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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 5!

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#541
Just ordered my second SB5000 a few days ago. Anyone know what the wait is looking like right now??

These basses are seriously amazing and I don't understand it. I let a Nordy, Sukop, MLP and a LowEnd go, but my SB5000 is sticking with me. Everyone at the church I play at loves my SB5000's tone over all the others I've named.. and for a fraction of the price.. I don't get it!
 
#545
Lucky Strike said:
These basses are seriously amazing and I don't understand it. I let a Nordy, Sukop, MLP and a LowEnd go, but my SB5000 is sticking with me. Everyone at the church I play at loves my SB5000's tone over all the others I've named.. and for a fraction of the price.. I don't get it!
Click to expand...

You have a good point LS
These basses IMHO absolutely sound & play like basses in the high end category, like the ones you mentioned.

The SBs are one of, if not the best deal in the industry out there for J basses.
 
#546
Jarrett said:
I sent the SB4000 back.

Here's a question with those with many basses. What bass of similar style do you prefer to your SB5000?
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You probably don't want to hear this, but my Sadowsky. Don't get me wrong, I agree with all the folks (such as myself) who say here that the SB5000 does a WHOLE LOT... especially for the money, but nothing quite feels or sounds as good to me for an aggressive J type bass as my Vintage 5. There's just something about the presence it has that I've just not found in most/all other J type basses. Just always seems to fire on all 8 cylinders no matter what kind of music I'm playing or in what venue. I wish I could quantify it better than that... and it's not even all that obvious until you get one on an actual gig. I remember being pretty "meh" about them when simply noodling on one in my basement.

People have to make up their own minds if the price difference is worth it (if, of course, they even find they do prefer a Sadowsky... that's NOT necessarily the case... personal pref!!). Anyway, this is potentially a heated topic, so I'll just leave it at this "IMHO" comment.

That said, I'm still TOTALLY diggin' my SB5000 a LOT, and play it pretty often in the rotation, so keep that in mind, too.

You seem to thrash an awful lot on this stuff, so I'm not really sure what will eventually make you happy, but I hope you find it soon. I know how much it sucks to just never have found "the one" and be searching for so long.
 
#547
Jarrett said:
I sent the SB4000 back.

Here's a question with those with many basses. What bass of similar style do you prefer to your SB5000?
Click to expand...

That is an interesting question.

I have a lot of basses and look at them as more as specific tools depending on the type of gig I do (I'm lucky that I usually always have a couple of differnent things going on).

I actually do not "prefer" anything to the SB5000 and just look at as another tool. To be honest I originally picked one up because I liked the ones I tried and wanted a backup to my Modulus FU5 J (which is 60's spacing). Once I gigged with it I noticed that it has a solid spot in the stable and if I really want that 70's tone,....well now I have it. (At least with the ash/maple one that I have) IMHO.
 
#548
Vic said:
You probably don't want to hear this, but my Sadowsky. Don't get me wrong, I agree with all the folks (such as myself) who say here that the SB5000 does a WHOLE LOT... especially for the money, but nothing quite feels or sounds as good to me for an aggressive J type bass as my Vintage 5. There's just something about the presence it has that I've just not found in most/all other J type basses. Just always seems to fire on all 8 cylinders no matter what kind of music I'm playing or in what venue. I wish I could quantify it better than that... and it's not even all that obvious until you get one on an actual gig. I remember being pretty "meh" about them when simply noodling on one in my basement.

People have to make up their own minds if the price difference is worth it (if, of course, they even find they do prefer a Sadowsky... that's NOT necessarily the case... personal pref!!). Anyway, this is potentially a heated topic, so I'll just leave it at this "IMHO" comment.

That said, I'm still TOTALLY diggin' my SB5000 a LOT, and play it pretty often in the rotation, so keep that in mind, too.

You seem to thrash an awful lot on this stuff, so I'm not really sure what will eventually make you happy, but I hope you find it soon. I know how much it sucks to just never have found "the one" and be searching for so long.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I guess my question might have given you the idea that I am unhappy with my SB5000, which is not the case. I just wonder what people feel like compares to the SB5000. Hearing Sadowsky doesn't surprise me (or bother me) and I would assume the Mike Lull and Alleva Coppolo might come up as well. I didn't expect to hear the Bromberg as it doesn't seem like a Jazz bass looking at it.

Also, I'm not much of a "thrasher" when it comes to basses. I've only played two basses primarily in the last 19 years with one being my Warwick and the other most recently being the SB5000 model. I actually find the comment a little funny directed towards me because I do only have one bass that I play and it seems I own fewer basses (2) than the majority of this forum :) I think there might be a few misconceptions about me here, but ah well, so goes the Internets :)
 
#549
Jarrett said:
I actually find the comment a little funny directed towards me because I do only have one bass that I play and it seems I own fewer basses (2) than the majority of this forum :) I think there might be a few misconceptions about me here, but ah well, so goes the Internets :)
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The comment came from my (mis)understanding you were gonna' flip yet another SB5000. Yeah, I churn gear a lot more than you do, but, I also have some center circle basses that will go nowhere, and I'm completely happy with in every way... more like what basswave was saying... just kind of a different tool for different jobs kinda' thing. I guess I didn't know you had at least one bass that's been "home bass" for so long. :)
 
#550
Ah no worries. I think the confusion came from me trying out a bunch of Carvins. Since they don't have a store near me I had to make use of the 10-day trial to find out what I liked. As it turns out, I only like the SB5000 but I have to spend a bunch on shipping to learn that lesson :)

I just posted my question to try to keep this thread rolling. I don't have any new basses to talk about, so trying to keep the SB discussion alive :)
 
#551
Lucky Strike said:
Just ordered my second SB5000 a few days ago. Anyone know what the wait is looking like right now??

These basses are seriously amazing and I don't understand it. I let a Nordy, Sukop, MLP and a LowEnd go, but my SB5000 is sticking with me. Everyone at the church I play at loves my SB5000's tone over all the others I've named.. and for a fraction of the price.. I don't get it!
Click to expand...

I spoke to a sales rep a couple of days ago, and he said that they are 'really busy back there'. So I'm not expecting anything to be finished early....

And you're right on the other basses. My Carvins have outlasted Laklands and Sadowskys!
 
#552
Lucky Strike said:
Just ordered my second SB5000 a few days ago. Anyone know what the wait is looking like right now??

These basses are seriously amazing and I don't understand it. I let a Nordy, Sukop, MLP and a LowEnd go, but my SB5000 is sticking with me. Everyone at the church I play at loves my SB5000's tone over all the others I've named.. and for a fraction of the price.. I don't get it!
Click to expand...

They're running at least 2 weeks behind schedule (at least with me). Mine was supposed to be completed on 12/12 and as of today no shipping notice has been received. Kind of ticks me off becuase I scheduled a recording session next week in hopes of having it. Seeing how it will take 5 days to get here once it ships, I won't have it for that.

I understand the date was just an estimate but they don't have a very effective tracking/status system and when I call they say they'll find out and send me an e-mail and then I never hear anything back from them. Their customer service isn't very impressive at least with this particular transaction.
 
#553
kirkm24 said:
...

I understand the date was just an estimate but they don't have a very effective tracking/status system and when I call they say they'll find out and send me an e-mail and then I never hear anything back from them. Their customer service isn't very impressive at least with this particular transaction.
Click to expand...

I've noticed that the communication within Carvin between sales and manufacturing has always been a little lacking.

I know it sucks to wait, but I'd bet you'll be happy when the bass arrives.
 
#554
So- I got a Carvin BB76 2 weeks ago, and fell in love with it after putting Chromes on it. Now the bass is MINE.

The only problem is that I also have Chromes on my SB4000, which means I have essentially the same tone profile- even though the pre-amp in the BB76 is different, and so is the MM bridge pup.

I'm starting my search for the ulimate roundwound string for my SB4000, and decided to start out with Sunbeams, which I used on a Peavey T-40 a while ago.

Any opinions on rounds for a flats-kinda guy on a Carvin SB4000? I'm looking for that awesome mid-growl that the Chromes give me, and that will really showcase the sound of this bass?

I'd post this in the strings section, but I really only want feedback from fellow SB owners
-S
 
#555
swspiers said:
So- I got a Carvin BB76 2 weeks ago, and fell in love with it after putting Chromes on it. Now the bass is MINE.

The only problem is that I also have Chromes on my SB4000, which means I have essentially the same tone profile- even though the pre-amp in the BB76 is different, and so is the MM bridge pup.

I'm starting my search for the ulimate roundwound string for my SB4000, and decided to start out with Sunbeams, which I used on a Peavey T-40 a while ago.

Any opinions on rounds for a flats-kinda guy on a Carvin SB4000? I'm looking for that awesome mid-growl that the Chromes give me, and that will really showcase the sound of this bass?

I'd post this in the strings section, but I really only want feedback from fellow SB owners
-S
Click to expand...

2 strings I have found that work great on the SBs: Circle-K balanced sets and DR Black Beauties.

The Circle K's work really well as you can get a balanced set that not only feels the same across all strings, but eliminates the tendency to have G strings that seem louder/brighter than the rest of the set, as is commong on so many traditional string sets. Link Removed

The Black Beauties are super versatile. As long as your not expecting Stainless Steel zing out of them, they cover everything from nice, bright tones down into an overlap with your Chromes. Welcome to Bass Strings Online - Your Custom Bass String Shop... is the place to get those (owned by a talkbasser!)
 
#557
swspiers said:
I never considered Black Beauties! I really don't like the 'zing' of most rounds, especially on the SB.

And yeah- I get all my strings from Bass Strings On Line. I tried a set of GHS Brite Flats recently, and hated the dull thump. But they were a good price, I guess...
Click to expand...

Pressure wounds might be a good choice as well.
 
#558
WoodyG3 said:
I've noticed that the communication within Carvin between sales and manufacturing has always been a little lacking.

I know it sucks to wait, but I'd bet you'll be happy when the bass arrives.
Click to expand...

I already have one so I know I'll like it. The process went a lot smoother with my last one. It was only 2 days past the estimate when it shipped. They said on their website that if you ordered by 10/31 you'd have it by Christmas... well, it's not going to be happening in my case.
 
#559
swspiers said:
I'm starting my search for the ulimate roundwound string for my SB4000, and decided to start out with Sunbeams, which I used on a Peavey T-40 a while ago.
-S
Click to expand...

I put nickel Sunbeams on my 4000 a month ago after having the stock strings since i bought it and I LOVE the sound. I normally only use DR nickels anyway - Sunbeams or LoRiders. (except for Roto flats on my short scale Hag).
 
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