Hey everyone! It's NBD Day for my Claro B25! I'm blown away! Absolutely amazing! I can't wait to get home and plug it in! Quick photos below...better ones to come, along with a full review. Thanks B2 and Carvin!
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Brian Bromberg Carvin Model Part 2
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
- Start date
Just an update. While i waited for my B25 i ended up picking up a Bongo 6, deciding that unless the B25 really absolutely blew me away i'd return it and just stick with the Bongo. Well i received my B25 today and wow what can i say. It's incredible. Even my roommate who knows nothing about instruments took one look at it and asked if i could "return the other one". Seriously everything about it is great. Haven't played it plugged in but for a short time period so can't really comment tone-wise, although preliminary feelings are very positive. But the feel and fit and finish is great. It's the little things that really impress me, like the way the bookmatched quilted maple top meets exactly behind the A string so when looking straight down you can't even see the seam. I didn't realize the fretless models came with an inlay, so seeing the awesome Bromberg inlay made me super happy. The only question now is how long until a B26?! Looking like my bass collection just went from 0 to 2 in a few days. Great work Carvin and Brian. Here's a quick BS picture i took on my couch. The headstock is gorgeous with the abalone and matching quilt so i'll have to grab one of it later.
Got a few better pictures...the first round didn't cut it. Somehow the lighting at work just wasn't all that great 
Got some time to play it as well. Nothing short of amazing! The radiused singles sound great! I had a bit of hum, but touching the strings brings it to dead quiet. Still there if you solo either one, but I expect that from a single coil. The pre-amp is unreal...every sound I could hope for is in there (and probably some I haven't even found yet). The build is immaculate and the design is super comfortable and well thought out. I'd fully recommend it to anyone considering a Carvin as their next bass (it actually just took the place of my Modulus Quantum 5, and I love that thing!) In short, simply unbelievable!
Got some time to play it as well. Nothing short of amazing! The radiused singles sound great! I had a bit of hum, but touching the strings brings it to dead quiet. Still there if you solo either one, but I expect that from a single coil. The pre-amp is unreal...every sound I could hope for is in there (and probably some I haven't even found yet). The build is immaculate and the design is super comfortable and well thought out. I'd fully recommend it to anyone considering a Carvin as their next bass (it actually just took the place of my Modulus Quantum 5, and I love that thing!) In short, simply unbelievable!
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As some of you may know, Carvin has discontinued the Sekou Bunch, SB line and replaced it with a JB clone. There seems to be a rumor going around that the same may happen with the Bromberg line as well. Anyone know anything about this?
Hard to say. There was no notice or even rumors about the SB, nor has any story emerged of what happened. If it did happen with the Bromberg, we likely would not not have any notice or explanation. But I'll tell you this much, I'll go to whatever company this design goes to....
The body and headstock outline of the SB line wasn't for everyone but almost everybody agreed it was a pretty damn good bass, both 4 and 5 string models. It's a pity they gave that line the ax. More so, it would be really unfortunate to see the Bromberg line go as well. Any word from the man himself on FaceBook or elsewhere? Anybody?
All indications point to B2 sticking with Carvin. Just a couple of weeks ago, he was yet again asking people on the Carvin BBS community forum about additional options they would like to see for the B2 basses. ; )
*he has done this a few times in the past few months. I really think we may see a bolt-on B2, before the year is over.
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
Well, not dual P pickups, but here's a burl top B25 that someone posted on the Carvin Facebook page a while back. Pretty hot, that's for sure.
I keep waiting for an Icon with a P/J setup, but I'd also really dig that pickup config in a B25. If they offer that option, I'm not sure I'd have the willpower to keep from ordering one. A good P/J 5 is only pickup configuration I'm currently missing, and have been wanting a good Doug Johns sound in my arsenal. I might even do the Keisel edition like the guitar Jeff just posted (with black pickups/hardware though)! Eeeesh, dat fretboard!
5sg.
Maple Burl...I have one just like it but with four strings. I want one with a Buckeye Burl top.
Ha! My bad. Was thinking standard upgrades. Agreed, buckeye would be a sight to behold. I inquired about sending in a top for them to use on my SB, but Steve let me know that they actually bend the wood for the top, and it looks like the Bromberg might have the same thing going on with the body contour. Here's what Steve forwarded me from their guitar department. Sounds like it would very much be an "at your own risk" kind of thing.
5sg.
5sg.
That Bromberg black limba four-string with the gold hardware and the abalone blocks is just incredibly elegant. While with all the extra goodies it would be easy to overdo it to the point of gaudiness, in this case "more is more". Simply beautiful.
MM
I'm pretty positive there are some people on the Carving BBS whom have sent Carvin a choice piece of wood, from which to make a special Carvin model.
*has anyone ever asked about getting a B25 with narrow spacing? I have little girl hands....
On the Carving BBS, someone got a moss green guitar with a black limba back which also got covered in moss green and I think it looks better than the flamed top on the front!
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I put it off for a few days. Yesterday, I finally called and asked about a couple of non-standard options for a B25.
One of the things I asked about was if it were possible to get a B25 with narrow string spacing. The staff member sounded optimistic, but ultimately put me on hold. Then he came back and asked if he could call me back later..........but I never got a call back!
One of the things I asked about was if it were possible to get a B25 with narrow string spacing. The staff member sounded optimistic, but ultimately put me on hold. Then he came back and asked if he could call me back later..........but I never got a call back!
My guess is that it won't happen. For a number of reasons:
- The basses that are offered w/a choice of wide or narrow have different necks. The 'narrow' necks are just normal necks and the 'wide' necks are asymmetrical.
- The B25 neck is different than any other Carvin neck, and is designed for 19mm spacing. Even if you put a narrow bridge on there, it's still a neck spec'd to 19mm. Not other necks are offered (nor should they be, IMHO).
- It's a signature model. They seem hesitant (rightfully so, IMHO) to start monkeying with the artist's design.
But good luck anyway. B25's are awesome!
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