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Carvin compares to...?

Shlogo

Shlogo

Dec 16, 2011
200
0
Chicago, Illinois
#1
Since I'm thinking it will be unlikely that I will find a Carvin SB5000 at my GC, what brand would you compare them too?
I'm sure there is nothing that is exact, but anything close would do.
Looking for comparisons in feel and sound.
I like how you can customize your bass, so I was interested.

Thanks!
 
#2
I wouldnt compare any thing at Guitar Center to Carvins, however the closest i would get to a store bought brand would probably be G&L. Or maybe a high end Musicman. G&Ls for sure though, they all list for around the same price and G&Ls are also custom. Try to play a G&L USA model as the tributes are all constructed over seas and just arent quite as good.
 
#8
Shlogo said:
I was thinking Fender would be the answer
Click to expand...

I think that's fair, although I believe Carvin has better quality control. They're very consistent basses. The SB series are designed to fit in the niche of a Fender-type (Sekou used a 70s era Ash/Maple/Maple J Bass until he signed with Carvin).
 
#10
Roy Vogt said:
IMO the SB5000 compares favorably to a lot of bolt-on Made in USA Fender-type boutiques as well as the Sadowsky and KSD import lines. They are great basses!
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+1

Playability and Tone are everything to me (like most I'm sure).
The Carvins are A+ here.

Also the fit & finish on the SB series basses are as good as it gets with any of the boutiques. IMHO.

I will tell you this...I modify all my basses (Modulus & SBMMs) the only basses I have kept stock are my Carvin SB basses.

I would rather play the Carvin the Sadowsky (Yes I did say that) these things are the best kept secret in the bass playing world at this time.
 
#12
The basses I feel somewhat compare to the Carvins in their price ranges are MM, Lakland, G+L, and some MIA Fenders. There’s some higher-end Yamaha’s, Ibanez and Cort basses that are real nice also but, not quite Carvin. Especially when factoring in Made in USA, which matters a lot to some people but not so much to others.
The B40 bass by Carvin is often overlooked since the SB4000 took the world by storm. It’s very similar to the SB4000 (pickups, hardware) save the body style (more traditional). For the price of a Geddy Lee jazz, you can get a customized version of the B40.
 
#13
svt1233 said:
The SB5000's I tried felt and sounded like my yahama. I didn't like it, the feel of the neck felt cheap in a satin finish and the tone is really dull. Not at all like my fender USA jazz
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People like satin finishes because they don’t grip your hand. Geddy Lee himself has the necks sanded down before he applies them to his bass. Personal preference I guess. Not sure about the dull-sounding part. Not from my experience. Maybe the strings were dead.
 
#14
As a guy who travels from music store to music store trying to find something comparable to my SB5000, I can tell you that nothing Fender in GC compares. NYC Sadowsky, Mike Lull, etc., that's when you can start drawing comparisons.

I literally went to three guitar centers in one day trying to find a Fender that was comparable, nada. I've also played several Sadowsky (Japanese) Metros and they are not quite on par, imo. You have to get into a higher end of the American built boutique Jazz basses to compare with an SB5000.
 
#16
svt1233 said:
The SB5000's I tried felt and sounded like my yahama. I didn't like it, the feel of the neck felt cheap in a satin finish and the tone is really dull. Not at all like my fender USA jazz
Click to expand...
Are you sure that was a SB5000? The bodies don't come in satin finish unless special ordered. Are you saying that the tung oiled necks felt cheap? And dull sounding compared to a Fender Jazz? Hehe, I think you were playing the wrong bass.
 
#17
I spent some time with Grateful's SB5000 (he's a gracious man), and the tone and feel were superb. The neck was thin, but not flattened or uncomfortable in any way - a nice thin oval shape. And the TONE! Active 70's jazz goodness. Personally I don't favor the aesthetics much, but if I can get a Brunel that plays and sounds like that, I'll be one happy bassist!
 
#19
You guys are smoking that wacky tobacky.
Carvins have always had nice fit and finish.
Their pickups/preamps are kind of ho hum though.
For that reason I woudlnt put them above Musicman or G&L, which is pretty much equal in fit and finish. Nor would I put them anywhere close to a Sadowsky.
It's not like anyone is copying Carvin model features (like has been going on for a while with Musicman and Fender) or buying their pre/pickups for upgrading a stock model as folks do with Sadowsky.

I'd say they are great on the used market because they don't hold value well. A negative for folks that buy them new, but a plus for folks that find them used!
The other good thing about Carvin is that they have ebony fretboards ona lot of their line. It's not a BFR type of thing like with Musicman.
 
#20
Calaverasgrande said:
You guys are smoking that wacky tobacky.
Carvins have always had nice fit and finish.
Their pickups/preamps are kind of ho hum though.
For that reason I woudlnt put them above Musicman or G&L, which is pretty much equal in fit and finish. Nor would I put them anywhere close to a Sadowsky.
It's not like anyone is copying Carvin model features (like has been going on for a while with Musicman and Fender) or buying their pre/pickups for upgrading a stock model as folks do with Sadowsky.

I'd say they are great on the used market because they don't hold value well. A negative for folks that buy them new, but a plus for folks that find them used!
The other good thing about Carvin is that they have ebony fretboards ona lot of their line. It's not a BFR type of thing like with Musicman.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you haven't tried the newer Carvins.
 

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