Carvin LB75 ressurection

[Slidlow]

Nut is fitted and it's strung. I'll let it settle out for a bit before adjusting the string height and truss rod adjustment. Next is to clean up the wiring on the preamp and get set to install and then .

 

[daveman50]

Wowza!

 

[bajaandy]

Looks like a player! Nice work!

 

[Minus]

Looks beautiful! I wonder is anyone from Kiesel has been following this post? You sure did them proud IMO.

 

[Slidlow]

it's wiring day. Getting closer to time.

 

[Slidlow]

Well sadly it's about time to put this thread to bed. All done and sounds and plays very nice. I'll monitor the truss rod adjustment over the next week or so and I have to fine tune the string height at the nut but all is well in Carvin land again. I played it for a while through my $40 Yorkville Bassmaster 200 and it sounds as good as any bass I've played. I don't get the hate for Carvin pickups and preamps that I have been reading. I guess it has it's own vibe as same as other basses have their own qualities. Kind of subjective but I think it sounds a bit better but I liked it before anyway. Here she is.

I started this thread with a picture of it in its original state in the case so here it is done and back in the case.

And how this all started.

Now I have to get back to the WBO
Pseudo Supro for Winter Build Off 2022

 

[TerribleTim68]

Wow...just wow.

 

[MPU]

Very nice save!

 

[bajaandy]

Kudos on an elegant and well executed fix! Many (most?) might have written off this Carvin and turned her into firewood. You saw, and indeed most likely increased, the value of this instrument. Well done!

 

[dmarino]

Great stuff, one of the most interesting threads in the LC this season.

As an aside, I think Carvin/Kiesel pickups are a little hit-and-miss. Their J pickups and their MM clone sounded great to me, but the scp (split-coil P) on my Carvin pbass was one of my least favorite P pickups I ever heard.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

That couldn't have turned out better! Probably the best bass save I have seen

 

[mmbass21]

Well sadly it's about time to put this thread to bed. All done and sounds and plays very nice. I'll monitor the truss rod adjustment over the next week or so and I have to fine tune the string height at the nut but all is well in Carvin land again. I played it for a while through my $40 Yorkville Bassmaster 200 and it sounds as good as any bass I've played. I don't get the hate for Carvin pickups and preamps that I have been reading. I guess it has it's own vibe as same as other basses have their own qualities. Kind of subjective but I think it sounds a bit better but I liked it before anyway. Here she is.View attachment 4584368I started this thread with a picture of it in its original state in the case so here it is done and back in the case.View attachment 4584371And how this all started.View attachment 4584373Now I have to get back to the WBO
Pseudo Supro for Winter Build Off 2022

Outstanding work, loved following this thread.

 

[Obese Chess]

Incredible stuff, thank you for letting us all follow along!

 

[Slidlow]

Okay so six months later. Here is a quick update. All is well. The new laminated neck has proven stable ( ended up a little thinner then original) and all functions as it should. Pretty happy with this overall.

 

[daveman50]

One of my top threads of the last year!

 

[Slidlow]

One of my top threads of the last year!

Thanks, if I wasn't embroiled in a major house reno I'd look around for another bass near death to save. It was a lot of enjoyment doing the Carvin. Previously I saved this Vantage from a bad fretless conversion. Not as drastic as the Carvin though.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

This is a great story. I encourage hobbyist Luthiers who are getting into working on basses to try this. Look around for a nice old bass that has a serious problem, and everyone else has given up on it. Buy it for cheap, and take it on as a challenge. Figure out how to fix it and restore it. Take your time, build up your skills. And you end up with a nice bass that you are proud of. Keep it for yourself or sell it and make some money on it.

Restoring "hopeless" basses can be a satisfying Luthier hobby by itself. There are plenty of them out there, crying out to be saved from the landfill.

 

[FF Petro]

I have thought about this restoration a few times since you completed it. It’s something I would love to do when I have more free time in the future. This project was a true inspiration!

I wish you luck on the house renovations. I hope it turns out as well as this Carvin did.

 

[Slidlow]

I have thought about this restoration a few times since you completed it. It’s something I would love to do when I have more free time in the future. This project was a true inspiration!

I wish you luck on the house renovations. I hope it turns out as well as this Carvin did.

Thanks, the Renovation is working out well. I am humbled if I inspired you or anyone else and I encourage anyone to give it a try. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do when it first dropped in my lap but after a lot of thought and consideration the plan came together. I’m almost thinking of seeing if anyone has a dead bass they would dare me to fix just for the challenge.

 

[Videojunkie]

That turned out exceptionally well! I hope it plays and sounds as nice as it looks!