Brian Bromberg Carvin Model Part 2

[eightyearsapril]

I'm curious about how to replace the bridge plate. Is it just a matter of removing the strings, unscrewing the old one and screwing in the new one, and then restringing? I have to ask because I tend to screw up mechanical things (when I was a kid, I once had my boss tell me I could screw up a steel ball with a rubber hammer), so I'm not sure I should do it myself instead of getting a guitar tech at GC to do it for me (and I'm loathe to let them put their hands on my new baby).

I'm even less handy than you, but replacing a bridge is really easy, especially if you don't need to drill new holes. It just is screwed down by common Philips screws. If you're replacing one Hipshot A with another (and I agree, get the gold one to match the frets and knobs), then it's a five-minute job, and four of those minutes will be finding the screw you dropped on the ground accidentally.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Surfing the Carvin site today (like I do every so often), and noticed there was no piezo option listed for the Bromberg basses in the array of options (in the "build" window). Any confirmation of this would be appreciated.

 

[Matt Morgan]

I spoke to the folks at Carvin about a two weeks ago regarding the discontinuation of the piezo option on all their basses. Carvin has had a disproportionately high number of electrical problems/failures with the piezo system they were using. Basically, that option was costing them too much time/effort/money. It has been discontinued for the time being. They did allude to the fact that they were researching other piezo manufacturers but wouldn't commit to anything definite or discuss any future time frame when the option may again be available.
I'm a huge fan of the piezo pickups, especially in the Bromberg models. I hope they figure out a new system and make it available as soon as they can.

 

[frogfunk]

Hi Guys!

I emailed Carvin-Kiesel (?) yesterday if they have any plans of making a 6 string version of Brian's B2. They said they don't have any plans and that Brian still has to approach them about it.

So what do you guys think? I hope we can reach him for this because personally, I think a B26 (crossing fingers) would be killer!

I have a very unofficial question for all of you as I have not talked with Carvin about this yet. Which would you rather see, a B2 6 six string bass or a bolt on B2 4 and a B2 5 bass to go a long with the neck through body basses made now?

 

[frogfunk]

I have a very unofficial question for all of you as I have not talked with Carvin about this yet. Which would you rather see, a B2 6 six string bass or a bolt on B2 4 and a B2 5 bass to go a long with the neck through body basses made now?

Please, please make the B26 happen!!!!!!

 

[G On Bass]

Hi Guys!

I emailed Carvin-Kiesel (?) yesterday if they have any plans of making a 6 string version of Brian's B2. They said they don't have any plans and that Brian still has to approach them about it.

So what do you guys think? I hope we can reach him for this because personally, I think a B26 (crossing fingers) would be killer!

Please, please make the B26 happen!!!!!!

It'd be interesting. The Bromberg basses have soooo many features that Brian has developed over the years on 4's and 5's. But I don't think I've seen him play a six, so I wonder how that would all work as far as having actual improvements and ergonomics other than another string on his body design?

 

[frogfunk]

That's what my bass sensei said to me that Brian plays at the most 5 string basses because he gets his high notes using his piccolo basses.

But then of course, from his post that I quoted he's been fishing for opinions about a 6 string.

I also wonder too how an additional string would work using his design but I'm positive about it other than getting a new set of pitches.

 

[songwriter21]

That is a beautiful bass you got there....seeing the list of what you own/owned, looks like a new custom B25 will be in your future? BTW, I once owned a stunning buckeye burl Roscoe SKB that the pickups were routed about 3/8th off center. If I wanted to swap to pickups with pole pieces, they didn't line up with the strings....not happy! I did say owned, that's past tense. Very inexcusable...my opinion of course.

+INFINITY

While my Roscoes sounded really good, they not only (each and every one, btw) had pickups and/or bridges that where off-center/crooked, but the necks all had a ski jump on at least the bass or treble side, along with some off center truss rods (the access hole was very noticeably to the right of the center of the neck...VERY inexcusable, especially at that price point! I understand the integrity of being hand-made, but Jesus, when you're paying a LOT of money for an instrument, it should be not only consistent, but perfect! Keith seriously needs some CNC templates...same with Mike Tobias! Not to mention, strings being far from one side of the fretboard, and then almost falling off of the other side!

Anyway, looky what I ordered last night!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[timplog]

Great forum you guys new to the Carvin brand and would like to ask for a little help.

Just picked up from GC a nice bass that was advertised as a B24 which I take to mean Brian Bromberg's version, the thing is being a used guitar there was no documentation, and as far as I can find nothing on the bass indicating that, or any model for that matter.
Just hoping to confirm the B24 thing and anything you might have to offer would be greatly appreciated in terms of woods likely used and if anyone can guess whether it's got tung-oil or poly on the neck....

Hopefully the phone pics I tried to include below posted. thanks, and cheers

 

[RTL]

Definitely a B24, and a nicely spec'd one at that!

If I had to guess, that's a 4A or 5A quilted maple top on alder. Neck appears to be a 5-piece maple with walnut stringers.

The diamond fret markers look like they're abalone, same with the Carvin logo - both optional. It's hard to tell from the pics, but the knobs don't look stock.

I'm hardly an expert here, so if anyone feels like correcting me, feel free to do so!

 

[G On Bass]

Just picked up from GC a nice bass that was advertised as a B24 which I take to mean Brian Bromberg's version, the thing is being a used guitar there was no documentation, and as far as I can find nothing on the bass indicating that, or any model for that matter.
Just hoping to confirm the B24 thing and anything you might have to offer would be greatly appreciated in terms of woods likely used and if anyone can guess whether it's got tung-oil or poly on the neck....

Nice bass. IMHO the best Carvin makes. Definitely poly or whatever gloss they use on the neck. Tung oil would be matte finish. If the did a shiny body and a tung oil neck, there would be a line.

Pickups-wise: The lack of a 5th knob means it does not have a Piezo pickup (optional). As far as single coil vs. humbucker, if the volume knob pull up to be in passive mode. then it most likely has the Icon preamp and humbuckers. If it does not then it is most likely single coils with the 'Bromberg Preamp'. That pre does not work with humbuckers, so....

 

[timplog]

Definitely a B24, and a nicely spec'd one at that!

If I had to guess, that's a 4A or 5A quilted maple top on alder. Neck appears to be a 5-piece maple with walnut stringers.

The diamond fret markers look like they're abalone, same with the Carvin logo - both optional. It's hard to tell from the pics, but the knobs don't look stock.

I'm hardly an expert here, so if anyone feels like correcting me, feel free to do so!

Definitely a B24, and a nicely spec'd one at that!

If I had to guess, that's a 4A or 5A quilted maple top on alder. Neck appears to be a 5-piece maple with walnut stringers.

The diamond fret markers look like they're abalone, same with the Carvin logo - both optional. It's hard to tell from the pics, but the knobs don't look stock.

I'm hardly an expert here, so if anyone feels like correcting me, feel free to do so!

thanks man, expert or not this is definitely helpful information.
real happy with this one, came by way of SanAntonio by the by.

 

[timplog]

Nice bass. IMHO the best Carvin makes. Definitely poly or whatever gloss they use on the neck. Tung oil would be matte finish. If the did a shiny body and a tung oil neck, there would be a line.

Pickups-wise: The lack of a 5th knob means it does not have a Piezo pickup (optional). As far as single coil vs. humbucker, if the volume knob pull up to be in passive mode. then it most likely has the Icon preamp and humbuckers. If it does not then it is most likely single coils with the 'Bromberg Preamp'. That pre does not work with humbuckers, so....

thanks G On, lots of good points there and I'm feeling more confident about this purchase.
The PUs are radius-ed so from what I've read they're likely single coil and part of the Bromberg pre setup. Seem a good idea-strings sound consistently level.
Really like how easy they've made it to reach to the 24th, and variety of tonality.
thanks again!

 

[G On Bass]

thanks G On, lots of good points there and I'm feeling more confident about this purchase.
The PUs are radius-ed so from what I've read they're likely single coil and part of the Bromberg pre setup. Seem a good idea-strings sound consistently level.
Really like how easy they've made it to reach to the 24th, and variety of tonality.
thanks again!

The radiused pickups are/were made as singles and humbuckers and were introduced by Brian Bromberg to Carvin on this model of bass as RAD-J. I have the humbuckers/Icon pre in my B25 fretless. Great basses!

 

[timplog]

The radiused pickups are/were made as singles and humbuckers and were introduced by Brian Bromberg to Carvin on this model of bass as RAD-J. I have the humbuckers/Icon pre in my B25 fretless. Great basses!

more and more good stuff, thanks.
your point re the volume push-pull feature..I'm pretty sure it doesn't have that, but will check tomorrow.
appreciate your time!

 

[BoydG]

Those look like the single-coils to me. I'm thinking the humbuckers are fatter, and if there's no push-pull to go passive, then it's not the humbuckers, I don't believe.

 

[songwriter21]

8/3 is my completion date, this is grueling.

 

[G On Bass]

Those look like the single-coils to me. I'm thinking the humbuckers are fatter, and if there's no push-pull to go passive, then it's not the humbuckers, I don't believe.

FWIW. the single coil and humbuckers are the same size and are direct replacements for each other, unless the bass has the Bromberg pre...Single coils are the only pickups that work with the Bromberg pre, which has the 25K active volume pot as per Brian's original way-before-'Kiesel'design/specs. That allows the bass to retain it's tone at different volumes, but doesn't allow for active/passive. It's a killer pre...

 

[BoydG]

FWIW. the single coil and humbuckers are the same size and are direct replacements for each other

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm used to humbuckers generally being larger.

 

[G On Bass]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm used to humbuckers generally being larger.

You're totally right. They do have other Humbuckers that are MusicMan style that are big. Just the RAD-H/Rad-J's are the same as are some of their more 'traditional' housed 'Jazz' pickups.