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

[G On Bass]

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

I think that 19mm bridges are standard on SB500/B50/B25/BB75 models and basses ordered with the wide-assymetrical neck.

They also offer the bridge with the narrower LB spacing.

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[jim777]

I'm thinking a white pickguard and some black vinyl blocks and the black one in the 'In Stock' section might cure my Geddy jones

 

[Eggman]

After owning an SB4000 for a few months, I finally did a jazz bass tone comparison over the weekend.

Both my 62 Jazz and my SB4000 are strung with the same strings - SB set on passive - both pups on full, tone knob set to the treble end. Both played through same amp - same settings.

SB had more volume - but to me - the tone was almost identical - an amazing reproduction of the classic Jazz Bass sound.

 

[Bassnkeys]

After owning an SB4000 for a few months, I finally did a jazz bass tone comparison over the weekend.

Both my 62 Jazz and my SB4000 are strung with the same strings - SB set on passive - both pups on full, tone knob set to the treble end. Both played through same amp - same settings.

SB had more volume - but to me - the tone was almost identical - an amazing reproduction of the classic Jazz Bass sound.

I own an SB 4000 (with an SB 5000 on the way). I always wondered how similar the tone really was with a standard Jazz. Thanks for the post.

 

[lbbc]

I have a Carvin SB4000 in black and couldn't be happier...great weight and feel. Of couse, I play thru a Carvin BX500 w/a Carvin 210 and 115 cabs

 

[Wilbyman]

Hey guys-

Hola to the Carvinites. I have my gold SB5000 which has been a great axe but I would like to get a fresh one with some slightly different options.

I am thinking about a surf green alder/rosewood with dots and matching headstock, regular preamp setup, cream covers. I would also like to go satin finish on the neck instead of tung oil.

My gold one is a little on the heavy side, not too bad and it sounds great. I am thinking about the chambering but I have played a few chambered Sadowskys and I thought they sounded bad. They had a blooming hollow type sound that just didn't sound like a jazz bass to me. Can anybody speak to how the chambering affects the sound of the 5001? I would like a 9lb bass but not at the cost of bad tone.

Also would like a fretless one!!!

Thanks guys!!

 

[iamthebassman]

"I am thinking about a surf green alder/rosewood with dots and matching headstock, regular preamp setup, cream covers. I would also like to go satin finish on the neck instead of tung oil."

Sounds just like mine, see pics earlier in this thread.

 

[Bassnkeys]

Hey guys-

Hola to the Carvinites. I have my gold SB5000 which has been a great axe but I would like to get a fresh one with some slightly different options.

I am thinking about a surf green alder/rosewood with dots and matching headstock, regular preamp setup, cream covers. I would also like to go satin finish on the neck instead of tung oil.

My gold one is a little on the heavy side, not too bad and it sounds great. I am thinking about the chambering but I have played a few chambered Sadowskys and I thought they sounded bad. They had a blooming hollow type sound that just didn't sound like a jazz bass to me. Can anybody speak to how the chambering affects the sound of the 5001? I would like a 9lb bass but not at the cost of bad tone.

Also would like a fretless one!!!

Thanks guys!!

Look at the current in-stock page at Carvin - sounds very similar to the one there.

 

[G On Bass]

I know they don't have the same clout and look of the SB series, but have you considered a B50? Same exact electronics and neck as the SB, but considerably lighter without chambering. Both my B50's are less than 9 pounds....

Hey guys-

Hola to the Carvinites. I have my gold SB5000 which has been a great axe but I would like to get a fresh one with some slightly different options.

I am thinking about a surf green alder/rosewood with dots and matching headstock, regular preamp setup, cream covers. I would also like to go satin finish on the neck instead of tung oil.

My gold one is a little on the heavy side, not too bad and it sounds great. I am thinking about the chambering but I have played a few chambered Sadowskys and I thought they sounded bad. They had a blooming hollow type sound that just didn't sound like a jazz bass to me. Can anybody speak to how the chambering affects the sound of the 5001? I would like a 9lb bass but not at the cost of bad tone.

Also would like a fretless one!!!

Thanks guys!!

 

[JoeVictim]

...SB had more volume - but to me - the tone was almost identical - an amazing reproduction of the classic Jazz Bass sound.

Agreed, which is why I wasn't sure about what the other guy said earlier in the thread about not having Oomph or whatever. I think this bass nails the Jazz tone. And this is coming from a guy that played nothing but Jazz basses for 15 years before trying a P bass and a MM to see what all the fuss was about. Back to a Jazz bass and Carvin has a winner. I know the hardest thing for the Fender diehards to get over is the shape. IMO, I love that it is a fresh look. I'm tired of seeing all the Jazz copies. This is the best kept secret for dudes searching for "the one" Jazz bass.

And I still can't get over how lightweight mine is. I asked for the light body wood and then had it chambered. (you have to ask for the SB4000 with the chambered option, not the 4001) This bass has enabled me to continue playing bass and it's not a $3000 Sad*****. Not bad if I say so myself.

 

[Wilbyman]

I am thinking about a surf green alder/rosewood with dots and matching headstock, regular preamp setup, cream covers. I would also like to go satin finish on the neck instead of tung oil...

Thanks guys!!

Well, I called last night and pulled the trigger on it. Looking forward to another one of these great basses. Will show pics when it arrives in about 7 weeks. (pretty amazing lead time!!)

 

[xed]

just got my postcard from Carvin... woo hoo!

 

[bassmanmicah]

What's your ETA date Xed? I am patiently awaiting September 7 to get here to see that it shipped, and hoping it ships sooner. Getting antsy!

 

[TonyP-]

For those of You who do not want to wait.
I have a ash/maple SB5000 on the market.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/carvin-sb5000-ash-maple-natural-0-908009/

 

[eight0eight]

First off I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on Talkbass and specifically this thread. Got a lot of great opinions that helped me make a decision and I really appreciate the shared knowledge on here.

I received my SB4000 in the mail yesterday (ordered 6/9/12) and so far I'm pretty impressed. It's Swamp Ash with Birdseye board and headstock. I went active with the pickup pan instead of dual volume.

I do have a few questions for current owners. First off is that I notice a volume increase when I solo either pickup. Kinda odd as I've never noticed this on other Jazz basses. I'd like to hear if others have the same issue or if I'm just crazy. Also there's a knot in the wood on the back of the neck(pictures below) I'm not fond of it looks wise but aside from causing dead spots (haven't found any yet but I've only played an hour or two) is there anything else I should be worried about? And last, has anyone added a series parallel switch to one of these? I did this to my passive Squire Classic Vibe and I really love the beefy extra sound you can pull. Any help is appreciated.

And as I know the bass doesn't really exist without pictures so hopefully these work.

Thanks again,
808

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[Vic]

I notice a volume increase when I solo either pickup. Kinda odd as I've never noticed this on other Jazz basses. I'd like to hear if others have the same issue or if I'm just crazy.

You're not crazy and it's not really much of an "issue". It's true of all passively mixed dual pickup basses, just more or less prevalent depending on if it's vol-vol or vol-blend, and also depending on pickup type.

Sometimes, in a blend config, reversing the ground vs signal can improve it a bit if it was wired without first verifying which should be which, but there will always be at least a little bit of this no matter what. Here's some relevant info, and if you're a tinkerer, you can check it out or have a tech do it for you. Should be very cheap and quick if so...

Also there's a knot in the wood on the back of the neck(pictures below) I'm not fond of it looks wise but aside from causing dead spots (haven't found any yet but I've only played an hour or two) is there anything else I should be worried about?

Nope. They don't use "green" wood, so it's already stable, including (and more or less compensating for) the variation in the grain/wood. Don't be concerned.

 

[eight0eight]

Thanks for the response and diagram Vic,
Popped the control cover to take a look but I didn't have my meter to check the wiring. The volume difference is more noticeable on the neck pickup and placement and bass response are definitely factoring into my perceived volume difference. If I solo a pickup it's almost always the bridge so I don't think any changes will be necessary.

After a look at the wiring it seem that a push pull volume knob would be the easiest way to add series / parallel switching. Still interested if anyone has done this to their SB.

 

[TonyP-]

Just picked up me new 5000.
Pics soon...Trans black, Ash, Ebony, Cream pickups description wise...

 

[Ewo]

<snip>

I went active with the pickup pan instead of dual volume.

I do have a few questions for current owners. First off is that I notice a volume increase when I solo either pickup. Kinda odd as I've never noticed this on other Jazz basses. I'd like to hear if others have the same issue or if I'm just crazy. appreciated.

Well, J basses have the pups wired out of phase to cancel hum when they're both full up. The hum is common to both pups, but the pups "hear" the strings differently because of their different positions, and thus you do get signal from the strings. That said, combining the signals in equal amounts does null out some of the strings' signal, too; that's what produces the characteristic scoop of the J.

Actually, all the J basses I've owned do what you're describing. Maybe you just didn't notice it before..?

 

[JoeVictim]

Nickel LoRiders are on the way for the SB4K. Recommended by a very trusted ally in sonic assault (diehard Jazz bass player).

On a side note, got them through fellow TB'er Jason from bassstringsonline.com. Why didn't I know he gave TB members a discount? Seemed like a no brainer. Can't wait to switch from SS to nickels. Seems like the right move for what I am playing.