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

[Jarrett]

That's greatness

[Vic]

Anybody want a white SB pickguard? Original off my SB5000, so for sure fits the 5's, and assume the 4 is the same body, so should be good there, too.

????

[rbolanos]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

Whew, its nice to come back to a thread where people like Carvins

Still digging my new fretless SB5001. I put some DR Fatbeams on it and it really brought the mwah out.

I might try some Sunbeams next, but happy with them right now.

curious about chambered, how much does it weight?
something to consider are the F bass strings..or supersteps..
cheers

[rbolanos]

Hey Vic,
ship to Canada?, i'll pay shipping and all...how much for it?
mine will be with black pickguard, and wouldnt mind a bit of change once in a while..lol

[David_70]

Does anyone have an SB 5000 with the Volume and Pickup blend option, as opposed to the separate volume controls for bridge and neck pickups? I ordered my 5000 this way, and it seems much less powerful in passive mode than my SB 4000 that has the separate volume controls. Carvin tells me to call back on Monday to speak with a tech - maybe there's an adjustment on the pot? My SB 5000 is also chambered, versus my solid body 4000 - but I'm talking output, not resonance - so not sure if anyone has experienced a similar condition and whether it is fixable. Thanks.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by David_70

Does anyone have an SB 5000 with the Volume and Pickup blend option, as opposed to the separate volume controls for bridge and neck pickups? I ordered my 5000 this way, and it seems much less powerful in passive mode than my SB 4000 that has the separate volume controls. Carvin tells me to call back on Monday to speak with a tech - maybe there's an adjustment on the pot? My SB 5000 is also chambered, versus my solid body 4000 - but I'm talking output, not resonance - so not sure if anyone has experienced a similar condition and whether it is fixable. Thanks.

I do, and while there is a noticeable gain drop when I go to passive mode, I don't think that's because it's VB vs VV. I have other basses that have passive bypass and they do it too (to varying degrees depending on specific pickups/preamps of course).

[Vic]

Originally Posted by rbolanos

Hey Vic,
ship to Canada?, i'll pay shipping and all...how much for it?
mine will be with black pickguard, and wouldnt mind a bit of change once in a while..lol

PMd.

[David_70]

Originally Posted by Vic

I do, and while there is a noticeable gain drop when I go to passive mode, I don't think that's because it's VB vs VV. I have other basses that have passive bypass and they do it too (to varying degrees depending on specific pickups/preamps of course).

Agreed - but where my SB 4000 has the V/V, and is much more powerful in passive mode than compared to my SB 5000 in passive mode (with the V/B) - I was wondering if the pickup blend option may be the culprit, when comparing apples-to-apples. Thanks.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by David_70

Agreed - but where my SB 4000 has the V/V, and is much more powerful in passive mode than compared to my SB 5000 in passive mode (with the V/B) - I was wondering if the pickup blend option may be the culprit, when comparing apples-to-apples. Thanks.

Doubtful IMHO, barring some kind of actual problem with your particular bass anyway.

[WoodyG3]

Guys, you can adjust the active output level in the control cavity. There's a little screw adjustment on the preamp. It has nothing to do wih the VV or VP control configuration.

[David_70]

Thanks!

[micgtr71]

Ok, so I had a bad experience with Carvin customer service back in the 90s and swore I would never do business with them. This bass may have changed my mind. I am a jazz player and was trying to find a fretless that would be comparable to my MIA jazz. This just might be it....

[Vic]

Originally Posted by micgtr71

Ok, so I had a bad experience with Carvin customer service back in the 90s and swore I would never do business with them. This bass may have changed my mind. I am a jazz player and was trying to find a fretless that would be comparable to my MIA jazz. This just might be it....

That's a long time to hold a grudge IMHO.

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by rbolanos

curious about chambered, how much does it weight?
something to consider are the F bass strings..or supersteps..
cheers

My SB5001 weighs 8.5lbs. What's the scoop on those strings?

Originally Posted by Vic

I don't think that's because it's VB vs VV.

I'm curious to see how this turns out. I was always told by the Carvin folks that the VB didn't quite have as much output/punch as the VV, which is why I stuck with the VV.

[madbassplaya]

On the V/V and V/B debate, V/B does indeed lose something in passive mode that it doesn't in active, IMO.

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I'm curious to see how this turns out. I was always told by the Carvin folks that the VB didn't quite have as much output/punch as the VV, which is why I stuck with the VV.

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

On the V/V and V/B debate, V/B does indeed lose something in passive mode that it doesn't in active, IMO.

I may actually take back my comment a little... DEPENDING on how dramatic the difference he's talking about (which sounded a lot more significant than I'd expect)...

It is true that a VB setup does load the pickups against each other more than a VV setup, which could explain a "difference in the difference" so to speak, BUT, I still don't think it would/should be dramatic. My experience has been it's a very mild change from VV to VB.

[micgtr71]

Originally Posted by Vic

That's a long time to hold a grudge IMHO.

I wouldn't call it a grudge. It was a bass that warped due to a design flaw and they were not willing to help me even if I offered to pay. But the main reason that I have not gone back to them is that they have not had any basses that have really caught my eye until this one.

Then again, you made me think. If they were not willing to fix their mess-up then, maybe I should learn my lesson and not go back there...I don't call that a grudge.

Still, it's a great looking bass.

[swspiers]

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Can't win with some people. I would put my SB against any passive 4 banger in any price range. I'll take the Pesi challenge any day of the week. If I find a bass better, cool. I don't think I will though. I played every bass I could get my hands on when I started having back issues. I even tried out one of the less than attractive beatle basses (tone wasn't me). After all but giving up on finding a Sub $2000 bass that weighed under 8lbs, I was ready to go for a Lull. I was starting to save up and then Carvin offered chambered w/o the fancy top and I bit hard. Glad I did too. Saved me some cash in the process and helped me find my #1.

Do I GAS for other stuff, sure. But, it is going to take one heck of an instrument to unseat my SB (if that is possible).

+1. It took a Carvin to unseat mine!

And yeah, what's with the Carvin hate in the other thread? I keep starting to write something- then pull back. No need to feed the trolls.

[rbolanos]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

My SB5001 weighs 8.5lbs. What's the scoop on those strings?

I'm curious to see how this turns out. I was always told by the Carvin folks that the VB didn't quite have as much output/punch as the VV, which is why I stuck with the VV.

the la bella supersteps or F bass strings are all tapered at bridge. they feel a little looser per say, and are very responsive to the touch. it might work good with fretless basses. i have heard also good reviews of other players.
good luck

[rbolanos]

Originally Posted by Vic

PMd.

thank you sir! pm'd you back.