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BGRA: Carvin PB100-10
| Manufacturer |
Carvin |
Model |
PB100-10 |
| Reviewer |
Terry Reiber (2 years bass, 30 years gui |
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| Experience |
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Item owned |
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| Review Date |
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Price paid |
279.95 plus 24.95 shipping |
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Dimensions | 16"W x 12"D x 17.7"H, 34 lbs. |
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Wattage | 100% watts |
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Speaker(s) | 10 Inch Bass Voiced Speaker |
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Effects | Effects send and receive |
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Controls | Variable Compressor, Noise Gate, Volume, Gain |
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Other | Headphones, speaker out jack |
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I was looking for a small practice amp and something to use for accoustic
gigs at coffee houses and small venues. I got tired of hauling around my 200
watt, 62lb, 15 inch speaker combo which was really overkill for those
situations.
After trying the SWR workingman's 10, the small Ampeg practice amps and
others, I thought I'd give Carvin a go. I've had really good experience
with Carvin PA equipment in the past.
When I first got the amp, I thought the Dura Tuff looked a little thin. The
enclosure is slightly larger than the usual practice amp. But is this amp
ever light for the size! Amazing! Probably due to the poplar plywood
construction.
The amp also has a detacheable power chord, which some people think is
great, but I don't like it because I'm afraid I'll leave it behind on my way
to a gig!
The knobs feel a little cheezy, the speaker grill is heavy duty, and the top
strap is up to the job. The speaker is positioned very close to the front
of the amp and looks cool. The port on the front of the enclosure looks all
business (and believe me, this amp is!!!)
Plugging the amp in, the first impression is the sound is very, very good
for its size. It has excellent mids, and highs are so good I have to back
off the treble control. The bottom is a little thin, which is to be expected
from a practice amp with only a 10 inch speaker. Anything below 45 khz needs
a little help (read, the low E string). The tuned enclosure and port
compensate well on the low end, however.
So naturally, I hunted around to figure out a way to compensate for the
speaker's below 45 KHZ response, and low and behold, the answer was not far!
After depressing the Bass pre-eq shape button, this little box started to
boom!
The Bass pre-eq gives a +6db boost for 100khz and below. I compared the
bottom to my 200 watt 15" combo amp. Obviously the 10" speaker is not going
to shake your pants like a 15" speaker can, but the little Carvin does a
pretty impressive job of filling out the room.
In fact, the bottom end is so good, that after depressing the pre-eq shape
button, I'd imagine my accoustic band telling me to back off the phat bottom
end! I'm probably not going to use the shape button ('cause its too heavy
brother), but crank up the bass using the BASS tone control instead. Who
would think a practice amp with a 10" speaker having too much bottom end for
some gig situations???
I tried the variable compression, hoping I'd have a nice effect to play
with. I found it a waste of time, only having a marginal effect if kicked
up to 5 (max). Probably good for those into slap, but slap artists aren't
likely to buy this amp.
Similarily, the noise gate is a waste of time. Apparently it's used to cut
out noisy pickups. I play a Warwick bass, so no problem with noise. Not a
useful feature.
This amp is very very clean. Very little noise or hum except those brought
on by your own pickups, and thats when the amp is cranked with the treble
right up there.
Another cool feature is the speaker out jack. The 100 watt power amp could
be utilized to power a cabinet with a 15" speaker. Maybe I can sell my big
boat anchor combo amp and replace it with a nice light 15" speaker cabinet?
Then I could use this amp for accoustic gigs, and plug in a cabinet when I
need the bigger sound and low end.
I also play accoustic guitar through the amp. When I press the the "mid"
pre-EQ shape button, I get a really clean, presentable accoustic sound.
The tone and shape controls work very well. The sweep control works well.
This amp is very loud. I play reasonably loud at home with the gain halfway
(recommended position) and volume at 3. I perform within an accoustic
amplified gig at volume setting 4. I plug my bass into a blue tube pedal
(works like a tube pre-amp) with a short cable into the amp. The tube
effect takes a little solid state edge off the sound.
I very much recommend this amp. It is better than the SWR workingman's 10.
The only way you'll get better sound in a combo is by stepping up to 200
watts and a 15" speaker. Then your faced with lugging a 60lb plus behemoth
to your car, stairs, elevators, etc. No thanks!!!
Carvin is an excellent company to work with, and their stuff holds up really
well. You can always return your purchase within 10 days if not satisfied.
Once you plug this amp in, and play around with the shape and tone controls
to get the bottom end your looking for (recognizing this is an overachieving
small practice amp, not a 15" combo), you'll be satsified.
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| construction |
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| clarity |
| (100%) |
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| value |
| (90%) |
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| overall |
| (95%) |
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