Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 7!

[hailet]

I think this is my first SB5000 fretless:

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And this is a SB4000 fretless that I bought from LarryElwood that he converted himself:

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Here's a clip I made just now of my current SB5001 fretless with DR Sunbeams:

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First half of the last clip is both pickups full. Half way through I rolled the volume back on the neck pickup a little and favored the bridge.
Note that I was sitting about 16 inches away from a computer monitor and no buzz with the J99A single coils.
macribas, I added the last line in that clip just for you. It's a bass line from one of my fave Austin bands from the 90's.

The first two tracks in particular are beautiful with great tone and feeling. I've only played fretless basses in stores but this year I will own one. It's such a beautiful unique sound that nothing else comes close to. Thanks for posting your tracks.

 

[plong123]

Beautiful brown bass, boss.

 

[Jarrett]

The first two tracks in particular are beautiful with great tone and feeling. I've only played fretless basses in stores but this year I will own one. It's such a beautiful unique sound that nothing else comes close to. Thanks for posting your tracks.

Thanks! I like to record each of my basses and compare the recordings as sort of a sanity check and to refresh my memory from time to time.

 

[gerrywarwick]

Another one from Saturday at the Pier. Loving the Carvin more each time out. Somehow, it sounds even better than when I first got it. Still rockin the original strings and batteries too.

 

[plong123]

Shipping confirmation: NBD is gonna be next Tuesday! w00t

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Received my "Plain Jane" SB4000 today. I dig the mini Marcus vibe, and I'll get back to you on how it sounds....once I figure out why doesn't make any sounds.

 

[fivestringgecko]

....once I figure out why doesn't make any sounds.

Oh noes....

5sg.

 

[Lackey]

Yikes. Definitely have some holes in their QC process. Nice looking bass though, hopefully its something simple like the battery, terminals, or their ilk..

 

[qervo]

I agree, check the battery terminals , I had to put some tape in mine so the battery would stay connected

 

[Ewo]

Pull the tone knob to go passive. Output now? If so, check battery, battery contacts.

Another possibility is the output jack is boogered. Remove the two small screws on the jackplate, and gently pull the jack out of the body. Insert a guitar cord, and see if contact look OK.

 

[WoodyG3]

At least the neck isn't snapped in two this time, Funk. It sure looks nice!

 

[rmars]

Received my "Plain Jane" SB4000 today. I dig the mini Marcus vibe, and I'll get back to you on how it sounds....once I figure out why doesn't make any sounds.

Bummer man.... nice looking though!

At least the neck isn't snapped in two this time, Funk. It sure looks nice!

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

LOL...no detachable headstock on this bass.

I ordered the preamp with a mid controls option, so no pull up passive. I bypassed the preamp and went straight pickup to output and it works that way. Also, the preamp is receiving 18v...so pretty sure it's the culprit. Carvin is sending me a new preamp. In the meantime, I threw in my spare SB electronics (2 band) and it sounds great. I just remembered how much I hate hand guards.

 

[rmars]

My SB5000 is on the way..... I have such bad luck with new instruments that I don't want to get too excited. I have a J bass build that's turning out quite well so even if the Carvin isn't my bag I know that I'm going to at least end up with one cool new bass.

 

[jeff7bass]

My B40 is due very soon. Can't wait.

Is this topic, being PART 7 now, possibly the biggest topic in TB history?

 

[Jarrett]

I think Sadowsky is on part 33

 

[WoodyG3]

Lakland Owner's Group is on part 61.

I'm glad you found the problem, Funk. It's a real pain that you have to swap out a pre on a brand new bass. I wonder if something shook loose during shipping.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I'm glad you found the problem, Funk. It's a real pain that you have to swap out a pre on a brand new bass. I wonder if something shook loose during shipping.

Oh well....it's like that sometimes. No biggie, it's just a bass. Merely nothing in the grand scheme of life, right. Besides, they apologized, it's all good.

I'm digging it as a 2 band at the moment.

 

[unclejane]

Oh well....it's like that sometimes. No biggie, it's just a bass. Merely nothing in the grand scheme of life, right. Besides, they apologized, it's all good.

I'm digging it as a 2 band at the moment.

If it's any consolation, that's actually the most common failure mode with electronics - it's called "infant mortality". Chances are, it played and sounded great at Carvin during their QC so they put it into the case and sent it to you. When you plugged in the very first time, it could have popped and went Tango Uniform right then and there before you ever heard a peep.

Like I said, very common... Once they make it past the first week or so, they'll almost never die tho...

LS

 

[jeff7bass]

So much for Carvin's lousy resale value. Saw a used SB5000 at GC tonight for 1699.00. Gold hardware, active/passive, fancy inlays. Still, that's a pretty penny for a used Carvin!