• 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 LB20 vs SR ibanez

T

toolapcblack

Guest
Mar 29, 2016
6
0
56
#1
Im a UK player so its very hard to get my hands on a Carvin but ive always fancied one. Anyway one has come up a good distance from me which i quite like the look of its a LB20 for $500(£350) i could buy this or order a SR Ibanez online I like the look of all of them from the 300 up. Any Comparisons would be gratefully received i particularly like the SR700, 1200 or 1600 but have heard amazing things about the Carvins
(this one is ten years old and was a former magazine review item)

thanks
jm
 
Last edited:
#4
great many thanks
this one has a bolt on neck(see pics) its either this or a Ibanez SR700 for slightly cheaper
 

Attachments

  • $_57 (1).JPG
    $_57 (1).JPG
    172 KB · Views: 135
  • $_57.JPG
    $_57.JPG
    181.3 KB · Views: 134
#7
I have a 2006 LB-20; 3-ply maple neck-through, with maple body wings, and Carvin's HB-50 pickups. Black hardware, and finished in something very similar to the Pearl White on a Lexus (which Carvin no longer offers). Mine also has an "Option 50" (Carvin-speak for an unlisted, customer ordered option) switch that splits both pickups. Long story why, and not relevant here. It's a beautifully made instrument, that feels and plays as good as it looks. I like it a lot, and have never had a problem with it; although, since it's currently strung BEAD with heavy tapewounds, it doesn't get played as much as it should. Another irrelevant story... As for Ibanez SRs, I don't have any experience with them - mainly because most of them aren't available as a lefty, and I'm not a fan of active basses, anyway. However, I would say that the big difference between them is that the LB-20 is really a custom bass, while the SR is not; and for the same money, you have to go pretty far up the SR food chain to get the equivalent of well-optioned LB-20. The one real drawback to a Carvin (for way too many people, IMO) is poor resale value. Personally, I don't buy things based on how much I can resell it for. But, that seems to be the Alpha & Omega for lots of folks around here; so I figured I'd mention it before they did...:whistle: Low resale value is a sad fact, though; I got my Carvin in 2010 - apparently unplayed, in fact - off eBay for about $350. According to the build sheet that was still in the case, it cost the guy who ordered it around $1600. And I was the only bidder; go figure...
So, my advice would be; if you really like the looks of the Carvin; you're reasonably sure it's not been abused and will be a playable bass; and you're comfortable with "no resale value"; to just buy the thing, and play the snot out of it...:thumbsup:
 
#8
I do not think the bass in the picture is a B4. The B4 has rounded horns. Those are pointy. It looks like an LB-20 to me. But that does have a bolt on neck. Mmmmm. I've had both an LB-20 and an Ibanez SR700. Both are excellent basses but I liked the Carvin better. Whatever that bass is I like it.
 
Last edited:
#9
pica said:
I do not think the bass in the picture is a B4. The B4 has rounded horns. Those are pointy. It looks like an LB-20 to me. But that does have a bolt on neck. Mmmmm. I've had both an LB-20 and an Ibanez SR700. Both are excellent basses but I liked the Carvin better. Whatever that bass is I like it.
Click to expand...

Most carvin bases have been offered with rounded and un-rounded horns That's a B4, the predecessor to the B40 that was recently discontinued. It was also offered in kit form (the B40 still is), but this looks like a factory bass.

The B4 is a fine bass and very well-made. Except for the pointy headstock (not my favorite) I'd take it over the Ibanez, but I'm partial to Carvin and USA made basses where possible.

For comparisons:
-Here's a newly produced Carvin B40 on closeout from the factory.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Virtually the same bass with a few cosmetic differences and no fancy wood. It's on sale for $850 after mandatory case and shipping, though it would probably be even more expensive to ship overseas.
-The nearest current production Carvin, the JB version is similar but with a different shape, and the Jazz style plate and guard, has a base price of over $900.
-I don't have my old catalogs anymore, but as equipped, the bass you're looking at probably sold new for around $8-950
-If you wanted bought the B40 kit from Carvin today the price would be $450 before shipping.

If you like the Carvin, I'd go for it. Carvin's take a hit on resale and $500 is maybe just a touch high for a used one here in the states, but you're not likely to find one at that price and condition in the UK very often and it'd probably cost you a good deal more to import a similar Carvin from the USA.
 
Last edited:
#10
so got he Carvin what a bass just awesome
had to clean her put some new EXL170s on and set it up correctly(truss rod was way too tight) but now she a joy to be hold
thanks to all that helped me see the light
 
#12
I bought an LB20 in 2000. Solid natural mahogany, beautifully made. I used it for recording for the next couple of years. Once I started performing with it I discovered it was the wrong shape for me. If my left hand was where I wanted it, my right hand was too far the other direction, and vice versa. I found I never used the notes above the 12th fret, so all those frets were wasted. It was uncomfortable to play, but other people seem to get along fine with the Carvin shape (this is not a knock on Carvin: I have an SH550B guitar I love, and run my sound through a Carvin mixer). The ergonomics of the Ibanez may be similar. Anyway, I now happily play a 20-fret Precision.:D

CarvinLB20-1.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back