Carvin Basses

[vrussell]

Iwas gonna get a fender american stardard Jazz V5, but a couple of my bass buddies were saying that you could have your own custome CARVIN bass for about the same price. Now i have never played one but seen a couple of videos and they sound pretty good. so my question is has anyone ever played a CARVIN and how does it compare to the fender V 5???

 

[vrussell]

by the way i was looking at the "CARVIN SB5000 Bolt-Neck 5-String Active BASS" If that helps?

 

[pica]

I've never played one but most of the people who have a Carvin seem to love them. I think you'll find lots of Carvin love here. I think your friends are right. Check out the Carvin SB5000 thread.

 

[merejo_Herm]

Iwas gonna get a fender american stardard Jazz V5, but a couple of my bass buddies were saying that you could have your own custome CARVIN bass for about the same price. Now i have never played one but seen a couple of videos and they sound pretty good. so my question is has anyone ever played a CARVIN and how does it compare to the fender V 5???

Not only Carvin Basses look good,They sound even Better.
Don't get me wrong,I still use my Fenders, but Carvin Basses Gives me that edge that distinguishes my sound from the rest.

 

[Quackhead]

I've owned both Fenders and Carvins. Carvin is a much better value for your money. Plus you can always return it if you're not happy.

 

[Testing123]

Click on this link: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=11186343

That should get ya started.

Have fun!

 

[Phalex]

Carvins have the nicest necks...... I really love the feel of them.

 

[southpaw420]

Go the SB5000 route. They are sweet, mine has been my main for almost two years. I've used it with several different bands ranging from rock, r&b, funk, and hip hop, even some silly techno stuff. Sounds great in the studio, live, as well as just farting around on my practice amp. For the price, you cant lose. Not to mention the 10 day trial period.

 

[B String]

The new Brian Bromberg basses are looking like one of the best deals anywhere. Using the same Carvin "Jazz" pickups as the SB basses, but the form and function are much more "boutique", like Fodera, Elrick, etc. Once you get use to radiused pickups, you get spoiled.

I think you could be very happy with either the SB or Bromberg series Carvin basses if you aren't hung up on having to play a Fender. Excellent basses for the money.

 

[TerribleLiar23]

I've never played one of their basses, but my dad had a guitar built last year. Completely custom built to his specs for under 2K....and sounds killer.

 

[Jayhawk]

Carvin makes a great product and, for the money, you can't beat them. The SB5000 has tons of love on TB, but don't write off the B50. Mine has the same electronics, neck and hardware as the SB5000, but I prefer the P style body.

 

[Vic]

Iwas gonna get a fender american stardard Jazz V5, but a couple of my bass buddies were saying that you could have your own custome CARVIN bass for about the same price. Now i have never played one but seen a couple of videos and they sound pretty good. so my question is has anyone ever played a CARVIN and how does it compare to the fender V 5???

I've generally been pretty positive towards Fender USA basses especially once they got their QC issues from the 90's worked out, BUT, I'm happier with my Carvin SB5000 than I've ever been with a Fender, and it's true you can get a custom config for less than you'd pay for a USA Fender. I'd vote SB5000 on this one. Just keep in mind it's strongly oriented towards the 70's J tone, which is a little different than today's Fender J's. Gonna' be a bit more aggressive.

FWIW.

 

[Lackey]

SB5000 all the way. I love a good jazz bass, but I've never played a fender of comparable price that was as sweet as the SB series. IMO don't even look at the Brian Bromberg if you're interested in a jazz style bass, go SB.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I have a Carvin Guitar. A TL60. it is incredible. The neck is perfect. I had a 6 string bass ( LB76) It was awesome too. The neck was perfect. I had to sell it to make my mortgage a few months ago. Sucks.

 

[Dave Siff]

has anyone ever played a CARVIN and how does it compare to the fender V 5???

Apples and oranges. They're both great basses, but the feel and vibe is completely different. I have a fretless SB5000 and a Fender Am. Std. Precision 5, and I've played the Fender Jazz 5. The Fender has a classic, broken-in feel and that unmistakable tone. Mine is sunburst/tort/rosewood which gives it even more of a classic vibe. It's just a great instrument. The Carvin feels and sounds more "modern," even with half-round strings. The preamp is great, and I'm usually not a fan of active basses.
I'd say get one of each. But because the Carvin does a great J-bass impression, get a P-bass instead of a J.

 

[BobWestbrook]

The new Brian Bromberg basses are looking like one of the best deals anywhere.

Yup! Here's mine, it's a killer bass. I've also owned an SB5000, and they are fantastic as well.


Link Removed

 

[shaboda]

guys---quick question: On the sb5000's..... J99's or the 50A's??

 

[chucko58]

I've got mixed feelings about Carvin, based on owning several of their basses. They do great woodwork and the finishes are superb. Playability is a personal matter, and I find some of the models work well for me (B-series bolt-ons and Bunny Brunels) and some don't (LB, Icon). The electronics are decent (not terrible, not great, but certainly adequate).

I don't care for their pickups. So to answer your pickup question... Wilde by Bill Lawrence J-45L would be my choice.

 

[Mystic Michael]

so my question is has anyone ever played a CARVIN and how does it compare to the fender V 5???

Nope. Nobody has ever played a Carvin. Sorry. Can't help ya...

MM

 

[Munjibunga]

Carvin builds great basses. The fit and finish have always been great, and the electronics have improved substatially over the years. I used to live a couple miles from the factory, and spent a lot of Saturday afternoons checking out their basses.