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 LB70 - who has one?
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I have a 2012 LB76, and I honestly love it. I have only had it for about 4 months now and I am still enjoying it more and more everyday.
The only downside, and I say it is a downside because it is the only thing that isn't stellar are the pickups. The electronics job is fantastic and the pickups are good, but that don't have that tone that stands out in a crowd, it is pretty bland. The hipshot piezo bridge is killer though, tons of thump and singing highs. I have the Brian Bromberg Radius Humbuckers, they sound pretty good both passive and active and can definitely be heard in a mix.
The rest of the bass is absolutely killer, the B string is just as tight and responsive as the other strings. The first thing I did was pluck an open B when it got to me, as it was a deciding factor in my new bass, the B string delivered. I had a grin from ear to ear. Although as it is 34" scale the B does get some overtones in the second octave, but who plays the B string there.
I got a painted neck which I usually find sticky and slow, the Carvin plays just as it should, very fast. The whole build quality of the bass is amazing, the fretwork is world class.
I honestly could go on for a while, I am very satisfied with my purchase, would highly recommend it.
The only downside, and I say it is a downside because it is the only thing that isn't stellar are the pickups. The electronics job is fantastic and the pickups are good, but that don't have that tone that stands out in a crowd, it is pretty bland. The hipshot piezo bridge is killer though, tons of thump and singing highs. I have the Brian Bromberg Radius Humbuckers, they sound pretty good both passive and active and can definitely be heard in a mix.
The rest of the bass is absolutely killer, the B string is just as tight and responsive as the other strings. The first thing I did was pluck an open B when it got to me, as it was a deciding factor in my new bass, the B string delivered. I had a grin from ear to ear. Although as it is 34" scale the B does get some overtones in the second octave, but who plays the B string there.
I got a painted neck which I usually find sticky and slow, the Carvin plays just as it should, very fast. The whole build quality of the bass is amazing, the fretwork is world class.
I honestly could go on for a while, I am very satisfied with my purchase, would highly recommend it.
I have a LB75 fretless that I bought new in (I think) 1992. Maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Koa body.
This bass (and I own a Modulus Q5, SX Jazz and Douglas Violin) is the only one that gets attention from anyone in the big band that I play in. Horn players turn around and look at the bass.
In a fit of insanity I had the pickups routed out and put in a pair of EMG DCs and a BQC tone control. Horn players stopped turning around. I put the original pickups back in under soapbar shells with the original electronics and horn players started turning around again.
The neck is very comfortable to play so I don't mind using it as the main bass in the big band (thank goodness I ordered the lined neck!) I coated the fingerboard with TruOil and that really brings out the fretless growl.
Rick B.
This bass (and I own a Modulus Q5, SX Jazz and Douglas Violin) is the only one that gets attention from anyone in the big band that I play in. Horn players turn around and look at the bass.
In a fit of insanity I had the pickups routed out and put in a pair of EMG DCs and a BQC tone control. Horn players stopped turning around. I put the original pickups back in under soapbar shells with the original electronics and horn players started turning around again.
The neck is very comfortable to play so I don't mind using it as the main bass in the big band (thank goodness I ordered the lined neck!) I coated the fingerboard with TruOil and that really brings out the fretless growl.
Rick B.
Don't be afraid to turn up the gain pot on the board a bit if it ain't got enough guts for ya.
They've been known to come alive with a quarter turn or there abouts.
They've been known to come alive with a quarter turn or there abouts.
I had an LB76 for a while when I was into the 6 string thing. Great quality. Flawless fit and finish. I had the oil finish neck and it felt great. My onboard pre went out on me. One phone call to Carvin and they not only fixed it, they sent the new board to the nearest tech to me and paid them to do it and paid me to ship it back and forth. Customer service is outstanding (or was when I was dealing with them anyway).
As for the gain pot, I used the bass in passive as well as active so I tried to set that pot at a level that was dead even with passive so I wasn't a sound guy's nightmare. But it's a handy feature. And if you use it mainly in active, yes it can liven the bass up a bit.
The only downside is that resale value is terrible. But if you love it, that won't matter. Just keep it.
As for the gain pot, I used the bass in passive as well as active so I tried to set that pot at a level that was dead even with passive so I wasn't a sound guy's nightmare. But it's a handy feature. And if you use it mainly in active, yes it can liven the bass up a bit.
The only downside is that resale value is terrible. But if you love it, that won't matter. Just keep it.
Per the sig, I have a LB75AP. The "Anniversary" aesthetic is not my favorite but I got it for a really good price (it had been returned on the 10-day money back, I think). Anyway, it has the J99a single coils, a piezo bridge and 3 band active electronics (with a passive switch). It is pretty versatile and the fit and finish is great (as far as I am concerned). I do not have any recordings (other than in situ) but may try to get some made (there seem to be a lot of curios folks out there).
All this said, I am thinking of switching the pickups to the H50a humbuckers from Carvin - not because of noise but because I think I would just like to try out a warmer pickup as maybe a closer "match" to the piezo. I do like the J99a's, though, and can say that a solo'ed bridge is what "worked" for me the most in the crazy acoustic (read: muddy) environments that I have played.
All this said, I am thinking of switching the pickups to the H50a humbuckers from Carvin - not because of noise but because I think I would just like to try out a warmer pickup as maybe a closer "match" to the piezo. I do like the J99a's, though, and can say that a solo'ed bridge is what "worked" for me the most in the crazy acoustic (read: muddy) environments that I have played.
i have a '94 and '11 LB70.
never played anything better.
the 94 is active and completely stock. the 11 is passive and i replaced the pickups because i mistakenly ordered low-output pickups. both have tung-oil finished necks which are a dream. the 11 had one side fret marker slighly misaligned.
i would order another one in a heartbeat. they are amazing.
never played anything better.
the 94 is active and completely stock. the 11 is passive and i replaced the pickups because i mistakenly ordered low-output pickups. both have tung-oil finished necks which are a dream. the 11 had one side fret marker slighly misaligned.
i would order another one in a heartbeat. they are amazing.
I have an LB20 - the passive version of the LB70. Walnut, top quality craftsmanship. Our sound man says it is my best sounding basses tone wise. I have six other basses including Fender American P bass, Gibson T-bird, Warwick Corvette. The only downside to the Carvin is low resale or trade-in value. However, if you keep it forever that's not a problem.
I really like the LB series. You can order what you want from their list of options and if you don't like it, send it back! I have owned 5 or 6 Carvins over the years and every one was very well built and sounded good. My favorite pickup setup is with the MM style pickup in the bridge and a H50a in the neck. Super fat and tight. That MM pickup really changed the tone for me.
I used to own the Carvin LB70WP, w/ the 18V active 3 band and Piezo bridge. It was one of the most versatile basses I've ever heard! Almost any sound could be had between the Jazz pup in the neck position, MM style in the bridge, and the Piezo bridge.
To go along with the amazing sound, the construction and finish were beautiful!
To go along with the amazing sound, the construction and finish were beautiful!
Great basses....just didn't dig their preamps. For me, not a big issue since I just replaced them with Aggies.
But the Brian Bromberg basses....off the hook. Best preamp Carvin has to offer. I wonder if you can order a LB with that preamp?
But the Brian Bromberg basses....off the hook. Best preamp Carvin has to offer. I wonder if you can order a LB with that preamp?
Are you looking to order an LB70 or are you shopping one on Craigslist?
In either case LB70's are solid instruments and depending on your pickup choices you can get some amazing versatility out of them. Of note is that all of the neck through models use the same necks on the 4 strings. So whether you get an LB70, an Icon 4, Bunny Brunel, or Brian Bromberg, the necks feel the same.
Here is a link to their neck blanks and this shows their neck dimensions in case you're interested.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Also check out the Carvin Channel (their company YouTube) for some bass vids http://carvinchannel.com/
I own an LB76 and live close enough to the factory to have tried out all of Carvins products and the LB70 is a pretty sweet bass. I hope this helps
In either case LB70's are solid instruments and depending on your pickup choices you can get some amazing versatility out of them. Of note is that all of the neck through models use the same necks on the 4 strings. So whether you get an LB70, an Icon 4, Bunny Brunel, or Brian Bromberg, the necks feel the same.
Here is a link to their neck blanks and this shows their neck dimensions in case you're interested.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Also check out the Carvin Channel (their company YouTube) for some bass vids http://carvinchannel.com/
I own an LB76 and live close enough to the factory to have tried out all of Carvins products and the LB70 is a pretty sweet bass. I hope this helps
I was shopping one on CL. My local CL has like 4 of them for sale which really surprised me. But I got to thinking, if I'm going to get a Carvin, I want to order it the way I want it.
This is definitely the way to go. As someone who's owned a fair number of Carvins over the years, I have to weigh in and say that the Icon basses are everything the LB's are and more. Better balanced, all the same great customization options, and a little lighter to boot. Of course, none of that means anything if you don't like the way they look, I suppose. Thinking about it now, I'm not sure they're available with all of Carvin's pick-up offerings, but the soapbars are much better to my ear than most of Carvin's current p'up line-up (the H50 stacked humbuckers do give them a real run for their money though). Whichever model you end up with though, the neck will be fantastic (their six string necks are really beefy, but that doesn't seem like something you're concerned with).
not true, the BB necks are asymetric and wider than the LB 70 as per bunny's specs. you can however, order the BB body sides with the regular neck inbetween if you like. by the way, i have 3 lb 70. one is a 6 string, and two 4 strings. one is totally passive with single coil pickups. i think that is the best sounding one. i had the stacked humbuckers on one bass and replaced them with dimarzio model J. that was an improvement. they all play as well as the hand made nordstrand that i have (one made by carrey himself before they were just into mass producing jazz bass copies)
Are you looking to order an LB70 or are you shopping one on Craigslist?
In either case LB70's are solid instruments and depending on your pickup choices you can get some amazing versatility out of them. Of note is that all of the neck through models use the same necks on the 4 strings. So whether you get an LB70, an Icon 4, Bunny Brunel, or Brian Bromberg, the necks feel the same.
Here is a link to their neck blanks and this shows their neck dimensions in case you're interested.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Also check out the Carvin Channel (their company YouTube) for some bass vids http://carvinchannel.com/
I own an LB76 and live close enough to the factory to have tried out all of Carvins products and the LB70 is a pretty sweet bass. I hope this helps
I have a '94 LB76, and I don't think I could ever get rid of it. Every time I play it, I can't get over how good it sounds. It does have a narrow neck for a 6, so if you slap a lot, it takes some getting used to. I can leave it sit for months and it'll still be in tune when I pick it up again. It's a quality instrument, and I even love the way it smells.
Don't judge me.
Don't judge me.
I have a '94 LB76, and I don't think I could ever get rid of it. Every time I play it, I can't get over how good it sounds. It does have a narrow neck for a 6, so if you slap a lot, it takes some getting used to. I can leave it sit for months and it'll still be in tune when I pick it up again. It's a quality instrument, and I even love the way it smells.
Don't judge me.
WOW your bass is 18 years old. I read somewhere don't remember if it was on TB but they said that basses actually sound better the older they get. Has to do something with the wood maturing as the years go by. Don't know how true that is.
