• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Carvin Vader headless basses

I have watched Carvin threads here, the official forum, and FB, pretty closely. Customer service has generally been quite good and their problem resolution, while seeming to average a little slow on the turnaround, is usually pretty amazing, usually ending with some freebies for the affected customer.

I've dealt with Steve, in particular. He was very patient with me, through about 10 different build quotes, over the course of about 4 days. Everyone has an off day now and then, I guess.

I like it (in spite of the Anna Sentina endorsement). I'm curious to find out more. I'm in the market for a 5 string headless for travel. Would love one that doesn't look like 1984.
I think Anna is a solid player and she is getting more creativity into her lines. Its great to see them giving a lot of exposure to a female. As a huge fan of some Japanese rock bands (Japan has a lot of femal front women and female players in rock music); I have really noticed the lack of exposure for female players in North American rock. Mainstream and just outside mainstream. The few mainstream female players in North America, seem almost alien. I mean, I can't connect with Orianthi, as a human, at all. Because she is so costumed.. she's a pro, though and props to her.

Anna is also young, which again is cool to me. Usually, I think of endorsers as older people. It's a great way to connect with a younger demographic and I like that she doesn't have to be a super virtuoso, to get endorsements.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: turbosloth
I think Anna is a solid player and she is getting more creativity into her lines. Its great to see them giving a lot of exposure to a female. As a huge fan of some Japanese rock bands (Japan has a lot of femal front women and female players in rock music); I have really noticed the lack of exposure for female players in North American rock. Mainstream and just outside mainstream. The few mainstream female players in North America, seem almost alien. I mean, I can't connect with Orianthi, as a human, at all. Because she is so costumed.. she's a pro, though and props to her.

Anna is also young, which again is cool to me. Usually, I think of endorsers as older people. It's a great way to connect with a younger demographic and I like that she doesn't have to be a super virtuoso, to get endorsements.
I don't mean to knock Anna or get us off topic of what appears to be a new bass that meets a need that I currently have. I've always found Anna's covers to be solid. Glad to hear she's progressing as a player. But come on, her fame initially came from "the squeeze". I'd love to see female players become famous for other reasons. I connect more with Tal and Esperanza.
 
But come on, her fame initially came from "the squeeze". I'd love to see female players become famous for other reasons. I connect more with Tal and Esperanza.

I don't know what "the squeeze" is and googling that plus her name, does not result in obvious links.

However, i assume it has something to do with her boobs. Which , yes, she has them. I don't think that Kiesel has overtly exploited that (I think that Anna, herself, has done much more with that). Rather, Kiesel/Carvin have taken every opportunity to show her playing and to get exposure for their new models. She has been seen with several models. Maybe more than most endorsers.

Anyway. The point is that she is a legit, female bass player, in North America, getting good exposure. Not a lot of that going on.
 
Last edited:
Neat design. It looks like they borrowed some shape from the Holdsworth guitar they have had for years (which I believe comes as a headless option as well).
Yes, that was my first thought as well. And the Holdsworth models are the only thing on the guitar side that I really (really, really) want. I wish they'd do a headless fatboy hollow bass, though! drool
 
I don't know what "the squeeze" is and googling that plus her name, does not result in obvious links.

However, i assume it has something to do with her boobs. Which , yes, she has them. I don't think that Kiesel has overtly exploited that (I think that Anna, herself, has done much more with that). Rather, Kiesel/Carvin have taken every opportunity to show her playing and to get exposure for their new models. She has been seen with several models. Maybe more than most endorsers.

Anyway. The point is that she is a legit, female bass player, in North America, getting good exposure. Not a lot of that going on.
Good points. My oldest daughter is getting a bass on her 8th birthday next year and it would be good for her to have good role models, especially female.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NJSouth
Good points. My oldest daughter is getting a bass on her 8th birthday next year and it would be good for her to have good role models, especially female.

a 30" inch scale Vader bass would be perfect for young and/or small Women! I may very well surprise my girlfriend with one. I have small, girly hands (which is why I like the 17mm spacing neck on the Icon 5). Yet, her hands are even a little smaller han mine!

Anna Sentina looks to have some pretty long fingers! longer than mine!
 
  • Like
Reactions: son_of_mogh
This is a great example of what carvin can do. A great semi-niche, semi-custom instrument at a reasonable price.

No need for alot of options. I think a simple ash or mahogany body in a trans finish would look great on this bass.
 
I was interested until they fixed the string spacing on the 6 string. 30" scale, 19mm 6 string sounded like a dream!
...a bad dream for me... too wide, too short. I still don't understand why anyone would even try a low B at 30" scale... Maybe I'm too finicky, but finding a really good low B is rare enough at 34" scale, seems like it'd just be flabby floppy mud at 30".
 
...a bad dream for me... too wide, too short. I still don't understand why anyone would even try a low B at 30" scale... Maybe I'm too finicky, but finding a really good low B is rare enough at 34" scale, seems like it'd just be flabby floppy mud at 30".
I like 19mm spacing, but the B is just tolerable on my 32" scale bass, it can't possibly be good at 30". Would be an awesome E-F bass for solos and chording though! 16.5 mm spacing wouldn't be so bad for that I think.
 
I like 19mm spacing, but the B is just tolerable on my 32" scale bass, it can't possibly be good at 30". Would be an awesome E-F bass for solos and chording though! 16.5 mm spacing wouldn't be so bad for that I think.
Yeah, if you go higher rather than lower, it should work out fine. Don't mean to sound like I hate short scales, I don't, but not with a low B, not for me. I have 3 30" 6 stringers (2 Rondo, 1 Eastwood) set up as "bass vis", and love playing them (though not like a traditional bass).