Tough to hear diffs you can attribute to the pickups with such different tunes and playing tone.
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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 7!
- Thread starter smperry
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That's pretty much my feeling on it. I think the J99As are wound a bit hotter, but both pretty much sound like a normal Jazz pickup.
The linear split coils are a HUGE improvement over stacked humbuckers if you want a traditional single coil sound. I even think Fender switched to this sort of design for their noiseless four string Jazz pickups.
Nice. I've been debating about J99's or H50's in an SB5k. I've got Quarter Pounders in my Jazz V and love them, but I've been thinking about getting away from singles for my next bass. However, I've read that the H50's have quite a bit lower output. So... debate.
Did the Nordstrands require any additional routing or were you able to just drop them in?
5sg.
Nice. I've been debating about J99's or H50's in an SB5k. I've got Quarter Pounders in my Jazz V and love them, but I've been thinking about getting away from singles for my next bass. However, I've read that the H50's have quite a bit lower output. So... debate.
Did the Nordstrands require any additional routing or were you able to just drop them in?
5sg.
The Nordstrands just plopped right into the existing routes. The pole pieces even line up perfectly.
The only thing I had to do was add some weather stripping foam to the bottom of the pickup cavity, as the nordy pickups aren't glued to the pickup covers like the Carvins.
Are the only fretboard radii available, the ones listed on the bass builder? Can I get a 10" or 12" radius on an SB5000? Can I get a 7.25" on a SB4000? Does anyone know if this is an available option "50"? Has anyone done this?
I just got a 10" radius on a 4k. I don't know if they go with a radius any smaller than that on any of their instruments. I'd be surprised if you couldn't get a 12" on a 5k, or even a 10" for that matter. Its worth making the call though. Let me know what they say, I'd definitely be interested in a 7 1/4 4k.
I think you can get 10", 12" (their standard), or 14" radii on Carvin 4 string models. However, as far as I know, all their 5 string basses, bolt-on and neck-thru, are available only with 14" radius. Could they do something special for you at additional cost with voided 10 day money back guarantee? Guess you going to have to call to find out for sure.
Fellas - I've posted in this forum many times. You may be interested in my mint 2011 SB 4000 that I upgraded by modding it with a 2011 MIA Fender Jazz '75 Reissue neck. It's currently up for trade in classifieds for a 5-string of equivalent value. Loved the SB 4000 so much, that I bought an SB 5000, and have been converted to a permanent 5-string player - thus the reason for trying to move it. Thanks.
Tried a MusicMan Big Al 5 and the Stingray with the twin MM humbuckers at Guitar Center today. I wanted to compare to my Carvin SB 5000, since these models both retailed around $2,000, and are presumably "better" than what I've already got. Went to GC, because wanted to try the Big Al -- fascinated me (both the looks and the three pickups and multiple sounds with the selector switches). While both MusicMan basses were really nice - I didn't think they were any nicer than the Carvin in terms of finish, or sound - or feel of the neck. Comparable. If you told me the Carvin cost the same or more (assuming I had no idea what these basses actually cost) - I wouldn't necessarily have reason to doubt it. Thought the twin MM humbuckers punched out a pretty aggressive tone that was nice - however, could probably dial up a similar tone while active with the Carvin. For what it's worth, fellow Carvin owners...
Yeah, my SB5000 has ruined going bass shopping for me
I went into GC the other day and played a few basses (including an American Fender P-bass) and was ready to get back home to my SB's. There was a salesman there playing a Bongo and honestly, it sounded pretty bad to my ears. The player was good though, best bass player I've ever seen in a GC.
I went into GC the other day and played a few basses (including an American Fender P-bass) and was ready to get back home to my SB's. There was a salesman there playing a Bongo and honestly, it sounded pretty bad to my ears. The player was good though, best bass player I've ever seen in a GC.
Yeah, my SB5000 has ruined going bass shopping for me
I went into GC the other day and played a few basses (including an American Fender P-bass) and was ready to get back home to my SB's. There was a salesman there playing a Bongo and honestly, it sounded pretty bad to my ears. The player was good though, best bass player I've ever seen in a GC.
GUITAR CENTER has ruined bass shopping for me. I always would've thought GC's in Denver would be okay, but the latest trip (to the Park Meadows store last weekend) was a COMPLETE bust. There wasn't one bass in the bass room that was playable... Even the guitarist buddy I was with questioned it... "Is that normal?" There wasn't an amp in there that wasn't missing a speaker cable and/or a power cord, and the Markbass 1x12 combo I actually sat down to try had a busted input jack... Couldn't get a 1/4" cable all the way in.
Sorry... Rant.
On a brighter note, pretty good first day at the new job... Getting super itchy on the trigger finger for my SB5k! Lol
5sg.
Also, my mim jazz goes under the P knife soon. The carvin fills all jazz bass sonic territory. Need a carvin p. Until then, making my own.
Yeah, it amazes me just how @@!!#!## ing good the SB5K is.
I've owned a bunch of high-priced boutique basses, and that used 5K I bought on an impulse, here on TB, is my go-to. Ergonomics, playability, tone--it's got it all, for me.
Well, I just might get it Plekked, but that's icing on the cake...
I've owned a bunch of high-priced boutique basses, and that used 5K I bought on an impulse, here on TB, is my go-to. Ergonomics, playability, tone--it's got it all, for me.
Well, I just might get it Plekked, but that's icing on the cake...
Sorry to get all curmudgeony here but Carvin offers a gazillion options on a sizeable variety of bass models, built in the U.S., at a pretty damn reasonable price. Yet on many of these TB threads, Ill read things like, Carvin needs to offer this...Id pull the trigger if Carvin would only offer that
Carvin needs to get with the program and come out with
blah blah blah. When is it ever enough? Things like Pleckked boards, 6-string SB options, and true P pickups will clearly play a roll in the character of a bass sonically and playability-wise. But will it make THAT big of a difference in your playing? Ive seen a lot of YouTube clips of pros and hobbyists alike doing some amazing things with Carvin basses. Some of these axes where tricked out with gorgeous quilts with all the whistles and bells while others where about as plain Jane as they get. Yet somehow they all still sound fantastic.
I think all this over-the-top customization stuff is more about esthetics than actual functionality.
I think all this over-the-top customization stuff is more about esthetics than actual functionality.
Right. Does gold hardware sustain better than chrome? Is that what you're saying? Because if you're saying I can cop a Precision tone on my Carvin, please clue me in
I love my bass. I was only pointing out that it's such a good instrument, I no longer need my other jazz bass. Hence, it will be a p bass.
I'm just glad that Carvin finally has a way better sounding preamp, thinner profile necks and abalone/MOP inlays on maple fingerboard. 3 things I've been asking them for years to do.
Mr dgce...I recall you calling some of us out about the "If Carvin would only..." in another thread. Since Carvin now provides the 3 options I've often griped about, I've bought 3 new basses from them. See, some of us do put our money where our mouth is.
Mr dgce...I recall you calling some of us out about the "If Carvin would only..." in another thread. Since Carvin now provides the 3 options I've often griped about, I've bought 3 new basses from them. See, some of us do put our money where our mouth is.
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