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

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#362
Showdown said:
Why are "big rock guys" the only ones who count?

I'll also say the obvious. If you choose your bass based on what anyone else plays you are doing yourself a disservice. Buy what suits YOU, not what the flavor of the month rock star plays.
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I agree with you but I think this ignores the OP's question as to why more bass players aren't playing Carvin gear. Big name endorsers (who actually can be seen using the gear live) and aesthetics make a huge difference in the music gear world.

Look, I'm objective about this. I own a SB4000 and owned a Carvin PB500 bass stack as my main rig for many years. My brother also had the Redline bass stack for a long time and still owns a Carvin tube guitar amp. I'm not a Carvin hater. However, I recognize the things that turn many people off to them or at least don't initially attract them to the brand.

Pointy headstocks (just got the new catalog today and it's full of them--even the headstock on my SB leaves a lot be desired), a really ugly logo, and no real big-time rockers playing them live consistently. Say what you want about Fender/Ampeg, but people get hooked when they see bands they like using a certain brand -- right or wrong.

So in my view, these are some of the answers to the OP's question. Just be objective as to what turns you off when looking through the new Carvin catalog.
 
#363
My own personal opinion here, but the really big name endorsers are often paid to play their equipment, and play only custom shop instruments. No one here in this sophisticated crowd thinks Mike Dirnt ISN'T playing a Custom Shop Fender, right? ;)

I understand the OP and his enthusiastic question, in that he found something that on paper (USA made, relatively inexpensive, boatloads of options) seems like the Holy Grail to absolutely all of us. It isn't for everyone obviously (or not so obviously as the case may be in retrospect), but if it is for you, then Hot Damn! It really is like the greatest thing ever!!! :)

Remember guys, there are as many 15-17 year olds here as over 50 guys, and Enthusiasm!! is a great thing :) So much better than the lack thereof.
 
#364
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
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LOL I'm a happy weekend warrior
 
#366
carvin basses are certainly not anywhere near "equal or better" compared to the craftsmanship on my Clifford Roi basses...

but they're a fraction of the price, and i do like them. the older style LB76's are gems- with the oldschool 2 band preamp. i owned two of those i really enjoyed.

but i dont play carvin because i've moved on to the best instruments i was able to find. i was lucky enough to be able to save the money to buy them, so i have no complaints.
 
#367
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
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Are you interested in the next going nowhere act? I happen to know some of those. We should talk.
 
#370
I've been using Carvin amps forever. Currently using a redline 600 head and 8x10. You'd be surprised the number of bassists that come closer for a good look at my setup. I'm able to get a really good driven tone from the rig. Big plus is that it's never failed me. A few players I know have giant SVT rigs, but with constantly moving them, they're frequently in the shop. So +1 for reliability.
 
#371
Direct Box Rox said:
And in other scenario's, it's even more obvious. If you are willing to pay say $1200 for a Korean made Zon, than you would be willing to pay $950 for a US made Carvin with better options, right?
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I guess this is a problem with TB being so American-centric in general. As I come from Scotland I have no preference for country of origin, be it the US or Korea. I doubt the US instrument will alway be the better made. I can go into a shop and play a Rickenbacker made in "the greatest country on Earth" or play an Ibanez..... and guess which has the better QC??

Got to love racism when it is disguised as national pride! Its a shame more US citizens don't realise that their chest-thumping national pride singles them out as a little weird amongst other developed nations. Honestly, I live in Scotland land of Braveheart and all sorts of chest beating, but we don't have the same drive as you guys do.
 
#372
Meddle said:
I guess this is a problem with TB being so American-centric in general. As I come from Scotland I have no preference for country of origin, be it the US or Korea. I doubt the US instrument will alway be the better made. I can go into a shop and play a Rickenbacker made in "the greatest country on Earth" or play an Ibanez..... and guess which has the better QC??

Got to love racism when it is disguised as national pride! Its a shame more US citizens don't realise that their chest-thumping national pride singles them out as a little weird amongst other developed nations. Honestly, I live in Scotland land of Braveheart and all sorts of chest beating, but we don't have the same drive as you guys do.
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You forgot 'land of ACG basses'. :)
 
#373
Direct Box Rox said:
Unless we are all wealthy (I am not), how come all of do not play Carvin? It would seem to make sense if you are willing to pay $3000 for a Sadowsky (or fill in "Sadowsky" with any other boutique co.) that we would be willing to pay half of that for something that is arguably equal or better.

I once wasted the better part of an entire weekend "virtual building" their basses. Whenever the final price appeared on the screen my jaw would drop because I couldn't believe how low the price is. Then I go thinking, if thats the case, how come all of us dont have one (or more).

And in other scenario's, it's even more obvious. If you are willing to pay say $1200 for a Korean made Zon, than you would be willing to pay $950 for a US made Carvin with better options, right?

Just a thought.
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I just don't like carvin instruments, or at least not as much as some maker's instruments.
That's why I don't play one :)
 
#374
The thing about national pride is this:
if you don't have it, no one's going to have it for you, so extrapolating that, if you don't support your own country, who do you think will?

I'm Canadian, so I should be all 'Dingwall is the best 'cause it's Canadian made', but I've never seen one in person and likely won't ever get to play one.

I still like Rickenbackers and SWR.
 
#375
kcole4001 said:
The thing about national pride is this:
if you don't have it, no one's going to have it for you, so extrapolating that, if you don't support your own country, who do you think will?

I'm Canadian, so I should be all 'Dingwall is the best 'cause it's Canadian made', but I've never seen one in person and likely won't ever get to play one.

I still like Rickenbackers and SWR.
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The thing about national pride is this: why should it matter?

But those Dingwalls are fantastic, whatever country, continent or planet they come from.

For me, the primary consideration is whether a bass does what I want for a price I can afford. Where it comes from is a secondary concern. For Americans, Carvin may represent great value where for me it wouldn't, due to shipping and import duties. For me, ACG offers a great proposition because I don't have to pay those international charges. This means I can get a custom bass for less than a US stock factory model. (I know the quality is high enough that people do import them.)
 
#377
Meddle said:
and guess which has the better QC??

Got to love racism when it is disguised as national pride! Its a shame more US citizens don't realise that their chest-thumping national pride singles them out as a little weird amongst other developed nations. Honestly, I live in Scotland land of Braveheart and all sorts of chest beating, but we don't have the same drive as you guys do.
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Cool, there went my popcorn… Totally agree that quality control matters in a global economy. Moreover, the drive mentioned matters in a global economy. That drive is the force behind innovation, improved QC, new features, aka product differentiators. Whether or not those differences are real or perceived does not matter. IME, the consumer with the $ decides. Case in point: Leo Fender's drive: US patent on first electric bass. Carvin makes good stuff as do other luthiers and manufacturers. Let the global market decide who "wins". Lose the drive, become a spectator. No right or wrong IMO but this thread is AWESOME. Peace.

I am not a racist but am a weird US citizen. :bassist:
 
#378
Meddle said:
I guess this is a problem with TB being so American-centric in general. As I come from Scotland I have no preference for country of origin, be it the US or Korea. I doubt the US instrument will alway be the better made. I can go into a shop and play a Rickenbacker made in "the greatest country on Earth" or play an Ibanez..... and guess which has the better QC??

Got to love racism when it is disguised as national pride! Its a shame more US citizens don't realise that their chest-thumping national pride singles them out as a little weird amongst other developed nations. Honestly, I live in Scotland land of Braveheart and all sorts of chest beating, but we don't have the same drive as you guys do.
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One caveat that needs to be addressed before assuming jingoistic pride in that statement: With Fenders long dominance of the bass industry, and their quality tier of US>Japanese>Mexico, many extrapolate that to assume a US made bass is probably going to be a better bass than an import. The US is also flooded with cheap imported basses, driving down expectations.

That doesn't apply to other products though, American cars are rarely status symbols here for instance. Japanese and European cars are.

But you do have a general point though. There is a difference between working with the people around you towards a common goal and feeling a sense of superiority for where you live. I notice the parts of the country that tend to be more nationalistic seem to resent the rest of America too... :smug:
 
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