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carvins!

#41
Bass Viking-I meant I didn't save money building an imported kit bass compared to what I would pay for a comparable high quality Canadian bass-say the Godin Freeway. Once I had figured out what the Carvin kit cost I was in about $775 Canadian. Still a lot less than what a new fender USA would cost in Cnada to be sure. I didn't factor in the saving in me applying my own finish. That cost me about $50 for stain and varnish. Maybe about 15 hours of work in all. Enjoyable work for me so no charge for labour.

In the USA the Carvin kit and Carvin basses in general are an exceptional deal. The quality is top notch and the sound comparable to a Fender jazz. Playability is better. I wouldn't trade mine for anything in that price range.

Edit-I just read Snarf's experiences. Man, that guy has BAD luck!
 
#42
62bass said:
Bass Viking-I meant I didn't save money building an imported kit bass compared to what I would pay for a comparable high quality Canadian bass-say the Godin Freeway.
Click to expand...

Oh, I get it. Interesting you mentioned the Godin. I have a 5 string SD model (which is discontinued) and my 5 string Carvin kit bass came in at less money. I don't know about the Freeway but I would have to say the Carvin is superior to and a better value than my Godin SD5. The Carvin's active electronics are more versatile and the B string is better. The Godin is well built but the sound is kind of lacklustre and if you go below the low D on the B string it lacks pitch definition.
 
#43
AT THE MOMENT I can't say anything too bad about my LB76F. VERY comfrotable, durable finish, decent tone I don't care much for the J99 in the neck and would like to eventually swap it out, preamp is pretty weak but I'm a passive guy and never use it. Great tuners it went over a year without ever needing an adjustment and went through 2 canadian summers and a winter before moving.

I've turned the rod clockwise 4/4 - 5/4 turns over about a week and the relief has not changed a bit, or is at least insignificant for the number of turns. The bass is currently at my tech.

Whether or not I still reccommend Carvin will be determined IF the rod is broken and (if it is) HOW Carvin will handle the situation.
 
#44
I've owned and played an ass-load (my metric unit for "a lot") of Carvin instruments and they've all played remarkably well, not to mention their construction was top-knotch.

I'd search Ebay for a used Carvin.

Their resale value is nice and low and if you're lucky, you can snag a really sweet piece of wood.
 
#46
Bass Viking said:
Oh, I get it. Interesting you mentioned the Godin. I have a 5 string SD model (which is discontinued) and my 5 string Carvin kit bass came in at less money. I don't know about the Freeway but I would have to say the Carvin is superior to and a better value than my Godin SD5. The Carvin's active electronics are more versatile and the B string is better. The Godin is well built but the sound is kind of lacklustre and if you go below the low D on the B string it lacks pitch definition.
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Agreed, Godins are well made, but I also found the old SD line and current Freeways tonally...well...ho hum. The Godins to seek out is the discontinued BG line. Now that was a happening bass. Pity it didn't catch on. Otherwise I have to say most Carvins seem more happening than Godin in the bass department, at least. However, with a pickup and/or preamp upgrade, the Godins could be pretty happening. I'd do that if I was north of the border rather than shell out a s-load to ship from San Diego.

r
 
#47
I agree the Freeway could use a pickup change. There is something lacking in their stock pickups.

A friend of mine uses one of the old BG models and he's kept it over various Stingrays, Jazzes, Laklands and others. It does have a very good sound, particularly live.
 
#48
I've owned 2 Carvins. One was a BB70PF (mahogany) and the other was a BB70P (Koa neck and body).

Good points,
-They were both fantastic playing instruments.
-The fit and finish was perfect on both.
- I'm from Canada and I still got a lot of bass for my money
- Customer support was great.
- Both basses looked fantastic.

Bad points,
- I wasn't a fan of the pickups (they sound fine, just not my cup of tea)
- My fretted BB70 responded quite poorly to climate changes (a big issue when you consider the amount I travel for music)

I think Carvin produces a fantastic product. Their customer support was helpful and quick to respond to all of my questions.

Ashleycar.jpg
 
#50
My lb75 frettless was my main bass for 5 years until I started wanting the fretted sound and my 55-01 became a bit more desireable. I still love and use the carvin oftern. Carvins are extremely well made, and -especially with the new soapbar pickup options available- are tonally diverse. I love mine, as it is extremely playable, durable, and has a great tone. Before you buy, a few cons and defenses to consider....

Some folks think the electronics packages are bland though the new soapbar pickups and electronics on the icon series may fix this.

Their body shapes are a bit dated (the basic lb series) or a bit unorigional (the new icon series), though the various available headstock designs help these issues, and carvin's almost always look sharp.

You can't try before you buy. You can send it back, but you are still out 20 bucks.

I would say go for it. Carvin's are great instruments.
 
#51
I have an XB76P (35.25" scale, Alinco pickup at bridge)

I love the thing, I got it with the Piezo pups in the bridge as well, but I find I don't use them much. This is actually the second one I've owned. My first one got stolen from the church I played at regularly. I liked the first one... I LOVE this second one. I've been thinking of buying another, but I just got a NS CR5M and I think my next electric just might have to me a MusicMan SR5. As mentioned before, craftsmanship was great, never had an issue with electronics or anything. The finish does seem to chip a little easy, but what doesn't after years of road use??

My Carvin is definately my main axe, my others are a Washburn AB20 and a Fender AM DLX Jazz. Before I got the CR5M I used to use the Carvin in local musicals and never got a complaint of being 'too electric bassy', I use it in all sorts of other groups too, rock, jazz, metal, country...

Definately a very good and very versitile instrument for the price. I've played some $2000+ basses and wouldn't really give my Carvin up for them.
 
#52
Poor Carvin. I don't think there's a single bass manufacturer mentioned on TB that gets more praise and more boos at the same time. It must be pretty confusing for someone whose seen their excellent catalogs but has never actually seen or played the real item.

I currently play through an old Carvin PB300 head. I've owned a Carvin fretless 5 string axe in the past, have played a PB 500 combo amp in the past, and once owned what was easily the best guitar I've ever owned, a Carvin TL (Tele) model. I don't understand the beefs that some people have with this company. Bang for buck, their strip down models are the best domestic deals out there. Its only when you're start slapping on the fancy options is where you getting in the stratosphere with the price. Otherwise, I really think Carvin has the best products going in North American for the money.

r
 
#53
Snarf said:
"Ain't no urban myth, this happened to me. It was a one-piece maple neck with twisted grain. Why anyone would use wood grained like that is beyond me. The truss rod was probably not glued properly into the neck. The wood was not the cause, but still the wood was terrible and warped beyond playability.

And when I sent it back, it took them a month to figure out "it's broke" and send me a new neck. Of course they sent me the new neck without hardware . . . . duuuuuuhhhh. To their credit they overnighted the hardware at no charge. The new neck was similarly crappy, with wood that had such twisting grains that it was only a matter of a year or two before it would warp beyond recognition of playability.
Click to expand...

Snarf, do you happen to have a pic of either of those necks? I'd be interested to see what the grain pattern looks like and how it compares to my Carvin neck.
 

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