TBer's Review of Carvin Cart

[NicholasF]

Hey guys, Im excited to buy a Carvin (im gonna plan it out online and call it in), I want to see what you TBer's think of it, what changes should be made ect.


B40F
Right Handed
Fretless * 1
* -MA - Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard)
* -CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard)
* QDW - Deep Wine Quilt
* 5MW - 5-Piece Maple Neck w/ 2 Walnut Stripes
* PSN - Painted Satin Finish Back Of Neck (Matches Body Color)
* -IN - Inline Headstock (Standard)
* QPH - Quilted Maple Headstock Matches Body Color
* -EB - Ebony Fingerboard (Standard)
* -R12 - 12in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
* -J9A - J99A Alnico Single Coil Pickups (Standard)
* -BLK - Black Pickups
* -CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard)
* FLW- Flat Wound strings
* BL-Black Logo
IVN - Ivory Graph Tech TUSQ Nut
* AK - Metal Knobs w/ Abalone Inlays
* HC8 - Black Tolex Hardshell Bass Case
* Custom Shop Total:*
* Options Discount:*
* **

Idk too much about neck woods so if someone could tell me if thats better than the solid maple or if it matters thanks

Thanks Everyone ill make sure to write a review of the order when its done.

[NicholasF]

Any Carvin Fanatics wanna help me out?

[fourfinger]

Reminds me of 1984 when I bought my Carvin, which was my very first bass (though I was already playing for years) and I was as excited to order it as you are now. I still have mine! And I am planning some improvements for it right now, tonight as a matter of fact.

On yours, I might possibly suggest black hardware, and if it were me I'd DEFINITELY want an oil-finish natural neck instead of painted -- the neck has two walnut stripes and you do not want those hidden.

Congrats, Carvin makes good stuff and you won't regret it if you commit to keeping it long-term.

[NicholasF]

Thanks FourFinger, I am not a fan of Oil just because it gets kinda dirty and gross after a while, atleast the satin finish will look nice. and I think i might modify the order for the black hardware. This is my first customized bass, im excited for it, but i want to know Ill keep it for 20-30 years, idk if thats possible with the fretless, but i figure, if a DB neck can last 200+ years and i cant see the wear, someone is doing something right, maybe a finish? maybe the type of strings? maybe the person using it? my search continues!

[Wallyworld]

Say NicholasF, I've had a few Carvins 4 strings, and they are very, very consistent in quality and workmanship. I know others have said that's not the case in their experience, but I go back to 1973 (I'm an old guy). I would suggest, like fourfinger, to go with the oiled neck --- NOT a glossy, painted neck. A lot of folks hate their pickups. I don't exactly hate Carvin's pickups, but I usually swap them out (Carvin's pups are sort of like kissing you sister....). Carvin will build to YOUR specs, so get your order just right before you call it in. Good folks who take your order. Good luck!

[Grateful]

Sounds like a great bass! But I'm with the other guys and prefer the neck as it is with the Tung-oil. I own 2 B50's with it and it just feels fantastic.

I'm sure there are plenty of opinions on 1 piece vs. 5 piece necks, but much of it is cosmetic. My 3 Carvins are all 1 piece necks and are rock solid thus far.

Many people love the J99A's, so don't feel you need to swap them out unless you just want to. These are new pickups for Carvin and they sound great.

If you are wanting to keep it or 20-30 years, you might want to consider the Hard As Nails finish for the fretboard. Of course, you could always order another B40 neck at some point in the future. I have a fretted and fretless neck for one of mine.

Can't wait to see it in a couple of months!

[pica]

I really love the Carvin B40. If all goes as planned I'll be ordering mine this summer. I have to agree with fourfinger. Go with the black hardware, it will go better with the black pick-ups. And go with a white logo on the headstock, it will stand out better. Can't wait to see it.

[Billy Bassboy]

Carvin does make nice Basses, I've had 3 but they have a very low resale value, I ended up selling my 1500.00 6 string for 550.00 and that took several months, If you're buying it to keep forever That's a different story. (My .02 worth)

[NicholasF]

Thanks everyone

@ Grateful, what is the "hard as nails finish?" Is it a type of epoxy or something else?

And btw from my understanding the finish on the back of the neck is a painted satin, not the hard gloss, that's only on the body.

The pups arnt my favorite, but they are better than what I have so no use in changing them out

The black hardware is an option still, you think I can talk down the price a little, I don't have infinate money...

Again everyone thank you and I apreciate more feedback, is the color a good one with the top wood?

[39-Bassist]

Carvin is a great bass for the price....can't really go wrong.....Black hardware with that color would look sharp.....oiled neck is good, I had 2 Carvins with clear poly neck coats and they play fast also... The only thing changed were the pickups to Duncan J's and it helped the bass jump out in tone...good luck and enjoy it!

[Reggiep]

I think that you won't have anything to worry about with just the maple neck as they are plenty sturdy. The 5 piece would be nice, but you can save yourself some more money.

[NicholasF]

Originally Posted by Reggiep

I think that you won't have anything to worry about with just the maple neck as they are plenty sturdy. The 5 piece would be nice, but you can save yourself some more money.

I was more worried of the stability of the 5 piece than the single maple. It doesn't effect the sound, so I might take the 10 dollars and get black hardware, or I could take the 10 dollars and put it in my pocket, either way...

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by NicholasF

so I might take the 10 dollars and get black hardware, or I could take the 10 dollars and put it in my pocket, either way...

You mean the $100 dollars, right?

[timmus]

I have two Carvin LB75's, one fretted and one fretless. The fretted bass I bought brand new almost 20 years ago and had the endless wait but it was worth it. It has a tung oiled Koa neck and body and has a wonderful warm tone. The fretless has a five piece neck, maple and Koa and Koa wings and tung oiled too. It also has the optional wider neck. I bought this one used and is about 10 years newer than the fretted one. They both play beautifully. The fretted LB75 is my “go to” bass over about 10 other basses I own, Fenders/Music Man/Ibanez/Spector. If I had to get rid of all my other basses, this is the one I would keep.
As mentioned, they don’t have the highest resale value but I don’t care. I intend to keep mine until they carry me out the front door in a six foot box.

[MyMusic]

My Carvin XB75 looks good, feels good, and sounds good. Can't ask for more than that.

[NicholasF]

Originally Posted by Grateful

You mean the $100 dollars, right?

The neck itself is $90, the walnut with maple is $100

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by NicholasF

The neck itself is $90, the walnut with maple is $100

I'm confused.

The bass comes standard with a one piece maple neck that is included in the price. A 5 piece maple neck is a $90 upgrade. The one with walnut is a $100 upgrade. These upgrades are obviously optional.

[NicholasF]

Oh wow, I had no idea, this wasnt clear at all I feel stupid, thanks Grateful, just glad I didnt call in yet.

[WoodyG3]

My guess is that you'll love the J99 pickups. If you like to solo the bridge pickup, though, you could consider the H50 humbuckers to avoid some hum. The hum never bothers me, especially in a live setting, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

Necks are a personal matter, but I actually have a slight preference for a gloss neck. I have basses with gloss and basses with oil and when I'm busy playing I really don't think about it much, but if you've been happy with gloss before, I'd assume you still will be. Carvin's gloss finish is so well polished that I've never had it feel sticky or "slow."

Have fun with your new bass when it arrives. And, you MUST post pictures when you get it!

[millsbass5]

What style do you play??? IMO?? I don't care if you play in a thrash/polka band,the bottom line is: ASH BODIES RULE!!!!!! IMHO,for me,it's easier to get an alder-like tone out of ash,than it is to get an ash-like tone out of alder. Nothin',and I do mean nothing beats an ash bodied bass.

Oh,and change the h/stock logo to pearl/abalone/gold. After all,you do want to be proud of what brand you support and advertise for 'em. That's the least you can do. Why?? Look at the deal they us players!!!