Agreed completely, and thanks!
We definitely learned some lessons on this one too... things we'd definitely do differently, but we'll save those for a hopeful next iteration later this year.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Carvin Basses
- Thread starter vrussell
- Start date
We definitely learned some lessons on this one too... things we'd definitely do differently, but we'll save those for a hopeful next iteration later this year.
I know..done it twice...
Bumping this. I've been trying to find the string spacing at the bridge across all Carvin 5 string models. Anyone happen to have this info?
I'm the guy that had two bad necks on a B-4 about ten years ago. Thinking about giving Carvin another look, this time in a neck-thru multilaminate. Judging by audio clips out there now, the electronics have improved dramatically. Looking to get a jazz bass sound, but with a thin neck and tight spacing, as the nerves in my arm down into my hand are giving me trouble again.
Also, which models have thin necks?
I'm the guy that had two bad necks on a B-4 about ten years ago. Thinking about giving Carvin another look, this time in a neck-thru multilaminate. Judging by audio clips out there now, the electronics have improved dramatically. Looking to get a jazz bass sound, but with a thin neck and tight spacing, as the nerves in my arm down into my hand are giving me trouble again.
Also, which models have thin necks?
B50's, SB5000's, B25's and Asymmetrical Wide necks are 19mm
Everything else (including B5's, LB's, XB's) is 17mm. Though the LB's can be ordered with the wide neck (I believe).
SB5000/B50s' share the same, thin, delicious neck. B25's feel a hair wider on the width, but the the depth is shallow as well.
The tighter-spced ones seem to have a little deeper necks.
Everything else (including B5's, LB's, XB's) is 17mm. Though the LB's can be ordered with the wide neck (I believe).
SB5000/B50s' share the same, thin, delicious neck. B25's feel a hair wider on the width, but the the depth is shallow as well.
The tighter-spced ones seem to have a little deeper necks.
As much as I loved my MIM Jazz, it was retired the day my SB4K showed up. I have never been happier with my tone as I am right now. My gas was gone when this bass showed up. And while it's cool to check out other basses, I have no NEED. I feel like I have MY bass.
I played a Carvin 5 string fretless at Guitar Center the other day. It was one of the most amazing instruments I've ever experienced in my hands.
Sorry, I can never write a short post 
I am a proud owner of a 2010 LB76 6-string with dual MM style humbuckers which combined with Carvins active/passive EQ I can clone just about any sound you could want. Also the neck has never bowed or gone goofy on me.
Both the SB's and B series basses offer a vintage vibe, while the Bromberg is definitely a modern bass. The good part is that even though the SB and B series are Carvin's take on "old school" basses, they include some very modern options if you so choose. They can be wired up like a classic J or they can include several different active circuits with bass/treble, or even bass/treble and mid sweep. YOU get to pick the set up unlike dealing with Fender without spending a crap ton of money or being a famous bass hero.
Another option is that you can also order a B50 kit! These are the exact same components as the factory built ones and you can even pick some options such as body woods, Carvin pickups, and inlays, but by doing the finishing work and assembly yourself you can save $100's of dollars for a bit of elbow grease. Just an option.
As much as I do like Fenders (Steve Harris was my first bass hero) I think that you do get way more bang for your buck with Carvin. Plus you can get your bass in some color other than Olympic White, black, or 3-tone Sunburst.
Check out the videos of Sekou bunch playing his SB4000 basses. This is what Carvin basses sound like. Super clean and articulate and muddy only if you want it to be.
I hope this helps the OP in someway.
I am a proud owner of a 2010 LB76 6-string with dual MM style humbuckers which combined with Carvins active/passive EQ I can clone just about any sound you could want. Also the neck has never bowed or gone goofy on me.
Both the SB's and B series basses offer a vintage vibe, while the Bromberg is definitely a modern bass. The good part is that even though the SB and B series are Carvin's take on "old school" basses, they include some very modern options if you so choose. They can be wired up like a classic J or they can include several different active circuits with bass/treble, or even bass/treble and mid sweep. YOU get to pick the set up unlike dealing with Fender without spending a crap ton of money or being a famous bass hero.
Another option is that you can also order a B50 kit! These are the exact same components as the factory built ones and you can even pick some options such as body woods, Carvin pickups, and inlays, but by doing the finishing work and assembly yourself you can save $100's of dollars for a bit of elbow grease. Just an option.
As much as I do like Fenders (Steve Harris was my first bass hero) I think that you do get way more bang for your buck with Carvin. Plus you can get your bass in some color other than Olympic White, black, or 3-tone Sunburst.
Check out the videos of Sekou bunch playing his SB4000 basses. This is what Carvin basses sound like. Super clean and articulate and muddy only if you want it to be.
I hope this helps the OP in someway.
LB is the one I'd be most interested in. How much deeper are those tight necks? Frame of reference: a Fender MIA 5 jazz is uncomfortably thick. My Lakland JO5 is a more manageable neck, but still too thick, especially with the 35 scale. I need something really noticeably thinner from fingerboard to back of the neck.
Beautiful collection! Apparently, you like the SBs.
The one on the far left is gorgeous. That Icon looks slick too. Nice choices on the options.
I have a SB4000 and it's very cool.
However, I very much dislike Carvin headstocks, even on the SB4000 and even more so, I dislike the boxy, inelegant, outdated, never-cool Carvin logo.
However, I very much dislike Carvin headstocks, even on the SB4000 and even more so, I dislike the boxy, inelegant, outdated, never-cool Carvin logo.
There are several headstocks to choose from, you are not limited to one. Now, if you dislike all 6 or 7 that are offered, you are out of luck, I guess.
Beautiful collection! Apparently, you like the SBs.
The one on the far left is gorgeous. That Icon looks slick too. Nice choices on the options.
Thanks - but I have replaced the two on the left. The SB5000 was replaced with a Bromberg B25S and the walnut SB4000 was sold to purchase an AC40F fretless.
A bit more variety in the line up now.
The honeymoon is over with my SB5000 and I am still madly in love. Awesome bass,at any price. The neck and action are so good. Better than any bass I have owned and most that I have played. I can get a lot of great sounds with it,my Mesa Walkabout scout and my VT pedal.
Honestly, you're comparing two pretty different styles of instruments. A lof of basses out there can nail Precision and Jazz sounds, but there aren't any guitars out there that really feel and sound just like either of those instruments. They are classics, the golden standards of the bass world, and are beasts totally unto their own. Now, that being said, being able to closely approximate those sounds is all you will ever need, as there's nothing wrong with an instrument that has its own sound elements, and that brings our a slightly different shade of whatever your playing style is. The ultimate answer is of course always "whatever sounds and feels better to you", but given that no standard retail outlets carry Carvin instruments, this is one of the rare cases when that answer just doesn't apply.
From what I've heard (both from opinions and from playing), Carins DO nail Jazz and Precision tones, but more importantly they're great sounding instruments and with all the controls they have, the've gotta be some of the more versatile basses out there, tonally. Fenders seem to polarise people a bit these days, with manypeople swearing by them and many others also swearing at the mention of their name. Carvin's mightn't be a "standard", but considering that they are essentially custom-built instruments (predominantly received new by order only), their value is phenomenal. I'm in Australia, so the prices are different here, but less than two grand for a bass built to custom specs is very impresssive. I'm guessing they can afford to do that because they'd have very minimal retail expenses. Small retail presence means small brand publicity, but hell, it's worth it if you can develop a good reputation just through your customer base. We're talking about bass guitars here anyway, not cars or TVs.
Anyway. I've heard, above anything else, that Carvin necks are just some of the best out there, striking the perfect balance between slimness (read "fast") and ridigity (read "meatyness"), which is great IMO because I'm not a fan of ultra-slim Ibanez-style necks. The body designs aren't my favourite, but they're quite unique which is cool, but the older electronics' sound seems to be debatably laudable, but the new ones seem to be unanimously well-received. So all round they just look like great instruments, with very valid entries in the extended range market, and for the price they're just great. Fender's great, but make no mistake, you're paying a premium (no matter where it's made) for that decal on the headstock, a practice I have no respect for.
From what I've heard (both from opinions and from playing), Carins DO nail Jazz and Precision tones, but more importantly they're great sounding instruments and with all the controls they have, the've gotta be some of the more versatile basses out there, tonally. Fenders seem to polarise people a bit these days, with manypeople swearing by them and many others also swearing at the mention of their name. Carvin's mightn't be a "standard", but considering that they are essentially custom-built instruments (predominantly received new by order only), their value is phenomenal. I'm in Australia, so the prices are different here, but less than two grand for a bass built to custom specs is very impresssive. I'm guessing they can afford to do that because they'd have very minimal retail expenses. Small retail presence means small brand publicity, but hell, it's worth it if you can develop a good reputation just through your customer base. We're talking about bass guitars here anyway, not cars or TVs.
Anyway. I've heard, above anything else, that Carvin necks are just some of the best out there, striking the perfect balance between slimness (read "fast") and ridigity (read "meatyness"), which is great IMO because I'm not a fan of ultra-slim Ibanez-style necks. The body designs aren't my favourite, but they're quite unique which is cool, but the older electronics' sound seems to be debatably laudable, but the new ones seem to be unanimously well-received. So all round they just look like great instruments, with very valid entries in the extended range market, and for the price they're just great. Fender's great, but make no mistake, you're paying a premium (no matter where it's made) for that decal on the headstock, a practice I have no respect for.
Oh, Carvin people. I have a question. If I order the BK50A kit, how come I have to pay the $90 for the all-maple neck? Isn't that standard? And if I choose to make the finish black, do they do that at the factory or do I have to make it black (it's one of the options in the builder)? Also, what are the stacked humbuckers versus the other ones? Yes, I looked in the pickup guide and couldn't find the difference. Oh, do you think it'd be possible to put like..a Sadowsky pre in the Carvin if I don't like the stock pre?
The $90 is for a 5 piece maple neck instead of a one-piece maple neck. The one piece is standard. If you choose a color option they do it at the factory. The difference between the stacked humbuckers and "the other ones" is that "the other ones" are single coils not humbuckers. And a sadowsky preamp would fit fine. The carvin preamp is pretty good though.
I LOVE my BB75, love everything about it bone stock. And I LOVE the headstock as well I will admit though that if I were buying an SB or an Icon I would get the BB75's headstock on those too. I think the only Carvin i would get and keep the default headstock on would be the Bromberg.
I will admit though that if I were buying an SB or an Icon I would get the BB75's headstock on those too. I think the only Carvin i would get and keep the default headstock on would be the Bromberg.
