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Best American Made Bass?

#61
Though there is no such thing as a 'best' bass for anything, I would have to add another write-in vote for US Laklands. My 55-94 practically plays itself.

I've done the Ric thing (great bass, and my last 4 string, but not for me) and the Stingray 5 thing (also a great bass, just not for me). I'd love to try a G&L. Unfortunately, and despite going to buy one several times (unsuccessfully), I've never played a 5 string US Fender that I liked, especially for that kind of money.

I would be very interested to try a Carvin SB500 and their new Brian Bromberg Signature model B25.

Again, these are just my opinions.
 
#62
Pacman said:
A co-worker of mine just bought one of those.

When it arrived, he took it out of the case and played it for a few minutes. He then went and picked up my Fender FMT, played 5 notes, and put it down. Then he put the Carvin back in the case and sent it back.

Then he ordered a Roscoe.
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There's certainly some nice playing Fenders out there Jon but if you're buddy didn't take the time to perrform a setup on the Carvin IMO he missed a wonderful experience. I've ordered 2 Carvins SB models and both arrived with admittedly less than stellar setups. Less than 30 minutes later though, after a good setup, I was amazed at the low action (without buzz) and the great tone of these basses. Easily one of the best fret jobs that I've seen on production basses. I've owned a dozen Fenders and never played one that played or sounded as well as the SB models that I've played.

IMO your buddy may have boxed it up a bit too quickly.
 
#63
I'm assuming the likes of Alembic, Pedulla, Sadowsky and Lull don't count because they are not MASS produced like Fender, G&L, Musicman, and Lakland. One could argue that all these manufacturers create varying levels of production basses as well as their custom ordered ones. At just about any given time Sadowsky has a number of basses for sale on it's website as does Alembic and Pedulla.
Does that qualify for production or are they still in the Botique category?
 
#64
electracoyote said:
I like your list Fletz. I think those calling for G&L have a good point. And I would submit the more recent Peavey USA offerings, especially the Cirrus, which emulates a boutique bass.

I hear the Cirrus is no longer a "production model," but only offered through Peavey custom shop. Does that count?
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The Cirrus is still listed under their line of production instruments... but as many have stated the only way to really know is to go out and try them.... and hopefully where you do try them they are set up well with good strings and fresh batteries (if you're looking into active).... I'm a big fan of the USA Cirrus and Bongo.... 2 great basses IMHO
 
#65
Pacman said:
A co-worker of mine just bought one of those.

When it arrived, he took it out of the case and played it for a few minutes. He then went and picked up my Fender FMT, played 5 notes, and put it down. Then he put the Carvin back in the case and sent it back.

Then he ordered a Roscoe.
Click to expand...

Pacman said:
Maybe I was unclear. His point was that the Fender was so immediately and vastly superior to the Carvin that it wasn't worth spending the time trying to get a sound out of the Carvin.

The dude is a fantastic player with years of world-class experience. Doesn't take long to figure out if a bass has it or not.
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He sounds like an impatient, touchy little malcontent to me.

Oh, well. I guess I'll have to join the 99.99% of bassists who think Carvin makes outstanding and versatile basses easily comparable to anything on the market.
 
#70
For the record, here is the email I sent to carvin international sales rep Alan Colquit:


> Alan,
>
>
>
> I purchased an SB5000 because of all the great reviews (Sekou’s and Ed Friedland’s in particular), the great price point and because of my own track record with Carvin, as I had an LB75 for years, and as I said in my last email, my BX500, which has been worth it’s weight in gold…especially here in Tokyo. The reason I was not satisfied with this particular bass was the preamp. After two full days of rehearsals (I am the bassist for the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia), a changing of strings (I was not overly impressed with the strings that came on it and a thorough tweaking (various string and pickup heights, included how it was setup when received, according to Carvin’s recommendations and higher and lower etc…) it felt very nice, but I could not get the maturity or depth of sound that I was hoping for, for lack of a better description. Compared side by side to the Sadowsky and Fender Victor Bailey Jazz bass, which are Air Force basses, not my own, it just did not compare in my humble opinion to the quality of sound of those 2 similar basses. I tried it through my Epifani and Carvin heads, through Bergantino and Aguilar cabs and like I said after about 16 hours of playing, both in a group setting and also tweaking on my own, I simply could not match the sound quality of the aforementioned basses. Trust me, I really wanted it to work out, especially since the price is so good. The neck and the bridge are simply fantastic, however that was not enough for me to keep it. I know a lot of world-class players play an SB5000, but it just did not work out for me.
 
#71
sadowskyschmaus said:
For the record, here is the email I sent to carvin international sales rep Alan Colquit:


> Alan,
>
>
>
> I purchased an SB5000 because of all the great reviews (Sekou’s and Ed Friedland’s in particular), the great price point and because of my own track record with Carvin, as I had an LB75 for years, and as I said in my last email, my BX500, which has been worth it’s weight in gold…especially here in Tokyo. The reason I was not satisfied with this particular bass was the preamp. After two full days of rehearsals (I am the bassist for the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia), a changing of strings (I was not overly impressed with the strings that came on it and a thorough tweaking (various string and pickup heights, included how it was setup when received, according to Carvin’s recommendations and higher and lower etc…) it felt very nice, but I could not get the maturity or depth of sound that I was hoping for, for lack of a better description. Compared side by side to the Sadowsky and Fender Victor Bailey Jazz bass, which are Air Force basses, not my own, it just did not compare in my humble opinion to the quality of sound of those 2 similar basses. I tried it through my Epifani and Carvin heads, through Bergantino and Aguilar cabs and like I said after about 16 hours of playing, both in a group setting and also tweaking on my own, I simply could not match the sound quality of the aforementioned basses. Trust me, I really wanted it to work out, especially since the price is so good. The neck and the bridge are simply fantastic, however that was not enough for me to keep it. I know a lot of world-class players play an SB5000, but it just did not work out for me.
Click to expand...

Alan,
Sounds like you played it more than the few minutes that Jon described in his post.
If you gave it a try, adjusted the setup, changed to your preferred strings and didn't like it, no problem. No bass is for everyone.
Personaly, it's one of the best playing and sounding basses that I've owned (and that includes 30+ boutique basses).
I gigged with the my new SB5001 yesterday and it was just totally awesome. Who knows maybe the pre in yours was a dud.

Tell Jason Crowe hi from Joe @ Warner Robins GA (when he gets there) & enjoy your new Roscoe (not to many duds there for sure)!
 
#73
Perhaps I got a dud preamp, but it was what it was. I know a lot of great bass players play on SB5000s, but I knew what in specific I was looking for and after a lot of tweaking I just could not come up with what I was looking for. This is not a slam on anyone who plays a Carvin SB5000. I know Carvin makes great products. I have a BX500 amp and LOVE it...there are a lot of people who are on this site that do not like that amp at all. Don't get too caught up in other people's opions. Although they may help unto a point, you ultimately have to know and understand what sound you are looking for and find the gear that will enable you to acheive it. For some, a Carvin bass works, for some it is a Fodera and for some it is even a Squier, so take all opinions with a grain of salt and spend A LOT of time on your own learning just what gear will give you that sound in your head. Trust me, it took me years of buying and selling gear for both upright and electric bass, of playing gig after gig and not being satisfied with the sound I was getting and countless hours of tweaking every dial on my amp and bass until I could find the sound in my head. It is a journey we as bassists are all on. It is a long journey, but it is worthy journey, because once you find the sound you are looking for, you can get past yourself and truly start to serve and support the other musicians who you play with and make a connection with those who listen to you. That is the whole reason for what we as musicians do.
 
#75
In regards to production, +2 for G&L, and Music Man. While I want to include Lakland you can't really just go into any music store and pick up a US-Made instrument, you'll more than likely find a Skyline and those are made overseas.
 

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