Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 2!

[jzbass6]

Ha, - no problem.

You're right, it's hard to tell whether yours were stickers or not - very professionally done!

I do wish Carvin offered that option, although, I have to say that the ebony board with abalone blocks does look fantastic.

I wouldn't consider that settling at all.

If everyone else, Fender, LEJ, Lakland to name a few have figured it out, why can't Carvin?

 

[boristhespider9]

Well, as a former Carvin endorser, I'm all too familiar with the attitude you get from other people. It seems they have some sort of credibility gap with a lot of folks. But, I played their basses for many years, and I think I've done some of my best work on Carvin basses. They have always been well made, and they are constantly making improvements.

I stopped endorsing them when I got my job at Bass Guitar magazine. As a Senior Editor, I couldn't have any endorsements, and now that I'm doing gear reviews, the same is true. My only complaint through all the years was that I have always preferred bolt-on necks. Their neck through stuff sounds great, and are probably some of the best playing instruments out there, but... the tone of the bolt-on is really my thing. I came up playing Fenders, and that is still my preference. They did come out with the bolt-on series when I was there, but I didn't feel like they were quite the same level as the BB and LB series. I also grew quite used to having 24 frets... something I've learned to live without for the most part. So, now that they have a higher level bolt-on, I'm not surprised that I like it.

Don't concern yourself with what other people think. It's a good rule in general... but keep in mind that a good percentage of the gear snobs that play 6K basses don't even gig. They are armchair players that like to buy expensive coffee table basses as a hobby. I'm not knocking it, but why care what they think? I'm going to play what feels and sounds right to me.

The only "boutique" bass I own is a Tom Clement, and while I think it's a great bass, and certainly the most comfortable 6-string I've ever played, gear snobs would not be impressed because it isn't a Fodera. The rest of my collection is all Fender, Music Man, Lakland, and Eastwood. My instruments are tools I use to create music, not showpieces or status symbols.

And like I said before... based on my preference for bolt-ons, I think the SB really is the best bass Carvin has ever made, and that is not a knock to any of their other models.

Carvin's credibility gap in my eyes has always been: (1) with some exceptions, they often seemed to be associated with heavy metal/hair bands or obscure and/or cheesy artists that most people did not know; (2) its logo is still the worst in the industry, like something pulled off an old font from WordPerfect; boxy, unstylish, lifeless, classless, and cheesy; (3) the pointy headstocks, ugh, need I say more?

I did buy the SB4000 and love it, but the headstock is just ok looking and the logo looks much better when hidden or subtle like abalone on birdseye. The body of the bass is killer.

Ed, it will be awesome to see your review of the SB5000 as the Bass Whisperer videos are top-notch. In my view, one thing that would be helpful on all of your bass reviews -- but especially for a Carvin where you can't try one out unless you're in CA -- is to talk more about the neck profile. Is it thin, thick, wide, narrow, sticky (gloss), smooth (MM gun stock oil), good for small hands, etc.? You know, beyond what we can read on the spec sheet. My SB4000, for example, is great, but I must admit the neck feels a bit thick and can get fatiguing to play especially considering I usually play MM Sterlings which are so comfortable. I understand the SB5000 has a thinner, more comfortable neck and it would be great if you expanded on that (maybe even pull out the tape measure for width and thickness at the 1st and 12th frets). It would be really helpful in your review of the Carvin and future reviews of other basses. Just my 2 cents! I'm going to go watch your slap DVD now because it rules (nice purple Carvin).

 

[TK4261]

Anyone getting they're SB's soon?

Need more pics

I have 4 weeks left until I get my SB4000

 

[dgce]

Anyone getting they're SB's soon?

Need more pics

I have 4 weeks left until I get my SB4000

Just pulled the trigger and she's gonna be killer. So now I have to deal with 6 weeks of anticipation.

Where to start?

SB5000
Swamp Ash body,
Black flamed maple top with deep triple step stain,
Matching flamed headstock,
satin finish,
Walnut tung oil finished neck,
Birdseye maple fret board,
Abalone dot inlays,
J99s with Cream pickup covers,
No pickguard,
Strap locks.

Um...I think that's everything. I feel a bit like I've gone overboard but what the heck. My current bass I've had for 12 years, why not spoil myself!

 

[TK4261]

Just pulled the trigger and she's gonna be killer. So now I have to deal with 6 weeks of anticipation.

Where to start?

SB5000
Swamp Ash body,
Black flamed maple top with deep triple step stain,
Matching flamed headstock,
satin finish,
Walnut tung oil finished neck,
Birdseye maple fret board,
Abalone dot inlays,
J99s with Cream pickup covers,
No pickguard,
Strap locks.

That should be a nice looking SB indeed...Congrats! and remember to take pics

When I go to Carvin next month to pick up my SB4000 I am going to put a deposit down on this SB5000

-KOA - Maple Neck/Koa Body(will request unique grain & Light piece)
-CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard)
-TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard)
-SBH - SB-Style Bass Headstock (Standard)
-KPH - Koa Headstock Matches Body Color
-BMF - Birdseye Maple Fingerboard (Tung-Oiled)
-ABD - Abalone Dot Inlays
-FR - Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
-R14 - 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
-J9A - J9A Alnico Single Coil Pickups (Standard)
-409 - Cream H50A or J9A Pickup(s)
-CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard)
-ABL - Abalone Logo
-PK - Metal Knobs w/ Abalone inserts
-WP - White Pearloid Pickguard
-IVN - Ivory Graph Tech TUSQ Nut

Hopefully I will stop myself after ordering this next one

 

[dgce]

That should be a nice looking SB indeed...Congrats! and remember to take pics

When I go to Carvin next month to pick up my SB4000 I am going to put a deposit down on this SB5000

-KOA - Maple Neck/Koa Body(will request unique grain & Light piece)
-CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard)
-TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard)
-SBH - SB-Style Bass Headstock (Standard)
-KPH - Koa Headstock Matches Body Color
-BMF - Birdseye Maple Fingerboard (Tung-Oiled)
-ABD - Abalone Dot Inlays
-FR - Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
-R14 - 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
-J9A - J9A Alnico Single Coil Pickups (Standard)
-409 - Cream H50A or J9A Pickup(s)
-CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard)
-ABL - Abalone Logo
-PK - Metal Knobs w/ Abalone inserts
-WP - White Pearloid Pickguard
-IVN - Ivory Graph Tech TUSQ Nut

Hopefully I will stop myself after ordering this next one

Sounds pretty snazzy. I had flirted with the idea of going with a natural wood body but in my case, tung oil finished Claro Walnut on Ash. That Koa is going to look nice with the matching headstock. The birdseye maple board and cream pickup covers should work really well with your options. We want pictures when she gets in, man!

And no need to request I post pictures when my baby comes in. In fact I may go all proud-papa on you guys and post a dozen of 'em.

 

[TK4261]

Sounds pretty snazzy. I had flirted with the idea of going with a natural wood body but in my case, tung oil finished Claro Walnut on Ash. That Koa is going to look nice with the matching headstock. The birdseye maple board and cream pickup covers should work really well with your options. We want pictures when she gets in, man!

Thats what I ended going with on my SB4000 is a tung-oiled Claro Walnut top on Ash body with Walnut & 2 maple stripe neck and Claro matching Icon HS. I will have pics up of the 4000 in a little less than 4 weeks

I was at the Santa Ana Carvin store yesterday to pay off my SB4000 and I played a couple of the SB5000's and I have to say the neck feels amazing...I am definitely ordering my spec'ed out Koa SB5000 when I pick up my 4000

 

[dgce]

Well I have 6 weeks to prep for my SB5000. I feel like I'm getting a nursery ready in time for a baby. Need a better guitar stand, new comfy strap, eventually a gig bag (I've been reading up on that one!). Right now I'm thinking strings.

I'm going to give the stock Carvin strings (Labella, I believe) a fair go. If need be, I'll likely replace. I've used D'Adarrios for years. I normally order the twin packs (best deals you can possibly get, IMHO). But it would appear in this neck of the woods that DR Low Riders seem to be the preferred choice for those of us who prefer nickel over steel. The D'Addario twin packs are a sweet deal but if these DR strings are THAT good, I'd happily pay more.

Anyone out there try D'Addariors and DR Low Riders on their SB5000s? Pros? Cons?

Thanks!

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Hey all you SBer's out there. Just wanted to chime in and let you know I've had my SB5000 for about 4 months now, have done numerous gigs with it and have really "settled in" with this bass. I have to say that, i'm even happier with the bass today than i was the first week or even month of owning it. It really nails all the sounds i'm interested in - and it does it all with that authoritative "super" jazz bass tone that a LOT of people search for. I have also discovered what a great vintage "P" sound the SB has. It covers everything from that super growly bridge pickup tone to full on "modern" marcus sound to killer fender vintage bass tones in passive mode. It is just a pleasure to own this instrument. I've been through a lot of basses in my 25 years of playing and have spent most of those years looking to add a sound i just couldn't get - so i'd buy a stomp box or a preamp, or try a new cabinet or new pickups.. oh god, the amount of time spent on gear switching to find "that" tone. The SB5000 is the bees knees of tone. It's simply beautiful to listen to every time i plug in and start playing.. Thanks Carvin!!

BTW, i did decide to replace the stock tuners with hipshot cloverleafs.. I'll post pictures when i get them installed.

 

[Richard G]

i got to see the 5 stringer up close when i was taking lessons from and endorsee in hollywood, i really deeply like the look and options available i also think the price is not too bad. i like bass's that look different and this is one of them!

 

[randy clere]

@larryelwood - I totally agree with you, these basses are incredible in everyway!

 

[randy clere]

Here they are fretted ash w/maple and Flamed Koa fretless. They both are just amazing instruments. I could not be happier!

 

[edfriedland]

I just taped my SB5000 demo today, still have to edit and send it in. Should be online in a couple of months. But I have to say... this bass sounds freakin' awesome! And I find that I'm very comfortable on it - guess it must be all those years playing Carvin necks!

 

[Jarrett]

Hey all you SBer's out there. I have also discovered what a great vintage "P" sound the SB has. It covers everything from that super growly bridge pickup tone to full on "modern" marcus sound to killer fender vintage bass tones in passive mode. It is just a pleasure to own this instrument.

I'm still out there too. It's funny you mentioned the passive tone, I've been on a passive kick lately with my SB5. I've been going back and digging up some great old funk bass lines from the 60's and 70's to learn/relearn and I found playing along with those songs in active mode was not catching the vibe. Switching over to passive mode I was really surprised at how easily the SB could just nail those vintage tones, so I have been enjoying that with it.

I've really been giving some thought to getting a SB4000 with a Hipshot D-tuner. A lot of the music I've been playing lately is not really calling for the B-string much. The problem is I remember when I played the SB's at my local guitar show I didn't bond with the SB4 neck profile like I did with the SB5. I guess that's what the trial period is for though. I've got an Alder/Maple SB5, not sure if I would want to do Rosewood or Maple board if I did the SB4. On one hand, I don't want two basses that sound the same, on the other I really dig the tone of my SB5 and if the SB4 didn't sound as good to me, I would end up grabbing the 5 every time. Decisions, decisions.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Jarrett,

I was just in the hollywood store last month and got a chance to play 3 SB4s and i must say i wasn't as put off by the chunky neck as i was the first time i played one months ago. I'm thinking about a fretless SB4000 too!

 

[edfriedland]

I haven't tried an SB4000 yet, but people keep talking about the neck... Personally I think more wood=stiffer neck, stiffer neck=better tone. The SB5000 neck feels great to me, the profile definitely reminds me of the BB series I played on for many years, but it's a bolt-on which has always been my preference. I'm still having a hard time deciding on a color for the one I'm going to order!

 

[customcs5]

The Carvin SB series basses are the best USA made Jazz basses on the market now. Great construction, playability, sound and oh yeah GREAT PRICE. All others are OK but seriously overpriced.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

The Carvin SB series basses are the best USA made Jazz basses on the market now. Great construction, playability, sound and oh yeah GREAT PRICE. All others are OK but seriously overpriced.

By the way... if that is you with your sweet translucent red SB5000 on youtube.. Great Review! Very personal and honest.

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

My second SB5000 is on it way with the standard electronics this time instead of the stacked mid. Cant wait. I will be doing a full review and hopefully some sound samples.

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

I hope they make a 6 (SB6000) in the future.

I've called them on this and they said it was not an option at this time but who knows what may happen down the line. If enough people ask about 'em I know they will consider it. Th SB is actually a Sekou Bunch signature model so maybe if we can get a request to him he probably could get it goin'. I know Darrell Williams endorses these basses too and he's a known 6 string player, we can only hope.