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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call!

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#181
mindwell said:
Picky anal-retentive that I can be, I have a couple of comparison questions.

For those who have played a Sadowsky Metro 5, specifically an M-24, how does the SB5000's neck compare? Specifically, is the Carvin as beefy front to back as the Metro, or is it shallower? The Sadowsky is plenty playable, but getting it in my grip can be a challenge. Any such issues with the Carvin?
Click to expand...

I found the Carvin as playable or perhaps a bit more so than the one Metro's I've played. The truth be told, when I went to the Carvin factory store here in SD and played a 5000, I was tempted to buy it on the spot - it stunned me how well it played. I did *not* like the 4000 nearly so much - it has a much rounder/chunkier neck (which Carvin is happy to advertise - I guess the designer liked that) - but the 5000 was quite nice.

Maybe it might help to understand what I'm looking for: I have a Zon Sonus 5 Custom that is freaking GREAT - but the string spacing is narrow, so slapping is a real PITA. Normal fingerstyle, there is nothing like this bass - I can *rip* on it like no other bass I've owned, and it sounds great. But slapping? I leave that to my 4 string Lakland... But I long for a slappable 5... Hence my visit to the Carvin store. Add to that, I'm a native San Diego guy who would *really* like to be happy owning a Carvin, but in the past, I've found their instruments lacking - either I find them ugly, lame sounding or poor playing. The SB5000 has, to me, completely changed that.

mindwell said:
Another question: when wearing the bass high on a strap, where does the bass sit relative to right and left hand placement? Can one wear it high and tight in to the body without first position being uncomfortable on the left wrist?
Click to expand...

Good question - I tend to wear my basses high as well - and I have to admit I didn't strap either bass on - I was sitting the whole time (I much prefer standing when I play, but I was in a store & on a buddy's couch).

For what it's worth, a Metro is now selling new for... what - $2800? The SB5000 I've built on-line (for fun) with a spalted maple top and deluxe *everything* comes in at a $1400. Do the math...

If I can pull down a bit more OT, I'm gonna order me a SB5000. Spalted maple w/blackburst edges, birdseye fingerboard/headstock...
 
#182
I have been hearing nothing but great things about the SB5000's unfortunately living in Goergia I will never have the opportunity to try before I buy. So about a week ago I took the plunge. I ordered an SB5 with the ash body, umber stain, birdseye neck and head, chrome hardware, and the cream
J99a's. I've got about 7 more weeks and I can't wait. I hope the bass lives up to the hype.
 
#183
So..... I went to Carvin in Hollywood today to play a sb5000, and they didn't have any in stock, saying they "can't keep them in stock"..... Which is awesome, although it sucked for me. Played the 4's again, and was impressed again.

Question: can anybody compare the SB to "upper crust" jazzes ala Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, Nordy, AC, and etc...? Because from my playing time on the sb4000 and everybody's rave on the 5'er, I'm thinking these basses are more bass than their price point would suggest, especially so if some different pups could be thrown in. I've played Metro and Lakland jazzes, and wasn't terribly impressed given their cost. But I didn't play live / record with them either. (Sadowsky sounded WAY too overboosted whenever I so much as touched the onboard eq)

I'd love to hear some Sadowsky vs Carvin samples if that could be put together. Just out of morbid curiousity.
 
#184
Lackey said:
So..... I went to Carvin in Hollywood today to play a sb5000, and they didn't have any in stock, saying they "can't keep them in stock"..... Which is awesome, although it sucked for me. Played the 4's again, and was impressed again.

Question: can anybody compare the SB to "upper crust" jazzes ala Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, Nordy, AC, and etc...? Because from my playing time on the sb4000 and everybody's rave on the 5'er, I'm thinking these basses are more bass than their price point would suggest, especially so if some different pups could be thrown in. I've played Metro and Lakland jazzes, and wasn't terribly impressed given their cost. But I didn't play live / record with them either. (Sadowsky sounded WAY too overboosted whenever I so much as touched the onboard eq)

I'd love to hear some Sadowsky vs Carvin samples if that could be put together. Just out of morbid curiousity.
Click to expand...

There are quite a few ways to put an SB5000 together and a Sadowsky (metro less so than NYC) together, so likely any sample comparison would be apples to oranges unless somebody happened to have versions on hand with the same woods...
 
#185
Lackey said:
So..... I went to Carvin in Hollywood today to play a sb5000, and they didn't have any in stock, saying they "can't keep them in stock"..... Which is awesome, although it sucked for me. Played the 4's again, and was impressed again.

Question: can anybody compare the SB to "upper crust" jazzes ala Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, Nordy, AC, and etc...? Because from my playing time on the sb4000 and everybody's rave on the 5'er, I'm thinking these basses are more bass than their price point would suggest, especially so if some different pups could be thrown in. I've played Metro and Lakland jazzes, and wasn't terribly impressed given their cost. But I didn't play live / record with them either. (Sadowsky sounded WAY too overboosted whenever I so much as touched the onboard eq)

I'd love to hear some Sadowsky vs Carvin samples if that could be put together. Just out of morbid curiousity.
Click to expand...

Off topic:

If the Sadowsky you played sounded "overboosted," you probably had the eq turned up too high. Sadowskys are boost only, no boost and cut. Also, did it have a vintage tone control? All Sadowsky players say the VTC really allows them to get a better sound.

BTW, I'm not trying to talk you out a of SB5000. They sure seem like great basses to me!:bassist:
 
#186
Love my SB5000! I did a record date a couple of weeks ago and my Modulus Quantum 6 stayed in the bag-it takes a great bass to make me do that.
Now if I can talk them into making a 6 string.....
 
#187
Wilby: Agreed to a certain extent, but I imagine the majority of Metros and Carvins are variations of alder / ash / maple, and they compare pretty evenly as the rest of the specs go (bolt on neck, 2 band eq + passive tone, alnico pups, 34" scale)

Dr. Cheese: I'm aware of Sadowsky's preamp design, and unfortunately this model didn't have the VTC (can't remember it at least). It sounded slightly scooped without any preamp, and very scooped with an artificial sounding bass when I turned it up about halfway. But I'm used to thick midrange and typically no preamp, so what do I know. Also, I'm aware that Sadowsky's can be a bit bland in a solo context.

I'm not trying to demean Sadowskys or the other brands by comparing them to a 1000 dollar bass, I just think it would be an interesting comparo. After all, Carvin has always been noted for their fit, finish, and woods, and now that they finally have a jazz bass with decent pickups, it seems reasonable to wonder how it stacks up against the top tier boutique jazz bass makers.
 
#188
Lackey said:
Wilby: Agreed to a certain extent, but I imagine the majority of Metros and Carvins are variations of alder / ash / maple, and they compare pretty evenly as the rest of the specs go (bolt on neck, 2 band eq + passive tone, alnico pups, 34" scale)

Dr. Cheese: I'm aware of Sadowsky's preamp design, and unfortunately this model didn't have the VTC (can't remember it at least). It sounded slightly scooped without any preamp, and very scooped with an artificial sounding bass when I turned it up about halfway. But I'm used to thick midrange and typically no preamp, so what do I know. Also, I'm aware that Sadowsky's can be a bit bland in a solo context.

I'm not trying to demean Sadowskys or the other brands by comparing them to a 1000 dollar bass, I just think it would be an interesting comparo. After all, Carvin has always been noted for their fit, finish, and woods, and now that they finally have a jazz bass with decent pickups, it seems reasonable to wonder how it stacks up against the top tier boutique jazz bass makers.
Click to expand...

There's nothing demeaning, IMO, about comparing a Sadowsky to a Carvin. Carvins are very well made basses, and more than a few respected pros use them. A bass either has the sound and playability you want or it does not. Price really is not a factor when it comes to personal taste.
 
#189
Lackey said:
Wilby:
Dr. Cheese: I'm aware of Sadowsky's preamp design... It sounded slightly scooped without any preamp, and very scooped with an artificial sounding bass when I turned it up about halfway. But I'm used to thick midrange and typically no preamp, so what do I know. Also, I'm aware that Sadowsky's can be a bit bland in a solo context.
Click to expand...

It seems the defacto setting used by most Sadowsky users here at TB (me included) is to leave the treble control flat and boost the lows no more than 10% to 15% max. Any more than that and yes, you'll get too much boost. The VTC can help provide varying degrees of warmth to the Sadowsky sound. Agree with you that Sadowsky's don't always sound "amazing" soloed, but oh brother do they sit in the mix! I love mine.

Having said that, my next bass will be an SB4000 - natural ash, maple fingerboard, no markers, black hardware and pick guard, singles and active pre. Really looking forward to it!
 
#194
Wilbyman said:
It isn't "tight". I think it's 19mm. It feels pretty much like the Fender Am Delux spacing. This good bass for thumping so I think the wider spacing is appropriate, but I like tight spacing too for playing fast.
Click to expand...

I measured the spacing right at the bridge, it's a bit less than 19mm and a tad more than 18mm....in between. The width at the nut is 1.75".

This is perfect in my book and the bass played and sounded on par with any Mike Lull, Lakland or just about any other bass under $2200. IMHO.
 
#195
BigOldHarry said:
I found the Carvin as playable or perhaps a bit more so than the one Metro's I've played. The truth be told, when I went to the Carvin factory store here in SD and played a 5000, I was tempted to buy it on the spot - it stunned me how well it played. I did *not* like the 4000 nearly so much - it has a much rounder/chunkier neck (which Carvin is happy to advertise - I guess the designer liked that) - but the 5000 was quite nice.

Maybe it might help to understand what I'm looking for: I have a Zon Sonus 5 Custom that is freaking GREAT - but the string spacing is narrow, so slapping is a real PITA. Normal fingerstyle, there is nothing like this bass - I can *rip* on it like no other bass I've owned, and it sounds great. But slapping? I leave that to my 4 string Lakland... But I long for a slappable 5... Hence my visit to the Carvin store. Add to that, I'm a native San Diego guy who would *really* like to be happy owning a Carvin, but in the past, I've found their instruments lacking - either I find them ugly, lame sounding or poor playing. The SB5000 has, to me, completely changed that.



Good question - I tend to wear my basses high as well - and I have to admit I didn't strap either bass on - I was sitting the whole time (I much prefer standing when I play, but I was in a store & on a buddy's couch).

For what it's worth, a Metro is now selling new for... what - $2800? The SB5000 I've built on-line (for fun) with a spalted maple top and deluxe *everything* comes in at a $1400. Do the math...

If I can pull down a bit more OT, I'm gonna order me a SB5000. Spalted maple w/blackburst edges, birdseye fingerboard/headstock...
Click to expand...

Another San Diego TB'er.....kewl mang. yeah, I agree with all this. The neck is thinner front to back compared to the Metro...waaaaay. This bass gives Sadowsky a LOT to worry about. Fender too. Way to go Carvin.....FINALLY ???????
 
#196
I’ve thrown this question out there on another Carvin thread with zero results so I thought I’d give it a shot here.

Has anyone actually tried out a SB5000 and a B50 with active electronics? From what I’ve heard, the SB is heavier and obviously the body styles are different. Otherwise, are there any other notable differences?

Thanks!
 
#197
dgce said:
I’ve thrown this question out there on another Carvin thread with zero results so I thought I’d give it a shot here.

Has anyone actually tried out a SB5000 and a B50 with active electronics? From what I’ve heard, the SB is heavier and obviously the body styles are different. Otherwise, are there any other notable differences?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

+1, when I get home, I will check for B50 clips since my browser at work no longer can run Youtube clips.
 
#199
bass4worship said:
Two more weeks for my SB5000. This is my forth Carvin bass.
My first one was a XB75, love that bass and was dumb to let it go and then got a bold on but didn't like the sound. Next a Icon5w, sounded sweet but the strings spacing was to close. This will be my last Carvin (LOL) maybe.
Click to expand...

Well definitely post a little review for us with pics when that SB comes in; we'd all appreciate it. I'd also like to hear how it compares to your old XB75 (I was considering ordering that one but I'm now pretty set on getting an SB5000). Also, was that bolt-on you didn't like the old B5 model with the old preamp and stacked humbucking J's?
 
#200
I'm seriously thinking about throwing down on a natural ash/maple SB5000 with the regular passive tone setup to have as a backup. I replaced the stock strings on my alder/ebony with DR Lo-Rider stainless .40-.100 but left the stock tapered B string on because it feels nice. These basses are SO nice, play and sound SO good and are SO cheap for what you get.
 
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