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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 6!
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
- Status
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,619
- 18,701
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Hey guys,
I'm movin' my fretless SB5000, for real this time! G.A.S. has struck. Thought I'd toss it out here before letting the "unwashed masses" take a crack at it.
Anyone interested, lemme know..
Ping Freddels on this...He is thinking of pulling the trigger on a fretless.
So I just made a decision. I have totally revamped my bass line-up since trying an SB5000. I now own 2 SB4000s, an SB5000 and an Icon 4. I have been in search of a fretless. On a whim I ordered a Squire VM Jazz. It showed up the other day and is not the answer, by a long shot.
The decision is to order a fretless neck for the SB4000s. Since they have different p/u's, I figure I can put it on one for a while, then swap it to the other for a while. Cost is not much more than the Squire.
Has anyone done this, or have suggestions before I pull the trigger.
The decision is to order a fretless neck for the SB4000s. Since they have different p/u's, I figure I can put it on one for a while, then swap it to the other for a while. Cost is not much more than the Squire.
Has anyone done this, or have suggestions before I pull the trigger.
I wholeheartedly recommend buying the fretless neck. As I've posted in other threads, I did this for one of my B50s. It is a piece of cake to swap. All you need is a screwdriver.
Here are some things to consider:
***Make sure you ask them to drill the holes for the neck joint***
***Make sure you tell them that it is for an SB4000. The B50/SB5000 share necks, but the SB4000 is 20 fret and the B40 is 22.*****
- The neck, by default, will come bare. No finish on the headstock or the back of the neck. Obviously they can do that for you for a price, but I just used a little steel wool and some Formby's Tung Oil Finish
- It comes without tuners. If you want the ultimate easy-swap, but a set of tuners for the fretless neck. Otherwise just swap the existing ones (wrench and screwdriver required.
This is a super easy way to double up a bass's functionality and, as you said, costs less than a whole 'nother bass!
Thanks for the tips, Grateful. I will add all those suggestions to the planned phone conversation.
This morning, the plan was to order a fretted neck for my fretless SB5000.
This evening, the SB5000 is packed up for shipping to its new owner.
My, how things change in the space of a few hours! Darn G.A.S. got me again. Sold two basses in three days and got one coming in.
Maybe I'll join the SB5000 club again someday. They are fine basses, indeed.
This evening, the SB5000 is packed up for shipping to its new owner.
My, how things change in the space of a few hours! Darn G.A.S. got me again. Sold two basses in three days and got one coming in.
Maybe I'll join the SB5000 club again someday. They are fine basses, indeed.
I scored a 1999 Warwick Thumb neck-through 5-string. I had the same bass in a 4-string many years ago and it was the grail as far as tone. I'd been thinking about getting another one, and the planets aligned. Had to sell two basses to make it happen.
And I should note, it out-GASed a fretless SB5000, which for me was basically a toy and, thus, expendable. With frets, it might have been my main bass by now. Like I said, I may get another SB5000 someday, they really are nice.
Good choice! Taking the pictures of my SB helped me make the same decision. Can't weait to read how this works out for you.
Eggman,
I had an American Fender Jazz that I ordered a Mighty Mite fretless neck for. I would switch them when I wanted, including the tuners and string tree. I could have it switched and action dialed in within 12-15 mins after doing it 3 or 4 times. Piece of cake and fun if you like noodling with your bass's setup like I do.
I had an American Fender Jazz that I ordered a Mighty Mite fretless neck for. I would switch them when I wanted, including the tuners and string tree. I could have it switched and action dialed in within 12-15 mins after doing it 3 or 4 times. Piece of cake and fun if you like noodling with your bass's setup like I do.
Ordered the fretless neck today. Was told Carvin would not put a logo on it. They said since they did not know what bass the neck was going on and could not know if it was installed properly, they did not want Carvin on it. Oh well, naked headstock it is!
Maple neck, ebony with lines, chrome tuners, SB style headstock, tung oiled back of neck.
Maple neck, ebony with lines, chrome tuners, SB style headstock, tung oiled back of neck.
Drilled?
Yes, thank you. I did request that. Even asked them to install the tuners with their little set-screw.
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