• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

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

#581
Major error from the factory.

This is what the bass has NOW:
(from top to bottom order)
- Bridge volume, push/pull - Coil Tap
- Neck volume
- Tone push/pull - Active/Passive
- Stacked Treble/Bass

This is what I ORDERED:
(and the invoice shows paid for)
(again, from top to bottom order)
- Neck volume, push/pull - Active/Passive
- Bridge volume, push/pull - Coil Tap
- Stacked Mid/Sweep
- Stacked Treble/Bass

Can anyone answer as to if Carvin pickups are hard-soldered to the circuit board on an active/passive, or plug in to the board?
It would be so nice if they could just send me the corrected electronics as opposed to me shipping the whole bass back for that repair.
 
#582
tlr1293 said:
This is what I ORDERED:
(and the invoice shows paid for)
(again, from top to bottom order)
- Neck volume, push/pull - Active/Passive
- Bridge volume, push/pull - Coil Tap
- Stacked Mid/Sweep
- Stacked Treble/Bass

Can anyone answer as to if Carvin pickups are hard-soldered to the circuit board on an active/passive, or plug in to the board?
It would be so nice if they could just send me the corrected electronics as opposed to me shipping the whole bass back for that repair.
Click to expand...

They should be able to ship you a new plate if you are OK to install it. If you want it installed for free, you'll probably need to send them the bass. What you ordered is indeed how it should be. What they sent you is just a result of shoddy QC.
 
#583
tlr1293 said:
Actual photos - none so great as I haven't had the time just yet:

IMG_20130910_162211.jpg

IMG_20130910_162259.png

IMG_20130910_162519.png


As far as the electronics:
- The Neck PU is not a push-pull, and located 2nd
- The Bridge PU is located first and is a push-pull for coil tap
- the 3rd knob is a push-pull for active/passive and tone
- the 4th is the bass/treble

not bad except the first and second knobs are switched - haven't looked inside to see if I can switch to correct spot.

Sounds great! Love the grain.
Click to expand...
:cool:
Very nice.
I also have a Walnut SB4000 on order.
I went with a Rosewood fingerboard. I find the pre-amp
a bit on the sizzle side?
I was hoping the rosewood would mellow it out.
But I love the look of Birdseye Maple.
 
#584
I'm really thinking of ordering that same pickup configuration. Have you played an SB4000 with a jazz pickup in the bridge position? Can you compare the difference in tone? Thanks...

tlr1293 said:
Actual photos - none so great as I haven't had the time just yet:

IMG_20130910_162211.jpg

IMG_20130910_162259.png

IMG_20130910_162519.png


As far as the electronics:
- The Neck PU is not a push-pull, and located 2nd
- The Bridge PU is located first and is a push-pull for coil tap
- the 3rd knob is a push-pull for active/passive and tone
- the 4th is the bass/treble

not bad except the first and second knobs are switched - haven't looked inside to see if I can switch to correct spot.

Sounds great! Love the grain.
Click to expand...
 
#585
This is my first SB4000, so my experience is quite limited to the few hours I've owned it. :)

I can't comment on the pre-amp sizzle yet because my electronics are not yet fixed, but careful adding bass.... Some big time low end there..

I have built a number of basses, so putting in the new control plate electronics, IF the pickups are plugin, shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks.
 
#587
Just got off the phone with Carvin. They are sending me a new module with the corrected electronics. Apparently, Stacked mid-sweep not only replaces the tone control, but also removes the bass's ability to go passive; renders it active only.

Not what the website indicates, but customer support says no way Jose, on the SB4000 at least.
 
#589
tlr1293 said:
Just got off the phone with Carvin. They are sending me a new module with the corrected electronics. Apparently, Stacked mid-sweep not only replaces the tone control, but also removes the bass's ability to go passive; renders it active only.

Not what the website indicates, but customer support says no way Jose, on the SB4000 at least.
Click to expand...

It's always been that the mid sweep replaces the passive tone control and therefore only active since they started making these basses.
 
#591
tlr1293 said:
I have built a number of basses, so putting in the new control plate electronics, IF the pickups are plugin, shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

Nope, there's soldering involved.

I installed a push/pull volume pot to make it active/passive on my 3 band preamp. I need mid control more than a passive tone, but would like the to be able to make it passive...just in case. Pretty simple procedure.
 
#592
I flew to California today, and will have some time to be at the Carvin store in Hollywood tomorrow! Can't wait to try all the Carvin basses I've never seen before (which is most of them). I will be posting what I find in the official Carvin club thread 3, since I will be spanning multiple models.
 
#593
Narrowing down my options for an SB4K build. I know I want alder, maple 5pc, blueburst, rosewood FB, SS "standard" frets (vintage sized), active electronics w/ mids, and HB pickups. Yes, humbuckers - living & playing in the Nashville area hum is not an option, ever.

I'm still debating about fancy top vs. none - leaning towards none because honestly, nobody in the band or audience is going to care. Also trending towards no pickguard, although I wish they made a plexi/clear one.

On the fence about a painted headstock vs. natural. Probably will just go natural for a more classic look.

The only real thing I'm completely undecided on is chambered vs. non. The group seems evenly split on whether the chambering process causes a loss of mids or not or even saves a lot of weight or not. My impression based on the discussions is that any tone difference in chambering may be more noticeable in the SB5Ks vs 4Ks....maybe.

Any final suggestions on 4K chambered vs. not?
 
#596
mysteryclock said:
Narrowing down my options for an SB4K build. I know I want alder, maple 5pc, blueburst, rosewood FB, SS "standard" frets (vintage sized), active electronics w/ mids, and HB pickups. Yes, humbuckers - living & playing in the Nashville area hum is not an option, ever.

I'm still debating about fancy top vs. none - leaning towards none because honestly, nobody in the band or audience is going to care. Also trending towards no pickguard, although I wish they made a plexi/clear one.

On the fence about a painted headstock vs. natural. Probably will just go natural for a more classic look.

The only real thing I'm completely undecided on is chambered vs. non. The group seems evenly split on whether the chambering process causes a loss of mids or not or even saves a lot of weight or not. My impression based on the discussions is that any tone difference in chambering may be more noticeable in the SB5Ks vs 4Ks....maybe.

Any final suggestions on 4K chambered vs. not?
Click to expand...

Go for chambered. My 4000 is on the lighter side and it's still somewhat heavy. I ordered it before the 4001 came out.

I'd recommend getting the matching headstock or at least a Birdseye headstock. The plain is kind of plain and I still think the SB headstock is not the best shape, so finishing it makes it more tolerable IMO. Consider the abalone logo too - to diminish the appearance of the boxiest and most inelegant logo in the business.

Finally, I'm a huge fan of the master volume with pickup blend instead of VVT. I sent mine back just to get it changed for this. It made me much happier.

Enjoy.
 
#597
boristhespider9 said:
Go for chambered. My 4000 is on the lighter side and it's still somewhat heavy. I ordered it before the 4001 came out.

I'd recommend getting the matching headstock or at least a Birdseye headstock. The plain is kind of plain and I still think the SB headstock is not the best shape, so finishing it makes it more tolerable IMO. Consider the abalone logo too - to diminish the appearance of the boxiest and most inelegant logo in the business.

Finally, I'm a huge fan of the master volume with pickup blend instead of VVT. I sent mine back just to get it changed for this. It made me much happier.

Enjoy.
Click to expand...

You can also order it with the Icon headstock!
 
#599
I ended up going with the plain top and regular "banana" headstock for a simpler look. You're right - it isn't the most elegant headstock in the world, but I like the practicality of a tilt-back (no string trees!) and 4-in-line. In the end I'm not sure adding color would do much to pretty it up.

I went with a non-chambered build, but did speak with them and ask for a lightweight piece of alder at least, so we'll see how that goes. It seems like there is NO tone downside with a non-chambered body (which was a concern with chambered ones) and the only real risk is that it could be a little heavy. But I think I can live with that. I did go with master volume and blend, along with the mid-control. Yes that means I won't be able to go 100% passive but with the relatively lower output of the HBs, that may not have been the most practical option anyway.

I have to say, everyone from their FB rep to the fellow I spoke with on the phone has been super-super nice. You'd think I was ordering an Alembic!!

And so...the wait begins.

Now I just need to go list my Stingray 4HH for sale this weekend, so I can get some more $s for a fretless brother for this one...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back