Markbass LittleMark vs Carvin BX500

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BobKos

Apr 13, 2007
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#1
Hi All:

I picked up a Carvin BX500 this week during the Black Friday sale. The idea is to replace my aging but still reliable Markbass LMII. I unpacked & set up the BX500 tonight by simply setting it next to the LMII and swapping the cables over. I fired it up, set EQ flat, active switch on because I'm using an active bass, graphic EQ off, speaker switch to 4 ohm because I have 4 ohm load. Volume seemed low. I started playing with the controls, wound up the instrument volume, and it was still low. It was breaking up too like I was pushing it pretty hard. I plugged the LMII back in and it was loud & clean at volume higher than the BX500 could achieve. Really loud. It just seems like the Carvin is really underpowered. Both are 500 watts. The Carvin dimed is about the same as the LMII with gain @ 50% and master at 40%. I can't dime the LMII in my house. It's too much. My neighbors would hate me or worse.

I REALLY wanted this Carvin to work out. I am geeked that I can buy a USA made amp with good customer service and seemingly good quality. All at a super price.

I'm wondering if anybody out there has ever A/B'd these two amps. Are they comparable and I got a dud? Or does the Markbass deliver twice the amp for twice the money? At this point it is painless for me to return the Carvin for a refund and move on. I hate to do that for the above reasons. At the same time I don't want to get caught into a purchase commitment that I can't escape from if the BX500 is just not in the same league as the LMII. I want to replace the LMII with a similar class amp. I thought the BX500 was based on specs and as much internet homework I could do in a day.

So the question is - should I return the Carvin and forget the BX500 or exchange the BX500 for another unit? All constructive advice is appreciated.
 
#3
I did try turning the active switch off. It boosted the volume some, but no where near what the LM could produce. The LM doesn't have the switch but uses a gain knob instead. That's what I'm used to using. I admit that not knowing, I didn't want to really work it too hard in passive mode figuring they have the active switch for a reason.
 
#6
I've owned both, and actually went from the LMII to the Carvin BX500, and never looked back. They probably have different volume tapers, but I never had any problems with the Carvin not being loud enough. Might be a dud if, like you said, it was breaking up. Did you read the manual about how to initially set it up ?
 
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#7
Thanks for all of the replies. I contacted Carvin today. The rep I spoke with was very professional and very understanding. He offered that he could send me a replacement unit and I could try that one to see if it is better than the first one I received. I will see what happens. I am hopeful that it lives up to my original expectations. I will ring back once I have it and have worked it a little bit.
 
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#11
BobKos said:
Thanks for all of the replies. I contacted Carvin today. The rep I spoke with was very professional and very understanding. He offered that he could send me a replacement unit and I could try that one to see if it is better than the first one I received. I will see what happens. I am hopeful that it lives up to my original expectations. I will ring back once I have it and have worked it a little bit.
Click to expand...
I have the BX500 and 700 and only have the best things to say. Both heads are just great. Lots of volume. Never had any problems. Just send it back. Carvin has great customer service.
 
#12
Good jog Bassman Paul!

Here's the followup to my original query. I received the 2nd Carvin BX500. Truth told, it's no different than the first one I received. I was a little bummed about that. I figure that's the way they are supposed to be. I have spent some time messing around with it. If I add a ton of EQ, the volume issue is improved. I guess i'm just too used to my Markbass LMII after 8 years. On the MB I run the EQ flat and the VPF control at about 11:00. I do all other EQ on my bass. Most of my basses are active, so I can get what i want right on the bass. It's really simple to use and that's one of the things I like about it. The Carvin I have to add a bunch of bass and mids to get it anywhere close to what I'm used to. It's still not as loud as the Markbass no matter what I do. I'm not into really tweaking EQs and settings. I second guessed myself when I was looking at this amp with the graphic EQ on the face. It can be shut off, so I thought it would be OK. Actually not. IMO it is required to get good tone out of the amp. Maybe as I play with it more, I will rely less on the EQ and discover what makes the Carvin tick. But I will have to earn it me thinks. Totally different experience from when I bought the MB. I brought the MB home, set it up, was blown away. Sold my much loved Eden WT500 a week later. Never looked back. The carvin is going to be more complicated than that. I guess part of the problem is that my MB still works. It's much easier to unplug the Carvin, replug the MB, and enjoy playing instead of screwing around with amp settings.

I'm going to keep it. It didn't replace the Markbass as I had hoped it would. I will use it on a specific set of cabs and tweak it for those cabs. The Carvin is a good amp, but it isn't what I wanted. If my MB dies, I will replace it with another MB.
 
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