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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 5!
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
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So I'm looking at the Carvin in-stock page. They don't have one exactly like I want, but they do have one with stacked humbuckers and a blend knob and then another one with VV but has a double coil humbucker in the bridge.
Anyone know the differences between these? I prefer the J99As with the VV setup. Will either of these configs sound close to that?
Anyone know the differences between these? I prefer the J99As with the VV setup. Will either of these configs sound close to that?
I highly recommend calling Carvin, speaking to Flock, for the best options. He took great care of me. Mention me if you like, surely he will take care of you like he did me. Mention the Forsythe bass and how crazy I'am about it. There are lot's of things they can do not covered on the site.
Here's a little story about overseas pricing for Carvins.
I'm in the market (kind of) for a decent new 5-string, either a J or P. I dig the SB's looks, the videos on Carvin's site and in Youtube sounded pretty sweet. So, I mailed the Finnish Carvin dealer for a quote. I got a reply yesterday and it knocked me out. The price was... wait for it: $2400 (actually a bit over, but rounded down here). In euros, that's about 1800.
I understand that the dealer forms the price according to the base price + taxes etc. and I have no doubt that the bass wouldn't be worth it. I also understand that comparison between US & European prices isn't that fair, but still... I just hope you appreciate how much cheaper you are getting these basses.
Me? I think I'll just keep looking and settle for cheaper 5-string. For example, you can get an American Standard Jazz V (used) for about half the price of the new SB - that's enough for me. After all, I already have my Dingwall.
I'm in the market (kind of) for a decent new 5-string, either a J or P. I dig the SB's looks, the videos on Carvin's site and in Youtube sounded pretty sweet. So, I mailed the Finnish Carvin dealer for a quote. I got a reply yesterday and it knocked me out. The price was... wait for it: $2400 (actually a bit over, but rounded down here). In euros, that's about 1800.
I understand that the dealer forms the price according to the base price + taxes etc. and I have no doubt that the bass wouldn't be worth it. I also understand that comparison between US & European prices isn't that fair, but still... I just hope you appreciate how much cheaper you are getting these basses.
Me? I think I'll just keep looking and settle for cheaper 5-string. For example, you can get an American Standard Jazz V (used) for about half the price of the new SB - that's enough for me. After all, I already have my Dingwall.
Here's a little story about overseas pricing for Carvins.
I'm in the market (kind of) for a decent new 5-string, either a J or P. I dig the SB's looks, the videos on Carvin's site and in Youtube sounded pretty sweet. So, I mailed the Finnish Carvin dealer for a quote. I got a reply yesterday and it knocked me out. The price was... wait for it: $2400 (actually a bit over, but rounded down here). In euros, that's about 1800.
I understand that the dealer forms the price according to the base price + taxes etc. and I have no doubt that the bass wouldn't be worth it. I also understand that comparison between US & European prices isn't that fair, but still... I just hope you appreciate how much cheaper you are getting these basses.
Me? I think I'll just keep looking and settle for cheaper 5-string. For example, you can get an American Standard Jazz V (used) for about half the price of the new SB - that's enough for me. After all, I already have my Dingwall.
Wierd! I didn't know you had to go through a "Finish" Carvin dealer. It is strange that you can't just place the order with Carvin USA direclty and have them ship it to you. You might just look for a used one from someone willing to ship internationally.
Here's a little story about overseas pricing for Carvins.
I'm in the market (kind of) for a decent new 5-string, either a J or P. I dig the SB's looks, the videos on Carvin's site and in Youtube sounded pretty sweet. So, I mailed the Finnish Carvin dealer for a quote. I got a reply yesterday and it knocked me out. The price was... wait for it: $2400 (actually a bit over, but rounded down here). In euros, that's about 1800.
I understand that the dealer forms the price according to the base price + taxes etc. and I have no doubt that the bass wouldn't be worth it. I also understand that comparison between US & European prices isn't that fair, but still... I just hope you appreciate how much cheaper you are getting these basses.
Me? I think I'll just keep looking and settle for cheaper 5-string. For example, you can get an American Standard Jazz V (used) for about half the price of the new SB - that's enough for me. After all, I already have my Dingwall.
One of the big savings here in the US is the ability to order direct from Carvin and have no dealer adding in a profit margin for themselves. If Carvin won't ship directly to you, then maybe you can have a friend in the US order for you and then ship it to you. You'd still be saving quite a bit.
Actually,...I did some adding up and it would cost me a bit less (compared to the local price) to:
1. order the bass from the U.S site
2. Ask it to be shipped to a hotel address (e.g in New York)
3. get a cheap flight to New York
4. hang around N.Y for a couple of days
5. get the bass and fly back
I don't remember the exact regulations and/or custom fees for holiday purchases, but I might be able to squeeze those too within the starting price. I think that would be taking it a bit too far, but it is pretty amusing to think about.
Anyhow, I won't derail the thread any further. Please continue (posting some pictures).
Im looking at getting an SB5000 in the UK, in something traditional like sunburst/tort or the off white and tort. I like the darker fretboards (are they ebony as standard?!) but I must admit a birdseye maple board would be killer.
I wouldnt want many upgrades as Im not into fancy tops, and the hardware would be chrome.
Its looking at £1300 with a Carvin case (thats RETAIL) but im not sure how this works. Thats the 'dealer' so could I just buy it from them?
In this climate, I always always haggle for a lower price or walk away. £1300 isnt cheap...its not massively expensive, but I have a feeling in reality in the UK it should only really be around £1000-£1100 tops.
Its a shame we dont have something like Carvin in the UK. All custom basses here are silly silly money...IMO, (mainly £2000+ for a basic jazz).
To compare, I can get a Fender 2011 Deluxe Jazz 5 in Sunburst for a very similar price (£1300 ish), and it has those blocks
But, I love the look of these basses, a lot.
I wouldnt want many upgrades as Im not into fancy tops, and the hardware would be chrome.
Its looking at £1300 with a Carvin case (thats RETAIL) but im not sure how this works. Thats the 'dealer' so could I just buy it from them?
In this climate, I always always haggle for a lower price or walk away. £1300 isnt cheap...its not massively expensive, but I have a feeling in reality in the UK it should only really be around £1000-£1100 tops.
Its a shame we dont have something like Carvin in the UK. All custom basses here are silly silly money...IMO, (mainly £2000+ for a basic jazz).
To compare, I can get a Fender 2011 Deluxe Jazz 5 in Sunburst for a very similar price (£1300 ish), and it has those blocks
But, I love the look of these basses, a lot.
The SB basses are better than the Fender Deluxe. I do like Fender basses but not the Deluxe. Ebony is the standard fb wood.
I'm going to start giving lessons, so I figured I needed a 4-string to teach with so I just bought a new in-stock SB4000. Gloss finish on Alder, maple board w/abalone diamonds, chrome hardware, active w/ J99As, white pearloid pickguard, hipshot, straplocks. I'll get some pics up when it arrives.
Kinda looks like this one except 4-string/Alder/plain maple:
I went to stores and played other basses to see if I could find something else I liked, but I couldn't. The offshore Fenders just don't have what I want on them and anything near the SB quality is much more expensive. Heck even some of the new MIM Fenders are more than USA-built SBs. So I ended up back with Carvin again.
Kinda looks like this one except 4-string/Alder/plain maple:
I went to stores and played other basses to see if I could find something else I liked, but I couldn't. The offshore Fenders just don't have what I want on them and anything near the SB quality is much more expensive. Heck even some of the new MIM Fenders are more than USA-built SBs. So I ended up back with Carvin again.
Yeah, I hear the Fender Deluxe basses have noisy pups and some 'issues' with the preamps....to be honest id much rather try out an SB5000. If I can talk them down price-wise I might order. Not seen one in the UK yet.
Ordered my Bromberg B25S yesterday, and talked to Steve Schisler on the phone at Carvin. He was very helpful, and enthusiastic, about the new bass order!
You might be able to talk your dealer down, but Carvin sells direct over here and I don't think the price is negotiable.
I think the dealer are adding a little too much 'profit' taking it our of the pricing zone it should be in.
If they cant negotiate, ill have to give it a miss which loses them a sale, just for the sake of the extra cash.
Would love to deal with Carvin direct to be honest, but I assume I have to go through the dealer.
If they cant negotiate, ill have to give it a miss which loses them a sale, just for the sake of the extra cash.
Would love to deal with Carvin direct to be honest, but I assume I have to go through the dealer.
How does it work with import taxes and all that if you bought a used one and had someone ship it to you?
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