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

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by Vic

Is it worth taking them out? IMHO, no. I don't adjust my bridge hardly ever, so any benefit they present, I'll enjoy.

Last time I adjusted the saddle height I nearly stripped out the height adjustment screw by forgetting to loosen the lock screw before raising the height.

I figure keeping the lock screws in a plastic baggie is good insurance against idiots (aka, me) damaging the bridge.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Handyman

Last time I adjusted the saddle height I nearly stripped out the height adjustment screw by forgetting to loosen the lock screw before raising the height.

I figure keeping the lock screws in a plastic baggie is good insurance against idiots (aka, me) damaging the bridge.

Whatever works for ya. Like I said, I do believe they have tonal benefits, but I don't think they're huge, so no biggie.

[gerrywarwick]

came last night and I was up all night getting familiar.
Here's how it came and one with the bass family.

[Sparks55]

Originally Posted by Handyman

Has anyone else removed their saddle lock screws? They don't seem to have any function other than making bridge adjustments more complicated than necessary.

I actually had to take one out for the low B to fit correctly and intonate (custom sets I get from Mike Frost). Been almost 3 years with no problems.

Mark

[David_70]

Originally Posted by Sparks55

I actually had to take one out for the low B to fit correctly and intonate (custom sets I get from Mike Frost). Been almost 3 years with no problems.

Mark

I was missing one on my new SB 5000 and spoke to the tech at Carvin who said they were irrelevant. My luthier also felt it was redundant and not needed. Nevertheless, I wanted one shipped to me as a replacement, because if it's there - and I presume "someone" in R&D felt it needed to be there - and I paid for it - I wanted it!

[WoodyG3]

Originally Posted by Sparks55

I actually had to take one out for the low B to fit correctly and intonate (custom sets I get from Mike Frost). Been almost 3 years with no problems.

Mark

Same for me on the E string of my four banger, but it had nothing to do with the strings. It just had to do with the length of the adjustment screw. I'll have to look at it again to re-remember what the deal was, but I couldn't adjust far enough with the lock screw in place.

[Handyman]

To all of those with the big Music Man style HB humbuckers in the bridge position: what are your thoughts on these things?

[2milehighspike]

Originally Posted by Handyman

To all of those with the big Music Man style HB humbuckers in the bridge position: what are your thoughts on these things?

I will let you know this week, my LB75 is complete as of yesterday and is on its way!!!. It has MM style bucker at the bridge and neck, asymetrical wide neck in deep orangeburst, the wait is almost over, merry Xmas to ME!!!

[Eggman]

A little PSA - though many of you probably already knew this....

Was having an issue with my SB4000 - noise sounding like a loose connection in the input jack. Thought it might be the cable - switch cable out - same noise.

Called Carvin - they asked the age of the SB4000 - I really didn't know - bought it used. They then suggested using a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean out the jack. Loaded one up - did the old "in and out", Q-tip to input jack - so to speak - and lo and behold - no more noise.

Never would have thought of that - Thanks Carvin Support!

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by Eggman

A little PSA - though many of you probably already knew this....

Was having an issue with my SB4000 - noise sounding like a loose connection in the input jack. Thought it might be the cable - switch cable out - same noise.

Called Carvin - they asked the age of the SB4000 - I really didn't know - bought it used. They then suggested using a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean out the jack. Loaded one up - did the old "in and out", Q-tip to input jack - so to speak - and lo and behold - no more noise.

Never would have thought of that - Thanks Carvin Support!

Had a similar problem with my SB5000: pops and crackles when the guitar cord moved slightly.

First I did as above, but put a spritz of Deoxit on the guitar plug and worked in and out of the jack.

That helped, but I still occasionally got the pops. I unscrewed the jack plate and pulled the jack out enough to see. On the SB5K the jack incorporates the switch for the batteries. Turned out that's where the remaining noise was coming from: dirty contacts on the battery switch. A spray of Deoxit took care of it.

Just wanted to add this to Eggman's tech tip, because you can't get cleaner to the battery switch contacts without pulling jack out from the body. Putting cleaner on a Q-tip or the guitar plug won't do it.

[Ewo]

Anybody know if the EQ points (treble, bass) on the SB5K pre are user adjustable?

I'd like to have the treble freq down around 7KHz, and the bass freq around 80 Hz, if possible.

[Eggman]

Good add-on to my tip, Ewo - thanks. ^^^

[Jarrett]

I'm still honeymooning with this new fretless. Can't put it down. My fretted trans pearl blue SB5000 is turning green with envy I think.

One thing I wanted to mention. This new bass has a tung oil Mahogany neck on it and I am digging it. I like the feel of it better than my tung oil Maple SB's I've had. Less sticky and easier to move around on. If I ordered one right now, I'd probably go with Mahogany again over Maple

[shadowcatcher]

Got mine in yesterday. Practiced with it last night. This thing is awesome! I'm moving or I'd have some really nice pictures, but here's a couple of crappy cell phone pics.

The burled maple top looks incredible with the Birdseye fretboard.

Mike

[CharlieC]

I am sure this has been discussed somewhere, but search was not my friend today

I have J99A's in my passive SB4000 and am thinking of going for a set of H50A's to finally get rid of the varying hum when one pickup is favored over the other

Besides 30% less output, can any of you describe the tonal difference I would expect? I really like the J99A's and hope the tone is comparable and not "sterile" as has been mentioned elsewhere

Thanks!

[basswave]

Originally Posted by shadowcatcher

Got mine in yesterday. Practiced with it last night. This thing is awesome! I'm moving or I'd have some really nice pictures, but here's a couple of crappy cell phone pics.

The burled maple top looks incredible with the Birdseye fretboard.

Mike

That is wicked nice...
Gorgeous

[willbassyeah]

i just bought mine... cherry burst alder, maple neck and birds eye maple board, white pearloid pickguard and pearloid dot inlay, v v t b/t

[bonga_rascal]

Originally Posted by shadowcatcher

Got mine in yesterday. Practiced with it last night. This thing is awesome! I'm moving or I'd have some really nice pictures, but here's a couple of crappy cell phone pics.

The burled maple top looks incredible with the Birdseye fretboard.

Mike

That burl maple looks awesome!!

I know this has ben discussed before, but I do wish Carvin would offer a completely rear routed SB bass without the control plate. That would be awesome!

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by bonga_rascal

I know this has been discussed before, but I do wish Carvin would offer a completely rear routed SB bass without the control plate. That would be awesome!

+1

5sg.

[LaBassGuy]

I have an SB5000 with maple neck and fretboard. I love the shape of the neck and now stiff and stable it is. I assume this is largely because of graphite reinforcements in the neck.

And how would you guys compare the neck on the SB5000 with the one on Lakland Dj5, aside from the 35 inch scale on the latter. Will I like the DJ5 neck if I like the SB5000 neck?

(I had a Dj5 while ago but don't remember much about it.)