Brian Bromberg Carvin Model Part 2

[Chatdawg]

You know, a humbucker-single coil comparison video featuring this bass would be VERY helpful. (hint)

[Chatdawg]

Okay, I'll try this again. If ANYONE has a video or soundclip of this bass with the humbuckers and Icon tone circuit could you PLEASE post it? Help a brother out.

[jim777]

Originally Posted by Bass42

Hello !

This is my B24B Custom ! It was finished last week !

Custom options :

1)Block inlay
2) Piezzo
3) Curly Famed Koa top and back
4) Continuos back
5) 5 piece Neck
6) Matched Headstock
7) Matched back headstock
8) Carvin Gold Logo
9) Hipshot D Tuner
10) Ebony Veneer between Top/back Koa wood and body

Wow, that is crazy! When I order mine I am totally stealing at least half of your ideas! What is the core wood on her, alder?

[unclejane]

Sorry for resurrecting the thread, but couldn't find an answer to this question. Does the single-coil PU option in the B24/25 only have active mode? Eg. does it only work with batteries in it? I did notice that the humbucker option does say it has an "active/passive module" which I assume means you can use it in passive mode without batts. Just curious about the single-coil setup?

Thanks,
LS

[Brian Bromberg]

Hey Uncle Jane, the circuit board with single coils or humbuckers need the batteries either way. I had to make a decision whether to have active/passive or have a more efficient and balanced circuit/electronics. I chose a more even and balanced board, blend, volume etc....

Passive would be cool for sure, but it was more important to me to have the electronics be as even and user friendly as we could make it without the bass costing twice the money!!!

[dgce]

Originally Posted by Brian Bromberg

Hey Uncle Jane, the circuit board with single coils or humbuckers need the batteries either way. I had to make a decision whether to have active/passive or have a more efficient and balanced circuit/electronics. I chose a more even and balanced board, blend, volume etc....

Passive would be cool for sure, but it was more important to me to have the electronics be as even and user friendly as we could make it without the bass costing twice the money!!!

Sorry to ask if this question has already been addressed. Is it true that the RH2 humbucking pickups are married to the same preamp that's on the ICON? That is, only the single coil RJ2 pickups are equipped with your custom preamp?

Thanks!

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by dgce

Sorry to ask if this question has already been addressed. Is it true that the RH2 humbucking pickups are married to the same preamp that's on the ICON? That is, only the single coil RJ2 pickups are equipped with your custom preamp?

Thanks!

Sorry to butt in here, but that is true. Only the single coils get the 'Bromberg' pre. The HB's get the active/passive pre like the Icon. I can tell you from first hand experience that the 'Bromberg' pre does n-o-t work at all with the HB's, but the HB/Icon combo does sound great as well.

[Brian Bromberg]

That's right, again that was my decision. The humbuckers sounded better with the Icon circuit board so that is what we use. To me if it ain't broke don't fix it! The single coils sound amazing with the B2 board, and the humbuckers sound great with the Icon board!

[dgce]

Originally Posted by Grateful

Sorry to butt in here, but that is true. Only the single coils get the 'Bromberg' pre. The HB's get the active/passive pre like the Icon. I can tell you from first hand experience that the 'Bromberg' pre does n-o-t work at all with the HB's, but the HB/Icon combo does sound great as well.

But my HB B24S is active only like Brian Bromberg said. I cannot go into passive mode like all the other active Carin basses. I recall some of ur story, Grateful. Where I get confused is trying to figure if your B25 with the passive/active option was just a fluke. They just put the wrong pre amp in ur bass. Because if my B24 has the same preamp as an ICON, then shouldn't I be able to switch to passive mode? OR, is it the same ICON preamp with the passive mode disabled???

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Brian Bromberg

Hey Uncle Jane, the circuit board with single coils or humbuckers need the batteries either way. I had to make a decision whether to have active/passive or have a more efficient and balanced circuit/electronics. I chose a more even and balanced board, blend, volume etc....

Passive would be cool for sure, but it was more important to me to have the electronics be as even and user friendly as we could make it without the bass costing twice the money!!!

Ok, thanks Brian. That makes it a no-brainer then to get the single-coils . I already have a good humbucker sound with my Bunny anyway and I actually want the single-coil sound...

Thanks,
LS

[unclejane]

BTW, another quick question - how long do the batts last in a B2? I should know this because I already have 2 Bunnies, but I've never run batteries in them lol....

I put a pair in my Bunny 4 the other day and am leaving it plugged in etc., but they haven't run down yet.

Just curious what lifetime to expect? No big deal, since they're really easy to change, but just wondering if it's days, weeks, month or ?

Thanks,
LS

[dgce]

Originally Posted by unclejane

Ok, thanks Brian. That makes it a no-brainer then to get the single-coils . I already have a good humbucker sound with my Bunny anyway and I actually want the single-coil sound...

Thanks,
LS

Yep and now I know too. I love my humbucker equipped B24S. But had I known better when I was ordering my bass, I would have gotten single coils with the for-true Bromberg preamp. Oh well.

On the bright side, I now have another excuse to buy another bass!

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by dgce

But my HB B24S is active only like Brian Bromberg said. I cannot go into passive mode like all the other active Carin basses. I recall some of ur story, Grateful. Where I get confused is trying to figure if your B25 with the passive/active option was just a fluke. They just put the wrong pre amp in ur bass. Because if my B24 has the same preamp as an ICON, then shouldn't I be able to switch to passive mode? OR, is it the same ICON preamp with the passive mode disabled???

What happened was that the bass was mis-labeled in the Hollywood store. It said single coils, but had HB's. I didn't even know there was an active/passive pull on it until quite a bit of time later. It was eventually determined that my bass had HB's and the Icon pre, which how B24/5's with HB's should be configured. I don't think Carvin was totally clear on that up to that point. But Carvin took care of it in fantastic style and I now have the Single Coils as I thought I bought.

Originally Posted by unclejane

BTW, another quick question - how long do the batts last in a B2? I should know this because I already have 2 Bunnies, but I've never run batteries in them lol....

Just curious what lifetime to expect? No big deal, since they're really easy to change, but just wondering if it's days, weeks, month or ?

I unplug mine, but I've not had one die yet after a year plus of on/off dplaying.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Grateful

I unplug mine, but I've not had one die yet after a year plus of on/off dplaying.

Oh that long, ok.... I have all these active basses sitting around but always took the batteries out - I'm always paranoid they'll spring leaks and dribble electrolyte all over the inside lol.
My L2K hasn't had a battery in it for over a decade and with my Bunny, I took it out of case, made sure the electronics worked so I wouldn't have to send it back for repair and then promptly threw the batts away lol.....

Getting old and senile sucks. Guess I should join the 21st century and put some batts in at least the Bunny.

My Bromberg will have the single coils, since like I said I'm covered on the velvety HB sound by my Bunny 4. I need the sharp barking thing of single-coils and just want a Bromberg to see what it's like. That neck on the B24 looks like it's to die for...

LS

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks for the heads-up on the SC vs HB compatibility. I was considering swapping out my single coils but, in retrospect, glad I didn't. The 50/50 blend retains plenty of bite...but no noise!

Riis

[Tristan]

Probably going to pull the trigger on one of these but need some advice on options:

I was thinking Deep Orangeburst, then Umber Stain, but I think I am going to go with clear, the Maple/2 strip Walnut neck, no-show neck flame top.

I am not sure what body wood to select. Does Alder look OK with just a clear coat? Should I go Ash instead? Or Walnut for contrast? Is walnut heavy?

Also, do SS frets affect tone?

[Funkinthetrunk]

Originally Posted by Tristan

Probably going to pull the trigger on one of these but need some advice on options:

I was thinking Deep Orangeburst, then Umber Stain, but I think I am going to go with clear, the Maple/2 strip Walnut neck, no-show neck flame top.

I am not sure what body wood to select. Does Alder look OK with just a clear coat? Should I go Ash instead? Or Walnut for contrast? Is walnut heavy?

Also, do SS frets affect tone?

Decisions, decision. This is the fun part. I prefer ash, just for the grain. I can't tell much difference in sounds compared to alder. Alder looks fine in clear.

You'll get more click with stainless...but I like that.

[dgce]

Originally Posted by Tristan

Probably going to pull the trigger on one of these but need some advice on options:

I was thinking Deep Orangeburst, then Umber Stain, but I think I am going to go with clear, the Maple/2 strip Walnut neck, no-show neck flame top.

I am not sure what body wood to select. Does Alder look OK with just a clear coat? Should I go Ash instead? Or Walnut for contrast? Is walnut heavy?

Also, do SS frets affect tone?

Tonally, with either alder, ash, or walnut you can't lose. I suspect walnut is the heavy weight of the bunch but can't say by how much. As for looks, keep in mind, few people other than yourself will ever see the back. I like the dark rich look of walnut, followed by a well grained piece of ash, with the plainer but functional alder coming in last. Again, you can't lose with either.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Tristan

Probably going to pull the trigger on one of these but need some advice on options:

I was thinking Deep Orangeburst, then Umber Stain, but I think I am going to go with clear, the Maple/2 strip Walnut neck, no-show neck flame top.

I am not sure what body wood to select. Does Alder look OK with just a clear coat? Should I go Ash instead? Or Walnut for contrast? Is walnut heavy?

Also, do SS frets affect tone?

My Bunnies are both alder sides and the 5 piece neck, maple with walnut strips. Alder looks quite nice with regular gloss clearcoat, which is what I have.

When/if I get to do my B24S it'll be all maple to make it as heavy as possible - maple sides, 5 piece maple neck and clear gloss finish. Plain jane and weighs a ton for good balance.

Now just have to save up the $....

As for walnut, I'm told it's heavier than alder, but not as heavy as maple. I like 100,000lb basses, so I'm going all maple from here on out, but walnut is really pretty with a little less weight.

LS

[Tristan]

Thanks guys.

Can you guys tell what the body wood is in the pic of this Icon?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/coloran...rge/flamed.jpg