Carvin BX500 or Peavy MiniMax500?

twc1313

twc1313

Practice is the cure for GAS...or so I've heard.
Oct 28, 2013
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Pittsburgh, Pa
#1
I have had a Bx500 for almost three years now and have gig extensively with it. Would a MiniMax be any better, worse or the same? I haven't had a chance play one and was looking for some input. While I love the Carvin, I was hoping the Peavy would provide a more vintage sound or something a little less "transparent and modern".

I played the Fender Rumble 500 and noticed it had a warmer punch to it, this got me interested in the Peavy as well.
 
#4
Are you looking for a replacement or a backup?

I ask because different flavors and backups are great things to have, if you have that covered have you thought of pre amps? I've found the BX series to take pedals/ pre amps very well. Definitely worth checking into.

-Benny

P.s. sorry I have nothing on the Peavey. My first head was a session bass and I've had a couple of their combos.
 
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#5
I have the Peavey Minimax and, so far, it has been very strong and reliable under some very adverse Florida conditions (rain, heat, power surges, you name it). I drive a single 4 ohm 15" Avatar cab (B115T). I have previously owned the Ampeg PF-500, which sounded very similar--at least until it started cutting out and eventually shut down right after the warranty expired. I do not know the BX500, but my brother in law loves it; it would appear to have more tonal options, I do like the very accurate tuner on the Peavey, as I am always losing my clip-on tuners to guitar players. There is some fan noise on the Peavey, but it is noticeable only in quiet, bedroom conditions, at least to me. Very happy with it so far.
 
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#6
Carvin has a very clean flat respons with all its ea neutered. Vintage? Plug a $300 (list) Rumble 15 into that baby and play with eq settings.

The beauty of the flat and honest response is you can do anything by means of external signal path (bass, pedals, cab) plus built in eq. In the case of the BX series, eq is massive!

The drawback of a baked in tone is it may be difficult to unbake it. Not saying its not good or you wouldnt like it. It hard to boost something that's not there or very scouped out.
 
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#8
Thanks everyone for the great replies, lots of good ideas here. I'm also considering the Rumble 500 combo since dragging my carvin 4.10 cab around is a pain in the ass. Or, to save some cash, just get the Rumble head and keep lugging the 4x10.
 
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#9
Never played the Carvin head. I think both the Rumble 500 and Peavey MiniMax are both great heads. I would say the Rumble has a more vintage sound to it with a big round bottom. The Peavey without all of the EQ buttons pushed is fairly flat. I find the Peavey, so far, sounds better with my pedals and has a better DI. I use both with a Carvin BRX 4.10 cab. I find that the Rumble is almost too loud, but it sounds great. Both amps have lots of EQ options to find whatever tone you are looking for. I am currently playing my Peavey the most. I like to switch it up, so the Fender is about to go back in rotation. I don't think you can go wrong with either head, and they both sound great with the Carvin 4x10.
 
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