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

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#341
... because Ed Friedland does not get as many views as PSY's "Gangnam Style" :D



ed_sb5000.jpg
 
#342
I have never played a Carvin .I like the look of their new style in the advertisement on the back page of bass player magazine lately .December 2012 .They had received some pretty nice awards and if the people handing out these awards do not judge correctly then they are not doing their jobs and would lose credibilityin the bass community .They would also be doing the bass community a disservice because alot of people rely and look up to what these people are saying about equipment .So far people here are saying good things about the new basses including the reviewers who gave the awards.What is the return policy ?
 
#345
I have to admit, I'm astounded about the amount of activity on this thread...

Been following with interest as I picked up this 25 year old LB60 off CL recently for $250 with a Carvin hard case.
carvin_lb60_zpsa464dbb5.jpg


A few comments...
- build quality is excellent overall

- a set neck, quality US made instrument for that kind of money is a steal

- there is something a little wonky about the truss rod on mine. Relief is pretty good, but I tried tightening a little and couldn't, and tried loosening to get the nut off and put a couple washers on - and the nut would loosen about 1/2 turn then get stuck. It plays pretty well as is so I'm a bit anxious about really torqueing on the thing. The nut was buggered up by some PO - was an allen adjust type nut but all rounded off on the inside - I cut some slots into the end with a dremel cut-off wheel and have been trying to adjust w/ a flat blade screwdriver. Jury is still out...

-it's pretty heavy - not as bad as my old Peavey T-40's but still up there...

- The comments about not being able to get good tone out of the pickups/preamp to me sound like folks didn't spend enough time with the bass & amp settings. There's a lot of flexibility here - this has the active electronics - phase switch, p/u selector, bass, treble, pan, neck bass boost, bridge treble boost. Takes a lot more fiddling than a p bass for sure. But with the p/u selector and pan, you can set up 3 very different sounds at the flip of a switch. Nice. My only gripe is I don't like where the center frequency of the treble control is set. Too high. I'll be experimenting with cap values to bring it down when i get the chance.

Is it the ultimate bass? Nope. Is it interesting, enjoyable to play, unique and an outstanding value - absolutely. Would I consider a new one? Definitely.
 
#347
edpal said:
Showdown - I'm curious. Were you living in Hawaii back in the day. I was thinking that unlike folk on the mainland, a guy out there might really appreciate a mail-order instrument company, since a lot of things are mail-order in those circumstances.. The converse might be part of the turn off for the rest of us.

I like the THunderbird too - not the most practical beast but tons of soul. I wish mine was 25 years older, like yours.
Click to expand...

I've been in Hawaii since '92. I lived in Missouri when I bought the Thunderbird.

Mail order is both a blessing and a curse if you live in Hawaii. We don't have the big stores like GC, so it is the only way to get a lot of stuff. But then we pay 3x for shipping.

The first time you order a $5 pot and they want to charge you $25 for shipping you just about have a heart attack.
 
#348
swamp2 said:
I have to admit, I'm astounded about the amount of activity on this thread...

Been following with interest as I picked up this 25 year old LB60 off CL recently for $250 with a Carvin hard case.
carvin_lb60_zpsa464dbb5.jpg


A few comments...
- build quality is excellent overall

- a set neck, quality US made instrument for that kind of money is a steal

- there is something a little wonky about the truss rod on mine. Relief is pretty good, but I tried tightening a little and couldn't, and tried loosening to get the nut off and put a couple washers on - and the nut would loosen about 1/2 turn then get stuck. It plays pretty well as is so I'm a bit anxious about really torqueing on the thing. The nut was buggered up by some PO - was an allen adjust type nut but all rounded off on the inside - I cut some slots into the end with a dremel cut-off wheel and have been trying to adjust w/ a flat blade screwdriver. Jury is still out...

-it's pretty heavy - not as bad as my old Peavey T-40's but still up there...

- The comments about not being able to get good tone out of the pickups/preamp to me sound like folks didn't spend enough time with the bass & amp settings. There's a lot of flexibility here - this has the active electronics - phase switch, p/u selector, bass, treble, pan, neck bass boost, bridge treble boost. Takes a lot more fiddling than a p bass for sure. But with the p/u selector and pan, you can set up 3 very different sounds at the flip of a switch. Nice. My only gripe is I don't like where the center frequency of the treble control is set. Too high. I'll be experimenting with cap values to bring it down when i get the chance.

Is it the ultimate bass? Nope. Is it interesting, enjoyable to play, unique and an outstanding value - absolutely. Would I consider a new one? Definitely.
Click to expand...

Now that was a great review and thank you for getting this ship back on course.
 
#349
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...

I can't stop laughing at this. Really. What kind of guarantee are you going to give me? I'd like to cash in because I know of several pros who use stock Carvins. Well, I mean, they proably changed the strings... :D:D:D

SactoBass said:
...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).
Click to expand...

That's his signature modei, so, yes it is a stock TBS LB20. You can still order one from Carvin, although they don't advertise them any more.

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...

Yeah, I mean I don't really see why anyone would worry about what big names play a particular brand, but not knowing who Craig is might be a product of the age of the poster or the kind of music he listens to. Here's Craig's web site for those who want to know more bout him and a band you have probably heard of before called Jefferson Starship.

http://craigchaquico.com/

Finally, why in the world does anyoneone care if Jaco played a Carvin once a million years ago? LOL :D:D:D
 
#351
WoodyG3 said:
I can't stop laughing at this. Really. What kind of guarantee are you going to give me? I'd like to cash in because I know of several pros who use stock Carvins. Well, I mean, they proably changed the strings... :D:D:D



That's his signature modei, so, yes it is a stock TBS LB20. You can still order one from Carvin, although they don't advertise them any more.



Yeah, I mean I don't really see why anyone would worry about what big names play a particular brand, but not knowing who Craig is might be a product of the age of the poster or the kind of music he listens to. Here's Craig's web site for those who want to know more bout him and a band you have probably heard of before called Jefferson Starship.

http://craigchaquico.com/

Finally, why in the world does anyoneone care if Jaco played a Carvin once a million years ago? LOL :D:D:D
Click to expand...

Understood. I just couldn't help but laugh. I have known Craig since before his days with Starship and, to my way of thinking, is not only a fine human, but an outstanding guitarist as well!

Got one of his solo CDs in my car nw and listen to it quite often.
 
#354
Showdown said:
I've been in Hawaii since '92. I lived in Missouri when I bought the Thunderbird.

Mail order is both a blessing and a curse if you live in Hawaii. We don't have the big stores like GC, so it is the only way to get a lot of stuff. But then we pay 3x for shipping.

The first time you order a $5 pot and they want to charge you $25 for shipping you just about have a heart attack.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but then you look at the sunset. No sympathy here. ;)
 
#356
I've been getting the Carvin catalogs since 1986 or so and I have yet to order a bass. There are too many options. What will rosewood look like? Would maple sound better? Chrome or black hardware? They brag that there are 200,000 combinations available (or whatever the number is) but for me, that means I have to decide one out of 200,000. If they had a limited edition 2012 SB5000 bass model, I'd probably own one by now. No other decision than do I like it or not.
 
#359
mjac28 said:
No Buster Brown is slang for UPS and if you are looking for a breakout artist for 2013 (me) we need to talk.
Click to expand...


HAHA!! I get probably 45 demos a day from guys who "assure" me that they are the latest breakout act!!! :D

Actually, I work closely with the guys who are already signed and it's my purpose in life to make them, and keep them, as happy as possible - code for - I want to beat the hell out of these little @&$&&@&!!! I want to stuff their skinny little &@$&$&$ into flight cases and throw them into the Pacific. Their "music" sucks elephant &$&@&$ and so does their "talent".

Whew!!! Damn, I feel better now!!! Where were we??? :D
 
#360
Buster Brown said:
HAHA!! I get probably 45 demos a day from guys who "assure" me that they are the latest breakout act!!! :D

Actually, I work closely with the guys who are already signed and it's my purpose in life to make them, and keep them, as happy as possible - code for - I want to beat the hell out of these little @&$&&@&!!! I want to stuff their skinny little &@$&$&$ into flight cases and throw them into the Pacific. Their "music" sucks elephant &$&@&$ and so does their "talent".

Whew!!! Damn, I feel better now!!! Where were we??? :D
Click to expand...

Thanks for the chuckle!
 
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