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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 6!

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#961
Low Class said:
My SB4000

SB4000FrontFull.jpg

Sb4000RearFull.jpg


This one has an ash body, I'm thinking of getting rid of this one and get one exactly like it with alder.
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Thats just awesomeness ! :bassist:
 
#962
Jarrett said:
There's a first...
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I looked at pickles' gear list to try to determine what Sadowsky basses he/she owns. I found what looks like a few P+J basses equipped with Sadowsky parts (rather than a Sadowsky bass) Of course, I'm not trying to speculate, I'd rather hear it from the horse's mouth. But, my guess is pickles is comparing a Jazz setup to a P+J setup.

Maybe thats the "Ooomph" that they are missing? Of course, exactly why I suggested the S2 switch. (all pending pickles' reply)
 
#963
Hey my profile is way out of date. My main basses for quite a while now are a sadowsky mv4 and a 72p. Also have two sadowsky 5s and the Carvin. Have owned literally everything under the sun. Recently had an fbass vf5, an original 74J, and for ages I played a pair of Lakland USA 5s and a Fender RBV.

I always say the sadowsky sound injects a p bass like bottom into a cleaner sounding J bass.

I don't think the Carvin sounds like a fender J. It's shiny bright and very sweet sounding with a distinctive attack that reminds me of hamer cruise basses a bit. I'm running DR high beams which I always use on my 4s. Most 5s have awful Bs with the hi beams, but the SBs is killer. That and the no dead spots, killer looks, and super fast neck make the bass very exciting. I was thinking something like a Duncan J set or demarzio HCs might open up a rounder low end. Or maybe a different EQ but I typically prefer to get my basic sound without using on board EQ.

May also just leave it alone or try different strings. It's a great bass, just curious if anyone else is tinkering with them.
 
#964
pickles said:
Hey my profile is way out of date. My main basses for quite a while now are a sadowsky mv4 and a 72p. Also have two sadowsky 5s and the Carvin. Have owned literally everything under the sun. Recently had an fbass vf5, an original 74J, and for ages I played a pair of Lakland USA 5s and a Fender RBV.

I always say the sadowsky sound injects a p bass like bottom into a cleaner sounding J bass.

I don't think the Carvin sounds like a fender J. It's shiny bright and very sweet sounding with a distinctive attack that reminds me of hamer cruise basses a bit. I'm running DR high beams which I always use on my 4s. Most 5s have awful Bs with the hi beams, but the SBs is killer. That and the no dead spots, killer looks, and super fast neck make the bass very exciting. I was thinking something like a Duncan J set or demarzio HCs might open up a rounder low end. Or maybe a different EQ but I typically prefer to get my basic sound without using on board EQ.

May also just leave it alone or try different strings. It's a great bass, just curious if anyone else is tinkering with them.
Click to expand...

I'm tinkering with mine, going to try a different bridge. I have a G&L JB also and was looking at both basses a couple of days ago and noticed that the bolt pattern on the Carvin and G&L bridges were the same. Putting the Carvin bridge on the G&L was an easy swap and made a HUGE difference in the bass. I'm presently having a buddy of mine grind off the hunk of metal sticking out of the bottom of the G&L bridge so I can mount it on the SB. When I get it mounted I'll post pics and give a report.
 

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#966
pickles said:
Thats interesting, my theory is that the bridge has a lot to do with that special attack I hear, and the B string performance ...
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Well it's a simple mod and I'll know soon enough how it changes it. If I don't like it no harm done, I'll just put the stock bridge back on. I've already ordered a new bridge to replace the one I put on the G&L cause it ain't going nowhere. The Carvin bridge on the JB has made it the best playing bass I've had in a while. Hopefully I'll get similar results with the G&L bridge on the SB.
 
#975
pickles said:
Hey my profile is way out of date. My main basses for quite a while now are a sadowsky mv4 and a 72p. Also have two sadowsky 5s and the Carvin. Have owned literally everything under the sun. Recently had an fbass vf5, an original 74J, and for ages I played a pair of Lakland USA 5s and a Fender RBV.

I always say the sadowsky sound injects a p bass like bottom into a cleaner sounding J bass.

I don't think the Carvin sounds like a fender J. It's shiny bright and very sweet sounding with a distinctive attack that reminds me of hamer cruise basses a bit. I'm running DR high beams which I always use on my 4s. Most 5s have awful Bs with the hi beams, but the SBs is killer. That and the no dead spots, killer looks, and super fast neck make the bass very exciting. I was thinking something like a Duncan J set or demarzio HCs might open up a rounder low end. Or maybe a different EQ but I typically prefer to get my basic sound without using on board EQ.

May also just leave it alone or try different strings. It's a great bass, just curious if anyone else is tinkering with them.
Click to expand...


Hey D

I will try to not get to longwinded here :hiding:

I modify everything and my Carvins are the only thing that I have left stock.

Playing currently.
Modulus VJ and Flea (from You) all with Audere and Nordstrand singles
SBMM Rays with Nordstrand 4.2 & 5.2 with SD bassline pres
XL nickles

For the Carvins I'm use the stock LaBella nickles 40-128 and I'm pretty happy with it.

I just tend to add a touch of lows. If I'm doing somehting on the conservative side I use the passive roll off about 1/3 of the way...Just enough to take out some sizzle.

What drew me to these basses was that I thought it was uber J like (in my own words I say uber J I'm thinking 70's J tone) Even thought I think the 60's spacing works better in most pop situations I love both tones. I have been using the Carvin for my own original material for the 6 months and have been pretty happy.
 
#976
pickles said:
Thats interesting, my theory is that the bridge has a lot to do with that special attack I hear, and the B string performance ...
Click to expand...

I agree %100 and love it. ;)
A bigger bridge will affect the percussive tone the bass has IMHO.
 
#977
It's funny, I feel like I've been on a quest to find a 5 string J that will work with hi beams. Now that I have one seems like it might sound better with the nickel labellas.

I was also wondering if this bridge would fit on my sadowsky 5. Does anybody know if you can get that same bridge with 19mm spacing?
 
#978
I sent my SB4000 back, I know shocker :) 4 string and rosewood just didn't do it for me.

BUT

I cannot believe how many B's and SB's are on the in stock page right now! I'm tempted to buy that black SB5000 just on principle. Did you see that fretboard? Slap a tort guard on that thing and dang. Are they on sale right now? I know I paid more for mine than the ones that are up there right now.
 
#980
pickles said:
It's funny, I feel like I've been on a quest to find a 5 string J that will work with hi beams. Now that I have one seems like it might sound better with the nickel labellas.

I was also wondering if this bridge would fit on my sadowsky 5. Does anybody know if you can get that same bridge with 19mm spacing?
Click to expand...

I thought that bridge is set at 19mm? :hiding: Or am I missing something (which is possible).
 
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