I've always wanted to play one of those Lulls, as I hear nothing but great reviews. But I'm kinda off 35" 5'ers... In what ways was your Lull better than the Carvin you owned, and which models of each did you have?
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Carvin PB5 or Fender Precision V?
- Thread starter aparker82
- Start date
I've always wanted to play one of those Lulls, as I hear nothing but great reviews. But I'm kinda off 35" 5'ers... In what ways was your Lull better than the Carvin you owned, and which models of each did you have?
LOL. If you really want to drive yourself crazy, use the online bass builder. There are a crazy number of options, and it's like a kid in a candy store times ten.
Personally, I think Carvins are fugly. All the options in the world can't fix that.
I sure do wish the P5 had more options - I'd kill for a matching headstock and a J pickup - but the red one I played recently was classic and classy, with a nice neck, great fretwork, and it sounded like a P with a B string, punchy and grunty on all 5 strings.
It's a no brainer for me, I'm surprised to see so many behind the Carvin in the poll.
I sure do wish the P5 had more options - I'd kill for a matching headstock and a J pickup - but the red one I played recently was classic and classy, with a nice neck, great fretwork, and it sounded like a P with a B string, punchy and grunty on all 5 strings.
It's a no brainer for me, I'm surprised to see so many behind the Carvin in the poll.
I voted Fender Precision V because...
I STILL love my 2010 Precision V. Also have a 4-string Precision so, my next bass will be a non-Fender. Just to mix it up a bit.
I can't wait.
I STILL love my 2010 Precision V. Also have a 4-string Precision so, my next bass will be a non-Fender. Just to mix it up a bit.
I can't wait.
THIS is the answer. Just have to be honest with yourself on what is important.
This also be true. In my experience with Carvins, I've found its best to keep your order near the stock configuration for multiple reasons.
I have played lots of Fender P Basses and I own a Carvin PB4. A very cool bass.
If more people in the poll had actually played both or **gasp** owned both, the results would be likely even more surprising....
I've never owned a Carvin but meant superior over the Fender 5 which I have played.
The Carvins are intriguing and I would love to try one sometime. I like their business model aside from not having much access to try one. I do like the options they give the customer to essentially build their own custom bass within the limits of their product line.
I've owned two Fender MIA P5s and I did not like the B strings on either and I tried different strings. I'm loving the B on my Carvin PB5. However if a 4-string P was your favorite bass, then I recommend trying a 5-string P because you may luck out and get a really good one. A lot of people here have gotten good ones. If you don't like the Fender, you can always return/sell it then put in an order for the PB5.
Also keep in mind that the P Bass V has a thicker nut width than the PB5.
Here's Herrick's.
Also keep in mind that the P Bass V has a thicker nut width than the PB5.
Here's Herrick's.
I've played several Mike Lull basses. They are a much closer comparison to a Carvin than a Fender, imo. The Lulls are one of the only few basses that I have picked up that I immediately liked as much as my Carvins in terms of craftsmanship, feel and playability. The problem came when I plugged them in though. Each time I preferred the sound of the Carvin electronics to those found in the Lulls. That could be remedied of course, but my Carvins were so close in feel that it didn't make sense to spend the extra money on the Lulls for me.
I'm tossed between the two, but, I'm leaning toward the Carvin, simply because Carvin necks are closer to my liking then Fender's, and the Carvin's are very customizable without a lot of extra expense, or overly extended lead times.
Essentially, when you order a Carvin, you're ordering a bass built your way.
Essentially, when you order a Carvin, you're ordering a bass built your way.
I've owned two Fender MIA P5s and I did not like the B strings on either and I tried different strings. I'm loving the B on my Carvin PB5. However if a 4-string P was your favorite bass, then I recommend trying a 5-string P because you may luck out and get a really good one. A lot of people here have gotten good ones. If you don't like the Fender, you can always return/sell it then put in an order for the PB5.
Also keep in mind that the P Bass V has a thicker nut width than the PB5.
Here's Herrick's.
How would you describe the tone and playability compared to your 5 string fenders? Is the neck similar?
Is it possible that the Fender P 5 issues people have had are the same that Ed Friedland had?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAveBLuzuPI
His sounds like the bass just needed a proper setup, which he did after his initial review, or is it possible there are other issues that people are having?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAveBLuzuPI
His sounds like the bass just needed a proper setup, which he did after his initial review, or is it possible there are other issues that people are having?
I think P basses in general tend to have a weak B string. My theory is that the pole pieces allow the slowly oscillating, greater amplitude, lower tension B string be picked up less closer to the neck than other strings. When you have the pickup moved further to the bridge, like a MusicMan, it pickups up all of the wave of the B string. Additionally it has a single large pole piece.
