Carvin Sacramento Store Trip...

[Limeman]

So I went to the Carvin Sacramento store yesterday. Checked out the B2000 and a SB4000 and SB5000.

First surprise: I did not like the B2000 at all. Sounded thin, bright and not particularly robust. Couldn't dial in any real low-end to save its life. It was nicely built, light and looked nice, but left me cold. In the amps defense, I will say that the bass room at the store is so small you could barely fit a queen-size bed into it. It is my guess there is no way that a low-end sound wave can even develop before it is choked off or canceled out. Silly place to put bass gear. Maybe the amp is really great, but at their store, it sounded bad. I would really like to hear one in a club or church or a nice open room to get a good idea of what it actually sounds like. Word to Carvin: re-think your bass room at the Sacramento store. Turn it into a small guitar amp/acoustic guitar amp room and get those bass rigs out into the open so they can breathe!

Second surprise: The SB4000 is very nice, but the SB5000 absolutely KILLS. I say surprise here, because I am not a 5-string guy at all. I've played lots of them (Fender, Sadowsky, Lakland, MTD, Modulus, etc) and none have been comfortable to me. I tried the SB4000 last year and thought it was pretty nice and have been planning to purchase one later this year. After playing it back to back with the SB5000, there is no comparison. The neck on this Carvin 5-string is amazing. The best I have ever laid hands on. Fast, comfortable, with just enough thickness to give total satisfaction. The SB4000 feels like a baseball bat in comparison. I can see why the SB5000 is their top selling bass right now and why a good number of pros are now playing them. About the only negative I can find is that they are a bit on the heavy side - my guess is an easy 10+ lbs for the 5000 and at least 9+ for the 4000. I believe they sound good too, but who could tell with the bass room issue. Second word to Carvin: Great basses, guys! Beautiful looking, clearly well-made and total bang for the buck. Please, however, think about an option of the SB5000 shaped neck on the SB4000. I know that Sekou likes the baseball bat neck, but trust me, the SB5000 shaped neck is the way to go for both basses.

Third surprise: The two Carvin sales guys manning the store had the personalities of uncooked oatmeal, showed a total lack of energy or happiness to be working and had surprisingly little knowledge of Carvin basses and gear. I guess I was expecting more than the typical GC experience at a Carvin store, but looks as though that was not the case. They were nice enough, but you got the feeling that they were either annoyed you were in the store or hadn't woken up yet - even though it was about 1:45 in the afternoon. I also noticed a small printout on the wall about Sekou visiting the store in April for a bass clinic, but not a single word from them about it, even though I was clearly a bassist. Amazing. Third word to Carvin: Stock Red Bull for your Store employees and make sure they are up to speed on the new gear and have a basic understanding of how to promote it. It is one thing to walk into a GC or Sam Ash with hundreds of brands and get clueless looks. It is another to walk into a Carvin store and have them give you the same.

Bottom Line: I'm not trying to bash here. I think Carvin makes solid gear. However, I drove a total of 284 miles round trip to visit the store and I was definitely let down. Next time, I'll just order via the internet/phone, pay the shipping (about the cost of gas for a trip to Sacramento) and save myself the time on the road. I'll also have the benefit of trying the gear out in an acceptable environment.

[lunarpollen]

I buy my instrument and amp stands from that store, it's cheaper than GC.

[Mike Shevlin]

Nice store review~ I'm surprised the B2000 sounded so thin. I tried one @ NAMM and it was really impressive & huge sounding. I agree the SB5000 is just killer. When I was at the NAMM booth the Carvin guys treated me like an absolute rock star and were fanatical about their equipment and knew every last tech spec about everything~ last year's NAMM they were just as good~ and I'm just a ding dong from Vegas.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

I buy my instrument and amp stands from that store, it's cheaper than GC.

I've never been out there, but I'm always surprised to find that it's still in business. Even the stores in more convenient, central locations and with a far wider range of merchandise (like GC) are hurting.

I get their mailings, but there's nothing I see that appeals to me, though they occasionally have what appears to be a good deal on their own 12" guitar speakers. I've wanted to get four to upgrade an Amgeg 4x12", but it's a LONG drive out there.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

Nice store review~ I'm surprised the B2000 sounded so thin. I tried one @ NAMM and it was really impressive & huge sounding. I agree the SB5000 is just killer. When I was at the NAMM booth the Carvin guys treated me like an absolute rock star and were fanatical about their equipment and knew every last tech spec about everything~ last year's NAMM they were just as good~ and I'm just a ding dong from Vegas.

Regarding the B2000: I was surprised as well. I ran it through a BXR Neo 10.2 and then hooked up the Neo 10.4 in tandem. No bottom. Not even a touch of warmth. Just in-your-face mids and highs. I am certain the room was the issue.

Regarding the sales guys: Your experience was what I was expecting. I am certain that the folks at the factory store at headquarters in San Diego would be exactly as you described; knowledgeable and informative. Unfortunately, seems that the guys at the Sacramento store need a serious training session.

[Jazzdogg]

The OP's experience with Carvin employees in Sacramento mirrors my experiences with Carvin employees in San Diego; they seem largely bored and indifferent; every time I've entered the store the reception I received was lukewarm, and the employees seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic when responding to questions.

We all know what runs downhill; sounds like their indifference is a function of Carvin management/leadership, or lack thereof.

[BassLover4Life3]

That funny because when I went to the Hollywood store I had a great experience with the staff. They were very nice and upbeat and answered all my questions, and if they didn't know the answer they found it out for me. My only beef with the Hollywood store is that there is so much tract lighting that it rattles so much when you play the bass gear that you can't hear the amp over the rattling of the lights. I mentioned this on the Carvin forums before. When this happened I was playing a B1500 through a BRX10.4 Neo. I don't know where the OP is from but I am from Visalia judging distance he is either in Fresno or Merced.

Anyway like I said the staff at the Hollywood store were awesome, I was there with my father and he ended up sowing one of the staff a much easier way to install copper shielding in a guitar LOL.

[BigOldHarry]

I had a *very* similar experience at the factory store here in SD. Staff was half asleep (though they did fetch me cords & whatnot when I asked), bass room was TINY... Didn't dig the SB4000 but *loved* the SB5000. In fact, I am working *very hard* to resist the urge to order one right now. RIGHT NOW.

Back to the 4000... It is interesting that the rather thick neck was a conscious design choice by the folks at Carvin. Mr. Bunch likes a chunky neck, he gets a chunky neck.... But the 5000? I was *stunned*. Plays every bit as good as my buddy's Sadowsky Metro - no lie. Maybe better.

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

The OP's experience with Carvin employees in Sacramento mirrors my experiences with Carvin employees in San Diego; they seem largely bored and indifferent; every time I've entered the store the reception I received was lukewarm, and the employees seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic when responding to questions.

We all know what runs downhill; sounds like their indifference is a function of Carvin management/leadership, or lack thereof.

I had the exact same experience there last week. The guys working there act as if they just don't give a ****, and are bothered if you need help.

Considering how small and cramped that store is, and how little stuff they actually have, you'd think they'd be selling their ass off or at least helping people.

The Bass room is "single service" meaning there's no way two guys could test stuff out in there. You gotta wait until Mr. Two-Hour-Slap-n-Pop-WankFest gets done before you can get in there. I never even got to try anything.

I had never been out there and probably won't bother ever again. With 2 Guitar Centers, Skips, and a handfull of other music stores around with better employees (who even have personalities, and will chat with you) - I can't see that "store" being around very long.

[Boostedrex]

I live in Sacramento and have been to the local Carvin store. I agree with the OP 100%. The bass room is little more than a closet and is surely choking off the low end of anything in there.

And the employees were the biggest issue there! Bored, uninterested, and MAJORLY lacking in product knowledge. I was floored last time I was in there, they didn't know anything about the gear. And when I did ask questions, they just answered with "you could probably find that info if you look on the web page."

Too bad as I really like the gear that Carvin makes/sells. But that kind of experience has to be hurting sales out of that store.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

...Back to the 4000... It is interesting that the rather thick neck was a conscious design choice by the folks at Carvin. Mr. Bunch likes a chunky neck, he gets a chunky neck.... But the 5000? I was *stunned*. Plays every bit as good as my buddy's Sadowsky Metro - no lie. Maybe better.

Agreed 100%. The SB5000 slays. It really does. Might be the first 5-string I purchase, and those that know me will be floored if they spot me rippin' on a 5! But... if Carvin offers that neck-shape on the SB4000, then I'd go that way in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by BassLover4Life3

That funny because when I went to the Hollywood store I had a great experience with the staff... I don't know where the OP is from but I am from Visalia judging distance he is either in Fresno or Merced.

Again, agree 100%. I lived in LA for over 18 years and the folks at the Hollywood Carvin store were always excellent in every way, which is another reason I was floored by the guys at the Sac store. Night and day comparison. That is a great location on Hollywood Blvd. I also love that the Mesa store is just a few doors down on the corner! Oh... located in the South San Jose area.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

I had the exact same experience there last week. The guys working there act as if they just don't give a ****, and are bothered if you need help.

Considering how small and cramped that store is, and how little stuff they actually have, you'd think they'd be selling their ass off or at least helping people.

The Bass room is "single service" meaning there's no way two guys could test stuff out in there. You gotta wait until Mr. Two-Hour-Slap-n-Pop-WankFest gets done before you can get in there. I never even got to try anything.

I had never been out there and probably won't bother ever again. With 2 Guitar Centers, Skips, and a handfull of other music stores around with better employees (who even have personalities, and will chat with you) - I can't see that "store" being around very long.

Skips???

[SteveC]

I have had a Carvin before - an expensive, fully loaded 6 string. It was great except for the electronics. The SB5000 might play and sound great but it is UGLY - IMO of course. Yuk!

[aws1963]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Skips???

Long time music store in Sacramento. Friendly staff and lots of gear. Little tight inside the Auburn Blvd store. Have not been to any others. Got my first bass there in 79. A 4 string Peavey. Wish I still had it!

www.skipsmusic.com

Not sure if its within the context of the rules to post link above. I don't work for Skip's. If its a no no, let me know and I'll delete it or Mod can.

[vinxbass]

I've purchased 2 basses, 2 amps, 2 neo bass cabs, strings, and have been going to the Sac store since Feb 07. I've had relative good success with the store and sales staff. Haven't been in there in awhile, but plan on getting a SB5000 sometime later this year.

I agree, that the bass room is kind of a joke, way too small and only big enough for one person at a time.

Outside of the small bass room, they out to move the bass equiptment into the PA room. That would be much better as far as trying out bass gear. I tried out a B1500 thru a BRX10.4 and it sounded very harsh because of that small room.

I just ordered the J99AS and J99ASR pups for my Carvin Icon IC5. Those are the same pups that come with the SB5000, except in a soapbar pup. Having a local tech install them for me, not somebody who works for Carvin either, but was referred by them.

To the OP, that's a long ways to drive just to go to a little store like that. I give you credit for doing so.

[Limeman]

Originally Posted by vinxbass

To the OP, that's a long ways to drive just to go to a little store like that. I give you credit for doing so.

That's how much I wanted to try out the B2000 and hopefully get another swing at a B4000 as well. Funny how it turned out that what really impressed me was something I wasn't looking for (SB5000). Just to be clear - I'm sure the B2000 is a great head. Many of the folks here at TB have said it sounds great. Just wish the bass room at the Sac store allowed an acceptable demonstration.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Boostedrex

I live in Sacramento and have been to the local Carvin store. I agree with the OP 100%. The bass room is little more than a closet and is surely choking off the low end of anything in there.

And the employees were the biggest issue there! Bored, uninterested, and MAJORLY lacking in product knowledge. I was floored last time I was in there, they didn't know anything about the gear. And when I did ask questions, they just answered with "you could probably find that info if you look on the web page."

Too bad as I really like the gear that Carvin makes/sells. But that kind of experience has to be hurting sales out of that store.

What was strange for me is that while I get *one* store being like this, the freakin' FACTORY STORE should be the showcase, right? You should have a great facility and high-speed folks -- but no. Maybe Carvin sees the Holllywood store as their "Showcase", but how hard would it be turn things around at the SD or even Sac store? Heck, the factory store has a decent sized main room, but it's layed out all screwy. I'd divide it into two spaces: Guitars and Bass. They have a separate sound re-enforcement room as is...

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Limeman

That's how much I wanted to try out the B2000 and hopefully get another swing at a B4000 as well. Funny how it turned out that what really impressed me was something I wasn't looking for (SB5000). Just to be clear - I'm sure the B2000 is a great head. Many of the folks here at TB have said it sounds great. Just wish the bass room at the Sac store allowed an acceptable demonstration.

Don't be so sure the is the head folks say it is: The only Carvin amp I've fired up that I liked at all was the BX500 - and I have yet to see someone in a live gig with a Carvin amp sound good. Maybe the 2000 is great, but if you played one and it didn't sound good.... Chances are, it is *not* the amp for you.

[jerry]

I've been gigging a B2000 pretty heavy since I received it a month and a half ago, it's been anything but thin to me.

[vinxbass]

If I wanted to try some product out at the Carvin Sacramento store, their staff knows me well enough to move the bass amps that I'd want to buy into the PA room. They would def accomadate me, I know that for sure.