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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 7!
- Thread starter smperry
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Dingy is just mojo. I really wouldn't care. If the tuners aren't working well and need replacing, I'd get hipshots for it.
Thanks for posting. That was absolutely wonderful. Great playing and great singing. It's looks like a really fun gig.
It would be great if you could come to the gtg in CT on 11/3.
- May 4, 2003
- 148
- 15
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel/Carvin Basses. Trickfish Amplification.
Jarrett said:
Thanks a lot man, it's an amazing gig! The bass book it is KILLING!!!!!
Freddels said:
Thanks! I'm loving the gig!
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the GTG.
All the best,
Carl
Already posted a picture of my SB5000 when I got it, but here is a shot from a festival I played last weekend where I brought both the Carvins out. On the left is my BB76P Fretless with a Flamed Koa top. Still absolutely loving my SB5000. Incredible bass.
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Vic - WRT the knobology on an active SB4000: Trying to figure out if I lose the "passive" option if I go for the stacked mid-sweep knob. Hard to figure out from the sparse information on the Carvin website what happens when I start screwing around with the knob configuration. I'll give up the midsweep knob to retain the ability to go passive - ?
Unknown. I've never asked about that option because I've never needed a mid control on a J type bass. For my prefs, the standard two band is perfect.
I got to speak with Albert in "tech," great guy, very informative.
- The SB4000/1 (active) only comes with one pre-amp.
- IF you order the stacked mid-sweep knob, you LOSE the ability to go passive. Simply because the knob farm's too crowded and there's no way to disengage the pre-amp.
- There might be a rumor (from not completely informed salespeople) that the stacked mid-sweep has the push/pull active/passive functionality. It does NOT.
So there it is. Same pre-amp regardless of the knob-ology; but no ability to go passive if you get sweepable mids. Not realizing I'd made made that choice, I called and made a change-order. Not a big deal; I'd rather be able to go passive than fool around with the mids.
- The SB4000/1 (active) only comes with one pre-amp.
- IF you order the stacked mid-sweep knob, you LOSE the ability to go passive. Simply because the knob farm's too crowded and there's no way to disengage the pre-amp.
- There might be a rumor (from not completely informed salespeople) that the stacked mid-sweep has the push/pull active/passive functionality. It does NOT.
So there it is. Same pre-amp regardless of the knob-ology; but no ability to go passive if you get sweepable mids. Not realizing I'd made made that choice, I called and made a change-order. Not a big deal; I'd rather be able to go passive than fool around with the mids.
Having opened up my SB5000, I'm pretty confident you could pay a tech to swap out one of the two volume knobs, and replace it with a push/pull pot. You could then use that to bypass the preamp. Unlike the other Carvin preamps, the volume and/or pan functions are not built into the preamp itself, which makes this pretty straight forward, even if Carvin won't wire it up like this at the factory.
I don't think there's a way around loosing the passive tone when you add the mid control, though.
EDIT: I take that back. If you REALLY want to , you could swap out the OTHER volume pot with the sort of stacked pot meant to be used on Jazz basses with the stacked vol/tone controls. Things might look a bit crowded with three sacked knobs, though
Yep. There is a mid knob on most amps
For those that know what I went through to get this bass, I had to report back. It's been over 3 months since I got my Carvin chambered SB4K passive only model. I must say that I feel a little spoiled. I don't even touch my MIM Jazz anymore. I sold the MM. This is the tone/feel I have been looking for. I know some are put off by the funky shape. But it serves a purpose. It's not just a crazy shape, it aides with balance. The neck is impeccable. The pups are dead silent. The look is pure sex (especially when you can make it your own). Maybe I am still in the honey moon stage, but anyone looking for big oldschool Jazz bass tone, this will be your last bass. You may GAS for other stuff (who doesn't), but this is the last bass I will ever NEED. (man, I want a USA Lakland) I will mirror Ed Friedland's comment, there is nothing comparable in this price range.
Kudos to Carvin for making me fall in love with playing again, instead of loathing band practice. You have outdone yourselves!
It's cool to hear the SB's are still wowing people. I've been playing mine for about 2.5 years now. I've gone looking for other basses that I would like better, but I can't find anything that isn't 2-3 times the price of my SB that I prefer.
I've sort of come to take my SB for granted at this point, but occasionally I will get a cool reminder. Recently, I've played with a keyboard player and drummer on separate gigs that I had played with months or even a year ago. And on separate occasions they both said something like, "It's good to play with you again. I still remember how good that bass sounds." That's when I remember how cool the SB is. Enough that other players take notice and remember how good it sounds.
I've sort of come to take my SB for granted at this point, but occasionally I will get a cool reminder. Recently, I've played with a keyboard player and drummer on separate gigs that I had played with months or even a year ago. And on separate occasions they both said something like, "It's good to play with you again. I still remember how good that bass sounds." That's when I remember how cool the SB is. Enough that other players take notice and remember how good it sounds.
+1, including me with mine. I know, boring... I've only purchased one, but damn, they f'n nailed it. I can't imagine having one I'd like better.
The one thing I wish Carvin would do is round over the edges on those J99 pickups. They tend to get uncomfortable on my thumb after a couple of hours. I tend to anchor my thumb there when playing the lowest string.
I wonder if there's enough material there to round them off with some sandpaper sufficiently to make them better for you. I'm sure you wouldn't be able to get them like "Bartolini rounded", but maybe just enough?
I don't think there is. On one of the Carvin videos, it mentions that the cover is only 32ths of an inch thick.
Ahh, ok. Oh well. Then again, that is probably part of why they sound good too... not too much material between the poles and strings. I've heard this can be a problem with some pickups that don't have exposed poles... for example, ones with custom wood covers where it's hard to get them nice and thin.
True, but they could add a little plastic on the ends to create a rounder and not so sharp edge.
I case anyone's tracking wait times - I got "the postcard" this week. Ordered SB4000 on 09/27; postcard states "we expect it to be completed 11/16."
Wow! I waited the full 10 weeks on mine! Nows the time to jump before the holidays get crazy!
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