My Yamaha BBNE2 is alder/ebony and it sounds amazing! Please give us a gig report as soon as you can. I am seriously contemplating pulling the trigger on one.
By the way, what does it weigh? Way, weigh. That's funny.
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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call!
- Thread starter phillm47
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My Yamaha BBNE2 is alder/ebony and it sounds amazing! Please give us a gig report as soon as you can. I am seriously contemplating pulling the trigger on one.
By the way, what does it weigh? Way, weigh. That's funny.
Not sure about the weight, it is about the same as the rest of my alder basses...I was very worried it was going to be an anchor but it definitely isn't, it just feels "normal" to me.
Yeah, no passive tone and no passive mode. I think the midsweep is worth it but others will probably disagree (cue Joe Duran, whazzup homie?)
I also got the blend knob instead of two volumes, can't deal with that.
W
Yeah, no passive tone and no passive mode. I think the midsweep is worth it but others will probably disagree (cue Joe Duran, whazzup homie?)
I also got the blend knob instead of two volumes, can't deal with that.
W
I'll probably order one of these early next year. It will probably take until then to decide on which options to pick.
Yeah, I wasn't going for subtle
Dude, that's sharp! I may be getting on this ride the first of the year.
Hey guys. I posted this at the Carvin forum and thought I would cross post it here. In short, I am very much digging my SB5000!...
I can't say enough about this bass. I have been playing it a bit over the last few days and I am more and more impressed with it. First, the fit and finish of the bass is flawless... as good as Lakland USA, Fender Custom Shop, Sadowsky, LowEnd Jazz, etc., which I have ever played. The metallic finish looks terrific, the tung oil feels good on the back of the neck, and it's perfectly constructed as far as I can tell.
Second, the neck and playability are off the chain. I have not played a five string which feels more like a great 4-string than this bass. The neck doesn't have that overly flat feel that some 5-string necks have, but is most akin to a Pre-CBS Precision bass neck in the taper and profile. The great neck shape and PERFECT fretwork give the bass a really fast feel, again, more like a great 4-string than a 5-string. I can't stress how good the fretwork is. I have had basses costing three times (actually, one... five times) as much with far inferior fretwork.
Third, most importantly, I am very pleased with the sound of this thing. It is the most versatile alder/ebony bass I have. I can't comment on the ash/maple version which seems maybe more popular. But this version does a wonderful "modern jazz bass" sound that will fit in most any setting.
I do think the intended voicing of the pickups and pre are a slightly scooped tone which work very well for Seikou, as he seems to be going for a Marcus Miller/Victor Wooten thing. If that is your thing, you will be very pleased (especially with the ash/maple version I would think). However, I am really happy with the fingerstyle sound I am getting from the alder body and the mid/sweep stack knob I spec'd. I am able to get a very good modern slap tone, but the mid-stack lets you amp the mids up for funky bridge pickup playing. I am a die-hard back pickup user and am probably more picky about this sound than most, but I am quite satisfied with the J99 bridge pickup sound after a small mid boost. I find the center detent on the mid-sweep to be a perfect mid Q setting, but it is nice to have some Q's to experiment with.
The modern slap thing and a good bridge pickup sound are tough to find in the same bass, but I am happy to report that the SB5000 is such a bass.
I don't have any complaints. I think it is a great bass and a phenomenal value, given the modest cost of the bass and all of the options, the overall quality of the end product, and the speed with which they make them. I really feel like Carvin delivered and met my expectations with this one, and I am a pretty tough customer having had quite a few basses which are more or less pretty similar to it. (most of the basses I listed in the first paragraph).
I can't say enough about this bass. I have been playing it a bit over the last few days and I am more and more impressed with it. First, the fit and finish of the bass is flawless... as good as Lakland USA, Fender Custom Shop, Sadowsky, LowEnd Jazz, etc., which I have ever played. The metallic finish looks terrific, the tung oil feels good on the back of the neck, and it's perfectly constructed as far as I can tell.
Second, the neck and playability are off the chain. I have not played a five string which feels more like a great 4-string than this bass. The neck doesn't have that overly flat feel that some 5-string necks have, but is most akin to a Pre-CBS Precision bass neck in the taper and profile. The great neck shape and PERFECT fretwork give the bass a really fast feel, again, more like a great 4-string than a 5-string. I can't stress how good the fretwork is. I have had basses costing three times (actually, one... five times) as much with far inferior fretwork.
Third, most importantly, I am very pleased with the sound of this thing. It is the most versatile alder/ebony bass I have. I can't comment on the ash/maple version which seems maybe more popular. But this version does a wonderful "modern jazz bass" sound that will fit in most any setting.
I do think the intended voicing of the pickups and pre are a slightly scooped tone which work very well for Seikou, as he seems to be going for a Marcus Miller/Victor Wooten thing. If that is your thing, you will be very pleased (especially with the ash/maple version I would think). However, I am really happy with the fingerstyle sound I am getting from the alder body and the mid/sweep stack knob I spec'd. I am able to get a very good modern slap tone, but the mid-stack lets you amp the mids up for funky bridge pickup playing. I am a die-hard back pickup user and am probably more picky about this sound than most, but I am quite satisfied with the J99 bridge pickup sound after a small mid boost. I find the center detent on the mid-sweep to be a perfect mid Q setting, but it is nice to have some Q's to experiment with.
The modern slap thing and a good bridge pickup sound are tough to find in the same bass, but I am happy to report that the SB5000 is such a bass.
I don't have any complaints. I think it is a great bass and a phenomenal value, given the modest cost of the bass and all of the options, the overall quality of the end product, and the speed with which they make them. I really feel like Carvin delivered and met my expectations with this one, and I am a pretty tough customer having had quite a few basses which are more or less pretty similar to it. (most of the basses I listed in the first paragraph).
Thanks for the review, Will! Sounds like they really nailed it with this bass. I've been really thinking about one of these. Good to hear about the it having a nice neck and the feel of a great 4 string, but being a 5 string. That's been on my mind a lot lately.
What is the sweep range on the mid control? I would definitely need that if I went ash/maple. But thinking about the alder/rw or ebony.
What is the sweep range on the mid control? I would definitely need that if I went ash/maple. But thinking about the alder/rw or ebony.
This is great to hear Will...thanks for the update....hit me up when you get a recording of it.....I still think about the last one with the STR that I heard....THAT is a great sounding bass....I look forward to hearing this one as well.
Andy and Jess, hey guys, whazup. It is a nice axe. I would think they would sell some of these when the word gets out. I feel like it doesn't seem like a real "review" unless I say something bad about it. I will say that it doesn't sound Fender-y at all, but I have had way more boutique J-type basses than Fenders so that sits fine with me. I have to think it's more like a 'Dowsky than anything, but my experience with Sadowskys is rather limited.
The bass it is "most like" tonally IMO, that I've actually owned, is the Lakland Classic 44-94 with Lakland pickups/pre in the "rear" coil mode. It's kind of got that modern but not-too-bright sound. It forgoes a little bit of girth, but you get a good slap sound to make up for it. It doesn't sound as big and beefy as my STR, Andy, but it has a quicker feel.
The mid knob is clutch. I am really glad I got it. I think the treble knob is voiced well for boost and cut so I don't miss the passive tone knob. The mid knob really gives up alot of sounds. I have generally boosted it a little for fingerstyle (I like a really ugly, boxy honk
) but for slapping (which this bass really feels built for) you can dial out some of the alder sound and boost the treble. I don't think the mid knob is essential equipment unless you want that pointed fingerstyle sound, then I would definitely recommend it.
The things it really nails the best are the neck and frets.
The bass it is "most like" tonally IMO, that I've actually owned, is the Lakland Classic 44-94 with Lakland pickups/pre in the "rear" coil mode. It's kind of got that modern but not-too-bright sound. It forgoes a little bit of girth, but you get a good slap sound to make up for it. It doesn't sound as big and beefy as my STR, Andy, but it has a quicker feel.
The mid knob is clutch. I am really glad I got it. I think the treble knob is voiced well for boost and cut so I don't miss the passive tone knob. The mid knob really gives up alot of sounds. I have generally boosted it a little for fingerstyle (I like a really ugly, boxy honk
) but for slapping (which this bass really feels built for) you can dial out some of the alder sound and boost the treble. I don't think the mid knob is essential equipment unless you want that pointed fingerstyle sound, then I would definitely recommend it. The things it really nails the best are the neck and frets.
I want to post my SB4000 here . It was inspired by JoeBelc's . But I made a couple changes . Carvin really hit a homerun with these basses . This one plays like a dream . And sounds incredible . The headstock on this one is slightly figured which adds to it . And I wanted an ebony fingerboard and black pups .
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- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
From the Carvin forum's announcement page:
"It is with great sadness that Carvin announces the passing of it's founder, Lowell C. Kiesel. Mr. Kiesel was born in Nebraska in 1915, and as a young man, spent time in Wichita, Kansas, where he developed an interest in musical instruments; specifically, Hawaiian steel guitars, resonators and the electronic aspects of these instruments.
He founded the L. C. Kiesel Company in 1946, and began winding pickups on an old sewing machine owned by his wife, Agnes. The company was located in Los Angeles, briefly relocated back to Mr. Kiesel's home state of Nebraska, and then moved back to southern California in 1949, where the name was changed to Carvin, after his two eldest sons, Carson and Gavin. In the following years, the company expanded from pickups to guitars and basses, amplifiers, pro audio equipment and other musical accessories.
Mr. Kiesel's leadership, technical expertise and innovative engineering concepts led the company for decades, and even after handing the reins of the company over to his sons, he maintained an office in Carvin's San Diego headquarters and remained active in company operations.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the Kiesel family and the entire staff of Carvin."
My prayers go out to his family and the Carvin staff.
"It is with great sadness that Carvin announces the passing of it's founder, Lowell C. Kiesel. Mr. Kiesel was born in Nebraska in 1915, and as a young man, spent time in Wichita, Kansas, where he developed an interest in musical instruments; specifically, Hawaiian steel guitars, resonators and the electronic aspects of these instruments.
He founded the L. C. Kiesel Company in 1946, and began winding pickups on an old sewing machine owned by his wife, Agnes. The company was located in Los Angeles, briefly relocated back to Mr. Kiesel's home state of Nebraska, and then moved back to southern California in 1949, where the name was changed to Carvin, after his two eldest sons, Carson and Gavin. In the following years, the company expanded from pickups to guitars and basses, amplifiers, pro audio equipment and other musical accessories.
Mr. Kiesel's leadership, technical expertise and innovative engineering concepts led the company for decades, and even after handing the reins of the company over to his sons, he maintained an office in Carvin's San Diego headquarters and remained active in company operations.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the Kiesel family and the entire staff of Carvin."
My prayers go out to his family and the Carvin staff.
just wanted to post my new fretless flamed koa here... She sounds and plays sweet!
Condolences to the whole Carvin family with the passing of its FATHER and founder R.I.P.
just wanted to post my new fretless flamed koa here... She sounds and plays sweet!
Condolences to the whole Carvin family with the passing of its FATHER and founder R.I.P.
That looks incredible!
Sorry to hear about the passing of Lowell Kiesel.
Received mine a few weeks ago. These are really a steal. Outstanding build quality and tone. I just posted a Pat Metheny solo exceprt(a little less than a minute) up on Youtube with this bass...you can sort of hear the tone but it was done with a cheap digital camera propped up on some books on my desk and my amp is sitting in the corner..........
FC, Beautiful bass and great playing... I am digging my Koa fretless (pix up above). Going to order a fretted SB-5000 next! Enjoy!
man, these things are tempting...
and why aren't there more pics in this thread...come on guys!!!
and why aren't there more pics in this thread...come on guys!!!
Here are more pics of Wilbyman's bass.
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wow, that looks amazing...I think I might do the same thing with a tort guard and maple board.
Could you tell us some more? I've been thinking of ordering an SB4000 fretless with korina (or mahogany) body and koa top.
I prefer a darker, woodier tone with fretless basses. I love the sound of the Fender Victor Bailey sig, for example. But all the ones I've seen have very ugly tops and the build quality doesn't justify the price IMNSHO.
I was originally thinking of rolling my own Vic Baily sig clone using Warmoth parts. But if I can get a similar bass factory built and finished by Carvin, I'd prefer to do so.
Anyway, if you could tell us some more about your bass, I'm all ears
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