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

Mine balances extremely well, and it's chambered (though not super light for a chambered bass). The bridge they use is MASSIVE, so that weights my bass toward the body end.
I got one. SB4000 owner with chambered alder/alder top. If I put my bass in position and let my hands go, it stays. If I bounce or move abruptly, the bass sees the dive. Otherwise, it stays put.
 
I got one. SB4000 owner with chambered alder/alder top. If I put my bass in position and let my hands go, it stays. If I bounce or move abruptly, the bass sees the dive. Otherwise, it stays put.

Im using a 5001 ash body, maple fb. Balance is the same as the highlighted. Using a thick mono strap and the friction keeps the headstock from moving when playing.
 
:cool:

Well I test drove my SB4000 at a gig last night.
This bad boy is growing on me. Does the Jazz Bass thing very well.
But with a tightness and definition, that is different from my fender. Woody, but not as hollow sounding. Notes are clear and fast. I'm not saying it is better, just different.
And the 5-piece neck option is a winner. Best single option I suggest to anyone getting one of the SB Basses.
I bought this as a beater bar bass. So I could leave my more expensive basses at home. But this holds it's own with any of them. Carvin got a winner here.
 
The twin has arrived:
PB1.jpg

sb-blue.jpg

PB-SB.jpg


I need some more time to set it up and tweak it. It's a cool bass for sure.
 
Why did you go with the 4 string? I thought you preferred the 5 string necks.
How you liking the PJ tone?

I have been trying to get my head around going to 4 string since its all I need on most of my gigs anymore. This seemed like a good opportunity. So far its my fave Carvin 4 string I've played. Diff neck profile than SB4000. And I'm digging the PJ tone. It's slightly different than the SB, even more so if you favor the P pickup. Here are some examples:

Here's a quick clip from my new PBJ:

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Here's a similar setting from my SB5000:

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Here are a couple slap clips from the same basses:

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Settings are like that the last clips, but I bumped the bass a fuzz.

The build specs are pretty much exact. Alder body, maple neck/fretboard, stock electronics. The one diff I can think of is the SB has stainless jumbo frets and the PBJ has low wide frets. That seems more like a feel diff. The PBJ has stock Carvin strings, the SB has some DR Fatbeams on it. The SB weighs 9.5 lbs and the PBJ weighs 8.4 lbs.

Here are the two basses in question:
PB-SB.jpg
 
I was just at Carvin and played the SB5000 and the PJ5 and the passive P5. (not sure if those are even the model #'ers for the P's)

Anyway.

The Carvin P5 gives Fender P5 one hell of a run.

String spacing is different altogether so it's a different animal compared to the Fender which also has a bigger neck radius.

Carvins 5 string "P" pickup is bright with great attack and it's full sounding. It's brighter than the NP5 by Nordstrand.

Overall very impressed.
 
Hey Guys I live here in San Antonio TX. I am close to pulling the trigger on a knew Carvin. Either a SB or a B24 or 25. I was hoping to find one locally to try before I order one. If there is any body in TX that might let me try theirs please let me know. Thanks in advance for any consideration.
 
(Deep breathing) OK.... just pulled the trigger. Had the talk with Keith and ordered me an SB4000. I didn't copy the features list, but it includes....

Swamp Ash body
Greenburst finish, headstock to match
10" radius ebony fretboard with MOP blocks
Regular passive J99's.
White pearloid pickguard
Bling! MOP inlays on the control knobs, chrome hand guard, a detuner and straploks, ivory tusq nut.
And a final touch - the money for this is from my 2nd-place Jeopardy finish last July, when I answered (among other stupid things) "Who are the Def Cats?" for a clue about Def Leppard. So the bass has a white truss rod cover with "Who are Def Cats?" engraved on it.

Been drooling over getting one of these for YEARS. Now to wait another six weeks or so...

EDIT: just got an email back from Keith from a question I'd asked. They can put a PB4 neck (with slightly slimmer profile) on the SB.