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Carvin Basses?
- Thread starter bordinco90
- Start date
Interesting. Then I wonder when they stopped doing it? Or maybe it's just a 5 string thing?
Mine is a B50. I assumed that once their machines are programmed, they could keep doing it. Not sure why they'd stop.
From what I remember when trying to order a dual MM B50 from Carvin, the issue is that they absolutely will not put an MM-style pickup in the neck position of a bolt-neck bass, regardless of whether or not there is a pick guard. So the 'Dual-Humbucker option', as mentioned, is a MM-style in the back (option for coil-tap) with the H50A hum bucker in a Jazz-style shell for the front. It looks like the pic below. But this was before the 'new' lines of basses like the JB, PB and Vanquish. It's certainly worth a call to them. As many folks have mentioned many, many time: Use the online-tool to spec out what you want, then call Carvin and talk to a Human. They can do far more than the online tool...
"Dual humbucker" B50 (I miss this bass):
That's just classy looking! To the OP (and others): get the configuration you want if available. Personally, I think the dual MM "clutters the landscape" but to each his own. Custom builds are competitively priced but re-sale is abysmal as mentioned. Spend the extra dough for Hipshot hardware if offered. I also doubt if the finished product will sound like a Stingray...and that may be a good thing. I can pretty much guarantee that the proper selection of body style & woods will yield a more ergonomic instrument.
Riis
It's $1800 because they don't do the store front stuff (on a large scale). They keep costs down by just doing to order stuff.
Well I like the tone of the MM, but the only reason I don't like a jazz bass is because of the two volumes. But I know on the Carvin they have a single volume. The Carvin is a beautiful bass, but I have read about some issues with the electronic from various TB and Other forums. I don't want to spend $1800 on a bass that I am going to have to change the electronics on. Plus, I cannot play one since there is no dealer around my area, so I don't know if it is worth the risk. The MM that I played felt great. All of the Fender Jazz basses felt horrible (I guess the setup was all wrong). Don't get me wrong as far as looks go and stats "on paper" the Carvin blows the MM away.
You can get the MM style humbuckers on the basses that don't have a pickguard. Like the B50. Codes HB2 and HB2N I think, certainly not option 50.
According to Carvin, the pickguard is the issue.
I have one, and it is amazing.
When did you order this? As far as I know, they've been consistently saying "no" to dual MM pickups in anything but an LB, for about two years.
I heard that the resale value was not good on these basses. But I'm not going to sell it. My gut says go with the MM. But IDK maybe people could post sound samples of their Carvin Basses.
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
I like the body of the SB5000 as well and feel the upper horn makes for perfect balance for me. I got one of the last SB5000s and liked it so much that I called to see if I could get one in a fretless 5 and then found out the model was discontinued.
Wally
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If you buy something closer to stock you won't lose much in resale. Where you lose the money is when you highly customize the bass.
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
About 5 years ago I bought a used LB75 and ended up hating it. I wasn't able to play it through an amp prior to playing but I couldn't pass on the price ($250). No punch, no clarity, just terrible sounding. I sold it one week after I bought it for $750 so I made a $500 profit.
I never played a Carvin. I have a Stingray HH and I think MM is the best mass produced basses going. You can buy HH for 1,500 new. I do have a Carvin BX 500 Combo and its an excellent value. Its nicer then all the AMPs with that kind of money. The Markbass Orange and Mesa Boogies are probably better but 2 to 3 times the price. I'am buying LB 90 from the 80's for a fair price it had a lot of upgrades including Kahler bridge w tremelo
My Carvin Sb4000 is the best sounding and playing bass i ever had. And I have played and owned just about everything from Ibanez's to Spectors, Fenders and Rics.
Both good, but quality edge to Carvin. Excellent playing bass. Love the Stingray tone though. Either one is very good. Resale is better on the Stingray. A lot of people say they won't sell, but the reality is that you will sell it at some point and Carvin comes up very short on this one.
