Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 7!

[Quackhead]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Since the SB is a signature bass they are trying to get away from that. I was told this by two Carvin reps. You can order one, but it will not be returnable if you do not like it within 10 days.

Signature or not, that's not very customer friendly, especially to a longtime buyer like me. I love Carvin's gear. They pride themselves on their custom offerings and their customer service. Their return policy should apply to everything they make. If they give me attitude, I'll just take my business elsewhere. I think the new M series basses from G&L look pretty sick and are roughly in the same price range. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I'm ready to order.

[JoeVictim]

I am surprised they allow returns for custom instruments. Could you imagine if other "custom" builders allowed returns? The mom and pop guys would be out of business.

Whoah man. You have a way to be taken care of . Get an "in stock" SB. Try it out. Return it. If you like it, get one built.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by macribas

Did anyone replace the electronics on their SB? What did you put?

Pretty sure this happened already...?

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Quackhead

Signature or not, that's not very customer friendly, especially to a longtime buyer like me. I love Carvin's gear. They pride themselves on their custom offerings and their customer service. Their return policy should apply to everything they make. If they give me attitude, I'll just take my business elsewhere. I think the new M series basses from G&L look pretty sick and are roughly in the same price range. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I'm ready to order.

I see what you're saying, but it's pretty standard with Signature models. There's a guy on here that asked Fender if he could custom order a Roscoe Beck V with a bound and blocked maple neck. Fender had to check with Mr. Beck before allowing it because it was not how he had designed his bass.

[Quackhead]

I am sure I will like it. I would just have to make sure I could return it to have any potential manufacturing flaws addressed. And I have had to return a Carvin bass just for this reason before. Don't get me wrong. I love Carvin. It's just seems like this no return policy on one custom option is kind of cheesy.

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

I am surprised they allow returns for custom instruments. Could you imagine if other "custom" builders allowed returns? The mom and pop guys would be out of business.

Whoah man. You have a way to be taken care of . Get an "in stock" SB. Try it out. Return it. If you like it, get one built.

[Quackhead]

I see your point. They've done different headstocks in the past, but maybe they're trying to get away from it. That's disappointing though.

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I see what you're saying, but it's pretty standard with Signature models. There's a guy on here that asked Fender if he could custom order a Roscoe Beck V with a bound and blocked maple neck. Fender had to check with Mr. Beck before allowing it because it was not how he had designed his bass.

[HypersoulRocks]

When I called, I said I'm ready to order, but only if they could give me a solid maple body, and a reverse icon headstock...both are not listed as options, but I got them...

[willbassyeah]

Hey guys, I was quoted 2050 usd for a carvin sb5k with flame maple, Birdseye maple, gold hardware, v b tone 2band, and pearloid inlay shld I jump on it, or shld I just get a standard( black instead of flame maple, maple instead of Birdseye, dot instead of block, no news on the new quote though? ) they have a cherry burst at the store that is only like 1300usd.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by Quackhead

I am sure I will like it. I would just have to make sure I could return it to have any potential manufacturing flaws addressed. And I have had to return a Carvin bass just for this reason before. Don't get me wrong. I love Carvin. It's just seems like this no return policy on one custom option is kind of cheesy.

I think a legitimate claims against workmanship is still covered. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. The custom outside of normal option thing, only voids the "10-day try it out" thing that they offer.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by Quackhead

I am sure I will like it. I would just have to make sure I could return it to have any potential manufacturing flaws addressed. And I have had to return a Carvin bass just for this reason before. Don't get me wrong. I love Carvin. It's just seems like this no return policy on one custom option is kind of cheesy.

The 10 days refers to being able to return for any reason whatsoever, no questions asked. These basses still carry the full warranty. If there are manufacturing defects, even on an 'option 50' or other customization, that is part of the warranty and the bass can be returned for repair.

Personally, that makes sense to me. Otherwise people could have some god-awful things built, not like the way it looked and return them for a refund. Then Carvin is stuck with some stuff that they would have a very difficult time selling, and even if they could, it would likely be at a loss.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by willbassyeah

Hey guys, I was quoted 2050 usd for a carvin sb5k with flame maple, Birdseye maple, gold hardware, v b tone 2band, and pearloid inlay shld I jump on it, or shld I just get a standard( black instead of flame maple, maple instead of Birdseye, dot instead of block, no news on the new quote though? ) they have a cherry burst at the store that is only like 1300usd.

They'll sound similar except for the different preamp configs. Is it worth $700 to you?

FWIW, I highly recommend the V V pp/tone T/B set up....

[willbassyeah]

Originally Posted by Grateful

They'll sound similar except for the different preamp configs. Is it worth $700 to you?

FWIW, I highly recommend the V V pp/tone T/B set up....

yes, basically I want a black n maple sb5k, its just that I saw the fsk finish on carvin website and fall in love with it. Any reason why you prefer the v v config? I prefer volume blend because it allows me to adjust the vol on the fly... Waitting for year end bonus too.

[David_70]

Originally Posted by GlobalChassie

Hi All, New to the forum here. I just purchased an SB4000. It's about a year old but it seems to have some grounding issues. Excessive electrical noise. Any thoughts? It is an active / passive electronics, and I the single J99's were so noisy, the Carvin folks sent me the humbucker's which I installed in the same wiring scheme as the former and it is still just so noisy.

Has anyone had any of these issues? It seems the folks at Carvin lined the electronic area with Copper Tape, but it does so little for the noise.

Any help would be appreciated here. I think the bass is just so beautiful and would hate to sell it before I can see it's true potential.

Dave

I've got both the SB 4000 and SB 5000. I have a little bit of noise at the jack on the 4000 if the patch cord is not firmly in place - but otherwise, silent. Where it seems you are not the first owner, who knows what the prior guy did to it. I'd bring it to a luthier and let him look at the wiring/grouding. They are solid basses, and you should not have any electrical noise. I wouldn't sell it until you have a professional diagnose.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by willbassyeah

yes, basically I want a black n maple sb5k, its just that I saw the fsk finish on carvin website and fall in love with it. Any reason why you prefer the v v config? I prefer volume blend because it allows me to adjust the vol on the fly... Waitting for year end bonus too.

For me it's all about the tone control that works along with the T/B controls. It just opens up a world of beautiful, organic tones. If you haven't yet, check out the Sekou Bunch videos on the Carvin Channel. He goes through the pre in detail, and the tones he can get are pretty amazing.

[willbassyeah]

FYI this is the carvin that is available at the shop

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[WoodyG3]

Originally Posted by willbassyeah

Hey guys, I was quoted 2050 usd for a carvin sb5k with flame maple, Birdseye maple, gold hardware, v b tone 2band, and pearloid inlay shld I jump on it, or shld I just get a standard( black instead of flame maple, maple instead of Birdseye, dot instead of block, no news on the new quote though? ) they have a cherry burst at the store that is only like 1300usd.

Say what? If you got every option available I don't see how you could get to $2050.

[Quackhead]

Originally Posted by willbassyeah

Hey guys, I was quoted 2050 usd for a carvin sb5k with flame maple, Birdseye maple, gold hardware, v b tone 2band, and pearloid inlay shld I jump on it, or shld I just get a standard( black instead of flame maple, maple instead of Birdseye, dot instead of block, no news on the new quote though? ) they have a cherry burst at the store that is only like 1300usd.

The quote you got is bogus. I just built a close approximation of those specs on their webpage and it came out to $1,500.

[gerrywarwick]

Hello all, I placed my order on 25 Oct 12 and received my "card" with an expected completion date of 10 Dec 12. I got a lot of great information on the bass and ordering process from this forum and would like to say thanks. It seems like the rep you order from over there is really important. I called on a Monday, so, maybe that's why the guy I spoke with seemed unenthusiastic. For example, we were discussing tone wood and I was told that so many people ask for light weight ash, that they were considering getting rid of the heavier pieces. I mentioned that I like heavier ash and basses in general and asked for a heavy ash body. He says ok, that's extra $20.00 on top of the $40.00 normal ash upcharge. I'm new to dealing with Carvin and I'm not complaining. I just thought I would mention it in case there are others that may experience the same. I would also advise knowing for sure what options you want, because even if you call back in less than 24 hours with a change, it's a $50.00 charge because it's in the system. I was also told the only headstock available is the SB style but that's fine because I actually like it. Other than that, it should look like "Tallbass" bass. I'm really looking forward to getting this bass and going back to 19mm spacing for a while. I have no issues with my current bass (Warwick PNut 111) but the top 40 reggae situation I'm in makes me want a few other flavors at times and I'm thinking this will offer a nice contrast. Lot's of great clips of this bass, but "tallbass" video did it for me once I heard it played live. I also have a Marcus Miller 4(w/John East M-retro) that's great, but I'm used to a 5'er and the SB seems to be doing something similar yet different from the Fender. My choice was the SB5k or Marcus V. If anyone has tried both of these basses, I would be interested to know how they compare.
Thanks again

[willbassyeah]

Hi guys that is because I am located at the other side of the world I guess the dealer mention that in stock item is cheaper, well I am guessing its because he ordered in bulk, I am guessing the price is that high due to shipping. Was quoted another price around 1600 after removing the exotic option.. Hmm seems my best option is to go with the in stock item haha

[Lucky Strike]

Any word on when they're gonna make a dang 6'er??