Author Topic: Carvin BX Micro Bass (Read 134 times)

davr35 · « **on:** April 02, 2011, 11:20:44 AM »

I just bought a Carvin BX Micro Bass 10 for a practice amp and I'm very impressed with it. It has lots of power, a very flexible eq, and is very well built. I have never owned a Carvin product before and I thought well it's under $400 might as well..lol. Does anyone have one of their basses?

dlbydgtl · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2011, 02:26:01 PM »

An LB75 was my main bass for 22 years and i also have an LB76. These basses are all i played until i got my Alembics. (and you know the rest of the story) But, i had a great time with them and they sounded fine. They did require neck straightening as the seasons changed, Still use a PB15 carvin combo for my theater work. Enjoy your new head, i have looked at that one on their website it looks cool. John

pauldo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2011, 03:28:31 PM »

Dave - I have been toying with the idea of going with a Micro Bass cabinet - not sure which speaker configuration. Leaning towards the 12.

Would it be loud enough for a small gig - corner bar kinda thing?

davr35 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2011, 03:40:41 PM »

It's very loud for it's size. 200 watts and the whole thing is less than 30 lbs. It also has a direct out built into it. I'm loving it

precarius · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2011, 08:19:30 PM »

I had a Carvin bass built last year, a LB20 which is the cheapest neck-through you can get from Carvin. The only options I got were the icon headstock, 14 radius on the fingerboard, and stainless steel frets. The bass is passive with only a master volume, master tone, and a 3-way pickup selector switch. I feel like the electronics are Carvin's weak point, but I figure I can drop in a new preamp for $125 if I want to. The bass with a hardshell case was $819. Carvin is definitely no threat to Alembic, but it plays well, sounds good, and less than 9lbs. it is a well-made, mass-produced,USA built bass.

tbrannon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2011, 01:06:04 PM »

Mike,

Please tell me you had that LB20 built with the pearl blue metallic paint, cream colored pickups and maple fretboard.... Because then I wouldn't feel so compelled to have one built!!

I live about 40 minutes from the Carvin factory in San Diego. The basses really are well constructed, but I agree that the electronics tend to be their Achilles heel (I wish they offered a P pickup option). I like the bass amp line they've produced the last 5 years or so- it seems as though Carvin gear is incredibly reliable when you get a good one. It seems like the their QC at the factory could be better, because you read lots of 'not working right out of the box' stories at Talkbass and other forums, but Carvin seems to be great about taking returns and sending out new units when you get one that is woky out of the box. Once in possession of a working unit, most folks are very pleased wit them.

precarius · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2011, 02:30:33 PM »

Please tell me you had that LB20 built with the pearl blue metallic paint, cream colored pickups and maple fretboard.... Because then I wouldn't feel so compelled to have one built!!

UHHH yeah, thats the bass and I'm UHH giving it to you for your birthday! Yeah that's the ticket.

tbrannon · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2011, 03:21:23 PM »

Cool! I'll email you my shipping address.

88persuader · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2011, 08:42:14 PM »

Alembics are the best high end basses ever made, period. They are works of art! But IMO Carvin basses are the best bang for the buck instruments ever offered. I have a 2010 Carvin LB70F (fretless, neck through construction - custom made to my specs for under a grand with a hard shell case - shipped) and a 2010 LB76 6 string bass I bought used for $600 in like new shape. (The original owner must have lost their shirt when they traded or sold it to the guitar Center) Both basses have Carvin pickups and electronics and I think they sound, look and play awesome! I have no problem with Carvin electronics or pickups. Alembics sound like Alembics, Fenders sound like Fenders, Carvins sound like Carvins, If you want a Fender sound, buy a Fender. Again they aren't the high end work or art instruments that Alembics are but bang for the buck NOBODY can touch them. I'd recommend them to any Alembic player who would like a cheap good quality instrument to bang around when they don't want to bring out their Alembics on gigs.