From what I've read, the B40 and SB4000 are two different animals; primarily the neck. However the B50 and SB5000 seem to share just about everything except body shape, no?
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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call!
- Thread starter phillm47
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From what I've read, the B40 and SB4000 are two different animals; primarily the neck. However the B50 and SB5000 seem to share just about everything except body shape, no?
I'm just telling you what I felt/heard. The necks might well be the same on the 5 strings, but I felt no "wow" factor playing the B50 like I did the SB5000.
Yes, the wow factor. I havent tried either instrument. Like most, I can only go by images and reviews. Im sure the B50 is a wonderful instrument with serious bang for buck. And if I had back issues, Id strongly consider it over the SB5000 given the lighter weight. But there are countless P/J body styled basses out there. While the SBs clearly pays some homage to the Fender Jazz, its has its own distinct vibe. I know the looks arent quite for everyone, but I think it has an oddball sexiness about it. I think a pickguard-free figured walnut top married to birdseye maple board and headstock will give it plenty of wow appeal compared to yet another conventional, Fender-ish looking bass.
Oh, and reckon it will play and sound pretty damn good too!
MVB Master Vol & Blend Replaces Separate Vol (Must Order AC) $ 15.00 $ 15.00
ASH Maple Neck/Swamp Ash Body $ 30.00 $ 30.00
BMPH Birdseye Maple Headstock Matches Body Color $ 20.00 $ 20.00
-SBH SB-Style Bass Headstock (Standard) $ 0.00 $ 0.00
BMF Birdseye Maple Fingerboard (Tung-Oiled) $ 30.00 $ 30.00
DMP White Mother of Pearl Diamond Inlays $ 30.00 $ 30.00
-FR Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard) $ 0.00 $ 0.00
-R14 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard) $ 0.00 $ 0.00
BC Black Hardware $ 30.00 $ 30.00
HB2 HB Alnico Bridge Humbucker/J9A Alnico Neck Pickup $ 30.00 $ 30.00
-BLK Black Pickups $ 0.00 $ 0.00
-5011 Nickel Roundwound .040 .060 .080 .100 .128 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
PK Metal Knobs w/ Pearl Inlays $ 10.00 $ 10.00
SL Dunlop Straplocks $ 10.00 $ 10.00
HG Metal Hand Guard for Neck Pickup $ 15.00 $ 15.00
BG Black Multi-Layer Pickguard $ 5.00 $ 5.00
HC8W Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case $ 69.00 $ 69.00
I had the strap on and when sitting the bottom horn make the bass move back and the upper horn is now in the middle of my chess. I'm not a fat guy so I have no belly to hold the bass out. LOL
What really struck me about the 5000's I played was that I had *just* spend a weekend with a buddy with a new Sadowsky Metro 5 (so I played the hell out of it) and the SB5000 felt/sounded every bit as good - maybe better - to me.
I've long looked for a 5 that sounded/felt as good as a nice 4 string jazz bass, but every single Fender 5 I've played disappointed me... The Lulls, Sadowskys they clearly work but are too much $$... So playing the 5000 really put a hook into me. The slap feel (you know, the combination of finger-spacing and string 'bounce' that make slapping fun/effortless) was *just right, and the sound was dead-on vintage "Marcus Miller". I guess if that's not your thing, then this might not be an great axe for you, but given that I've been copping Marcus since the mid '80s, I totally dug it.
So why haven't I pulled the trigger? I just can't justify it. I have debts to pay and I don't do toys on credit. But if I had a spare $1500 laying around...
Yo Harry!
I suspect the SB5000 could beat the crap out of a Fender American Standard Jazz V (a bass I was seriously considering for a while). But have you tried out the new American Deluxe Jazz V? Looks pretty cool. At $1,700 -$1,800; it ain't exactly cheap (by my standards at least). Still, I'm pretty curious. Have you lucked up on one yet?
I suspect the SB5000 could beat the crap out of a Fender American Standard Jazz V (a bass I was seriously considering for a while). But have you tried out the new American Deluxe Jazz V? Looks pretty cool. At $1,700 -$1,800; it ain't exactly cheap (by my standards at least). Still, I'm pretty curious. Have you lucked up on one yet?
I do, so hopefully still a non issue
Me too.
Me too. Fortunately I had a little cash left over after paying bills with my refund and bonus. Plus it was only $224 now and $900 when the bass in done in June, so I have a little saving time and a chance to move some old gear as well. Not to mention, thanks to the trial period, I'm only out shipping if a financial issue pops up between now and then.
yes.
edit: It wasn't THE deal-breaker, but yes, I found the horns flaring outwards uncomfortable on both chest and leg.
Ugh! Man, you're breaking my heart. Really? Okay, are we talking about sitting position, standing, or both?
Thanks!
I have an NYC Sadowsky (# 4194) that I got from Roger back in '04 and I love the neck finish. You can look at the back of my neck and see exactly where I play. Like Roger said, your hand buffs the finish so you tend to "break in" the neck over time and it feels great.
That said, I'm seriously considering ordering an SB5000 but the tung oiled neck finish is bothering me. For you Carvin owners, how do you describe the tung oil neck finish? Also, has anyone tried Carvin's satin neck finish?
No... The last Fender V I tried was a used deluxe at Guitar Trader here in SD - it sure looks pretty, but plays like a real POS. Sad.
I guess I should give one a whirl... Next time I'm in a GC, I'll check one out. I know that I was surprised how much I liked the feel of the new P-bass...
The picture of my Linc Luthier 6 fretless didn't post. My bad. Here, just try this, if you want to see horns. Suddenly the SB5000 doesn't seem so bad.
Not hijacking, just keeping things in perspective.
http://www.lincluthier.net/photos.html
Not hijacking, just keeping things in perspective.
http://www.lincluthier.net/photos.html
I thought it was weird that Sekou Bunch plays the bass resting on his "front leg" when sitting . He rests the bass on the same leg as his fretting hand (left) . That may be because of the horn . I think the SB4000 is easier to play when standing . I also think it would be a small improvement to round the body a little bit more .
As far as the tung oil neck . I may be overthinking a little , but , the gloss finish is a little more "sticky" than the tung oil . When you start to work up a little sweat , the gloss neck allows your thumb to hang up a little bit on the neck . Some players are used to the fact that the gloss acts as a "brake" for their thumb . Others like the smooth , faster tung oil neck . I prefer the tung oil neck . Just suits my style .
As far as the tung oil neck . I may be overthinking a little , but , the gloss finish is a little more "sticky" than the tung oil . When you start to work up a little sweat , the gloss neck allows your thumb to hang up a little bit on the neck . Some players are used to the fact that the gloss acts as a "brake" for their thumb . Others like the smooth , faster tung oil neck . I prefer the tung oil neck . Just suits my style .
I played both the SB5000 and 4000 sitting down and with a strap at the carvin hollywood store, it was very comfortable for me, it seemed really ergonomic and well thought out. Not uncomfortable at all.
1+ on that. I found them both to be very comfortable sitting and standing as well.
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