Got my sb4000 today

[funkybass]

I'm going to call carvin today to at least let them know about the issue. I would've called yesterday but by the time I got off work they were closed. I dont think calling them to explain loosen set screw, raise knob,and re tighten is really necessary.

 

[prd004]

Definitely back to the factory. I looked long and hard at Carvin and almost pulled the trigger myself but there are just too many stories like this. They make a great product but it should be right the first time...it just says something about the quality control. I understand their customer support is great and turnaround for orders/service also but come on, when you buy something new, you want it to work right out of the box.

Yeah, I've had nothing but good luck with Carvin. I've owned basses, monitors, speakers, etc., from them and everything has been nothing short of excellent!
I'm also quite picky and somewhat of a gear snob, all of my music equipment be it pro audio, bass, or other is of the high-end variety.

 

[Runnerman]

Sure, I'll go along with that. Would you go along with the fact that by not alerting the manufacturer to a possible issue with their QC does absolutely nothing to rectify the issue?

My point is:

Anytime you get something brand new that does not meet your expectations, let the manufacturer know. Rather than following the sage advice of TB and not notifying Carvin, I would have called their customer service people and had them explain the procedure to me (Even after finding and fixing the problem, I would still do that.)

100% agree. Sage advice for sure!

 

[Runnerman]

I would never spend 20 minutes driving to the car dealer , plus another 20 minutes waiting and another 20 minutes driving back for something that I could fix at home in less that one minute.

hmmmm....I guess that's where we differ.

At the end of the day, the bent hubcap probably wasn't a manufacturing defect anyways...probably some doofus unloading the transport truck at the dealer or something. So anyways, it's probably not a relevant comparo to the situation at hand.

I'm really pleased to hear that you got it fixed up so easily funky. And I hope to play one of those SB's someday soon. Just not so many of em around here on the east coast...at least here in NC. Rarely see Carvins in the wild.

 

[Hot Rats]

I dont think calling them to explain loosen set screw, raise knob,and re tighten is really necessary.

It may seem trivial to call, but at least let them know. They may have had other problems with the "particular" assembler that they might want to address. Who knows. But, they should be aware.

 

[king_biscuit]

Alright...let's look at this objectively now...

So bouncing down the road causes a screw to tighten? Come on guys...that doesn't even make sense....loosen maybe but tighten? Give me a break.

The screw didn't tighten, the top concentric probably got jammed against the lower during shipping.

 

[smcd]

hmmmm....I guess that's where we differ.

At the end of the day, the bent hubcap probably wasn't a manufacturing defect anyways...probably some doofus unloading the transport truck at the dealer or something. So anyways, it's probably not a relevant comparo to the situation at hand.

I'm really pleased to hear that you got it fixed up so easily funky. And I hope to play one of those SB's someday soon. Just not so many of em around here on the east coast...at least here in NC. Rarely see Carvins in the wild.

He didn't say the hubcap was "bent". He said it was a "little crooked". Thus implying that the hubcap is not damaged, but merely needs a quick and simple adjustment.

 

[smcd]

I wonder - to those in this thread that have expressed outrage over a control knob - when you order your own basses, do you pull out an electronic gauge and check the paint thickness for uniformity? If you find the finish a few microns thin in places, do you fire off a 3-page complaint to the board of directors?

 

[funkybass]

I'll definitely let them know, I just don't need them to explain how to do it. I actually sent them an email, but I was nice about it and even told them how much I like their products.

 

[Runnerman]

I wonder - to those in this thread that have expressed outrage over a control knob - when you order your own basses, do you pull out an electronic gauge and check the paint thickness for uniformity? If you find the finish a few microns thin in places, do you fire off a 3-page complaint to the board of directors?

Wow...what did we have for breakfast?

outrage?

Anyways...a control knob is a functional part of the bass....paint thickness is not. Same with a wheel cover whether its bent or installed crooked. Nice that you wade in here after the fact and try to fan the flames of some non-existent issue.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Alright...let's look at this objectively now...

So bouncing down the road causes a screw to tighten? Come on guys...that doesn't even make sense....loosen maybe but tighten? Give me a break.

You have to admit that the guitar left the factory in that condition. The guitar should have been checked to make sure all the pots functioned properly. Can we at least agree on that? Obviously it either was not checked or whoever checked it did not test it effectively enough to catch it. Or possibly they caught it but it went out anyways. Bottom line, it's a hole in the quality system. There is no other explanation.

Like I said, I love Carvin stuff but you guys are looking at this with your favorite brand blinders on.

And, yes, I would take a new car back at least to the dealer if the hubcap was bent. And I would be pissed off. I wouldn't try to bang it out myself and make an excuse for the brand.

Whoa... Easily could have happened in shipping. The top knob gets pushed down onto the bottom knob and they are now touching which causes friction between the two. There usually isn't much space between concentric knobs.

 

[smcd]

Wow...what did we have for breakfast?

outrage?

Anyways...a control knob is a functional part of the bass....paint thickness is not. Same with a wheel cover whether its bent or installed crooked. Nice that you wade in here after the fact and try to fan the flames of some non-existent issue.

"After the fact"...??? This thread isn't even 24 hours old.


The "issue" at hand is a jammed control knob. It was mentioned in the very first post. As it stands, it's barely an "issue" at all. Which was my point. Which should have been clear to you.

 

[aproud1]

So anyway................. nice bass man! what color is that?

 

[Runnerman]

Whoa... Easily could have happened in shipping. The top knob gets pushed down onto the bottom knob and they are now touching which causes friction between the two. There usually isn't much space between concentric knobs.

Good point, but I wouldn't think "easily"....just the fact that it happens is enough to be concerned. I would think Carvin did their homework on the case/bass size and tolerance stackups where the knobs sit versus the case cutouts. Maybe some UPS meathead throwing it around. Those Carvin cases are pretty stout though.

 

[Runnerman]

"After the fact"...??? This thread isn't even 24 hours old.


The "issue" at hand is a jammed control knob. It was mentioned in the very first post. As it stands, it's barely an "issue" at all. Which was my point. Which should have been clear to you.

No, read your post #28 again. You tried to make me out to be some kind of anal jerk. Or was it someone else you were referring to?

 

[WoodyG3]

Alright...let's look at this objectively now...

So bouncing down the road causes a screw to tighten? Come on guys...that doesn't even make sense....loosen maybe but tighten? Give me a break.

You have to admit that the guitar left the factory in that condition. The guitar should have been checked to make sure all the pots functioned properly. Can we at least agree on that?

No, if the knob got bumped, that's all it might take. Of course it should have been checked, and I'll bet is was checked.

And, yes, I would take a new car back at least to the dealer if the hubcap was bent. And I would be pissed off. I wouldn't try to bang it out myself and make an excuse for the brand.

I said a crooked hub cap, not bent. Just like the knob was slightly off in it's placement. It's not the big deal you are trying to make it.

Carvin makes mistakes sometimes, I don't know any company that doesn't, but the quality and QC of Carvin is much better than average in my experience. You make it sound like defective stuff is just flowing out of the factory doors at Carvin, and nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[WoodyG3]

funkybass, thanks for the pics. That's a nice looking bass. How much time have you put on it so far? How does it compare to your SB5000?

 

[Runnerman]

Carvin makes mistakes sometimes, I don't know any company that doesn't, but the quality and QC of Carvin is much better than average in my experience.

Ok, I guess we just have different thoughts on expected quality levels. Thats cool.

You make it sound like defective stuff is just flowing out of the factory doors at Carvin, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Did not mean to imply that. Sorry that you took it that way. I think the bottom line is that Carvin should be aware of it and have a chance to correct it "if" it is their fault. Most of us agree on that.

Anyways, I hope Funky is satisfied with his bass and it rocks hard for many years to come.

 

[SteveC]

Alright...let's look at this objectively now...

So bouncing down the road causes a screw to tighten? Come on guys...that doesn't even make sense....loosen maybe but tighten? Give me a break.

You have to admit that the guitar left the factory in that condition. The guitar should have been checked to make sure all the pots functioned properly. Can we at least agree on that? Obviously it either was not checked or whoever checked it did not test it effectively enough to catch it. Or possibly they caught it but it went out anyways. Bottom line, it's a hole in the quality system. There is no other explanation.

Like I said, I love Carvin stuff but you guys are looking at this with your favorite brand blinders on.

And, yes, I would take a new car back at least to the dealer if the hubcap was bent. And I would be pissed off. I wouldn't try to bang it out myself and make an excuse for the brand.

I agree but stuff can/does happen. Returning and otherwise fine bass for a set screw is over reacting. My USA Fender needed a little attention. Not many basses arrive needing no attention.

A set screw is an easy fix - Carvin lover or not - and IMHO not worth shipping.