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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call!

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#243
ll I can think of is that the computer went mad - it was listing the case at $249 instead of $69, and most of the options were about 50% above what they had been, and the base price was $1540 instead of the $900ish it usually is. - I've just looked at it on the site as it saves your "builds" until you delete them.
Thank you world! I'd better order as soon as possible - perhaps it was a warning!
 
#244
dj5 said:
ll I've just looked at it on the site as it saves your "builds" until you delete them.
Thank you world! I'd better order as soon as possible - perhaps it was a warning!
Click to expand...

This is true! Say if you click the "Build your SB5000" and picked a fancy Koa top for $300 and a bunch of other options. Then you decide to try build another one but more stripped down. At the end when the program tallies up the cost, you may notice that that $300 and other options are still there on your order form on what’s supposed to be your stripped down bass. It’s a program glitch. Unfortunately you have to click "Remove" or empty cart and start all over again to get an accurate count.
 
#245
It wasn't that actually, as I said the case was listed as $249 or whatever I said it was priced at instead of $69, and a lot of the other prices were listed as much higher. The stated bare bones price was $1500 instead of $900, and so on, and those aren't multipkles of the correct prices. Perhaps it was some sort of internal glitch so that it displayed randomly wrong prices, but these were the actual listed sums I don't know what happened, I'm just very relieved that it was a tempoary fault (unless they accidentally listed the price increases early!!! - paranoia, dramatic music etc)
Lets hope they stay as reasonable as they are now.
 
#246
dj5 said:
It wasn't that actually, as I said the case was listed as $249 or whatever I said it was priced at instead of $69, and a lot of the other prices were listed as much higher. The stated bare bones price was $1500 instead of $900, and so on, and those aren't multipkles of the correct prices. Perhaps it was some sort of internal glitch so that it displayed randomly wrong prices, but these were the actual listed sums I don't know what happened, I'm just very relieved that it was a tempoary fault (unless they accidentally listed the price increases early!!! - paranoia, dramatic music etc)
Lets hope they stay as reasonable as they are now.
Click to expand...

Okay, that was definitely a temporary, bizarro glitch. I just had a peek at Carvin and the prices are same as always in that “Build Your ___” section. Blame it on spring fever, I guess.
 
#248
dj5 said:
I was really pi&^%d off because my inability to make up my mind looked like it had lost me the best bargain ever.
Now there's more time for indecision...!
Click to expand...

I used that "Build Your" option thingy only as a guide. When I finally pull the trigger and order, I'm calling and speaking with a human so there's no doubt about the options, shipping, and money.
 
#249
dgce said:
I used that "Build Your" option thingy only as a guide. When I finally pull the trigger and order, I'm calling and speaking with a human so there's no doubt about the options, shipping, and money.
Click to expand...

Another thing: You can often get options & better pricing by calling and schmoozing the dude. I was in the factory store last week, and the sales guy (with *very* tall hair) told me that he could even get a picture of the piece of spalted maple they intended to use (so that I could approve it) once I put some $$ down...

So call them. Don't be afraid. Actual human interaction - it's all the rage!
 
#250
BigOldHarry said:
Another thing: You can often get options & better pricing by calling and schmoozing the dude. I was in the factory store last week, and the sales guy (with *very* tall hair) told me that he could even get a picture of the piece of spalted maple they intended to use (so that I could approve it) once I put some $$ down...

So call them. Don't be afraid. Actual human interaction - it's all the rage!
Click to expand...

Wow! I plan to order either a XB75 or SB5000 with a figured walnut top. My only concern with this walnut option is that in the Guitar Gallery link on the Carvin site, the figured claro walnut tops are pretty diverse. That is, from stunningly beautiful to so plain jane that it might as well be just a plain old walnut body ($100 less than the figured top). It would be very cool to have a picture of the wood before they do the work. Should I ask for the "very tall hair" guy?

BTW, have you gotten to compare the SB5000 to the XB75 and B50?

Thanks!
 
#251
dgce said:
Wow! I plan to order either a XB75 or SB5000 with a figured walnut top. My only concern with this walnut option is that in the Guitar Gallery link on the Carvin site, the figured claro walnut tops are pretty diverse. That is, from stunningly beautiful to so plain jane that it might as well be just a plain old walnut body ($100 less than the figured top). It would be very cool to have a picture of the wood before they do the work. Should I ask for the "very tall hair" guy?
Click to expand...

Well, it I just remembered that "Tall Hair Guy" gave me his card... let me fish it out.

Holy cow. His name is - and I'm not making this up - his name on the card is "Flock". Just "Flock". Oh My. And his title is "Assistant Manager"... 800-854-2235. He'll tell you what he told me: Lotsa guys want lotsa things, but it means *nothing* until money is on the table. Soooo - if you are ready to buy but want to pick your top from a few samples, say so (the key words would be "Ready to buy". Once you give him your down payment, who knows what will happen. Heck, the notion of taking a picture and sending it to your email is hardly beyond our current technology, yes? [/QUOTE]

BTW, have you gotten to compare the SB5000 to the XB75 and B50?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I played several basses at the factory store... And, in fact, I made a point of playing their bolt on "B50" because it had the humbucking p'up in the bridge position and I wanted to hear it.

I thought the B50 wasn't bad, but the 5000 played better. The neck shape felt a bit flatter on the 5000 - I could be confused, or the basses might have been set up differently (it didn't help that the B50 on the wall had dead strings). I also thought the 5000 was a better looking bass (I'm not wild about the body shape of Carvin's B-series).

I didn't play an XB75 since I'm not in the market for a 35" scale bass.

I did play a number of their "Icon" basses. I didn't care for them. The fretboard felt... too flat - like there was zero radius. They sure are pretty, but pretty doesn't do it come gig-time, ya know?
 
#252
Hey Big Harry,

You’re a wealth of knowledge! Thanks for sharing the info. I’ll look up “Flock” when I’m ready to pull the trigger (I kinda like Tall Hair Guy better). As for him expecting upfront money for top service, I can’t say I blame him. I’m sure they get a lot of jokers who are full of it. If a customer means business, they’ll lay some money down to prove it.

I’m glad you got to compare the SB5000 to the B50. I’ve heard that the SB5000 neck was on the thin side when compared to the SB4000’s old school 4 string girth. However I presumed the SB5000 neck was the same as the B50. Maybe they’re different necks or it might have been different set ups. I’ll ask old Tall Hair though I’m pretty set on the SB5000. Just about the only negative thing I’ve heard about the SB5000 is that it’s a bit on the heavy side. If this is so, I’m not too worried, I’ve been lugging around a back breaking G&L for years.

As for the XB75, I suspect it’s a bit of a different animal. I’d tried a MTD Z 5 bass and really liked the 35”, asymmetric neck. I figured for $100 more give or take, why not get a custom Carvin XB with the asymmetric neck option? Then those damn SB5000s came out and confused me! I’ll likely get the SB but really wish I could try both out. Oh, the ICON never held my interest much.

Thanks again!
 
#253
I'm just two days away from receiving a B50. I ordered it two months ago to replace the SB5000 that felt too heavy for my tastes.

While I won't have the two basses side-by-side, I spent considerable time with the SB5000 during my 10-day trial. That included many hours of recording, so at least I should have the benefit of A/B-ing the basses tonally.

I've always liked the sound of Alder, and that was the body wood of my SB5000. While I would have chosen Alder on the B50 as well, the salesman suggested that I go with Swamp Ash to lighten the weight.
Obviously, this could greatly affect the tone.
The B50 will have a maple/maple neck just like the SB5000, with the same active electronics option.

I've owned many nice instruments over the years, but the SB5000 could well be the best-sounding fretted bass I've had. And, the neck shape is extremely comfortable for a fiver. My understanding is that the B50 uses the same neck profile, same hardware, and same electronics.

I'll report back when I've had the B50 a few days.
 
#254
Hey Kaycee,

I remember you posting your SB5000 (a pretty nice looking sunburst, right?). I know you sent it back because of the weight and I always wanted to ask how it compares to the B50. I'm looking forward to that review and hope you can throw up a couple of images as well!

Thanks!
 
#256
BigOldHarry said:
Another thing: You can often get options & better pricing by calling and schmoozing the dude. I was in the factory store last week, and the sales guy (with *very* tall hair) told me that he could even get a picture of the piece of spalted maple they intended to use (so that I could approve it) once I put some $$ down...

So call them. Don't be afraid. Actual human interaction - it's all the rage!
Click to expand...

Was the guy with the very tall hair blonde? If so, I wonder if he's the same guy who used to work at the GC in San Marcos?
 
#257
This arrived today, and I must say, it's pretty awesome.
 

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