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

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#281
Yeah, I have the J99A's. That's a good idea about having someone else play it. Maybe I'll have a lefty bass party and let everyone have a go at it. (An intimate gathering for sure!) It did sound decent on a recording playback. Moreso on the fingerstyle sections than the slap ones.

thanks for the advice man.
 
#284
darkkent1 said:
I got my SB5000 a few months back with stainless steel frets and after multiple styles of gigs and a lot of amp tweaking I still can't get the tone I want out of this thing. I'm convinced it's because of the stainless steel frets I opted for at the last minute for some reason. Compared to all of the sound samples I've heard (even ones with the same wood combo - Ash/Maple) as well as what I'm expecting to hear in my head, this thing just sounds off to me. I'm about 90 percent sure I'm gonna order a new neck from Carvin with the standard frets since a refret from any tech in town would be more expensive.(Thank you Carvin for being the anti-price gouging kings!)

Just wondering what folks experience either personally or otherwise has been with this stainless steel fret phenomenon. At this moment I'm thinking that they should be outlawed. If it aint broke.......might have been the way to go in this instance.

Thanks y'all
Click to expand...

From what i have read and heard stainless steel frets shouldnt make much of a difference in tone. you could try a different string combination. Is the tone you are getting too bright? or no low end? what is the issue you are having?
 
#286
These things are flying out of the "In Stock" Carvin store. There were about 4 SB5000's about 2 weeks ago, now there are none.

There was a nice looking purple flame one that lasted for about 5 days, now it's gone too.

Looks like they may get harder to find on the used market too - especially after all the great press on them.
 
#287
phillipkregg said:
These things are flying out of the "In Stock" Carvin store. There were about 4 SB5000's about 2 weeks ago, now there are none.

There was a nice looking purple flame one that lasted for about 5 days, now it's gone too.

Looks like they may get harder to find on the used market too - especially after all the great press on them.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I saw that purple flamey one. Very nice. And before ya knew it, it was very gone. Carvin has a winner here.
 
#288
Man, I totally WANT an SB5000

after using the online builder tool, I'm saddened that they don't offer Trans Black on a standard wood, such as ash. Only on Flame or Quilt tops.
If I ever get a chance to order one, I'll ask and see if they will do it for me.
If they do:
Trans black
Red Tort p/g
Rosewood fingerboard
Blocks (not sure about MOP or Abalone)
Chrome hardware
black pickups (J99A)
Vol-Vol-Tone-Treble/bass stack
black satin neck finish
black headstock

If they don't do the trans black, I may just go with blueburst and let everything else remain the same as above, but with matching blueburst headstock.
 
#289
Same here. I'm adding one to my gas list. Except maybe, I'll make it a 4 banger.

There's a pic of one in the latest catalog that is pretty close to what I want.

Pear Blue
White Pearloid PG
Tusq Nut
RW Fingerboard
Abalone Block Inlays
Icon Headstock (2 + 2)
Active Electronics
Black PUPs
Pearl Blue Neck Finish

!!!!!!!!
 
#291
eastcoasteddie said:
Man, I totally WANT an SB5000

after using the online builder tool, I'm saddened that they don't offer Trans Black on a standard wood, such as ash. Only on Flame or Quilt tops.
If I ever get a chance to order one, I'll ask and see if they will do it for me.
If they do:
Trans black
Red Tort p/g
Rosewood fingerboard
Blocks (not sure about MOP or Abalone)
Chrome hardware
black pickups (J99A)
Vol-Vol-Tone-Treble/bass stack
black satin neck finish
black headstock

If they don't do the trans black, I may just go with blueburst and let everything else remain the same as above, but with matching blueburst headstock.
Click to expand...

Carvin endorser Chris Buck plays a B4 with an ash body and black stain. Here’s a video for a look:



I was seriously considering this option for my SB5000. As this option doesn’t appear to be available via the Carvin website, I gave them a call. The Carvin rep said they could do a see-thru black on ash for (I think?) $50. However the rep mentioned that they don’t normally offer this because the black stain is so dark, its kind of tough to make out the grain of the bass body. Even on Chris Buck’s bass, it’s sorta hard to see. And on stage, it’s just going to look like a black bass. So though it may seem like a good idea at first, is it really practical? In fact, it would almost be a shame to cover up a nice piece of ash with a striking grain pattern with a finish that dark.

I think the blue burst finish would look fantastic. Though I’d consider cream colored pickup covers (I’ve seen this combo in one of the Carvin galleries and it was mighty purdy).

Let us know what you do!
 
#292
So mine finally arrives tomorrow. Its been a long journey especially since it has been finished since September 15th. I started out having the cash when i ordered it, but then a family emergency kinda took care of my extra funds, so i had to pay it off when i had a chance. Carvin was very good about it too.

sb5000
Swamp ash body/ gloss finish
black hardware/pickguard
maple board black dot inlays SS frets
stock preamp with J99's
black logo.

i cant wait to finally play it, esp since i ordered it in the beginning of august.
 
#294
Jheake said:
So mine finally arrives tomorrow. Its been a long journey especially since it has been finished since September 15th. I started out having the cash when i ordered it, but then a family emergency kinda took care of my extra funds, so i had to pay it off when i had a chance. Carvin was very good about it too.

sb5000
Swamp ash body/ gloss finish
black hardware/pickguard
maple board black dot inlays SS frets
stock preamp with J99's
black logo.

i cant wait to finally play it, esp since i ordered it in the beginning of august.
Click to expand...

Let's See some pics of that bad boy!!!
 
#295
bottomzone said:
Even with the price increase, which doesn't surprise me, the SB4000/5000 is still an amazing bass value!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
Click to expand...

Correct me if i'm wrong here.. but when I ordered my SB5000 about 6 months ago, the base price on an SB5000 was $899. They recently went up $50 and are now $949.
As part of the build/ordering process 6 months ago, you had to order a tolex hardshell case which, if i remember correctly added about $69 to the price. (very nice high quality G&G american made case by the way)

I've been building my next SB5000 fretless the last couple of days with the online builder at the carvin site and when i got to the case line item, they still "make" you order the case, but now it's listed as FREE, no $69 charge!

So, if this is the case, the sb4000 and 5000 actually went down in price recently, not up!! They actually both went down $19!

I don't know if this is a temporary special or if it's just included in the price now. Either way carvin is moving in the right direction!!!
 
#297
larryelwood said:
Correct me if i'm wrong here.. but when I ordered my SB5000 about 6 months ago, the base price on an SB5000 was $899. They recently went up $50 and are now $949.
As part of the build/ordering process 6 months ago, you had to order a tolex hardshell case which, if i remember correctly added about $69 to the price. (very nice high quality G&G american made case by the way)

I've been building my next SB5000 fretless the last couple of days with the online builder at the carvin site and when i got to the case line item, they still "make" you order the case, but now it's listed as FREE, no $69 charge!

So, if this is the case, the sb4000 and 5000 actually went down in price recently, not up!! They actually both went down $19!

I don't know if this is a temporary special or if it's just included in the price now. Either way carvin is moving in the right direction!!!
Click to expand...

Sorry larryelwood, the SB did go up $50. Yes, cases are normally $69 and have been free for a while now. For how much longer?--who knows! However until a couple of weeks ago, you could order an SB5000 for $899 WITH free case. I managed to do so just in time before the price hike.

But you're right, its still a great deal especially considering that you're getting that case for free. However, at least for a while, the SB5000 was available for $899 with free case.
 
#298
dgce said:
Sorry larryelwood, the SB did go up $50. Yes, cases are normally $69 and have been free for a while now. For how much longer?--who knows! However until a couple of weeks ago, you could order an SB5000 for $899 WITH free case. I managed to do so just in time before the price hike.

But you're right, its still a great deal especially considering that you're getting that case for free. However, at least for a while, the SB5000 was available for $899 with free case.
Click to expand...

Thanks for straightening that out! From my perspective, since i had to pay for my case, I'm still getting a better deal than i got 6 months ago, even w/ the $50 price increase. Man, I can't believe they were throwing a free case in at the $899 price for a while, that's just a crazy deal.
 
#300
dgce said:
Carvin endorser Chris Buck plays a B4 with an ash body and black stain. Here’s a video for a look:



I was seriously considering this option for my SB5000. As this option doesn’t appear to be available via the Carvin website, I gave them a call. The Carvin rep said they could do a see-thru black on ash for (I think?) $50. However the rep mentioned that they don’t normally offer this because the black stain is so dark, its kind of tough to make out the grain of the bass body. Even on Chris Buck’s bass, it’s sorta hard to see. And on stage, it’s just going to look like a black bass. So though it may seem like a good idea at first, is it really practical? In fact, it would almost be a shame to cover up a nice piece of ash with a striking grain pattern with a finish that dark.

I think the blue burst finish would look fantastic. Though I’d consider cream colored pickup covers (I’ve seen this combo in one of the Carvin galleries and it was mighty purdy).

Let us know what you do!
Click to expand...


Yes, I remember that bass. I sort of like that look, where it isn't "showing off" anything, but if you take a close look, you can see what's going on with the grain pattern. However, I might....might go with a Flame top if I change my mind.

My L2500 is a blueburst, and as much as I love it, I'm starting to thing that 2 of them may make me feel redundant....psychologically...

I really do like how this bass looks (from Carvin's photo gallery)
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