• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How come we all don't play Carvin instruments & amps/cabs?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#301
hdracer said:
Says the guy with a vintage 'Bird in his avatar.....
Click to expand...

I bought that Thunderbird new in 1976. What is your point? It was my main bass for 20 years.

Here is me still playing it 20 years later in 1996:

xcursion02.jpg


Now that I am over 50 well balanced basses are far more important to me.
 
#302
Showdown said:
I bought that Thunderbird new in 1976. What is your point? It was my main bass for 20 years.

Here is me still playing it 20 years later in 1996:

xcursion02.jpg


Now that I am over 50 well balanced basses are far more important to me.
Click to expand...

The point is that you said the "coolness/hipness" factor didn't matter to you (I'd guess you're in the minority in this regard) but in your list of qualifications you also included "looks." That is a key part -- although not all -- of coolness/hipness and something Carvin has struggled with. I think there's a reason many of the endorsers aren't actually seen playing the instruments live in concert. They too feel the stigma -- right or wrong.

Oh... and the other point was that you were saying that feel and balance were key factors to you, but have a T-Bird which has a reputation for neither, but looks cool.

If Carvin redid the logo, came up with cooler headstocks and got BIG NAME rock players to actually PLAY the instruments LIVE at large concerts, there'd be a lot more people interested in Carvin.
 
#303
boristhespider9 said:
The point is that you said the "coolness/hipness" factor didn't matter to you (I'd guess you're in the minority in this regard) but in your list of qualifications you also included "looks." That is a key part -- although not all -- of coolness/hipness and something Carvin has struggled with. I think there's a reason many of the endorsers aren't actually seen playing the instruments live in concert. They too feel the stigma -- right or wrong.

Oh... and the other point was that you were saying that feel and balance were key factors to you, but have a T-Bird which has a reputation for neither, but looks cool.

If Carvin redid the logo, came up with cooler headstocks and got BIG NAME rock players to actually PLAY the instruments LIVE at large concerts, there'd be a lot more people interested in Carvin.
Click to expand...

1. Looks means what looks good to me, not what is "cool" or "hip" to others. It is also far less important than feel or sound, which is why it comes after them.

2. I bought that bass 36 years ago when I was 16 years old. Things change. Are you the same as you were 36 years ago? When you are over 50 balance and weight become far more important to you. I assume from your post that you must be under 50. And that you didn't read the part of my post about being over 50.

3. And while you can't see it in the picture, behind me is the Carvin bass amp I was using at the time. :D
 
#306
hdracer said:
But a Bird is the coolest hippest bass there is.
Click to expand...

In 1976 hardly anyone knew what they were. There was no internet, and the early ones had not sold that well. Gibson had just come out with the Bicentennial reissues, and this particular one was hanging on the wall for a year at the store without being sold. When they put it on sale at half price to get rid of it I snapped it up with money I had from working all summer.

I can't tell you how many times people asked me what it was in those days, or thought it was an Explorer. You didn't see them anywhere.

I didn't buy it because it was cool or hip, it really wasn't then. Most people wondered why I didn't buy a Fender.
 
#308
Showdown said:
In 1976 hardly anyone knew what they were. There was no internet, and the early ones had not sold that well. Gibson had just come out with the Bicentennial reissues, and this particular one was hanging on the wall for a year at the store without being sold. When they put it on sale at half price to get rid of it I snapped it up with money I had from working all summer.

I can't tell you how many times people asked me what it was in those days, or thought it was an Explorer. You didn't see them anywhere.

I didn't buy it because it was cool or hip, it really wasn't then. Most people wondered why I didn't buy a Fender.
Click to expand...

Man, this is bringing back memories! I had one of those too-but I sold a 1963 P Bass to Ed Grundy of Bloodrock to buy it! Oh, the humanity! :bawl:
FWIW, we had Brian Bromberg as a guest clinician a couple of times this last year at Belmont and my bass camp. His signature basses are not only totally stock, but they are built to his specifications. None of my basses are modded at all-and they've gone with me all over the world and in all 50 states playing concerts.
 
#309
low2groove said:
if you see a pro playing a Carvin I will guarantee you that that instrument has been customized by a luthier after it left the Carvin Factory.
there's nothing that carvin puts out that is beyond mediocre.
Click to expand...

That isn't really true. Timothy B. Schmidt plays his on a couple of songs live, and it is stock. Other endorsers with signature basses have them made to their specs from the factory and play them stock too. We have a former endorser in this thread, why don't you ask if his are stock?

And mediocre? That is an opinion, and you are entitled to it, but many of us do not agree with you.
 
#310
The biggest thing for me is the lack of resale value. Actually that's why I mostly buy used these days, since if I don't like it after a bit I can sell it and note lose my shirt, or on occassion even turn a profit. I think my next purchase will be a vintage instrument P or J. I don't think they are necessarily magic, but the fact is if you know your prices you can play the thing as long as you want and it will go up in value. No Carvin falls into this category.
 
#311
Buster Brown said:
I'm having lunch with Craig this week......I'll be sure to let him know he is an "unknown" :D
Click to expand...
Heh, I had Craig's signature Washburn EA26 guitar. Maybe CArvin guitars suit Craig, maybe it's just been a convenient arrangement. Roy's thread on being an endorser was a nice reality check. I'll ignore the ads completely and play what I prefer. Which won't be Carvins or Rics(love their look,rest is not for me).
 
#312
Roy Vogt said:
Man, this is bringing back memories! I had one of those too-but I sold a 1963 P Bass to Ed Grundy of Bloodrock to buy it! Oh, the humanity! :bawl:
Click to expand...

The Bicentennial birds sound great IMO. I don't use them live anymore because they aren't ergonomic, but I have recorded with mine for years and it sounds great.

I recorded last summer and the engineer came out of the booth to ask what I was playing he was so impressed with the sound. He asked what the pickups are, and he seemed surprised when I told him they are stock.

And I learned then that they are great strung BEAD. The low B is tight and focused.
 
#313
Carvin has always made good stuff, but its more like Peavey meets Fender. The headstocks and body styles are not all that appealing with the exception of the Seku Bunch design. I loved the Carvin I had in the 80s that had a Hamer-esque body, paddle headstock and a billion switches and knobs (the model # escapes me now) but it still sounded a little sterile.

Worth more then you pay and an excellent choice for working bassists who need good quality at a very good price.
 
#314
TRichardsbass said:
Carvin has always made good stuff, but its more like Peavey meets Fender. The headstocks and body styles are not all that appealing with the exception of the Seku Bunch design. I loved the Carvin I had in the 80s that had a Hamer-esque body, paddle headstock and a billion switches and knobs (the model # escapes me now) but it still sounded a little sterile.

Worth more then you pay and an excellent choice for working bassists who need good quality at a very good price.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention Peavey, they are similar to Carvin in that you can buy a good quality US made bass used for a really good price. I have three US Peaveys and two Carvins.

Those of us that don't need to buy what is popular can enjoy quality and save money, while the cool kids spend far more for US Fender. :D
 
#316
Showdown said:
Timothy B. Schmidt plays his on a couple of songs live
Click to expand...

It is true that TBS played Carvin basses (both fretted and fretless) in the 1990's (Hell Freezes Over tour), but buy 2004 he had quit playing Carvin basses as he switched back to his Fender Jazz for fretted, and a Pedulla Buzz and a Rob Allen for fretless.

EDIT: and TBS's Carvin basses weren't exactly "stock" as he had Carvin custom make them to his specifications, including only one control knob on the bass (for volume).
 
#320
Carvin is a major player these days, resale prices have really stabilized, the pickups and electronics are much better, and the SB and Bromberg signature series are getting rave reviews by almost everyone.

Still, I haven't been able to convince myself to get an SB, as much as I like the bass. Its got that 70s bass tone, and they refuse to make any accomodations to move the bridge pickup forward... They will do many other Option 50s though, including routing in two massive humbuckers on their other basses. If they made a P bass I'm sure it would fly off the shelves.

For the record, I do own a fretless B4 (with Duncan Model Js..), and it is one of the best fretlesses I've ever played or heard. Used to have a fretted B4, and a fretless LB76. But no more.

Great quality, great playability, great sound (for some), but not great for every single player.. Deal with it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back