Just curious, does a $10k Fodera MG play and sound that much better than my Carvin SB5001? I know Im gonna get lit up on this one... its just I don't see it. My SB was $1700, $8k more... Really? Was at GC the other day and they have a Pedulla used with a $2k tag on it and its got absolutely nothing at all on the SB, way less comfortable actually. Have played a couple of Mike Lulls in there and again... I wont keep saying it. Carvin man.
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Fodera Vs Carvin
- Thread starter JaredBT
- Start date
Hoo boy, another one of these threads....
Is an entry level Ferrari 3x faster & better handling than a Corvette? No.
Is the Ferrari worth 3x the price of the 'Vette? For a few people, the answer is Yes.
Autos, like musical instruments (and many other items), can vary dramatically in price, while offering only marginal improvements over their less expensive competitors.
I own a Spector Euro (about $2k new) and a Spector USA NS-2 (about $4.5k new).
These are essentially the same bass, the main difference being the preamps & country of origin.
Playability and sound are very close on these basses.
Is the USA worth twice the price of the Euro? For me, the answer is "Yes".
I appreciate the slight (but still noticeable) improvement in tone of the USA model, as well as the finer build quality.
The Carvins I've played over the years have all been fine playing, good sounding instruments. So have the Pedullas, Foderas, Spectors and Alembics.
Whichever bass you prefer, you make your choice, pay the asking price, and hopefully end up happy.
For me, that's the bottom line for any purchase I make - "Does it make me happy?"
If the answer is yes, I pay my money & enjoy my purchase.
If the answer is no, I keep searching...
Is an entry level Ferrari 3x faster & better handling than a Corvette? No.
Is the Ferrari worth 3x the price of the 'Vette? For a few people, the answer is Yes.
Autos, like musical instruments (and many other items), can vary dramatically in price, while offering only marginal improvements over their less expensive competitors.
I own a Spector Euro (about $2k new) and a Spector USA NS-2 (about $4.5k new).
These are essentially the same bass, the main difference being the preamps & country of origin.
Playability and sound are very close on these basses.
Is the USA worth twice the price of the Euro? For me, the answer is "Yes".
I appreciate the slight (but still noticeable) improvement in tone of the USA model, as well as the finer build quality.
The Carvins I've played over the years have all been fine playing, good sounding instruments. So have the Pedullas, Foderas, Spectors and Alembics.
Whichever bass you prefer, you make your choice, pay the asking price, and hopefully end up happy.
For me, that's the bottom line for any purchase I make - "Does it make me happy?"
If the answer is yes, I pay my money & enjoy my purchase.
If the answer is no, I keep searching...
I don't know what "these threads" means, anyone knows if you like it well not much can sway you but the question, being very lite hearted, is put forth really wondering is there something tangible that makes them more. Thank you for reminding me that stuff made outside the US is going to command more. But still the US stuff is considerably higher too. Over head I guess but not really able to even guess... for instance the Suhr facility in So Cal looks to be around the same size, doesn't mean much I know but the Suhr basses are at the very least more than twice the price. Oh well, Carvins just doin something right that's all. Glad they're there. Just realized though, there are companys like Schecter that are less dough yet. While not on par with the Carvin (my opinion) they make a very nice instrument. Has anyone seen the Nikki Sixx Sunburst Thunderbird lookin 4 string for sale here?? Freekin beautiful. Over seas though so again. Carvin RULES! - Har. Again, lite hearted everyone. Don't need hate mail.
I will go ahead and share my Carvin experience, since it will indirectly answer your question, or whatever...
When I was shopping for a bass to own for a long time I wanted something that was as tonally diverse (and as well built as possible) as I could get for a reasonable price. I loved the Ernie Ball sound, but the price tag and one pickup thing made me shy away. So here's Carvin, with a reasonably priced bass, built to MY specs, that I can play for years and not need another one. I thought to myself "I can get a huge sounding humbucker in the bridge and a j pickup in the neck that are blendable for around half of what I would pay for an ebmm or an American made jazz? Sign me up!" Carvin makes incredibly flexible and workable instruments that sound great and look great, but...
My bass shipped without the screws that hold the battery box down. Not a huge deal, the holes were there, just no screws. A quick call solved the problem. They mailed me the proper screws. Also, my nut came loose after a while, which caused some interesting issues to say the least. A new nut and some epoxy solved that. Carvin is absolutely awesome for what they are: A company that will make a bass to your exact specs for the least amount of cash. It will be beautiful, (if you pay for fancy woods and stuff) and it will sound pretty great. Will it have the attention to detail and signature sound of a more expensive custom made bass? No. They totally oversell that aspect of their company, and it mostly doesn't deliver. They come close, but not all the way.
Carvin makes a product that you can gig with and be incredibly flexible with, will not cost more than your child's education, and will look good doing it. It may not have the panache, flair, or sound that high end basses have, but it will get you through.
To me, Carvin sells a product that will be versatile and VERY workable. Is it special, truly special? Not really. I love my Carvin, but it has always been a tool, not a piece of art that speaks to me.
This truly is a debate that has no winner. Is an American made fender worth a grand + more than an affinity squier? Should we all be playing on $100 washburns because no one but us can tell the tonal difference? What does any of this mean? LIFE IS MEANINGLESS!
When I was shopping for a bass to own for a long time I wanted something that was as tonally diverse (and as well built as possible) as I could get for a reasonable price. I loved the Ernie Ball sound, but the price tag and one pickup thing made me shy away. So here's Carvin, with a reasonably priced bass, built to MY specs, that I can play for years and not need another one. I thought to myself "I can get a huge sounding humbucker in the bridge and a j pickup in the neck that are blendable for around half of what I would pay for an ebmm or an American made jazz? Sign me up!" Carvin makes incredibly flexible and workable instruments that sound great and look great, but...
My bass shipped without the screws that hold the battery box down. Not a huge deal, the holes were there, just no screws. A quick call solved the problem. They mailed me the proper screws. Also, my nut came loose after a while, which caused some interesting issues to say the least. A new nut and some epoxy solved that. Carvin is absolutely awesome for what they are: A company that will make a bass to your exact specs for the least amount of cash. It will be beautiful, (if you pay for fancy woods and stuff) and it will sound pretty great. Will it have the attention to detail and signature sound of a more expensive custom made bass? No. They totally oversell that aspect of their company, and it mostly doesn't deliver. They come close, but not all the way.
Carvin makes a product that you can gig with and be incredibly flexible with, will not cost more than your child's education, and will look good doing it. It may not have the panache, flair, or sound that high end basses have, but it will get you through.
To me, Carvin sells a product that will be versatile and VERY workable. Is it special, truly special? Not really. I love my Carvin, but it has always been a tool, not a piece of art that speaks to me.
This truly is a debate that has no winner. Is an American made fender worth a grand + more than an affinity squier? Should we all be playing on $100 washburns because no one but us can tell the tonal difference? What does any of this mean? LIFE IS MEANINGLESS!
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Try them and let us all know. Then you will have solved this mystery for all time. We'll finally know what plays and sounds better..... to you.
YES... A Fodera MG sounds $8K better than your wannabe pretender Carven....wait Carvan....how the hell do spell waste of money entry level crap? A Pedulla will eat your bass for breakfast and can fart a better tone. Mike Lull? They let you touch a Mike Lull? What were they thinking? Didn't they see you holding a Carvin?
So how does that make you feel?
That is what " another one of these threads" means.
They add nothing of value to the community unless you value ignorance.
Oh...I've played Carvins since 1988. Awesome basses.
Clearly, the answer is no...unless it's yes.
Only you can answer this question, and it seems you already have.
Only you can answer this question, and it seems you already have.
Dude come on ... You talk about something that may cost up to 10 000$ and highly customizable again a compagny that do cosmetic customization. Really not the same thing at all ...
A $10k Fodera is nothing. Just imagine how much better this $23k Jazz Bass sounds and plays! It's $13,000 better even than a Fodera!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Fender...e-/171234357875?pt=Guitar&hash=item27de5cf273
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Fender...e-/171234357875?pt=Guitar&hash=item27de5cf273
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I just saw the thread below this is Carvin vs Squier. These threads should just merge and be Squier vs Fodera. Who can tell the difference between bass manufacturers anyway?
I've never played a Fodera- but I can attest that the quality of the Alembic and Ken Smith basses (similar hand crafted quality, in my opinion) absolutely SMOKES my other basses.
It's all a matter of need (real or perceived) vs. budget.
If you need the absolute richness of a Fodera or similar bass- a Carvin or other similarly priced "workingman's" bass simply will not do it.
My personal economics prevent me from owning a 10K bass- but I fully understand the transcendent joy and musicality that can come from playing a world class instrument.
It's all a matter of need (real or perceived) vs. budget.
If you need the absolute richness of a Fodera or similar bass- a Carvin or other similarly priced "workingman's" bass simply will not do it.
My personal economics prevent me from owning a 10K bass- but I fully understand the transcendent joy and musicality that can come from playing a world class instrument.
Some people know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
I grew up in San Diego and have been around Carvin instruments for 40+ years. Last night I gigged this bass at a local club. For *me*, it certainly plays way better than any Carvin I've touched, and the extra money is certainly worth it. To *me*. YMMV.
I grew up in San Diego and have been around Carvin instruments for 40+ years. Last night I gigged this bass at a local club. For *me*, it certainly plays way better than any Carvin I've touched, and the extra money is certainly worth it. To *me*. YMMV.
If the bass you are playing sounds good to you, and doesn't get in the way of your playing, then you are set. For some bass players, myself included, if I feel the bass is somehow holding me back or getting in my way when I'm playing I look to something else. Sometimes you have to pay a lot of money to have someone who really, really understands everything that goes into a bass make you one to get you to that point where you can completely forget what you've got in your hands and just make the music. If that's a Carvin, then great. If it's a Fodera, or Smith/MTD/Zon/F Bass/STR/Pavel/ etc (you get the picture) then also great if you can afford one.
Carvins don't work for everyone, and thankfully neither do Foderas. Think about how mind bendingly boring basses themselves would be if one thing worked for everyone!
Carvins don't work for everyone, and thankfully neither do Foderas. Think about how mind bendingly boring basses themselves would be if one thing worked for everyone!
Some people know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
I grew up in San Diego and have been around Carvin instruments for 40+ years. Last night I gigged this bass at a local club. For *me*, it certainly plays way better than any Carvin I've touched, and the extra money is certainly worth it. To *me*. YMMV.
That pic NEVER gets old, such an incredible beauty
I love it - a "Fodera vs. Carvin" on the front page along with a "Carvin vs. Squier" thread! 
Food just provides nutrition. Time to switch to all Ramen.
The key here is you said you saw a Pedulla used w/ a $2k tag on it. You won't see a used carvin with a $2k tag on it unless it is brand new. Carvins just don't hold value, there's a lot of them out there. I own a carvin amp and love carvin basses BTW.
The key here is you said you saw a Pedulla used w/ a $2k tag on it. You won't see a used carvin with a $2k tag on it unless it is brand new. Carvins just don't hold value, there's a lot of them out there. I own a carvin amp and love carvin basses BTW.
You guys argue all you want, I still say Squier is as good as Fender!, Oops! Wrong thread, sorry.
