Brian Bromberg Carvin Model Part 2

[G On Bass]

Is their current 6 string neck still NOT thinner in the treble side than the bass side? That is something I love about my bb75 and yet I recall the 76 not having that feature.

I ask because if the 6 isn't thinner on treble side then that's another BIG feature I'm looking for in a six string....

The existing 6 is more uniform (not asymmetrical like your BB), with noticeable (to me) squared-off 'shoulders', so that the back of the neck seems flatter. Personally, I've tried it and do not care for it at all. I would be hoping for a little more of Brian's design magic to create new profile altogether...

 

[IronSpatula]

The existing 6 is more uniform (not asymmetrical like your BB), with noticeable (to me) squared-off 'shoulders', so that the back of the neck seems flatter.

This is true. For me, it's a comfortable neck. But even though I'm not bothered by the shoulders, I do prefer the profile of my Peavey Cirrus neck which is thinner at the edges.

I would be hoping for a little more of Brian's design magic to create new profile altogether...

Well, we six string players have had only this one Carvin neck profile since what, the 90's? Regardless of whether it's a BB, LB, or Icon, it's all the same neck with different body wings and headstocks. Even the XB uses the same neck with the frets farther apart, right?

I remember reading that the new X54 has a new neck profile but I wouldn't be surprised if the six string version of that uses the old LB neck as well.

I agree that it would be nice to have a new profile. I bet Mr. Bromberg could do a good job. But does he even play six string?

 

[plong123]

I know this isn't a swap meet thread, and I'm not trying to go there, but I really just wanted to point out one of the most beautiful B2 basses I've ever seen.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1049324

 

[Wilbyman]

Which of these options would you prefer to have if they were offered on the Carvin B24 and B25 basses? In no particular order......
1. Traditional non radiused jazz bass pick-ups like the J99A's instead of the radiused pick-ups?
2. P Bass pick up or non radiused jazz bass pick ups like the J99A's and P bass pick-up combination?
3. Radiused bridge pick-up and P Bass pick-up combination?
4. 24 fret bolt on option with either all of the above or none of the above?
5. Leave the B24 and B25 as it stands now?

This is completely unofficial but it is important to me to see and hear what you guys care about. Thank you for participating!...........B2

Bolt-on, bolt-on, bolt-on....definitely. Bolt-on with J-pickups would be cool but not necessary.

 

[fivestringgecko]

2. P Bass pick up or non radiused jazz bass pick ups like the J99A's and P bass pick-up combination?

This, in a heartbeat. I've been wanting a good P/J for a while now. 24 frets is definitely nice, but not a necessity. Lets be honest... how many people actually use 24 frets? Maybe it's just me, but I use my 24th fret when I'm playing at home. When I'm out on the gig, I'm holding down the bottom. I play in an 11-piece funk band, so if I'm playing up high (aside from a tasty fill or something), we lose the low end and I'm fighting for the same frequencies as 2-7 other people.

P/J B25 all the way.

5sg.

 

[dgce]

This, in a heartbeat. I've been wanting a good P/J for a while now. 24 frets is definitely nice, but not a necessity. Lets be honest... how many people actually use 24 frets? Maybe it's just me, but I use my 24th fret when I'm playing at home. When I'm out on the gig, I'm holding down the bottom. I play in an 11-piece funk band, so if I'm playing up high (aside from a tasty fill or something), we lose the low end and I'm fighting for the same frequencies as 2-7 other people.

P/J B25 all the way.

5sg.

I was wondering when you'd pop up, Man. This topic came up before and I remember you being the guy who wanted a Bromberg with a PJ setup. Now that Brian Bromberg himself is asking for our input, maybe it will happen. A guy can dream, no?

 

[Toptube]

This, in a heartbeat. I've been wanting a good P/J for a while now. 24 frets is definitely nice, but not a necessity. Lets be honest... how many people actually use 24 frets? Maybe it's just me, but I use my 24th fret when I'm playing at home. When I'm out on the gig, I'm holding down the bottom. I play in an 11-piece funk band, so if I'm playing up high (aside from a tasty fill or something), we lose the low end and I'm fighting for the same frequencies as 2-7 other people.

P/J B25 all the way.

5sg.

I like 24 frets for the hanging position and the fact that the width of the fretboard usually tapers more gradually from the nut.

So yeah, even though I may not be using all of the frets, the main parts of the neck are less wide for my little girl hands!

*do not confuse width and thickness!

 

[plong123]

Hey, that beautiful pink/purple burst B24 from NAMM is up for sale at Carvin.com!

 

[Brian Bromberg]

I played this bass at NAMM. Don't let the pink/purple fool you, this bass is amazing! You know how when you pick up a bass and play it NOT PLUGGED IN you can tell if the bass has the mojo or not? (which to me is the best first impression you can get from an instrument.) If you can't feel the body resonate and sing with it NOT plugged in it will only be more evident that the instrument is lacking something when you plug it in. Well when I first played this bass unplugged I was like holy crap, this bass is killin', and it's pink!

At first I was thinking man pink/purple? But then the more I looked at it the more I liked it. I will also tell you that when people walked by the booth and saw it almost everyone commented on the bass, very cool indeed, and I bet looks insane on a stage......

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I have no issues with pink...back in the 80s, me and my pink Tele made rounds. I've been thinking of ordering (option 50) pink SB4000 or B24.

 

[Mechanical]

Brian,

I think I would like the Jazz pickup in the neck position and a humbucker in the bridge position (the HB2 option).

 

[fivestringgecko]

I was wondering when you'd pop up, Man. This topic came up before and I remember you being the guy who wanted a Bromberg with a PJ setup. Now that Brian Bromberg himself is asking for our input, maybe it will happen. A guy can dream, no?

One can hope! I just got my card, and it was ~this~ close to being a B25! Having a P/J pickup combo available on that bass will cement it as the next bass I order. Most likely in that bubblebum burst. Now that I see it in finished form, OMG... geargasm! lol

I like 24 frets for the hanging position and the fact that the width of the fretboard usually tapers more gradually from the nut.

So yeah, even though I may not be using all of the frets, the main parts of the neck are less wide for my little girl hands!

*do not confuse width and thickness!

An interesting point. I've got several basses varying from 20-24 frets (or no frets! ), but I've never noticed a big difference in neck tapers... and my 24 fret 6'er has full 19mm string spacing! I also try to change up my axes so they all (okay, most) get somewhat equal play time, which I think helps my hands to not get stuck with the muscle memory of one particular bass. 'Course, I have some pretty decent sized man paws, so maybe I just don't notice as much. That's just a theory though.

At first I was thinking man pink/purple? But then the more I looked at it the more I liked it.

I was ~this~ close to ordering that finish on this upcoming Carvin, but had the same thinking... "Wow, that might be a little too much"... because I had only seen that in progress pic on Facebook. Seeing the final product though... holy crap if it was a 5-string I'd be calling Carvin immediately.

5sg.

 

[WoodyG3]

Ross, the faded denim flame will look mo' betta', you made the correct choice.

As far as 20 vs 24 frets, I go back and forth daily on whether to go ahead and order a PB4, or maybe try the new X44, or continue to hold hope that a PJ Bromberg or LB70 might become available.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Ross, the faded denim flame will look mo' betta', you made the correct choice.

Woody!!! SHHH!!! That's supposed to be a secret! lol

5sg.

 

[WoodyG3]

Woody!!! SHHH!!! That's supposed to be a secret! lol

5sg.

Oops. Er, I mean the surf green with purple burst. Yeah, that's it, that's the ticket.

 

[plong123]

You know how when you pick up a bass and play it NOT PLUGGED IN you can tell if the bass has the mojo or not? (which to me is the best first impression you can get from an instrument.) If you can't feel the body resonate and sing with it NOT plugged in it will only be more evident that the instrument is lacking something when you plug it in.

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. You can tell the good ones right away.

 

[dkelley]

You know how when you pick up a bass and play it NOT PLUGGED IN you can tell if the bass has the mojo or not? (which to me is the best first impression you can get from an instrument.) If you can't feel the body resonate and sing with it NOT plugged in it will only be more evident that the instrument is lacking something when you plug it in.

Yea.... i owned a beautiful btb 6 but it was always just too dead and dull for me..... not just the barts etc but unplugged too. Perfect in every way but zero uniqueness mojo. It didnt sing how i like.

My old bb75 has mojo and is a keeper.

Lisa (who bought my btb) loves it though.... just happens sometimes.

 

[Wilbyman]

Well, I want to vote for the bolt-on choice again just because I feel so strongly about it. There is a compression/response with the bolt on neck that you don't get with the neck through ... it makes a big difference IMO. I think for someone who wants more sustain and clarity especially in the higher register the neck thru is great, but the bolt-on would really let you fine tune the sound you are going for along with the wood choices. I am skeptical of the PJ setup on a neck thru/modern axe, I am sure some people would bite on it but not to a great degree IMO.

Bolt on B24-B25 with J pu's and a pick guard option would be killer IMO. (Surf green for me please).

 

[shwashwa]

Well, I want to vote for the bolt-on choice again just because I feel so strongly about it. There is a compression/response with the bolt on neck that you don't get with the neck through ... it makes a big difference IMO. I think for someone who wants more sustain and clarity especially in the higher register the neck thru is great, but the bolt-on would really let you fine tune the sound you are going for along with the wood choices. I am skeptical of the PJ setup on a neck thru/modern axe, I am sure some people would bite on it but not to a great degree IMO.

Bolt on B24-B25 with J pu's and a pick guard option would be killer IMO. (Surf green for me please).

either a 24 fret bolt bromberg model or a 24 fret bolt like they showed at namm. its a pretty large hole in their product portfolio. right now im looking for one, and id love to stay with carvin, but at the moment im forced to look elsewhere.

 

[plong123]

If you haven't been to B2's facebook page, you might want to check out one of the baddest B25P's you're likely to see: The Ocean Fade Elite. It's not mine, but I've played it, and it's amazing.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carvin-B2-Bass-Page/206050059414742