That is so awesome! I just designed it out that way the other day, but with creme pickup covers, but that's like the exact match except I added the bone tusq nut also.
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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call!
- Thread starter phillm47
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The SB5000 came in today! Great instrument. Still getting used to it. I will post a review in the next few days, but here are some pics.
If a traditional Jazz body is not a must, this is a great option!
birdseye on double black sb5000 - that's my idea! Glad to know it looks good. 
congrats, and I hope it's awesome. I've played the sb4000 and LOVED it, hopefully the B string is killer on these 5'ers. I think if I ever pick one up I might need to add some pickups with grittier mids tho, especially for playing with a group. Looks like the preamps have improved - finally.
congrats, and I hope it's awesome. I've played the sb4000 and LOVED it, hopefully the B string is killer on these 5'ers. I think if I ever pick one up I might need to add some pickups with grittier mids tho, especially for playing with a group. Looks like the preamps have improved - finally.
Thanks guys. I will have a band rehearsal tomorrow, but I thought I'd give you a mini review.
First off, this bass looks amazing. The black really makes the birdseye pop. The Frets feel great, but there was one or two slots that seemed to be cut a little deep. I've had a bass like that before, and it was never a problem. People had mentioned that the neck is flat, and it most definitely is. It is also wide with the 19mm spacing. I was affraid that I wouldn't find it comfortable, but it is actually the most comfortable, easiest playing 5'er that I've ever owned. It has much more of a 4 string feel. And it really balances nicely, which is a big plus due to the weight. This bass is HEAVY! Not overwhelmingly heavy, but more than I'm used to. The bridge is beefy, and very easy to adjust. I love the quick string change when not going through the body. I opted for stainless steel strings, but was not a fan of the ones that came on them. And no obvious dead spots. When I got the bass, it needed a setup. The truss rod was loose, and the string heights were off, but I can't say I'm surprised considering it came from Cali to NY.
On to tone- Amazing. Once I got this baby set up, she sounds and plays like a dream. Carvin really did a great job with the pickups and preamp. Very beefy and punchy. The pre is pretty sensitive, too. You really don't need to crank it much. I went with the standard controls (no mid sweep) because I wanted the passive option. But the bass and treble boost/cut is perfect for me. As I mentioned before I swapped out the strings for a set of D'addario nickels med/light 45-130 ( I played hi beams for years, and once I got a 5 set of them, I thought the b sounded terrible.) The b is really tight and even. I was really amazed at how well it sounded with the other strings. It isn't just big and boomy. The growl is still there.
Sorry this isn't a really smooth review, but its 4 am here, and I have no idea why I'm up. I'll try to get some nicer pics up, and maybe some sound clips or a short video over the weekend.
First off, this bass looks amazing. The black really makes the birdseye pop. The Frets feel great, but there was one or two slots that seemed to be cut a little deep. I've had a bass like that before, and it was never a problem. People had mentioned that the neck is flat, and it most definitely is. It is also wide with the 19mm spacing. I was affraid that I wouldn't find it comfortable, but it is actually the most comfortable, easiest playing 5'er that I've ever owned. It has much more of a 4 string feel. And it really balances nicely, which is a big plus due to the weight. This bass is HEAVY! Not overwhelmingly heavy, but more than I'm used to. The bridge is beefy, and very easy to adjust. I love the quick string change when not going through the body. I opted for stainless steel strings, but was not a fan of the ones that came on them. And no obvious dead spots. When I got the bass, it needed a setup. The truss rod was loose, and the string heights were off, but I can't say I'm surprised considering it came from Cali to NY.
On to tone- Amazing. Once I got this baby set up, she sounds and plays like a dream. Carvin really did a great job with the pickups and preamp. Very beefy and punchy. The pre is pretty sensitive, too. You really don't need to crank it much. I went with the standard controls (no mid sweep) because I wanted the passive option. But the bass and treble boost/cut is perfect for me. As I mentioned before I swapped out the strings for a set of D'addario nickels med/light 45-130 ( I played hi beams for years, and once I got a 5 set of them, I thought the b sounded terrible.) The b is really tight and even. I was really amazed at how well it sounded with the other strings. It isn't just big and boomy. The growl is still there.
Sorry this isn't a really smooth review, but its 4 am here, and I have no idea why I'm up. I'll try to get some nicer pics up, and maybe some sound clips or a short video over the weekend.
Very nice looking bass. I think I'll order one in the very near future, the only thing I'll change is that I'll put black knobs on instead of chrome.
That is stunning. Wow. I really like the dragonburst on flame. See it on quilt a lot, but it looks really sharp on your axe. That bass is a winner.
Post a review asap.
I posted the question below about a week ago in a separate post, but haven't received any response, so I thought maybe I'd ask here since lot's of Carvin folks are following this thread:
Anyone know if the Carvin SB4000 has a Fender 60's or 70's jazz pickup spacing? Or maybe something completely different?
Thanks for any insight.
Anyone know if the Carvin SB4000 has a Fender 60's or 70's jazz pickup spacing? Or maybe something completely different?
Thanks for any insight.
Have any SB owners deviated from the dual J99A configuration? Any J99A/HB2 SB basses out there?
I was not a Carvin fan because they drag the "custom instrument" title to the ground. They are not fully custom instruments because you can only customize to their parameters. Nevertheless, after hearing what the SB series basses sound like Carvin is really onto something hear. Mine should arrive within the next 8 weeks. 19mm string spacing at the bridge. BEAFY!
Actually not completely true. Call Carvin and you can pretty much ask for anything (as long as you're willing to pay for it).
You must admit it's a bit more "custom shop" than Fender's!
I've been driving myself crazy with all the different choices, and I only wish more "custom builders" offered half the choices Carvin does.
Now, birdseye or ebony, white or spalted maple, Icon or SB5000, etc, ad infinitum (almost!)
I've been driving myself crazy with all the different choices, and I only wish more "custom builders" offered half the choices Carvin does.
Now, birdseye or ebony, white or spalted maple, Icon or SB5000, etc, ad infinitum (almost!)
I figured I would post a quick update after spending a week with the bass. I could not be happier with this bass. I never thought that a 19mm spaced 5 string would be the most comfortable bass for me to play, but this one is. I really like the neck profile a lot. Still a bit heavy, but I've gotten used to it now. Amazing balance. Seems to stay wherever you put it. Great modern jazz tone. I mentioned before that I put on d'addario nickels (45-130) with a lighter E and A, because I didn't like the way the B sounded. Well I'm starting to realize that a lot of those tones seem to be the bass itself. I put on a set of Hi Beams, and even with the .125 B, its useable all the way up. Hi Beams seem to be made for jazz basses, imo. I've got a gig this weekend, and I will have my wife take a few videos, so I can upload them to Youtube.
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?
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?
Yeah, yeah, I know--impossible to answer questions, and I should just buy and try. But I'm finding the neck on my Sadowsky is a bit beefy for my small hands, and I'm wondering whether the neck on the SB5000 might solve that problem.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
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?
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?
Yeah, yeah, I know--impossible to answer questions, and I should just buy and try. But I'm finding the neck on my Sadowsky is a bit beefy for my small hands, and I'm wondering whether the neck on the SB5000 might solve that problem.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.
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