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

#501
That's my one main complaint with Carvin. They let some pretty simple electronics goof ups slide out the door on a fairly frequent basis. Granted, when you know enough to know they messed up and call them out on it, they fix it for free and quickly. But why should that happen at all?

To be fair, I've bought A LOT of basses from Carvin and only 1 or 2 had an issue. Most come perfect. I do my own setups, so I don't really consider that to be an issue. I think they come setup well for 90% of players, I just have some preferences. It only takes me 30 min or so to get it just like I like it.
 
#502
Jarrett said:
To be fair, I've bought A LOT of basses from Carvin and only 1 or 2 had an issue. Most come perfect. I do my own setups, so I don't really consider that to be an issue. I think they come setup well for 90% of players, I just have some preferences. It only takes me 30 min or so to get it just like I like it.
Click to expand...

That's the way I looked at the intonation issue on my SB. Intonation is an easy 10 minute deal, not an issue. I'm a little worried that the saddles are as far back as they are, but it should be fine... intonation is set, so it shouldn't be going anywhere... right? ;) I'll snap a pic when I can.

Other than that, I was pretty darn impressed with the build quality. I haven't actually opened her up to take a look at the electronics, which I should probably do, but everything works (and correctly), so it would just be curiosity.

5sg.
 
#504
I've always wondered about the whole assembly process. There are certain issues that I've never heard a complaint about with Carvin basses, and these tend to be what I would consider the more technical aspects of the build. Meanwhile, things like missing screws or a bad solder that I'm guessing might be the work of less experienced employees tend to be the trouble spots. When I got my SB4000, for instance, the bass was perfect in every way except the battery box was hanging loose becasue the screws to hold it in place had stripped out the wood. They were simply overtightened. It was a 2 minute fix for me, but it was silly that this happened at all.

Still, out of all the Carvins I've had built, that was the one and only problem. All my used Carvins have been very high quality, as well.
 
#508
Sparks55 said:
I couldn't move the saddle far enough to intonate the B string without removing the lock screw. Seems fine, though.
Click to expand...

Common problem with this bridge. The intonation adjustment screw is longer than it needs to be and gets in the way of the lock screw. I just remove the locking screw, as you have done. It doesn't seem to be a problem for me, the saddle stays in place just fine without the lock screw. It's just silly that this is a problem in the first place, though.
 
#509
WoodyG3 said:
Common problem with this bridge. The intonation adjustment screw is longer than it needs to be and gets in the way of the lock screw. I just remove the locking screw, as you have done. It doesn't seem to be a problem for me, the saddle stays in place just fine without the lock screw. It's just silly that this is a problem in the first place, though.
Click to expand...

There are two holes for the locking screw. Look good it there. I didn't find it until I did my G string.
 
#510
Had mine about a year now, love it!
carvinnewpic_zpsaacb910b.jpg
 
#515
Here's finally a look @ my baby I ordered over a year ago. Ash one piece body which I requested for it to be light. I'm very pleased with weight. Nice birdseye figured fingerboard with stainless frets. One of the easiest playing 5'ers I've owned. I always get complements on my tone with this bass. I had no issues with this instrument. I just lowered the action to my liking (very Low) set intonation and started having fun! One of my favorite settings is to favor the bridge pickup, dial up the active bass & treble while dialing back the passive tone controll a bit. Then play fingerstyle over the bridge pickup.
 

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#517
i wondered if you would respond, Jarrett. I've seen your blue SB. I have exotic wood basses and love them but I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on an extra like that and not know exactly what it would look like. The thought of then sending something back just because of an aesthete issue and then having to wait again made me sweat too much!
 
#518
fivestringgecko said:
I'm a little worried that the saddles are as far back as they are, but it should be fine... intonation is set, so it shouldn't be going anywhere... right? ;) I'll snap a pic when I can.
Click to expand...

Sparks55 said:
I couldn't move the saddle far enough to intonate the B string without removing the lock screw. Seems fine, though.
Click to expand...

WoodyG3 said:
Common problem with this bridge. The intonation adjustment screw is longer than it needs to be and gets in the way of the lock screw.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah... Here's a pic of my bridge after intonation adjustment. That B-string saddle is almost maxed. :hmm: But like I said, it's set, so it should be good...

5sg.

IMAG0172.jpg
 

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