I got an email, but I'd give them a call. They may have just forgotten to send yours.
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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 4!
- Thread starter smperry
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I got an email, but I'd give them a call. They may have just forgotten to send yours.
Ok, for those of you who have been following this thread you may, or may not, remember that I was putting together a B50A kit. I have an SB5000 that I love BUT it weights 10 lbs. Not a bad weight, but not great either. I've developed some neck/shoulder issues from playing and wanted to minimize these issues so I've been on a quest to set up the lightest bass I could. Originally I was going to do a Warmoth build but after getting an SB5000 and loving it, I went with the Carvin kit (MUCH cheaper than the Warmoth route).
I talked with a couple people at Carvin and they both told me that the CURRENT version of the B50A is identical to the SB except for the body shape (same neck, same hardware, same electronics). So, I put in an order and specified that the swamp ash body had to be super light. I told them if the kit showed up weighing over 9 lbs that I would send it back. So, initial weight unfinished was 8 lbs 2oz (low threes for the body)!
After going with Hipshot ultralight tuners (a 15% weight reduction from the Carvin tuners) and finishing the bass the fighting weight is......(drum role please).......8lbs even! Holy cow! For a 5 string!
I've been playing it for one week now (lots of solo time, one gig, one long band practice) so it is time for the initial report. I'm happy as a pig in slop. The bass plays, sounds, and feels remarkably like my SB5000. The neck feels the same, action is set up the same, all electronics work the same. The tone is a little different. Swamp Ash has a reputation for having a mid scoop. After all the sound clips I listened to on TB, I didn't expect to hear much of a sound difference. It isn't huge, but it is there. Clearly more low end...I've had to EQ my low end down more than usual. I know people would like sound clips but I have different strings on the two basses so that won't help and I have no good way to record at the moment. To me, I can clearly hear that midscoop and I had to compensate on my EQ because the low end was slightly more boomy than my SB...enough so that the guitarist (who is a good friend with a good ear) asked me to role back the lows to tighten up the tone.
Strings: I first set the new bass up with D'Addario coated strings. I did NOT like the sound. Too nasally sounding and I thought it might have been the body wood. So I switched strings with my SB (which had well broken in D'Addario nickles) and the bass sounds switched basses! Gave me an appreciation for how much the strings control the sound.
Besides the slight difference in EQ, very similar sound. Eventually, I'll put the same new strings on both basses so I have a better comparison (I'll try and put a sound clip up when I do that). Bottom line is I'm thrilled. The SB might be favored for home practice. The heavier body means that it balances better on my leg. The new B50 will be the clear winner for band practice and gigs because it is ONLY 8 LBS! I'll post a few more pictures and maybe some details on the finish. The new B50A ran around $740 with shipping...
Basic kit is $509...Extra for the 5 piece neck (which I wanted for long term stability), Abalone knob and dot inlay, and Swamp Ash body.
I thought the extra $100plus was worth it for the Hipshot tuners given the super light body.
Damn good price for a kickarse bass.
Nice looking bass!
Can you tell me how much time it took for Carvin to build it?
Thanks guys!
This really is a cool bass. Besides looking and sounding great, it plays fantastic even though the truss rod and action both need some adjusting. I'm thrilled with how it turned out.
Tonight, we'll see how it stands up to drums and guitars!
That is a nice fretless! I might do a fretless Carvin B50A kit after having so much fun with the fretted. However, I would need fretlines. Not as pretty to look at but prettier to the ear with me playing! Enjoy.
The fretless absolutely killed at band practice tonight. The output is massive in active or passive mode. Both sound great and I found myself switching back and forth every few songs. The band loved it. I brought my P-bass along just in case, and that's where it stayed all night.. just in the case!
Very cool Dave! Glad to hear that you're totally digging the SB fretless! I'm still amazed at the tone and playability of my 5001.
....also like your subtle pun! ... just in case you thought that I missed it!
Woohoo! Pics or it didn't happen
Well, it hasn't happened YET. The best I could do now is a screen shot of the tracking page.
I'll have some pictures up ASAP.
Man, I can't wait to see this one.Well, it hasn't happened YET. The best I could do now is a screen shot of the tracking page.
I'll have some pictures up ASAP.
Handyman said:
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I'm thinking about picking up this bass from the in-stock page. Short of not knowing what type of wood the body is, this is pretty much what I would order except for the sperm inlays and stainless frets.
Was this a return from anyone on here? If so, what didn't you like? DOes anyone have any experience with stainless frets on one of these? I fear the "clack".
I just picked up a blacked-out sb4000 from the classifieds, and I LOVE it. However, it is heavy (11.2 lbs) and not really my style. That said, it's the first Jazz style bass that Ive ever owned that Ive been totally pleased with tone wise. I'm a P guy, and never found a Jazz to sit right in the mix; until now! I'm a believer, and can't wait to get one thats more "me" (and lighter!)!
I'm thinking about picking up this bass from the in-stock page. Short of not knowing what type of wood the body is, this is pretty much what I would order except for the sperm inlays and stainless frets.
Was this a return from anyone on here? If so, what didn't you like? DOes anyone have any experience with stainless frets on one of these? I fear the "clack".
I just picked up a blacked-out sb4000 from the classifieds, and I LOVE it. However, it is heavy (11.2 lbs) and not really my style. That said, it's the first Jazz style bass that Ive ever owned that Ive been totally pleased with tone wise. I'm a P guy, and never found a Jazz to sit right in the mix; until now! I'm a believer, and can't wait to get one thats more "me" (and lighter!)!
I think they just list the options on the bass so if it doesn't specify a body wood I believe it would be the stock alder.
That's not one I have seen on the boards before. I've thought quite a bit about pulling the trigger on that one. I'm about 99% sure the body wood is Alder and I have SS frets on all my SBs and they sound great, imo. I don't think there is much sonic difference, just greater durability with those. My guess after playing several SBs is that the one you are looking at is a really nice 4-string. If it had maple, I would have already bought it. Don't forget it has a 10-day return policy if you don't dig it.
The benefits of thread subscription.
Now, where is Handyman with pics of his new bass?!?!?
that is a sweet looking sb4000.
i ordered stainless frets on mine as well. no sonic difference really, just less fretwear...if any!
i ordered stainless frets on mine as well. no sonic difference really, just less fretwear...if any!
I called the Norman Music Center in OK yesterday to inquire about the Plek process and they told me it was $50 more ($225 v. $175) to do SS frets. I think that might the only downside to getting them. It made me wonder about sending SB's straight from the factory there to be Plek'ed before delivery. Wonder if it was make a noticeable improvement?
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