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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 8!
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
- Start date
I'm looking for a active Jazz bass and trying to decide between an SB5000 and Lakland 55-AJ. I currently have 4 Laklands but if I buy the 55-AJ I will have to swap the electronics as soon as I get it because I don't care for the stock pups and pre. I love the look SB and fact that I can get a SB to my specs for reasonable price. How does the SB compare to a Lakland 55-01/02 in feel and tone? Thanks!
The SB5000 was the bass that started my migration from Lakland to Carvin. I had many Laklands, including a 55-01 (that I ripped the guts out of) and a couple of 55-02's. With the SB's Active/passive pre, I found it to be more versatile than either 55, unless the Lakland has the passive tone control mod.
I also found the 34" of the Carvin more to my liking that the 35" Lakland, and without sacrificing a killer B string. IMHO, you should never have to instantly replace electronics on a ~$1,000 bass...
But both are great basses.
ole Jason-
*shrug* I'm not convinced it makes a difference in sound. I'm one of those "wood is not a big deal on electric instruments" guys.
I'm no Lakland expert, but I have preferred my SB5000 to the Lakland's I've played. However if the Carvin SB/PB's didn't exist, I'd likely be playing a Lakland. Maybe a Mike Lull.
And there is a definitely a diff between rosewood and maple boards on the SB's. I've had both together. I had Ebony on my fretless, but it wasn't apples to apples.
And there is a definitely a diff between rosewood and maple boards on the SB's. I've had both together. I had Ebony on my fretless, but it wasn't apples to apples.
i played a friends SB5000 not too long ago. his was strung with a high C, and i thought it sounded really nice. ever since i've wanted one, strung up that way.
anyone else playing them with a high C?
i really wish they'd do this in a 6 string model.. i've emailed carvin about it many times... no plans... sigh.
anyone else playing them with a high C?
i really wish they'd do this in a 6 string model.. i've emailed carvin about it many times... no plans... sigh.
Can you elaborate on the differences in the maple vs rosewood vs ebony tone on the SB's?
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
Curious, did your friend have the nut changed to accommodate the E-C tuning or did he just keep it with the B-G?
I have mine on order tuned E-C but was going to keep the B-G nut and have the option of switching back & forth.
Wally
OK - it may be just me, but my active-only SB4000 sounds so much better with my Carvin MB15+115 stack than with my GK 700RB-II and GK 112+112 stack.
Now, with that being said - my passive basses sound better with the GK than with the Carvin OR my previous Carvin BX500 and 10.4 NEO cab. I sold the BX500 and 410 before I got my SB4000, which I would have loved to hear - by the way.
Could one make a solid statement in that the Carvin bass pre-amp is matched up near-perfect with their bass amps?
Anyone else have a similar situation?
Now, with that being said - my passive basses sound better with the GK than with the Carvin OR my previous Carvin BX500 and 10.4 NEO cab. I sold the BX500 and 410 before I got my SB4000, which I would have loved to hear - by the way.
Could one make a solid statement in that the Carvin bass pre-amp is matched up near-perfect with their bass amps?
Anyone else have a similar situation?
I have the mid-sweep and cut/boost, so no active/passive possibility, thus...active-only.
I knew the mid sweep replaced the tone knob but didn't realize it took away the passive option.
Neither did I when I wanted to order and I REALLY wanted both. But having that mid-sweep was mighty important t me.
One could do this without much effort. About $20 worth of parts...give or take.
Vol/Vol stack
Passive Tone with active/passive (push/pull)
Mid sweep
Treble/Bass stack
Best of both worlds?
I went to Guitar Center today just to kill some time while the GF was at Barnes & Noble. I sat and played several basses. One of them was a Fender Amercian Deluxe Jazz Bass ($1799) with an active preamp. I was just curious how it compared to my Carvin PBJ and SB5000.
To be nice I'll just say I am extremely happy with my Carvin purchases. Little reminders like that continually impress me with the quality of instrument Carvin is putting out compared to other name brands.
To be nice I'll just say I am extremely happy with my Carvin purchases. Little reminders like that continually impress me with the quality of instrument Carvin is putting out compared to other name brands.
Give us more! No need to be nice as long as you're honest. Tone, feel, build quality; how does it compare to your PBJ and SB? Don't hold back!
I need to adjust the truss rod on my SB5000 to lay the neck back a bit and bring the strings closer to the 21st fret so the action is lower. Would loosening the strings, then about 1/4 turn CCW on the truss adjustment do it?
If you want the strings closer to the high frets, lower the saddles.
If you want the strings closer to the low frets, straighten the neck with the truss rod.
If you want a bit of both, do both!
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