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Carvin Basses?

#141
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[/IMG]I purchased a Carvin LB75AP in Feb '08'-that's their anniversay model w/piezo pu. It can get alot of different sounds. It's very touchy and I'm still working on getting a better tone with the low b. I play it through a Carvin SBR1018that's the BX1200 head w/the 4x10 cab and 1x18 cab. The bass is superbly built and much easier to play than the Lakland 55-01 I had before it. I like LB's string spacing. Here's some pics of it. I hope these come out since this is the first time I've ever uploaded pics to TB.
 
#148
Even though I have been getting away from my Carvins a bit, after owning four 2004 LB70's and an AC40, I feel obligated to chime in with my 2 cents.

Three out of my four LB70's had the 5-piece necks but even the one that didn't never had any issues. All have been very stable. Despite moving to Florida, I've never even made a neck adjustment to three of them. The one I did adjust (5-piece) didn't even really need it but I was doing a lot of experimenting at the time. As far as overall build quality, I always felt - and still do feel that it is top notch. They have built every order to my exact specs and I've never had a single issue with any of them.

As far as the electronics go, this is my take on it based on the Carvin basses I have owned, all with the bridge HB/neck J99 configuration. They don't sound bad at all and I've never had any sort of issue with the tone...unitl I purchased a Sadowsky and played it at one of my gigs. Anybody familiar with my past posts should know I'm not here to bash Carvin electronics OR praise the Sadowsky but the fact of the matter is I look at my Carvin's tone a lot differently now. Of all the basses I have ever played, only the Sadowsky was able to make me understand why a lot of people consider the Carvin pickups and/or preamp to be average at best. It doesn't matter how much I EQ one of my Carvins to sound like my Sadowsky, the difference is obvious and it's the tone I prefer now. That said, I think TheBigO has a KILLER sound with his B4 on the Dani California cover. I think he works his Carvin preamp much better than I do.

In conclusion, I would encourage anybody who is considering a Carvin to go for it. I still can't find a bass I like better for the cash I paid for them. I also like them better than a lot of basses that cost much more.
 
#150
vinxbass said:
100_1924.jpg
I purchased a Carvin LB75AP in Feb '08'-that's their anniversay model w/piezo pu. It can get alot of different sounds. It's very touchy and I'm still working on getting a better tone with the low b. I play it through a Carvin SBR1018that's the BX1200 head w/the 4x10 cab and 1x18 cab. The bass is superbly built and much easier to play than the Lakland 55-01 I had before it. I like LB's string spacing. Here's some pics of it. I hope these come out since this is the first time I've ever uploaded pics to TB.
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Mmmm.... Quilted maple top with gloss finish, birdseye maple fretboard w/abalone dots, gold hardware...

Beautiful. Just beautiful... :cool:

MM
 
#151
Snarf said:
floppy necks

Get a Mexican Fender and put a Warmoth neck on it. You'll have a better bass.
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YARP!

My first bass was an old Carvin 4-banger - it was way cool and sounded great (passive). I sold it to buy a fretless, but, as usual, I wish I woulda kept it!

I also have had the chance to play through a couple of different Carvin combo amps. One was the one that you can run a bass, a guitar and a mike through - way cool, it sounded just fine. The other was a small combo and it really was loud!

Shalom!
 
#156
John Wentzien said:
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.
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Guys that have Fodera Monarch's, say that they have to adjust their necks too and that their necks are also sensitive.
And u would think that for a Fodera cost u HAVE to get a perfect instrument.
 
#157
Commreman said:
I think that Carvin basses represent a real good "bang for the buck".I will agree that the necks are sensitive to weather changes, but nonetheless, their necks just feel great. The basses are light and balance well. They record very well. I've said it before - Carvin basses will score you zero points with gear snobs, but they are well built, can work in just about any style of music, and are a screaming bargain at the prices you can get them for. If they work for you, who gives a rats rear end what anyone else thinks?
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+1000....... I own a LB70 and love the tone I get .Hope to get a Icon 4 some day.
 
#160
ClassicJazz said:
Don't stand out!! I'd put my Elite up against any of the basses you mentioned. Mine has a fat/punchy/full sound that cuts through anything. I've played Carvins for years and never had an issue with the sound or electronics. Once you get the setting tweaked on the bass and your amp, these basses are killer!

Check out this recording I did 7 years ago or so using a Carvin B5 fretless (with the older preamp). Hold On

This is my current Carvin, and as I said it sounding killer.....and looks good too!
elite1.jpg
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Whats the name of that model?
 

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