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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 2!
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
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In what way is the B string on the 5001 better than the 5000?
Well I guess no one else is coming
Bass #1: SB5000
Bass #2: SB5001
At this point, there are only two things I don't like about the SB5001. One the neck profile is slimmer than the SB5000. Not a lot, but different. I like the way the SB5000 sits in the palm of my hand, I feel just a little gap with the SB50001. Second thing is a have to crank the bass control way up on the SB5001 to get the same amount of relative bass out of it. I'm not sure if that is an electronics things, a string thing or just a difference between the basses.
Aside from that, the SB5001 seems better in most every way. It's lighter, feels like it has better overall construction, the action is insane, and the materials are gorgeous. I've literally never picked up a bass that was setup so nicely from the factory. It's crazy. It's setup much better than my SB5000 and I had to work a while to get that where it is.
It really seems as if Carvin has stepped their game up a bit since the introduction of the SB series. This is just a nicer overall bass than my SB5000. I'm guessing this is not the case, but it feels as if a better builder built the SB5001 than built my old SB5000. Everything is just stepped up a notch.
I really want to put some DR Hi-Beams on the SB5001 and do an apples to apples comparison, but it sounds so good as it sits I might not bother. The one thing that really sticks out to me is the low B on the SB5001 is hands down better than my SB5000. I can't figure out what it is, but its just better. Makes me want to use it more.
Pretty smitten with this dang bass so far
Spoke with Carvin today re the preamp noise. They offered to swap the pre - no charge - and I bought this bass used... nice.
I also asked about the pcb mounted trim pot - it is overall master gain and not passive/active balance as was suggested.
I also asked about the pcb mounted trim pot - it is overall master gain and not passive/active balance as was suggested.
The fretted notes are as even and clear as they are on the other strings. Something I struggled with on my SB5000 and pretty much every other 5-string I've ever played.
I'm sure of it now, the neck profile on the SB5001 is slimmer than the SB5000. Something just dawned on me. I wonder if they did this to prevent neck dive with the chambered bodies. I'm assuming slimming the neck would reduce its weight a bit. I prefer the neck profile of my SB5000, but just about everything else about my SB5001 at this point. It's silly how high end this bass sounds/feels compared to what I paid for it. I think Carvin is about to really shake up the super J-bass world with the SB series given all the options available on it now.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I was wrong about the topIt is nicely figured, just gotta get it in a nice bright light to see the grain. I got a better pic of it today:
Wow, that looks great!
I see what you mean, I had similar issues. Did your SB5001 B string come strung through the body or bridge?
It's through body with a taper core B string. Sounds great. I'm planning on switching to Carvin SS strings at this point. Actually, these these just some relabeled strings I can get elsewhere for less?
when my SB5000 comes in this week, I'm debating if I should go with ProSteels, DR Hi beams or Lo Riders??
I gotta say your bass look awesome!! Jarrett.
I was wrong about the top
Thanks man.
I have found one thing I don't like about the SB5001 as much as the SB5000, its not as resonate. When its plugged in, I cant tell a difference between the basses by sound, but when unplugged and I have the basses laying against me, I can feel a resonance difference. Not sure that is a real issue for me, but just something I noticed. I do prefer how the SB5000 vibrates my chest unplugged though.
A small family shot in front of the church rig, SB #3 isn't quite finished yet.
Curious: You clearly chose to get the MM type P'up in the one bass but not either of the SB's. Can you tell us why?
Could be that the SB5000 is not chambered and also have a little more weight/wood than the SB5001, just a thought. when ordering my SB5000 I requested a 1 piece swamp ash body I know the bass will be Heavy! but I know I'll be Tone happy!
I was wrong about the top
Dude that's very, very nice and it sounds fantastic!
One thing I wish Carvin would offer (and I don't mean this as a critic of your bass but of Carvin) would be a vintage pearloid and cream/parchment pickguard option. Anything off white. For me a vintage pearloid pickguard would look extra awesome on this already beautiful bass. I think most of their traditional bursts would really benefit from an off white pickguard.
In all honesty it was an experiment and it doesnt have the sound I like in the SB's but it DOES sound great. I think its the first time they've actually built a neck through with an SB headstock on it. Its flawless as far as its construction and has a real gutsy growly bite, a little less hi fi sounding than the SB's. Its also an anniversary model.
Thanks! After impulsing buying my first SB5000, I sat and watched for several months of SB builds watching which ones caught my eye and this kept a mental list of what I'd like on my next one. I didn't really plan on buying one, but the combination of the introduction of the lighter SB5001 and my 40th Bday pushed me over the edge
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