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Carvin Rebuild - Need Help!!

T

Techelf

Guest
Apr 1, 2013
19
0
#1
I recently got this bass body to start my first bass build. I was told it is a Carvin but I am having trouble identifying the year. I think I have narrowed it down to 91'-92' but I'm not sure. Any info is much appreciated.

Note: The input jack that is in the first photo is not right. Input is on the side. The bridge area is full of screw holes, like they couldn't make up their mind on location. The neck area looks like it was cut out with a screwdriver.

<a href="http://imgur.com/3Sl8kAp" title="My first build begins"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/3Sl8kAp.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="My first build begins"/></a>


a>


<a href="http://imgur.com/TCUlafY" title="Sanding/Filling- Back"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/TCUlafY.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="Sanding/Filling- Back"/></a>
 
#10
Techelf said:
Thanks - The issue that is kinda getting me are the 4 holes on top. I have seen lots of 3 hole set ups but not 4. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what you mean by 4 holes on top. Do you mean the 4 holes for electronic pots? It is either an old body style or somebody ordered it with 4 pot electronics. You can customize your build kit, that would be my guess. Are the holes well done? Maybe the original owner ordered it without holes and added them.

Could not be a Carvin, but everything else looks exactly like a B40 to me. The B40 is the only body style it could be, it is their only bolt on aside from the SB line, and they have that stupid horn so you would recognize it immediately.
 
#11
I also think it's a B40, so it's pretty recent. The holes are drilled in a non-sandard pattern for the pots. I suspect someone ordered the body and drilled their own holed for whatever electronics they installed.
Also, it's hard to tell from this picture, but has the neck pocket been routed out to make it larger? It looks uneven in the picture, but it could just be an optical illusion.
 
#12
WoodyG3 said:
I also think it's a B40, so it's pretty recent. The holes are drilled in a non-sandard pattern for the pots. I suspect someone ordered the body and drilled their own holed for whatever electronics they installed.
Also, it's hard to tell from this picture, but has the neck pocket been routed out to make it larger? It looks uneven in the picture, but it could just be an optical illusion.
Click to expand...

It looks like the older B4 to me.
 
#13
WoodyG3: Yes, the neck pocket was chiseled out with what I can only assume was a screwdriver! I have smoothed it out and going to research b40 necks to see if they will fit. I would really like to find an older neck instead of a blank.

DiabolusInMusic: Yes, I was talking about the 4 holes for electronic pots. Sorry, about being vague. (I was in a meeting and should have waited to reply but the meeting was really boring) I have been looking at at photo's of b40's trying to figure things out. Knowing that is probably a kit will help immensely.
 
#14
Techelf said:
WoodyG3: Yes, the neck pocket was chiseled out with what I can only assume was a screwdriver! I have smoothed it out and going to research b40 necks to see if they will fit. I would really like to find an older neck instead of a blank.

DiabolusInMusic: Yes, I was talking about the 4 holes for electronic pots. Sorry, about being vague. (I was in a meeting and should have waited to reply but the meeting was really boring) I have been looking at at photo's of b40's trying to figure things out. Knowing that is probably a kit will help immensely.
Click to expand...

I know Carvin has forums and they recommend you go there for build assistance, I am sure they can help you a lot more than we can. I know Woody is well versed Carvin geek just from doing my own Carvin research.
 
#16
I think Madbassplaya is right. I believe this is a B4 body. Looking at the back of the body there is no contoured heel where the body meets the neck, and the drill pattern is wrong for the more recent neck plate.

In any case, I'm not sure how much luck you will have getting a neck to fit in a chiseled out neck pocket. I hope it works out for you!
 
#17
might as well throw a jazz bass neck on it - doesn't really matter now. you can get it filled once you decide on a neck.

imho the sides of the neck pocket matter far far less to the tone/sustain/stability than the bolt-on area itself if it's solid and tight. So if it was me (for example), I'd wrap the bolt on area of the neck with something (thin paper maybe?) and then bolt it in there hard and force in some matching wood filler a bit at a time letting it harden each time for a day (not too much pushed in at a time so it actually gets to harden!). but then I'm a make-shift sorta guy. I bet it won't adversely affect the sound though as long as the thing is bolted on really hard.

bizarre project body to come across... likely good wood though. decent shape too aside from the moronically damaged neck pocket.
 
#19
Techelf said:
DiabolusInMusic: Yes, I was talking about the 4 holes for electronic pots. Sorry, about being vague. (I was in a meeting and should have waited to reply but the meeting was really boring) I have been looking at at photo's of b40's trying to figure things out. Knowing that is probably a kit will help immensely.
Click to expand...

It looks to me like the B4 passive model that was three hole - VVT - with an extra hole drilled for the jack. Is there a hole for the jack on the side?

It looks like this one (found on google) with an extra hole drilled:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#20
Showdown: Yes there is a hole on the side for a jack My guess is they drilled a hole on top for something. Im looking at different configurations for 4 controls. Maybe maybe a switch, I don't yet. Any suggestions?
 

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