Masher88
Believe in absurdities and you commit atrocities
Are you really buying basses for their resale value? Guitars aren't "investments" ...they are depreciating assets
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Carvin Basses?
- Thread starter Gunstringer
- Start date
Are you really buying basses for their resale value? Guitars aren't "investments" ...they are depreciating assets
- Jun 25, 2007
- 4,531
- 135
- 63
- Disclosures
- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
The necks are floppy.. Had to adjust the truss-rod on mine almost every time I picked it up. The necks are very thin and sensetive to even the slightest temp. change.
Masher88
Believe in absurdities and you commit atrocities
ANY bass would look better with all the bells and whistles on it, but then you'd be looking at a WAY more expensive instrument. Remember how much Foderas cost? it's cuz they have all the "Ferrari class" amenities on them!
I notcied this too with a LB70 active model I had along time ago... I have a stingray now and it totally blows that bass out of the water BUT--> I considered that 70 to be an active jazz where my Musicman has that big soapbar its two different sounds even if it was a sadowsky pre-amp so I just prefer the MM....
a carvin for cheap money with a nice aggy or sadowsky set up would be sick though..
I dunno, it's all pretty subjective when it comes to pickups. Carvin doesn't really have a signature sound, like Warwick for example. But then, I've seen people complain about Warwick pickups! And look at all the replacement pickups available for Fender instruments. You can't please everyone.
My Icon plays, looks, and sounds great. It has excellent build quality, as did the BB75 I owned.
I owned an LB20 (passive J-style pickups). The sound was lacking but it's easy enough to install others -- I put a set of DiMarzio Model Js in mine. The pickups on the Carvin are both the same size, while the DMs have a slightly wider bridge pickup. It's easy enough to file it down to fit the rout. Once the pickups were replaced, it sounded great.
A friend has an '84 with the older style soapbars and it sounded better than the stock J99s on mine.
I sold the Carvin, though, because it wasn't a good ergonomic fit for me. The distinctive body shape put that 24-fret neck too far out to suit me...and I never play above the 15 fret, anyway. I also don't get along with slim necks, so I went to Fender. The Fender basses suit me much better.
It was very nicely made: solid mahogany, natural finish, and very pretty. Here's a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19652150@N02/1949653905/in/set-72157603061319197/
It required more truss rod tweaking than my Fenders, but that's what happens when you put a long, slim mahogany neck on a bass.
A friend has an '84 with the older style soapbars and it sounded better than the stock J99s on mine.
I sold the Carvin, though, because it wasn't a good ergonomic fit for me. The distinctive body shape put that 24-fret neck too far out to suit me...and I never play above the 15 fret, anyway. I also don't get along with slim necks, so I went to Fender. The Fender basses suit me much better.
It was very nicely made: solid mahogany, natural finish, and very pretty. Here's a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19652150@N02/1949653905/in/set-72157603061319197/
It required more truss rod tweaking than my Fenders, but that's what happens when you put a long, slim mahogany neck on a bass.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Carvin makes good stuff ... they sound good and look good ... to me the main negative of a carvin is they don't hold their resale value ...
itmakes sense to REDUCE your depreciation if you can't eliminate it. I buy used... I sell used and some I make more some I make less. I don't sell basses for profit but I come close to breaking even (until you throw in inflation)
I really like my new to me LB75 fretless. It plays great, and is really versatile. I've often thought about ordering a new Carvin, but the immediate hit you take on value is something that concerns me.
I admit, I used to be one of those who questioned Carvin's electronics. That was until I actually put one through its paces on a gig. I don't have any problems with the electronics in mine. With versatility, you pay the price of not having a signature sound. That can be a good thing though. With the humbucker split to single coil, mine does a pretty darned good fretless jazz imitation.
I admit, I used to be one of those who questioned Carvin's electronics. That was until I actually put one through its paces on a gig. I don't have any problems with the electronics in mine. With versatility, you pay the price of not having a signature sound. That can be a good thing though. With the humbucker split to single coil, mine does a pretty darned good fretless jazz imitation.
Masher88
Believe in absurdities and you commit atrocities
I buy basses to play the one I bought...not to try to sell it later. Just because it's resale value is low doesn't mean it's not good and won't work for you...just means demand is low. All the more reason to find a used one and get a good deal!
Right now, cuz the economy is tanking...I'm seeing all kinds of good deals on really good instruments (Fenders, Laklands, EBMMs..). Doesn't mean the bass is bad...just means people need cash and are willing to let go of their babies for cheap!
Agreed...If you have a signature sound on a bass...you don't get a very versatile instrument. A "one trick pony", if you will. If you get a bass that mimics a few other basses with signature sounds, you don't get a bass that sounds distinctive.
-you can't have your cake and eat it too....mmm cake!
PS...I've had NO neck issues...even on my long scale neck. Ohio has crazy summer humidity and very dry winters.
I too have never had any neck problems on the six Carvins I've owned over the years in New York and here in Florida. All had rock solid necks. I rarely, and I mean rarely ever had to tweak the necks. Even on the 6-string I had here in Florida.
As far as comments about the sound and electronics, that is to subjective. Just because one person thinks they sound weak, doesn't mean they actually are. I've heard say Alembics sound crappy. I think they are out of their minds (I played an Alembic for 16 years). But again it is subjective.
As far as comments about the sound and electronics, that is to subjective. Just because one person thinks they sound weak, doesn't mean they actually are. I've heard say Alembics sound crappy. I think they are out of their minds (I played an Alembic for 16 years). But again it is subjective.
I have two Custom shop Carvins: a LB70 and an XB75. No issues over the years (12yrs and 5yrs respectively). As far as sound goes, the LB70 (Elixir equipped) has a deep nice sound (even though it is a JJ active) while the XB75 has nice growl. Nothing way too original here but with the plethora of choice for replacement pickups you cannot beat Carvin's value for money
i have 5 carvins. the necks are all stable. i have to adjust one of them seasonally, and the rest really dont need adjustment at all. the one i have to adjust is a one piece unfinished neck, and i suspect this is partly why. the rest are one piece but they have finish on them. the pickups are standard size and there are many options for drop in replacements if you're not happy.
Classic, your Carvin sounds great! I played a friends Carvin recently (an older 90s koa model) and was really impressed with the feel and sound. Lot of bass for the money!
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I have a walnut body 5 string bolt (kit) with the Musicman and single coil, active/passive, coil split setup. Lots of variety of tones. I will sometimes put it in passive mode using my Aguilar 924 outboard pre-amp instead of the built-in Carvin pre-amp just to compare . The tones are a bit different- the Aguilar being more smooth sounding off the bat. I can boost the bass knob on the Carvin and get similar results if I want. IMO the Carvin electronics seem to cut through more than the Aguilar, the Aguilar having a more smooth, fluffy sound- similar to my Fender Deluxe 5 string Jazz. On my bass, I actually prefer the sound of the Carvin electronics. I occasionally have to readjust my Carvin neck- no more-so than my Musicman Sterling- maybe once a year. The neck on my Carvin is quite comfortable for my hands and it just feels right when I play on it-no discomfort or adjusting of any kind. I also like the passive/active option which not only gives more variety to the available tones but the security of playing if the battery should go out.
I have played some Carvins (also at the store in San Diego) and also a 6 stringer at a Guitar Center which seem to lack any real bass feel- too upper mid rangy- so I kind of know what some people are saying, but mine doesn't have that type of tone. I haven't tried the newer 18 volt basses-either soapbar or MM/Single coil so can't comment on those.
I have played some Carvins (also at the store in San Diego) and also a 6 stringer at a Guitar Center which seem to lack any real bass feel- too upper mid rangy- so I kind of know what some people are saying, but mine doesn't have that type of tone. I haven't tried the newer 18 volt basses-either soapbar or MM/Single coil so can't comment on those.
I bought my BB75 on Ebay for the neck, fully expecting to chang out the electronics after all I had heard. When I got it, this was the very first thing I recorded (old Tony Levin/Gabriel song) straight into a Pandora to the PC. If this sounds anemic, I wanna stay sick! I prefer the phrase "kicks you in the teeth!"
http://www.box.net/shared/static/n1tt98nt6v.mp3
