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

[Jarrett]

I just talked to Carvin tech and they said bending the clips to accommodate the shorter Duracells is no problem.

Just bent them, actually kinda hard to do they are sturdy, and the SB5001 is working with the Duracells. Hate to go all Eric Johnson, but I think it sounds a little better with them. Prob just wishful thinking on my part. Now to get some DR Hi-Beams on there and record one more clip and one more band rehearsal.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

As I said, the Alder has more mid presence, it's not as scooped sounding as swamp ash. It cuts through the band and makes itself heard better in the mix. Of course, the preamp can make it scooped if you boost lows and highs, so the slap tone is not radically different than the review bass. It's a subtle difference, but an important one for my taste. It also sounds killer in passive mode.

Ed clearly did not read the "Alder vs. Junkwood" audio test tread...

Just teasing - I agree, to my ear Alder has more warmth... It also helps that you are quite a player. Nice looking bass!

 

[trainyourhuman]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but anybody put Hipshot Ultralights on their SB5000 yet?

 

[macribas]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but anybody put Hipshot Ultralights on their SB5000 yet?

I've been debating about that for a while, was even going to test to see if it matched the holes. But then again, I don't have a problem with the Carvin tuners.

 

[Jarrett]

Ed clearly did not read the "Alder vs. Junkwood" audio test tread... !

I missed it too, what was the result?

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but anybody put Hipshot Ultralights on their SB5000 yet?

What's the scoop on this? Reduces weight I guess? How much? I am digging the 8.5lb SB5001 weight, how much could I shed with some of these?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but anybody put Hipshot Ultralights on their SB5000 yet?

You will lose a few Oz at best. Hardly worth the $$$.

 

[smeet]

I missed it too, what was the result?

Depends who you ask, but my take is basically that with all other things being equal (neck/pickups/strings/electronics), an alder body sounded very close to a chunk of scrap pine:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=743932

 

[Jarrett]

I think if you put some dark strings on a bass, play it softly with your fingers and bury it in a mix, it could be anything. Dig into that fretted G string with some decent strings and I bet some evidence would start to show up.

 

[trainyourhuman]

You will lose a few Oz at best. Hardly worth the $$$.

But I want cloverleafs on there!

 

[macribas]

I've been debating about that for a while, was even going to test to see if it matched the holes. But then again, I don't have a problem with the Carvin tuners.

Ok, I did some quick testing:

1. It's got to be the Y tuners, the Clovers are too big.
2. It's got to be the 3/8" shaft. The 1/2" fits through the hole but the ferrules don't (I got two sizes of ferrules).
3. My hardware is chrome, so the best Hipshot would be the all-chrome (no satin parts) one.
4. The stem is a bit longer on the Hipshots, so they will be about 1/4" 'taller' than the original ones. I read on the Hipshot catalog that you can special order those with shorter stems, but I have never tried that.

In summary, this is it: HE6Y-1/2" All Chrome.

 

[trainyourhuman]

Crap. My only real desire was for the cloverleafs. I think that the SBs are screaming for vintage style machines!

 

[macribas]

Crap. My only real desire was for the cloverleafs. I think that the SBs are screaming for vintage style machines!

Well, I can only speak for the default headstock. The Hipshot cloverleafs are too wide. I did not install all of them, just one to see what happened, but I believe they touch each other.

 

[trainyourhuman]

Oh, I wonder if they'll fit on an Icon headstock? That would look awesome!

 

[Jarrett]

We are about 6 posts away from wrapping up two big threads on the SB series. Pretty cool. I'm really glad I stumbled onto them back in April of 2010.

 

[Vic]

We are about 6 posts away from wrapping up two big threads on the SB series. Pretty cool. I'm really glad I stumbled onto them back in April of 2010.

1...

(jk)

 

[kraigg007]

Exactly. I would love cloverleaf tuners, fender style control knobs, and a slightly bigger SB headstock. Those small changes would make this the perfect bass!

Crap. My only real desire was for the cloverleafs. I think that the SBs are screaming for vintage style machines!

 

[MonsterBass101]

^ +1

 

[CharlieC]

Exactly. I would love cloverleaf tuners, fender style control knobs, and a slightly bigger SB headstock. Those small changes would make this the perfect bass!

I would even say, also lose the funky tulip style body horns and make it like a Jazz Bass as much as a Sadowsky looks like one.

Now that's for the win!

 

[pyrohr]

It really cracks me up to see some of these post about what the SB bass looks like! Are we bassist or fashion show contestants? I question the ability to play of some of these people who are harping on a headstock or body style. A good bassist can an will play anything that sounds good and plays well thats why he gets work and a poor workman blames his tools!

 

[CharlieC]

It really cracks me up to see some of these post about what the SB bass looks like! Are we bassist or fashion show contestants? I question the ability to play of some of these people who are harping on a headstock or body style. A good bassist can an will play anything that sounds good and plays well thats why he gets work and a poor workman blames his tools!

I actually opened my wallet and bought one, but I'd gladly pay more if it looked more like the bass it was trying to better: The Fender Jazz.

No doubt, looks are important, but what I want in the basses that I choose to buy and play is more so.

Cheers!