Put very well... couldnt agree more. Cant believe actaully all the smack talking on Carvin just from some adjustments within the company.REALITY CHECK:
JB4: $929 (soft case $60 *not the typical flimsy gig bag*)
PB4:$799
PB5: $869
LB70:$949
AC40: $999
**Then you get $100 in free options
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Also, check the "guitars/basses in stock" section and find even lower priced instruments, holidays often are celebrated with free cases, shipping, etc.
Is there another builder who offers as many different color/finish options as Carvin/Kiesel? Stainless steel frets as a $40 uncharge, where G&L is closer to $400(!)
With some MIM Fenders coming in at $1100 (Road Worn Jazz) and several other models right at a grand, I'd say Carvin/Kiesel are knocking it out of the park for people on a tight budget
Carvin/Kiesel are simply cleaning up the catalog and removing those that don't sell. It's also worth noting that the SB500 was a signature model. When the artist left for another company, they discontinued it-- makes sense to me
Owner, Jeff Kiesel has made it clear in several different videos/interviews that they are building guitars/basses because they enjoy doing so; they are not looking to rule the market. That's a different perspective than many companies today~
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Another Carvin model bites the dust.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
I own a pb5 p&j active, a pb5 passive, a pb5 fretless and 2 sb5001's. Costs ranged from 870 to 1200. The stingray 5 that I bought new for 1900 just hung on the wall and never got played. Ive been a professional freelance artist for 30 years and consider myself to have a pretty decent eye and feel for quality. All the instruments mentioned are fantastically built, sound killer and play even better and rival or surpass the Stingray. This is kind of dumb / simple but I challenge anyone to simply look at the marriage of the pickguard and control plate on (but not limited to) highend fenders then Ill take pics of the instruments I have... Bottom line is Carvins instruments are top notch in every way, period. Seriously, quit the crap.
I suspect that a lot of folks here are not aware that Carvin/Kiesel sell its instruments directly to the customers to cut out the middle man costs (distributers, retailers, etc.). Most other companies simply pass along the additional expense to their customers. It's also a small builder-- with just over 50 people (this includes a recent increase). Low overhead, direct customer sales = lower cost to the customer.
BTW, this year marks Carvin/Kiesel's 70th anniversary
BTW, this year marks Carvin/Kiesel's 70th anniversary
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I would love to own an xcellerator, vanquish, icon 2.0 or jb. I think their newer designs are awesome
The complaining about carvin never ends.
The complaining about carvin never ends.
They're bada$$ instruments... even what some people think are the crazy looking ones... I wish Carvin would like give me an Icon 5 with 19mm spacing. I'd be their best friend.
I've got absolutely no problem with folks who don't like a particular company.
However, someone intentionally spreading misinformation is just wrong. Perhaps I'm being too harsh using the word, "intentionally;" how about "carelessly misinformed."
However, someone intentionally spreading misinformation is just wrong. Perhaps I'm being too harsh using the word, "intentionally;" how about "carelessly misinformed."
Looks like the cheapest Music Man is almost $2100.
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay4 HH Neck-Through - Black
Maybe they're Carving out their niche in the market?
If I had actually been aware of this brand I would have considered them. But alas, my GAS has officially passed and my stable of basses is complete. That PB is really nice and that Vanquish is pretty sharp too.
I was going to put up a couple of pictures of some of the beautiful in stock basses they have, but they are a bit over the OPs price point.
Screw it.
I know that these will be tacky to some, and no, I wouldn't have chosen these exact appointments myself, but the potential is sky high for personalisation, at a great price.
Screw it.
I know that these will be tacky to some, and no, I wouldn't have chosen these exact appointments myself, but the potential is sky high for personalisation, at a great price.
They're bada$$ instruments... even what some people think are the crazy looking ones... I wish Carvin would like give me an Icon 5 with 19mm spacing. I'd be their best friend.
Umm... unless it was axed, I'm pretty sure there is a "wide" 5-string option on there somewhere...
Yep, looks like they basically merged the LB20 and LB70 by making active electronics optional - but kept the LB70's base price rather than the LB20's.
Maybe I should clarify that I was talking about perception of Carvin's being cheap, in the quality sense, not that I think they are lacking in quality. I have an SB4000 and it's my #1. Love that bass. But they get bashed on by the Fender-is-the-only-real-bass people.
@DwaynieAD , in terms of cost, I agree - they're somewhat cheaper than Fenders, not massively so. My Sb4000 ran a little under $1200, including shipping, and I didn't go crazy with options. But a stock MIA Fender will run you $1350 and you don't get the options.
A few years back, I came *really* close to laying out for SB5000 - went to the factory showroom, played a few and was impressed as heck. Nice wide neck, very nice J sound... a bit *funky* looking, but I could live with that. Maybe I'll pick one up used still!
True about the pretty wood, but look at it this way, for the price of a new set of pickups you can have both a beautiful bass and one that sounds good, or for the same amount you can buy another name brand bass that sounds good and looks plain. Personally I find playability and comfort more important than the sound of the electronics in a prospective bass. With all of the affordable options out there, changing pickups isn't a big deal. This doesn't include the acoustical properties of the bass (i.e. sustain, dead spots, uneven string volume, etc.), just the sound quality of the electronics. I wouldn't buy a dog just because it was visually attractive. Too expensive to hang one on the wall, besides, that's what art is for.
The thing about Carvin that scares people away may be their best feature: price. Used Carvins are going for what no-name firewood basses are. If you consistently see one brand selling for peanuts compared to others it leads you believe there may be a good reason for it. Why? Quality? When you factor in the relative scarcity of them in the marketplace, and the fact that retailers don't carry that brand (because they are sold factory direct) the doubt magnifies. You can't just pluck one off the wall and try it out like you can many other basses, unless you happen to find a used one. Then you run into the whole "Why is this bass so cheap? I wish I could compare it to another Carvin, but it's the only one here. What a shame. Beautiful finish, though, and neck through. Oh, well..."
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They discontinued the XB series, as well. I may have one of the last ones. I'm glad I was finally able to order it before they stopped production. I heart the absolute s*** outta this bass. Put some DR Black Beauties on it and now it growls like Cerberus with a hangover.
As for all the model changes, I wouldn't be surprised to see them completely drop the Carvin name soon and go strictly Kiesel.
And, as far as customization goes, I bet if you give Jeff enough money he'll build you whatever you want.
As for all the model changes, I wouldn't be surprised to see them completely drop the Carvin name soon and go strictly Kiesel.
And, as far as customization goes, I bet if you give Jeff enough money he'll build you whatever you want.
Ive been to the Carvin showroom probably a dozen times. Every unit on the floor, basses and guitars were of tremendous (like in the locked glass case at guitar center) high end quality... the mood in the showroom amongst players / customers is "ahhh here we are again at the best kept secret in the world... everyones mindset is the same... mine is how can I pull off bringing another one of these beauties home. And thats even before you pull one off the wall to play, any one of the instruments is just a joy to feel and play. You can feel the quality. Dont plug it in either and feel that baby resonate as your fingers are flying around as the necks super fast and perfect. Whatever changes theyre making over there is their deal... dont criticize them or make something more than it is, just be glad they are there producing the instruments they are. Ok Im done ranting, sorry.
