I got the Bromberg 5 string in this afternoon. Pics are attached.
The only issue, as pictured, is the busted wood on the upper horn. This is shipping damage, since I found the piece inside the case the horn was smashed up against in transport - it was displaced forward, so this was UPS's doing and of course not Carvin's.
However, the chances are about 98% at this point that I'm going to just keep it and repair this because I already want to keep it. This should be a reasonably easy fix and may even not look too bad when I'm done with it.
Unless I find something else about it I don't like here pretty soon, this one's a keeper.
The bass itself is outstanding. This one has the 5 piece maple neck and unlined board. Zero other options - this has to be the most plainiest janiest blandest Bromberg 5 Carvin was ever forced to manufacture. But look at it, it's practically a boutique, even in the most basic form. That's what I love about Carvin's zero option basic models.
Other highlights so far:
- the radiused humbuckers are a true winner. They really do have a very even sound due to the radiusing. The B string is only a hair bit louder than the others, not 889 db louder like on my Bunny 6.
- the tone of these PU's is almost identical to my Bunny, but with a little less output and a hair bit less heft to it. The Icon is probably what it sounds the most like (what a coincidence due to the Icon electronics!). The strings are still new on it so it's going to sound kind of lousy for a while until they die.
- the PU's do work in passive mode with no batteries. For some reason, I thought the Icon electronics needed the batts. Nice touch! I can run it in permanent passive mode if I want.
- it really does balance perfectly on your leg just like B2 says! I have to repair the upper horn before trying it on the strap, so that'll be next after I fix that.
- fingerboard is totally perfect like usual...
- setup was pretty close like all carvins. It was basically playable out of the case. I did bring the nut slots and the action down some more, though, to suit my general preferences.
LS
The only issue, as pictured, is the busted wood on the upper horn. This is shipping damage, since I found the piece inside the case the horn was smashed up against in transport - it was displaced forward, so this was UPS's doing and of course not Carvin's.
However, the chances are about 98% at this point that I'm going to just keep it and repair this because I already want to keep it. This should be a reasonably easy fix and may even not look too bad when I'm done with it.
Unless I find something else about it I don't like here pretty soon, this one's a keeper.
The bass itself is outstanding. This one has the 5 piece maple neck and unlined board. Zero other options - this has to be the most plainiest janiest blandest Bromberg 5 Carvin was ever forced to manufacture. But look at it, it's practically a boutique, even in the most basic form. That's what I love about Carvin's zero option basic models.
Other highlights so far:
- the radiused humbuckers are a true winner. They really do have a very even sound due to the radiusing. The B string is only a hair bit louder than the others, not 889 db louder like on my Bunny 6.
- the tone of these PU's is almost identical to my Bunny, but with a little less output and a hair bit less heft to it. The Icon is probably what it sounds the most like (what a coincidence due to the Icon electronics!). The strings are still new on it so it's going to sound kind of lousy for a while until they die.
- the PU's do work in passive mode with no batteries. For some reason, I thought the Icon electronics needed the batts. Nice touch! I can run it in permanent passive mode if I want.
- it really does balance perfectly on your leg just like B2 says! I have to repair the upper horn before trying it on the strap, so that'll be next after I fix that.
- fingerboard is totally perfect like usual...
- setup was pretty close like all carvins. It was basically playable out of the case. I did bring the nut slots and the action down some more, though, to suit my general preferences.
LS
