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Fender Jazz 5 or Carvin SB5000 Help

Angelsbass

Angelsbass

Feb 10, 2011
65
1
#1
Just sold my Musicman Stingray and now Im looking for a jazz 5. I was leaning toward Fender but I hear really good things about the Carvin SB's:confused: Any suggestions :help:
I love the P tone but I also like the feel and tones from the jazz. Maybe there is another Bass I don't know about?? any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks :bassist:
 
#4
I'd definitely check the Carvin out if you like a Modern (Sadowsky-like) Jazz Bass tone. You can get an Ash Body with a Maple cap and hollow body cavities that takes a pound off the weight.
I've had an Ash/Maple/Maple Fingerboard SB5000 for a couple of years now and it plays great and sounds great live or in the studio.
 
#5
Carvin. I've had Fenders, I've had Carvins. Old Carvins had weak pickups, but great quality control and great playability. Now the SB series has some great pickups too.

Don't go crazy with the build options and you'll have a bass and case for well under 1200 bucks.
 
#6
The SB5000's bridge pickup really nails the J-bass tone. It's a great-sounding bass in either active or passive mode.
One thing to consider is what kind of vibe you're going for. When you say you want a "Jazz bass", are you talking any bass with J pickups, or a Fender? The SB5000 is nice, but for me it will never have the mojo of a sunburst/tort/rosewood Fender Jazz, you know what I'm saying? If that kind of thing matters to you.
 
#9
The SBs are killer! But so are the 2008 newer Am. Std. Fender 5s. The 2010-newer Fender Deluxes are amazing. I've had all of these at some point. Currently rocking the 2011 Fender Deluxe J5. The J5 pretty much has the same specs-ish as the carvin I had. Ash body/maple board. For me, it came down to, I really don't like 70s spaced pickups on J basses. So I lost the carvin and got the Fender that has 60s pickup spacing. Both are GREAT basses. It really comes down to tone preference. The Fender I currently have does take a slightly better set up than the Carvin I had did. But that's also subjective. Fit, finish, tone on both will be great (typically speaking....every so often a turd will make it out of the factory from either camp). If Carvin would make the SB's with 60s spacing, I'd probably pick up another one to compliment my Fender, but alas, they don't.
 
#10
Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. Its really a hard decision. I know the SB's are up to par but I also try to keep in mind the re-sale vaule. I know a fender does not depreciate. If I were to pick up an SB and lets say I want to sell later down the line, I'd probably would not get even half of what I paid. So I am keeping this in mind also. BUT I do like the sound and body style of the SB alot. Fenders tone is Awesome! I tell you this is hard!! haha I have to use my monies wisely because its not too often that I get to purchase a brand new axe! I have a wife and 3 teens! so you know what I mean.
 
#13
phillybass101 said:
I'd pick the SB5000 over the Fender anyday.
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Lo end PUNCH said:
The Carvin. Period, you'll thank yourself.
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HypersoulRocks said:
Carvin. With Fender you are paying for the name, not build or sound quality.
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I agree with all of this. I go to stores routinely and try to find a Fender at any price range that compares to my Carvin SBs and I just can't find one. They are even nicer than the Metro (Japanese) Sadowskys in my opinion and yes I've owned both.
 
#16
Angelsbass said:
I know the SB's are up to par but I also try to keep in mind the re-sale vaule. I know a fender does not depreciate.
Click to expand...

All new basses depreciate, unless you stick it in a closet for 50 years. Buy a new Fender, bring it home and list it for sale. See what you get...

Angelsbass said:
If I were to pick up an SB and lets say I want to sell later down the line, I'd probably would not get even half of what I paid.
Click to expand...

Used SB's seem to go in the $850-$1,000 range. As long as you don't go nuts with fancy woods and whatnot you'll be fine. That's about the same as a Fender P5. I have never had anyone come up to me at a gig and compliment me on my bass's resale value...

Angelsbass said:
BUT I do like the sound and body style of the SB alot. Fenders tone is Awesome! I
Click to expand...

I can't recommend the SB5000 highly enough. It is simply an amazing bass in all respects.
 
#17
I'm really into J basses and I have built a ton of them to the specs I wanted.

The Carvin SB basses are the only basses that I leave stock.

I love these instruments and have 2 of them, you cannot go wrong and $ for $ compared to Fender its a now brainier they absolutely blow them away IMHO.
 
#18
Im going to the Carvin store today after work. I have to see what all the hype is all about myself. I will give you guys my feedback. Ya never know maybe a picture of my new SB5000! Thanks for all the input fellows! thats what makes this site so nice!
 

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