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

[Boomer777]

Originally Posted by Demonjrx

It's the player, not the equipment.

amen.The older I get the more I understand that the truly talented innovative guys have no interest in the technical nuances of things such as electronics, this and that - they are subsumed with expressing themselves be it on a broomstick, a wash tub, pencil and paper

Seems to be a waste of precious time to "major on the minors"

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by Boomer777

amen.The older I get the more I understand that the truly talented innovative guys have no interest in the technical nuances of things such as electronics, this and that - they are subsumed with expressing themselves be it on a broomstick, a wash tub, pencil and paper

Seems to be a waste of precious time to "major on the minors"

It wouldn't be Talkbass if we didn't. Discussing gear is fun.

[edpal]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I've been getting the Carvin catalogs since 1986 or so and I have yet to order a bass. There are too many options. What will rosewood look like? Would maple sound better? Chrome or black hardware? They brag that there are 200,000 combinations available (or whatever the number is) but for me, that means I have to decide one out of 200,000. If they had a limited edition 2012 SB5000 bass model, I'd probably own one by now. No other decision than do I like it or not.

All those choices might be why Carvin's have a spotty end-user experience? As they say for TJ Max (department store) "Never,ever the same thing twice".

[millsbass5]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

Why doesn't everyone have a Mohawk?

I had one once. Wouldn't stay in tune. Returned it before the 30 day trial was up.

Did your Mohawk have a Floyd Rose on it?

[edpal]

Originally Posted by Boomer777

amen.The older I get the more I understand that the truly talented innovative guys have no interest in the technical nuances of things such as electronics, this and that - they are subsumed with expressing themselves be it on a broomstick, a wash tub, pencil and paper

Seems to be a waste of precious time to "major on the minors"

Boomer - was that a compliment to all of us who are here expressing ourselves in written words on a discussion forum? If so - thanks for noticing! Yeah, these types of threads can't really live/die off technical attributes so we have to fed them raw gut feelings, opinions and emotions.

I'll be the first to admit we get very lethal with our positions. When I get tired of it I just hit the unsubscribe and forget the thread even exists....

Carvin owners play on - there are much worst instruments and much better. If it works for you then it's the right choice.

There it is...exit time. Later kids, see you on another thread.

To unsubscribe from this thread, please visit this page:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/subscr...=usub&t=945458

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

Carvin haters haven't tried the new basses like the SB series or even the upgraded B4's. Everything about the new Carvin's is better. The awards the SB basses have received comes from every bass publication imaginable and includes Bass Gear, who's bass tech is extremely tough to please.

At thing point I'm not sure what differentiates a Carvin hater from someone who simply doesn't care them. Seriously.

I base my not currently owning a Carvin bass on actually ordering one years ago and playing dozens since then, each time with largely the same results.

That should have no bearing on anyone else's satisfaction... they just don't float my boat.

[drummer5359]

Hmm...

I'm not a Carvin hater. I'll give this thread credit for me looking into them.

I remember that the guitarists and bass players that I knew in the late seventies always got their catalogs. They would look through the catalogs and oooh and aaah on occasion, but I've never known anyone who plunked down their money and bought one of their guitars or basses.

Fast forward to about two years ago, I got serious about becoming a bassist and found "talk-bass".

I've been reading and responding to threads on here for a long time now. Never once did I even click on a thread about Carvin until today. I would see Carvin mentioned in other threads and think to myself, "oh, they're still in business". So, I read this thread and learned a bit about the company. Then I went to their site and checked out their products.

I went through and looked at their option lists and marveled at the choices, but nothing made me say, "I've got to get me one of THOSE."

So, I'm not a hater, and I'll likely pay more attention when they are mentioned, but they didn't do it for me. I appreciate the Carvin devotees out there.

Enjoy them.

[SteveC]

Every brand has devotes and can't understand why everyone doesn't play said brand.

I have chosen Roscoe. I don't know if they are the best bass out there, but I think they do what they do very well, and I seem to prefer that overact other very nice brands I have tried.

I would encourage people to try Roscoe, but if thy decided another brand fit their needs better I wouldn't care.

[Boomer777]

Originally Posted by edpal

Boomer - was that a compliment to all of us who are here expressing ourselves in written words on a discussion forum? If so - thanks for noticing! Yeah, these types of threads can't really live/die off technical attributes so we have to fed them raw gut feelings, opinions and emotions.

I'll be the first to admit we get very lethal with our positions. When I get tired of it I just hit the unsubscribe and forget the thread even exists....

Carvin owners play on - there are much worst instruments and much better. If it works for you then it's the right choice.

There it is...exit time. Later kids, see you on another thread.

To unsubscribe from this thread, please visit this page:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/subscr...=usub&t=945458

Carvin is just fine.

[Funkinthetrunk]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I would encourage people to try Roscoe...

Been there and done that...very nice instruments. I just couldn't get over my pickups being routed off center. If I wanted pickups with pole pieces, I had to get them custom made. Which I did and was pretty expensive from Nords. That was approx $4k bass, and I was tinkering with the electronics. It really doesn't matter how much an instrument costs, some of us will always "customize" it.

Just play what you want and who gives a damn what others think.

[jim777]

I have to say the very first Roscoe I played totally dropped my jaw, as did the second, and third...they are fantastic basses. I would LOVE a Century Standard 6

[Jarrett]

Hopefully this helps some people. Carvins of the 70's, 80's, 90's do not equal the Carvins of 2013.

[2milehighspike]

Hey Jarrett, do you have your BX500 yet?, Interested to hear how you like it compared to your MB800.

[Jarrett]

01/07/2013 4:40 A.M. Out For Delivery



I'll post something up when it arrives and I get a chance to A/B. I would actually be surprised if it sounds as good as the MB800.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

Hopefully this helps some people. Carvins of the 70's, 80's, 90's do not equal the Carvins of 2013.

Exactly. They have really stepped up their game in the last few years.

[CarvinFreak]

It's like ice cream. There are many flavors, and each person has their favorites. You don't have to eat the same flavor as the next guy. We all have our own reasons for our choices.

[2milehighspike]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

01/07/2013 4:40 A.M. Out For Delivery



I'll post something up when it arrives and I get a chance to A/B. I would actually be surprised if it sounds as good as the MB800.

Me too, I was in San Diego and made the pilgrimage to the factory in May and had a chance to Demo thru a BRX 10.4 and was impressed to say the least. But my MB800 is still the King.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by drummer5359

I went through and looked at their option lists and marveled at the choices, but nothing made me say, "I've got to get me one of THOSE."

What did it for me:
- http://www.carvinchannel.com/play.php?vid=116 - it was almost like BB was addressing my entire gigging career, which I tried to do with Fenders and Rick 4001/3's. The balance issue in particular.
- the availability of fretless as a no-cost option. I can't make a fretted bass sound good for some reason - I don't have the strength or whatever it is you need to pound out a good tone on one - so I have to play FL in order to hear myself without drowning out the other instruments. With most other manufacturers, fretless is extra cost and it takes forever to get one. And unlined is no problem - this is an expensive fight to get out of some other manufacturers (i.e. Fender) but with Carvin it's actually the default when you choose the fretless option.
- they're the cheapest for what you get, a true MIA instrument made out of good wood, with good electronics and even shielded electronics cavities and metal inserts for the cavity cover screws. They really are impeccably made and you don't have to take out a bank loan to buy one.
- their resale value is horrible. This is a big + because you can get one used for absolutely chump change and play your entire career on it.

I'm now GAS'ing slightly for either an SB4000 or a Bromberg. Unfortunately, I'm in austerity measures so I won't be able to get one unless/until I sell some other gear to pay for it.

But Carvin is one of bass's best kept secrets....

LS

[SteveHeissner]

Yes, Carvins are awesome well built basses. If I could only own one bass, it might not be a Carvin. But since I can own 4 or 5 one is certainly a Carvin.

[DwaynieAD]

I've never had the opportunity to play one. therefore I won't own one.