Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 8!

[WoodyG3]

Here are the issues I've come up with so far:
-Out of the box it needs some set up, truss rod, intonation (not abnormal with shipping and different climates).

-When I opened the case, I noticed that the B saddle doesn't have an adjustment screw. Looked in the case, just to be sure it didn't fall off when being rattled around on the UPS truck, and...nothing. Looks like QC missed one there.

-The tone knob seems to not be quite as effective as I had hoped. Full up, its bright and clear. But nothing changes (virtually nothing, barely noticeable) until I roll it back 95%. Then it's dark and thick as it should be. But I barely roll on the tone and it gets back to very bright.

-Going from one master volume on my old P bass to two volume controls to think about makes swelling in and out pretty tricky...I guess I'll be stuck to my pedalboard for that.

I'd love to hear your thoughts...Should the tone knob be more responsive than it is? I already emailed my rep and told him about the saddle screw.

The tone knob should be a gradual roll off. Mine certainly is.

Also, which adjustment screw are you missing? The intonation screw, one of the bridge height screws, or the little adjustment lock screw? I can't imagine the bass being playable at all if either of the first two are missing.

 

[bASsplayer103]

The tone knob should be a gradual roll off. Mine certainly is.

Also, which adjustment screw are you missing? The intonation screw, one of the bridge height screws, or the little adjustment lock screw? I can't imagine the bass being playable at all if either of the first two are missing.

Missing the intonation screw. The one that moves the saddle forward and back. Ever hear of that before?

 

[WoodyG3]

Missing the intonation screw. The one that moves the saddle forward and back. Ever hear of that before?

LOL. No, I have certainly never heard of that. I'd call, don't wait for a return email. It's an easy fix, but how it could ever happen in the first place is really hard to understand.

 

[fivestringgecko]

LOL. No, I have certainly never heard of that. I'd call, don't wait for a return email. It's an easy fix, but how it could ever happen in the first place is really hard to understand.

+1, right? I mean, if it's missing the intonation screw, that means like mine, they obviously didn't check the intonation before it went out the door... Only it was more blatant with yours!

5sg.

 

[macribas]

Missing the intonation screw. The one that moves the saddle forward and back. Ever hear of that before?

Yes, mine is missing it for the B string too. If you find a way to get one, please let me know.

 

[WoodyG3]

Yes, mine is missing it for the B string too. If you find a way to get one, please let me know.

Isn't the saddle moving around, or is the string tension sort of holding it in place?

 

[macribas]

Isn't the saddle moving around, or is the string tension sort of holding it in place?

The latter. And I don't really play past the 7th fret on the B string, so intonation does not need to be really spot on.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Man that's strange. I would look in the case again...it's gotta be there.

But rest assured, Carvin won't Coppolo you. They'll hook you up.

 

[WoodyG3]

Man that's strange. I would look in the case again...it's gotta be there.

But rest assured, Carvin won't Coppolo you. They'll hook you up.

LOL. That's true. Carvin fixes their mistakes.

 

[LaBassGuy]

I found the sb5000 to be very bright. I ended it replacing the pups and pre with sadowsky singles and preamp. I too had to pretty mch roll off the entire tone to get a darker sound.

I think it sounds a lot more musical now.

 

[Alex J]

-The tone knob seems to not be quite as effective as I had hoped. Full up, its bright and clear. But nothing changes (virtually nothing, barely noticeable) until I roll it back 95%. Then it's dark and thick as it should be. But I barely roll on the tone and it gets back to very bright.

Mine has the same thing, but much more so in active mode. In passive it seems to be a much more gradual roll off. It's not a massive problem for me, as I usually run it wide open anyway, but changing the tone pot should fix this hopefully?

Still, a minor problem on an amazing bass

 

[Toptube]

Mine has the same thing, but much more so in active mode. In passive it seems to be a much more gradual roll off. It's not a massive problem for me, as I usually run it wide open anyway, but changing the tone pot should fix this hopefully?

Still, a minor problem on an amazing bass

likely just an issue of preference between audio taper and linear taper.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

likely just an issue of preference between audio taper and linear taper.

Agreed

 

[WoodyG3]

likely just an issue of preference between audio taper and linear taper.

Probably. Plus, since the SB basses are pretty bright, so it might take more of a twist than you are used to in order to "tame the beast."

 

[bASsplayer103]

likely just an issue of preference between audio taper and linear taper.

I'd understand if it wasn't as aggressive of a rolloff as I'm used to, but it really doesn't do anything till its practically rolled off.

 

[bASsplayer103]

Mine has the same thing, but much more so in active mode. In passive it seems to be a much more gradual roll off. It's not a massive problem for me, as I usually run it wide open anyway, but changing the tone pot should fix this hopefully?

Still, a minor problem on an amazing bass

Changing the tone pot would probably fix it, but I feel like that's something that Carvin should have caught before they shipped it. I talked to Albert in customer service and along with sending me the missing intonation adjustment screws, we're going to troubleshoot later on today about the tone pot.

I love the overall build and playability, but I might be investing in a different pup/pre system. I've heard good things about the Sadowsky system. Any others I should look at?

 

[T-MOST]

Changing the tone pot would probably fix it, but I feel like that's something that Carvin should have caught before they shipped it. I talked to Albert in customer service and along with sending me the missing intonation adjustment screws, we're going to troubleshoot later on today about the tone pot.

I love the overall build and playability, but I might be investing in a different pup/pre system. I've heard good things about the Sadowsky system. Any others I should look at?

+1 I agree that the overall build, playability and tone of the bass is very good. However, Carvin has problems with their electronics QC and seems to let some of the details fall through the cracks. All fixable, but why should you have to fix anything on a brand new build??

 

[G On Bass]

However, Carvin has problems with their electronics QC and seems to let some of the details fall through the cracks. All fixable, but why should you have to fix anything on a brand new build??

Unfortunately it ain't just Carvin. The last 3-4 basses I've bought new from various manufacturers have needed a trip to the shop before playing optimally. I'm dropping a Gibson off today. I've only had to do that with 1 of the many Carvin's I've owned.

 

[trainyourhuman]

Out for delivery...

 

[T-MOST]

Unfortunately it ain't just Carvin. The last 3-4 basses I've bought new from various manufacturers have needed a trip to the shop before playing optimally. I'm dropping a Gibson off today. I've only had to do that with 1 of the many Carvin's I've owned.

I'm hearing that a lot these days. But, In my experience this Carvin issue was a first.

For the record I like my Carvin (very much), everything is fixed now. But I was highly annoyed having to deal with the situation.