Brian Bromberg Carvin Model Part 2

[Jared Lash]

Thanks guys.

Can you guys tell what the body wood is in the pic of this Icon?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Looks like alder to me.

 

[Chatdawg]

Looks like alder to me.

Quilted maple?

 

[Jared Lash]

Quilted maple?

The top wood on the body wings is flamed maple.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

The top wood on the body wings is flamed maple.

So Jared...are you ready to take the Carvin B24/5 plunge? Like you, I too enjoy my Stammies...but these BriBrom are awesome.

 

[Jared Lash]

So Jared...are you ready to take the Carvin B24/5 plunge? Like you, I too enjoy my Stammies...but these BriBrom are awesome.

Believe me, I'm giving them a hard look. I've had three Carvins in the past and these basses look pretty sweet. That said, I have a somewhat embarrassing four basses on order with Chris that I have to pay off first.

 

[Tristan]

Looks like alder to me.

Looking at other pics, I think you're right. I think I'll probably just stick with Alder, since it looks like a nice subtle contrast.

Still on the fence about the SS frets tho.

 

[Jared Lash]

Looking at other pics, I think you're right. I think I'll probably just stick with Alder, since it looks like a nice subtle contrast.

Still on the fence about the SS frets tho.

It's hard to tell how much of a tonal effect the SS frets have without trying them vs standard frets in the same bass, but my experience is that they add brightness and some clankiness. Now, my Carvin with them was a neck through with maple wings and a maple fingerboard so it was going to be bright regardless, but it definitely seemed that the frets contributed to the sound.

If you want a warmer, more vintage sound I'd pass. If you like it bright and modern and don't mind some extra string noise (especially with a tweetered cab) I say go for it - they will last a lot longer too.

One other consideration though is that the SS frets definitely wore my strings out faster, which makes sense.

 

[MikeBass]

I'm eyeballing the all white one on the Carvin site.
If I had the cash, it may end up here with me!

 

[unclejane]

I'm eyeballing the all white one on the Carvin site.
If I had the cash, it may end up here with me!

If it were an unlined, I'd have already gone to Don Corlione for a loan to buy it. It also has a 10" radius which would be a little new to me, but I just wish it was unlined.

OH well, hoping an unlined model comes into stock...

LS

 

[Brian Bromberg]

Dudes, I can tell you this from personal experience: SS frets are way brighter then nickel frets. If you play more finger style the nickel make more sense, if you slap a lot or do the tapping thing the SS might be batter as they have more high end and attack. Warmth and comfort food=nickel frets. Punch funk and in your face=stainless steel frets.

Also UncleJane, the B24 and B25 are designed to balance very nicely no matter what the body wood wings are, so unless you really want a heavy bass on your back and shoulders you might want to think about alder or ash as they are lighter and more resonant woods vs. maple. I have some all maple basses and they have tons of attack and punch, but they also have less warmth and resonance then my alder body basses have. Just an FYI from personal experience.

Love the forum guys, I always learn a lot from reading what you contribute in here. Thank you...........Brian

 

[Musiclogic]

The man himself even stops by for clarification....how cool is that?

 

[ilikebass7]

Brian Bromberg is the man

 

[Brian Bromberg]

Thanks for the kind words, you guys rock!..............

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I have a somewhat embarrassing four basses on order with Chris that I have to pay off first.

How obscene...but I like it! Chris makes killer instruments as I have the one and only Stammie Space Bass. Actually it was you who posted the first photos of it before I became a member.

Now back to the Brom basses...I totally love both of mine. The best feeling neck on any "standard" basses I've ever owned.

 

[Jared Lash]

How obscene...but I like it! Chris makes killer instruments as I have the one and only Stammie Space Bass. Actually it was you who posted the first photos of it before I became a member.

Now back to the Brom basses...I totally love both of mine. The best feeling neck on any "standard" basses I've ever owned.

Yeah, the Space Bass is a beaut.

As for the Brombergs, is the neck profile different from the standard Carvin shape? I've had an LB70, LB75 and a B4 and they all had really comfy necks. Personally I love the tung oil finish option.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

As for the Brombergs, is the neck profile different from the standard Carvin shape? I've had an LB70, LB75 and a B4 and they all had really comfy necks. Personally I love the tung oil finish option.

I would call my B24 neck a slim Jazz. I also go for the 14" radius, too. It actually is very close to my Stammie's neck in profile. I just asked Chris to start with a Jazz and make it feel better...which he nailed it.

Brian Bromberg is the man

Yup, yup. And so is Jared for that matter....4 basses in production? Unreal...and I like it.

 

[Jared Lash]

I would call my B24 neck a slim Jazz. I also go for the 14" radius, too. It actually is very close to my Stammie's neck in profile. I just asked Chris to start with a Jazz and make it feel better...which he nailed it.

I'd probably go with a 14" radius on the BB too. And stainless steel frets. Either ash or maple wings with a maple board as well. If I get one it would be to fill the "super bright and modern" slot in my stable which I think it would do well.

Yup, yup. And so is Jared for that matter....4 basses in production? Unreal...and I like it.

Yeah, don't want to derail this thread but I posted some new progress pictures in the Stammie thread today. That said, BB is THE man. I really dug the Carvin videos I watched today. I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up with one of these bad boys now.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I'd probably go with a 14" radius on the BB too. And stainless steel frets. Either ash or maple wings with a maple board as well. If I get one it would be to fill the "super bright and modern" slot in my stable which I think it would do well.

Of the 2 Broms I have, the maple bodied one may have the edge over the ash...to my ears. The maple has a bigger and clearer voice, with excellent depth. But it's heavier, too. Which doesn't bother me as all my heavier basses sound beefier to my ears. YMMV, of course.

I'll check out your Stammie photos and comment there...

 

[unclejane]

Also UncleJane, the B24 and B25 are designed to balance very nicely no matter what the body wood wings are, so unless you really want a heavy bass on your back and shoulders you might want to think about alder or ash as they are lighter and more resonant woods vs. maple. I have some all maple basses and they have tons of attack and punch, but they also have less warmth and resonance then my alder body basses have. Just an FYI from personal experience.

Love the forum guys, I always learn a lot from reading what you contribute in here. Thank you...........Brian

Ok, thanks Brian. Yeah, you're right, there's nothing wrong with Alder, I have it on my Bunnies and it's quite nice.

But I want the B2 for that sharp single coil tone, though. I don't have any bass right now that can do that. I can almost get it on my Bunny 6 if I play as far down towards the nut as I can get - here it is with me trying to play along with "Answers" (Steve Vai) with the parts played up on the D,G, and C strings:
https://soundcloud.com/unclejane/bunny6

But it's still got the Bunny tame sound, I can't quite get that hard pop of a single coil...

Oh well. Now all I need is to go see The Godfather so I can actually go order mine...

LS

 

[songwriter21]

Brian, I'm guessing that you can get really low action on these basses? I've had some LB's in the past, and they can't touch my Ibanez BTB. I'm interested in your bass model, though, so I was curious.