DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Probably not even a comparison.
Carvin gear is ok but they don't touch any boutiques I've ever played, not even close.
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Probably not even a comparison.
Carvin gear is ok but they don't touch any boutiques I've ever played, not even close.
so im looking at the headless 5, and the one they show for and example. It an ash body with the antique ash treatment.....but when i go build one, no antique ash treatment. i dont understand why they do this... so you have to call them to figure this all out? with the online builder, isnt that the point? so you dont have to call them?
I have to admit the ordering system and unlisted options have gotten quite messy, not to mention the slightly ludicrous Kiesel / Carvin nomenclature overlap. I should drive down there in my Datsun Nissan Maxima and tell them as much.
wish i could drive down their but thats about 700 miles, they closed the sac store i used to frequent(2 1/2 hrs away)
I had thought for a long time that it would be cool if Carvin did a headless bass. The upper horn not going anywhere near the 12th fret, however, kind of ruins it for me - I just don't care for basses that hang further to the left and result in a longer reach to the first few frets (one of the things that ultimately led me to part with my Steinbergers and Spector Euros).
It is highly recommended to call them. The online builder is simply an amusing way to roughly quote some builds. or for people to quickly order some simple, straightforward stuff.
Antique Ash or Summer Ash (reddish brown) Treatment are a $100 upcharge.
I called a few times and then I ended up moving things to email (directly to the sales rep whom I had been initially talking to, via phone). I would then shoot off a message with some tweaks to specs until I ironed out exactly what I wanted, if they could do it, and then how much it would cost. Took me about 4 or 5 business days, to finalize my order and tell them to start building it!
This is a cool bass. I recently checked out a Nordstrand headless, but it's not in my budget right now. This one might be. I may even go nuts and get the 30"! Nice little compact unit.
This is my "gripe" also. 12 fret or at least close is a must for reach comfort. 11th like my MPG Level is like heaven.
Visited the Carvin showroom yesterday and played a 5 string Vader (and almost everything else they had). My initial thoughts:
Neck and action were great, standard Carvin goodness. I'm a fan of 1.75" nut and 3/4 bridge spacing so having these options in a headless is awesome.
The passive electronics surprised me. They really do sound active, very present, clear, full and modern sounding. IMO, a preamp would be more effective than the single tone control because it didn't work that well. I had to roll it almost all the way down the hear a difference in sound. B string sounded a little floppy but I think this could be remedied by new/different strings.
I loved the light weight and smaller body but not a fan of the sharp body edges. I played it with a strap as well and yes, first position notes are a bit of a reach. It kinda felt like playing a guitar with a bass neck attached or like a oar - shaped Steinberger Spirit. It would take some time to adjust if you are use to traditional body shapes.
Overall, I think this is a good first headless bass attempt for Carvin. Glad to see them in this field.
Neck and action were great, standard Carvin goodness. I'm a fan of 1.75" nut and 3/4 bridge spacing so having these options in a headless is awesome.
The passive electronics surprised me. They really do sound active, very present, clear, full and modern sounding. IMO, a preamp would be more effective than the single tone control because it didn't work that well. I had to roll it almost all the way down the hear a difference in sound. B string sounded a little floppy but I think this could be remedied by new/different strings.
I loved the light weight and smaller body but not a fan of the sharp body edges. I played it with a strap as well and yes, first position notes are a bit of a reach. It kinda felt like playing a guitar with a bass neck attached or like a oar - shaped Steinberger Spirit. It would take some time to adjust if you are use to traditional body shapes.
Overall, I think this is a good first headless bass attempt for Carvin. Glad to see them in this field.
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I'm going to ask them, and then I'll report back, if a non-radiused pickup is available on a custom Vader. It looks as though they all have 14" radius' (why in the H. don't they offer other radii besides 14"?).
That 14" radius is so flat that you don't really need a radiused pickup - I don't. The whole radiused pickup thing is somewhat of a selling point to keep up with the Jones' - whoever they are.
Anyway, the bass looks very good. I'll go in and try it. I get no snob appeal vibe from it.
By the way, can they make it in a >34" scale ?
Can they make it with a piezo ?
That 14" radius is so flat that you don't really need a radiused pickup - I don't. The whole radiused pickup thing is somewhat of a selling point to keep up with the Jones' - whoever they are.
Anyway, the bass looks very good. I'll go in and try it. I get no snob appeal vibe from it.
By the way, can they make it in a >34" scale ?
Can they make it with a piezo ?
They have non-radiused pickups available in the standard P2 shape. Such as the J99AS, which is a J99A jazz pickup, loaded into a P2 casing. You should be able to get that, if you ask for it.
Also, you can send in aftermarket pickups and have them installed, for an upcharge. So if you like Delanos or Aguilars or something, in a P2 shape, you can send those in.
P.S. a 14" radiused pickup might not make as much sense on a 4 string (it still makes sense) but it makes tons of sense on a 6 string or even a wide 5. It feels fairly flat to your hands, but it isn't as flat, as it seems ; )
Here you can see that the radius is non-trivial:
P.P.S. they still offer radius options on their 4 strings. Typically it is 14" (standard), with 10" and 12" as upcharge options.
I see the Vader bass does not have 10" in the builder, which could simply be an oversight or it could be that they aren't doing it at all.
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My NS Design CR5 is awesome. I've always played traditional-shaped basses (fenders and rays), so this was a BIG leap of faith for me to get a headless bass. but it has become my favorite bass - amazing ergonomics and thunderous tone. the only downside was the $2600 price tag.
I, and many other people, found the same thing to be true on their P and PJ pickups.
There's now a picture of a short scale in the VB4 gallery. Looks like they moved the bridge up into the body more and left a 'shelf' behind the tuners. Hope that doesn't affect access. Also, the neck looks stubby and wide like they just trimmed the end off and left the remaining dimensions the same. I was looking forward to the short scale but now I'd like a 'in hand' report from someone first.
I called Carvin today, 11/12/15 to ask:
Can they make the Vader bass with a chambered body? yes.
Can they install non-Carvin pickups? yes, as long as the route dimensions are the same.
Can they make a Vader with an extended scale ? no, and he said that the B string is plenty tight. I'll have to see for myself because Carvin puts some pretty cheesy strings on their basses.
Can they make a Vader with no pickups at all ? no. (It sounded as though he did not like that question, fair enough)
My best question was: Can they make a Vader with only one pickup? yes, but it would be non-returnable and non-refundable. Okay, I've got an idea.
I still need to ask them if the Vader neck is available in another radii - something a little bit rounder (9" or so for example)
I'd like to know if the Vader will accept flatwound or heavy gauge strings. I'll need to see it closely in person.
I also asked how much weight is reduced with a chambered body. He said about 8 ounces. He also said that the non-chambered body has minimal neck dive ( what the heck? that's not good ).
I'll get to the showroom asap. So far, I like the Vader.
Can they make the Vader bass with a chambered body? yes.
Can they install non-Carvin pickups? yes, as long as the route dimensions are the same.
Can they make a Vader with an extended scale ? no, and he said that the B string is plenty tight. I'll have to see for myself because Carvin puts some pretty cheesy strings on their basses.
Can they make a Vader with no pickups at all ? no. (It sounded as though he did not like that question, fair enough)
My best question was: Can they make a Vader with only one pickup? yes, but it would be non-returnable and non-refundable. Okay, I've got an idea.
I still need to ask them if the Vader neck is available in another radii - something a little bit rounder (9" or so for example)
I'd like to know if the Vader will accept flatwound or heavy gauge strings. I'll need to see it closely in person.
I also asked how much weight is reduced with a chambered body. He said about 8 ounces. He also said that the non-chambered body has minimal neck dive ( what the heck? that's not good ).
I'll get to the showroom asap. So far, I like the Vader.
