How come we all don't play Carvin instruments & amps/cabs?

[DJ Bebop]

Put a Google on it!!!

[AdamR]

I had a pair of Carvin cabs at one point. Meh.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by edpal

+1000

I've looked at every picture Google picture would pull up of Jaco - not a single one of him playing that instrument. And we have one murky picture of him sitting in a bar and no strap for the instrument making it possible it isn't even his. For my money, it looks a lot like some Ibby's of that era. Especially some of the lawsuit basses they made. Might have been Ibanez's take on a Gibson headstock for all we can see. I even tried in Photoshop to get more contrast - not helping.
And this picture of Jaco playing what is DEFINATELY an Ibanez.
P.S.Sekou actually WAS a Warwick player for a while.
P.S.S. Jaco ended up with a Fender. Playing something once in a bar is not an endorsement.

There is no doubt the bass he is playing in that picture is a Carvin. Look at the catalog picture of the exact same Carvin that I already posted. Look at the pickup, the bridge, the headstock, the location of the strap button.

I don't know why you are so invested in proving it wasn't a Carvin, but it was.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by DJ Bebop

What about these unknown artists, Frank Gambale, Craig Chaquico, Neil Zaza, Bunny Brunel, Sekou Bunch, Steve Oliver

Not to mention Yngwie Malmsteen, Allan Holdsworth, Timothy Schmit and Brian Bromberg. But I still prefer many other brands over Carvin.

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by Showdown

There is no doubt the bass he is playing in that picture is a Carvin. Look at the catalog picture of the exact same Carvin that I already posted. Look at the pickup, the bridge, the headstock, the location of the strap button.

I don't know why you are so invested in proving it wasn't a Carvin, but it was.

I'm sure it was too. It looks like a pretty nice Carvin too - reminds me of the old metal necked Kramer basses. I'd go as far as to say I wish Carvin would make more basses that looked like that.

I just really like the Ibanez he posted in that other shot. I really like a lot of the older Ibanez instruments from that time.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Not to mention Yngwie Malmsteen, Allan Holdsworth, Timothy Schmit and Brian Bromberg. But I still prefer many other brands over Carvin.

I believe that TImothy B. Schmit is playing a Fender Jazz these days.

[Showdown]

It seems that for some there is still a stigma to playing a Carvin bass. I'm not one of them. I play my Carvin proudly. Out of 30 basses that I currently own, of many different brands, it is the best and my #1.

[Roy Vogt]

I think where things went South on this thread was when it was posted as "How come we all don't play Carvin instruments & amps/cabs?". I've been really, really happy with Carvin as a company and their basses and amps (at one time I was an amp endorser as well) for a long time, but as you can see from my disclosures, I also use and endorse other equipment and will continue to do so. I don't think the OP meant any harm, he just was digging on the value of the product and got enthusiastic, perhaps. I would frankly get cranky if anyone suggested we all play P basses, J Basses, Foderas, flatwounds, roundwounds, Wishbasses, well you get the idea. The relationship between a bassist and his or her bass is a personal one and I wouldn't presume to interfere. I personally feel that Carvin and Peavey are two fine American bass companies that don't get the respect they deserve for one reason or another-Peavey because it will always be tied to really ugly, heavy amps used by Country and Gospel groups and Carvin because it's always been a mail-order (and later web and factory store) operation instead of being at your local Music Store. I like my basses fine and I use them about 85% of the time, with other time being the other instruments on my profile.
I was cleaning out some boxes and straightening up my office this afternoon and I found the first Carvin flyer I was in from 1993. It was interesting (and a little embarrassing to see me Rocking the Mullet of Doom, LOL!). Here are some of the endorsers from 1993:
Basses:
Fred Turner-Bachman Turner Overdrive
Beaver Felton
Reggie Hamilton
James Jamerson, Jr.
Charlie Anderson-Reba McIntyre (you may know him from Alien Audio Basses)
Timothy Schmit-Eagles
Dave Ellefson-Megadeath
Patrick O'Hearn-Frank Zappa, Missing Persons
Allan Woody-Allman Brothers Band
Carmine Rojas
John Leven-Europe
Glenn Letsch-Robin Trower
Dave Roe-Johnny Cash
Frank Blair-Robert Palmer
Jamie Carter-Joh Butcher
Bunny Brunel
Bass Amps:
Stanley Clarke
Mark Egan
Scott Thunes-Frank Zappa
Chuck Rainey
Carmine Rojas
Pete Sears-Jefferson Starship
Abraham Laboriel
James Jamerson, Jr.
Reggie Hamilton
I also know that my friends Mike Chapman and the late Bob Babbitt were endorsers-Mike had a 6 string and Bob had a 5 and a fretless IIRC. Hard to believe, but Chris Squire had an Anniversary 6 string in the Mid-late 90s when Billy Sherwood from Yes was all over the Carvin catalogs.

[mjac28]

Yes sir I think the thread went here about two or three post into it all.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

I think where things went South on this thread was when it was posted as "How come we all don't play Carvin instruments & amps/cabs?". I've been really, really happy with Carvin as a company and their basses and amps (at one time I was an amp endorser as well) for a long time, but as you can see from my disclosures, I also use and endorse other equipment and will continue to do so. I don't think the OP meant any harm, he just was digging on the value of the product and got enthusiastic, perhaps. I would frankly get cranky if anyone suggested we all play P basses, J Basses, Foderas, flatwounds, roundwounds, Wishbasses, well you get the idea. The relationship between a bassist and his or her bass is a personal one and I wouldn't presume to interfere. I personally feel that Carvin and Peavey are two fine American bass companies that don't get the respect they deserve for one reason or another-Peavey because it will always be tied to really ugly, heavy amps used by Country and Gospel groups and Carvin because it's always been a mail-order (and later web and factory store) operation instead of being at your local Music Store. I like my basses fine and I use them about 85% of the time, with other time being the other instruments on my profile.
I was cleaning out some boxes and straightening up my office this afternoon and I found the first Carvin flyer I was in from 1993. It was interesting (and a little embarrassing to see me Rocking the Mullet of Doom, LOL!). Here are some of the endorsers from 1993:
Basses:
Fred Turner-Bachman Turner Overdrive
Beaver Felton
Reggie Hamilton
James Jamerson, Jr.
Charlie Anderson-Reba McIntyre (you may know him from Alien Audio Basses)
Timothy Schmit-Eagles
Dave Ellefson-Megadeath
Patrick O'Hearn-Frank Zappa, Missing Persons
Allan Woody-Allman Brothers Band
Carmine Rojas
John Leven-Europe
Glenn Letsch-Robin Trower
Dave Roe-Johnny Cash
Frank Blair-Robert Palmer
Jamie Carter-Joh Butcher
Bunny Brunel
Bass Amps:
Stanley Clarke
Mark Egan
Scott Thunes-Frank Zappa
Chuck Rainey
Carmine Rojas
Pete Sears-Jefferson Starship
Abraham Laboriel
James Jamerson, Jr.
Reggie Hamilton
I also know that my friends Mike Chapman and the late Bob Babbitt were endorsers-Mike had a 6 string and Bob had a 5 and a fretless IIRC.

All fair, but even when they get decent endorsers, it's pretty rare to see them play the basses in live performances.

I would bet that the majority of bassists, including SB purchasers like myself, did not know who Sekou Bunch was before the SB came out.

And the history of pointy headstocks...and that logo...

Even the SB headstock has an identity crisis (I own one).

I always found the catalogs really cheesy and as I looked though the artists they had in there, I'd be asking "who?" more often than not.

The value they offer is always tempting--but the "coolness/hipness" factor has always been lacking.

Did I mention pointy headstocks and the ugliest logo in the business?

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

The value they offer is always tempting--but the "coolness/hipness" factor has always been lacking.

Here is what is important to me when I buy a bass, in order:

1. Does it play well, balance well, etc.? Will I be comfortable playing it on a 4 hour gig?

2. Sound.

3. Looks.

4. Can I afford it and get it for a good price?

Coolness/hipness factor is not on my list at all.

[edpal]

Originally Posted by Showdown

There is no doubt the bass he is playing in that picture is a Carvin. Look at the catalog picture of the exact same Carvin that I already posted. Look at the pickup, the bridge, the headstock, the location of the strap button.

I don't know why you are so invested in proving it wasn't a Carvin, but it was.

Well sir, I disagree - there IS some doubt that it is a Carvin. I have seen artists endorsing an amp while wearing a competitor's ax over their shoulder. I'm really not invested in it NOT being a Carvin, that wouldn't change anything for me. Jaco didn't get known for playing one, myself and many others don't think they are all that after trying them at various times. As I noted early on, I own a Carvin AC50 that I play occasionally but it's been modded to death including different bridge (MMM Bongo), tuners, piezo unit all electrionics, defretted and then relic'd so it truly looks like a piece that was road worn back in the '50s.

If you are enjoying your Carvin cool. Forums are great for giving your opinion but others don't have to swallow them. The OP wanted to illicit a response - mission accomplished.

[Roy Vogt]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

All fair, but even when they get decent endorsers, it's pretty rare to see them play the basses in live performances.

I would bet that the majority of bassists, including SB purchasers like myself, did not know who Sekou Bunch was before the SB came out.

And the history of pointy headstocks...and that logo...

Even the SB headstock has an identity crisis (I own one).

I always found the catalogs really cheesy and as I looked though the artists they had in there, I'd be asking "who?" more often than not.

The value they offer is always tempting--but the "coolness/hipness" factor has always been lacking.

Did I mention pointy headstocks and the ugliest logo in the business?

It's not uncommon for endorsers to have more than one endorsement (Hugh McDonald endorses Sadowsky, Carvin and for a time Hot Wire basses, for example). A lot of the endorsees tend to be Left Coast-centric due to their location, although Nashville had/has a lot of endorsers. As far as "who"? I get you, but it's a big world. I have to confess I'm totally ignorant of the pierced, snarling and tattooed Metal Dudes in Ibanez ads (Gary Willis and Gerald Veasley are more my speed). As for myself, I've always been an "in the trenches" kind of guy and happened into endorsements in various ways. Here's a thread that lays out my personal experience with this stuff.
Bass Endorsements-my story
Now, look deep into my eyes and listen to this Bunny Brunel and Brian Bromberg mashup.....you must play Carvin basses, you must play Carvin basses, resistance is futile.....

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by edpal

Well sir, I disagree - there IS some doubt that it is a Carvin. I have seen artists endorsing an amp while wearing a competitor's ax over their shoulder. I'm really not invested in it NOT being a Carvin, that wouldn't change anything for me. Jaco didn't get known for playing one, myself and many others don't think they are all that after trying them at various times. As I noted early on, I own a Carvin AC50 that I play occasionally but it's been modded to death including different bridge (MMM Bongo), tuners, piezo unit all electrionics, defretted and then relic'd so it truly looks like a piece that was road worn back in the '50s.

If you are enjoying your Carvin cool. Forums are great for giving your opinion but others don't have to swallow them. The OP wanted to illicit a response - mission accomplished.

I know with 100% certainty that it is a Carvin. You can disagree all you want, but you can't change what it is.

Find a picture of a bass exactly like that that isn't a Carvin and then you will have an argument. I have already shown a Carvin catalog picture of that exact bass, so good luck.

[edpal]

Originally Posted by Showdown

I know with 100% certainty that it is a Carvin. You can disagree all you want, but you can't change what it is.

Find a picture of a bass exactly like that that isn't a Carvin and then you will have an argument. I have already shown a Carvin catalog picture of that exact bass, so good luck.

You are correct - it will not change the status of Carvin's for those who are not into them. You're probably right on the make he's wearing, but there is a lot more documentation of Jaco playing an Ibby than there is a Carvin. Even the folks at Framus tell of him using an Ibanez while staying in Germany.
http://www.framus-vintage.de/modules...php?katID=4687

[edpal]

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

It's not uncommon for endorsers to have more than one endorsement (Hugh McDonald endorses Sadowsky, Carvin and for a time Hot Wire basses, for example).
Bass Endorsements-my story
Now, look deep into my eyes and listen to this Bunny Brunel and Brian Bromberg mashup.....you must play Carvin basses, you must play Carvin basses, resistance is futile.....

Roy's got the right attitude - I totally get his sarcasm.

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by Showdown

Here is what is important to me when I buy a bass, in order:

1. Does it play well, balance well, etc.? Will I be comfortable playing it on a 4 hour gig?

2. Sound.

3. Looks.

4. Can I afford it and get it for a good price?

Coolness/hipness factor is not on my list at all.

Says the guy with a vintage 'Bird in his avatar.....

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

...............and the ugliest logo in the business?

Uh no, that goes to the Brubaker Brute! Carvin logo isn't bad at all.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by DJ Bebop

What about these unknown artists, Frank Gambale, Craig Chaquico, Neil Zaza, Bunny Brunel, Sekou Bunch, Steve Oliver

I'm having lunch with Craig this week......I'll be sure to let him know he is an "unknown"

[obimark]

There was a point (many points) were Jaco was so hard up for money he would have "endorsed" anythign anyone handed him. Doesn't matter whether that is carvin in the pic or not, please find one, Just one, video of him tearing it up on a carvin. You probably can't. I had 2 carvin basses made, LOST big $ on both when I sold them as eventually they just didn't do it for me. But I must admit the thrill of waiting 4-5 weeks and finally getting my custom bass was exciting at the time.