Carvin SB5000 fans... opinions?

TimBosby · #1 10-06-2012, 04:14 PM

So I've been watching Youtube videos of the Carvin SB5000 for the better part of the weekend. The Ed Friedland ringing endorsement is a good one.

Thinking about building one. Below is an older in-stock one (that has since sold) that is sort of the look I am going for. Definitely want a swamp ash body. Thinking about a nicely figured walnut top. Don't REALLY want a pickguard but I think the free-floating control plate looks silly without one. I think the black pickguard looks OK with the walnut though, sort of blends nicely into the black control plate. I'd be doing black hardware. I'd definitely be doing a birdseye maple board and high gloss body finish though. Probably abalone block inlays. And I think they only offer the SB headstock on these now (whereas the one in the picture has an Icon headstock.)

Thoughts on J99 vs stacked humbuckers vs actual humbuckers? At first I was thinking J/MM but I don't like the way the MM practically touches the control plate, it looks awkward. So now I'm thinking two J99s because I only have one other bass with true single coils. Are they noisy?

Probably black covers but I guess creme ones may match the birdseye maple board nicely...

madbassplaya · #2 10-06-2012, 04:17 PM

Didn't you sell your Lakland because you didn't like wide spacing?

TimBosby · #3 10-06-2012, 04:24 PM

Yes, in part. But it wasn't necessarily just the spacing. It was the neck feel in general. I have HUGE hands so you'd think wide spacing would be my thing. But at the same time I also play mostly 4-string so I hate it when I jump to 5 and the neck feels like a tree trunk. So I need a compromise. While 18.5 mm or so would be ideal, I've read that the SB5000 necks feel a little thinner than your average 19mm 5-string. Plus the nut is 1.75 inches, I believe vs Lakland's 1.81 inches. The SB5000 is also 3.0 inches at the 22nd fret vs the Lakland 55-94's 3.3"

I think that little bit may make a difference. And if not, well, a 10-day trial period is pretty generous.

I can tell you for sure I like too wide better than too narrow. I couldn't stand Carvin's regular 17 mm necks or whatever they are. I felt like I was pinching my fingers together too much. My Sage 5-string had a 1.75" nut and that was pretty much ideal for a 5 for me.

**Chef** · #4 10-06-2012, 04:42 PM

The active 4000 we reviews for BGM killed. Great bass. I like your color scheme And choice of woods, do it

mmbongo · #5 10-06-2012, 05:02 PM

Lakland is also 1.75"...at least the 5501 is.

I think their necks are pretty similar, but Mad would know better since he's had both. I will say that I don't think you can get a better feeling neck profile than what the 5501 has. If the Lakland you had was bigger...get a 5501!

madbassplaya · #6 10-06-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

Yes, in part. But it wasn't necessarily just the spacing. It was the neck feel in general. I have HUGE hands so you'd think wide spacing would be my thing. But at the same time I also play mostly 4-string so I hate it when I jump to 5 and the neck feels like a tree trunk. So I need a compromise. While 18.5 mm or so would be ideal, I've read that the SB5000 necks feel a little thinner than your average 19mm 5-string. Plus the nut is 1.75 inches, I believe vs Lakland's 1.81 inches. The SB5000 is also 3.0 inches at the 22nd fret vs the Lakland 55-94's 3.3"

I think that little bit may make a difference. And if not, well, a 10-day trial period is pretty generous.

I can tell you for sure I like too wide better than too narrow. I couldn't stand Carvin's regular 17 mm necks or whatever they are. I felt like I was pinching my fingers together too much. My Sage 5-string had a 1.75" nut and that was pretty much ideal for a 5 for me.

Sounds like this is the way to go, then. If you don't like the control plate you could go for the B50 option. Both offer a ton of bang for your buck!

gumbynotpokey · #7 10-06-2012, 05:04 PM

That pic is one with an Icon headstock. I like that 100x over the SB headstock.

My new fretless LB70PF has J99A's at the neck and bridge. They have higher output than the stacked buckers. My 2004 LB70P has a J99 (not J99A) at the neck, HB (MM style) at the brige, and piezos in the saddles. The fretless has about 1/4th more headroom than the LB70P.

J99A's have a ton of presence, are full and bring top end clarity, depth and growl. The growl really surprised me. In short, I love those pu's. SWEETNESS all around.

madbassplaya · #8 10-06-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Lakland is also 1.75"

I think their necks are pretty similar, but Mad would know better since he's had both. I will say that I don't think you can get a better feeling neck profile than what the 5501 has.

The lakland had a "rounder" neck to me while the Carvin had a flatter/thinner neck.

I liked both necks. Both are very comfortable.

HypersoulRocks · #9 10-06-2012, 05:06 PM

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d68xlgf19...f:100_6271.JPG

I freaking luv my sb4000....

Bassist4Eris · #10 10-06-2012, 05:06 PM

I keep looking at that pic, imagining it with a birdseye maple fretboard, and going "man, I hope he posts lots of pics when he gets it".

TimBosby · #11 10-06-2012, 05:09 PM

Hmm. I'm confused. Lakland's website says 1.81" nut for both the 55-94 and the 55-02.
I measured the one I am selling (just boxed it up) and it seemed to be 1.75". Ah well. Not really sure. I don't really have a good way of measuring. Plus mine is a 2001 so maybe they've changed since then.

TimBosby · #12 10-06-2012, 05:09 PM

As for the Icon headstock, I like it too, but it doesn't seem to be available on the SB series from Carvin anymore. Oh well.

madbassplaya · #13 10-06-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

As for the Icon headstock, I like it too, but it doesn't seem to be available on the SB series from Carvin anymore. Oh well.

They'll do it if you call and ask them. They won't like it and they'll tell you that it's a non-returnable.

I asked them to do a passive SB5000 as well. Got the same reply.

TimBosby · #14 10-06-2012, 05:16 PM

Meh. As fickle as I am about basses, I don't hate the SB headstock enough to risk non-returnable.

I kinda like the 5 x 1 thing anyway. It kinda begs for some Hipshot Ultra-Lites though. The Y key kind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

They'll do it if you call and ask them. They won't like it and they'll tell you that it's a non-returnable.

I asked them to do a passive SB5000 as well. Got the same reply.

Wilbyman · #15 10-06-2012, 05:27 PM

i just got my second one. They are such great basses. What you are specing sounds cool. i think the neck feels pretty small and fast for a 5er. it is similar to my Gary Willis 1005 except the Willis in narrower at the bridge end. My recommendation is to get a satin neck finish...well worth the money. The tung oil is Ok but satin is mucho better, feels awesome. Everyone seems to agree the regular pickup setup is the way to go on these. my .02.

**WoodyG3** · #16 10-06-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

As for the Icon headstock, I like it too, but it doesn't seem to be available on the SB series from Carvin anymore. Oh well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

They'll do it if you call and ask them. They won't like it and they'll tell you that it's a non-returnable.

I asked them to do a passive SB5000 as well. Got the same reply.

They'll do an Icon headstock and it will still be returnable. Many possible options are not listed on the web site bass builder for some reason. They won't give you a bit of trouble. It's ordered very commonly and they'd have no problem selling it if it was returned. Usually they will only do non-returnable of things they think will make a difficult sale if returned. Even then, if you ask really nicely and tell them your credit card is about to jump of of your wallet, they will sometimes still give the 10-day return.

Madbassplayer is right, though, about the passive 5-banger. Their refusal to do passive five stringers has always baffled me. They won't do it on most of their bass models, and they are pretty strict about it.

gumbynotpokey · #17 10-06-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

They'll do it if you call and ask them. They won't like it and they'll tell you that it's a non-returnable.

I asked them to do a passive SB5000 as well. Got the same reply.

It's not that they don't like it. All one-offs or non-standard options (Option 50's) are non-returnable. As to willingness, the standard advice is "call with credit card in hand." Meaning, this is more likely to get a "yes" than a mere inquiry. It worked for me. Here's my BEM board with Option 50 "Hard As Nails" epoxy finish, and a 3 piece body with an Option 50 middle maple (not regular alder) layer.

Translation: call and ask when you place your order.

Wilbyman · #18 10-06-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

They'll do an Icon headstock and it will still be returnable. Many possible options are not listed on the web site bass builder for some reason. They won't give you a bit of trouble. It's ordered very commonly and they'd have no problem selling it if it was returned. Usually they will only do non-returnable of things they think will make a difficult sale if returned. Even then, if you ask really nicely and tell them your credit card is about to jump of of your wallet, they will sometimes still give the 10-day return.

Madbassplayer is right, though, about the passive 5-banger. Their refusal to do passive five stringers has always baffled me. They won't do it on most of their bass models, and they are pretty strict about it.

i asked about a passive sb5000 ... no go

madbassplaya · #19 10-06-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyG3

They'll do an Icon headstock and it will still be returnable. Many possible options are not listed on the web site bass builder for some reason. They won't give you a bit of trouble. It's ordered very commonly and they'd have no problem selling it if it was returned. Usually they will only do non-returnable of things they think will make a difficult sale if returned. Even then, if you ask really nicely and tell them your credit card is about to jump of of your wallet, they will sometimes still give the 10-day return.

Madbassplayer is right, though, about the passive 5-banger. Their refusal to do passive five stringers has always baffled me. They won't do it on most of their bass models, and they are pretty strict about it.

I don't know Woody. I spoke to them within the past 3 months about doing an SB5000 with the Icon headstock. It was explained to me that they had done this before but it was a signature model and that they were trying to get away from doing it. I was told it would be non-returnable by two reps.

JumboJack · #20 10-06-2012, 05:43 PM

The neck on my SB5000 is awesome. It lets me get realy low action. Love this bass more and more every time I play it.