver lows, but they wouldn't be my first choice for, say, reggae. That said, they'd do in a pinch. And they certainly work well in my fusion band. They feature a control to turn the tweeters down, or off completely. Personally I like tweeters, but then again I believe string instruments need to be slapped regularly to be kept in line. ;)

NO PICS NO RIG!!!

Carvin vertical stack.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brother Goose, BlueMINI and BadExample
#18
You don't have to get a carvin cab just because you're getting a carvin head.

One drummer I jam with has a bx500 amp with two avatar cabs. It sounds really nice! Even held its own against a full band plus horn section playing "sledgehammer" -- slap bass through an octave pedal. A lot of cabs would have farted out under those circumstances.

I know op is against used but new amp, used cab might be an alternative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueMINI
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back