Jeff Kiesel posted a teaser pic of a fanned fret five string on Instagram. Looks like that project is becoming a reality.
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I'm predicting the end for Carvin.
- Thread starter FingerDub
- Start date
I personally think Carvins are great basses. I wanted a Bunny Brunel 4 string so bad, and by the time I could order one they quit making it. I ended up buying a used one and it turned out to be under 8 pounds and the best 4 string I've ever had. It was made during their 'crappy truss rod' era and I wanted to cry when I broke the truss rod. It still does fine but I wonder how long it will be before it becomes unplayable. Even though I love the Bunny I thought about another Carvin when it came time for another new bass. I don't care much for the Vanquish shape, and you can't get MM pickups in a Vanquish or Icon. Every LB70 I saw was close to 10 pounds so I gave up and bought a Roscoe instead.
If they would bring back the Bunny shape I'd be in trouble. I love my Roscoes, but that oiled neck on my Carvin is the shizzle. I have to steel wool my Roscoe neck every time I play it because of the stickiness.
If they would bring back the Bunny shape I'd be in trouble. I love my Roscoes, but that oiled neck on my Carvin is the shizzle. I have to steel wool my Roscoe neck every time I play it because of the stickiness.
Funny, it wasn't until this thread that I'd even thought of Carvin as an instrument maker since maybe, uh, 1993? I have no idea what the Kiesel thing is at all. I'm'a say that they've not been relevant in my world outside of being a source for cheap raw-drivers for years. I always liked their PS12 for bass when put in the right box.
In 2013 I rediscovered Carvin basses...hadn't seen one played in a long time. I found some players who let me try theirs and, about two weeks later I bought a six year old Icon 5 with all the goodies off e-bay. It was pristine and is my number one. I liked it so much a bought an even older fretless 5 (defretted (oops!)). I really love the Icon and it was a steal at $900. $1,600 new. GEEZ YOU DROVE IT OFF THE LOT WITH THE TITLE: IT’S NOT NEW ANYMORE! Always wanted to visit the store - the plant, in Petaluma? Did they close all (both) stores? If they can still make basses the quality of my Icon they are not going anywhere.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
(I am not an endorsee or employee of Carvin or Kiesel Guitars) I was just there today picking up strings. I'm there once every 4-6 weeks. When I go in I scan all the basses and play a few. Today I played this one. First thing I noticed was the neck was thru body and was an exotic hardwood of some sort. The string spacing as (guessing) 17.5-18mm. This is a change from the usual 19 spacing on Carvin basses. The fretwork was really good. The neck profile along with the body style and woods used reminded me of a US MTD 535. This bass was not *sort of* close, this bass left NOTHING wanting for me personally. Price, $1800 ish. Higher than expected from "Carvin"? Yes. But every piece of wood was NAMM grade. There was also a 5 string J style Bass that had an incredible myrtle burl top that was stained a beautiful coral blue. Kiesel basses are leaving Fender USA Elite in the rear view mirror. I saw this coming a few years back and from what I saw today confirms it.
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I agree with most regarding great quality and features, but underwhelming sound. Most Carvin basses I've played were really well made and easy to play, but had bland sound. If you bought one and changed the pickups and preamp, you'd have and amazing bass.
Carvin tends to have trendy styles, and used ones tend to look very dated.
I think that the Carvin/Kiesel split is good for The guitars/bass operations. I think that adding a line of pickup options like Nordstrand, Aguilar, or Bart's would make their guitars more desirable.
Carvin tends to have trendy styles, and used ones tend to look very dated.
I think that the Carvin/Kiesel split is good for The guitars/bass operations. I think that adding a line of pickup options like Nordstrand, Aguilar, or Bart's would make their guitars more desirable.
It's a common misconception that you can't get custom options in Kiesel/Carvin builds. If you want a MM pickup in a Kiesel bass, just supply them with it before the build. They will charge you extra, but that's to be expected, I guess.
My main squeeze has been an LB75 with a maple fingerboard since 1996. It's well worn in now and sounds better than ever. I put J99's on it and breathed even more new life into it. Two weeks ago another player sat in with my band and described it as playing like butter. The best strings I've ever found for it are EB's - especially Cobalts.
Here are some pictures of my Icon 5, which I had built in October 2015. it sounds great (though not quite as good as my Warwick Katana) with the single coil pickups.
If I had been a little more patient, I would have acquired the MEC pickups and pre-amp used in my Katana then had them installed during the build.
Yes, you can check boxes all day, but if you want different pickups and/or electronics, by all means, call them up and they will quote you how much extra it will be. You are not restricted to the checkboxes when ordering. They are simply there for convenience.
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If I had been a little more patient, I would have acquired the MEC pickups and pre-amp used in my Katana then had them installed during the build.
Yes, you can check boxes all day, but if you want different pickups and/or electronics, by all means, call them up and they will quote you how much extra it will be. You are not restricted to the checkboxes when ordering. They are simply there for convenience.
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I like to refer to that "bland" sound as "neutral"!
It's an easy sound to shape to your liking!
I believe you also waive your 10 day trial period if you do that though.
The other thing with Carvin/Kiesels is the ability to get an ebony fingerboard without costing an arm and a leg!
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
I would buy a Kiesel if they made a 30" scale with an inch and a half nut that wasn't that Vader bass headless monstrosity.
'Narrow' spacing is actually standard on all Icons and LB's. Everything else (I think) is normal 19mm.
I have the original (narrow) spacing on my LB75 and it's the old Wilkinson bridge. Do you all know if there is a direct drop-in replacement for it? I know I'd have to use the top string loader since there are no ferrules in the body.
There is no one who knows anything about electric guitars and basses that doesn't know at least something about Carvin. I think Kiesel relies on that just for the new name to have any relevance in the marketplace. Whatever you think of the brand or the product, the battle for recognition amongst the most intensive users of the product was won ages ago.
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Do you own any fretlesses? I really like the looks of the Roy Vogt Vanquish - I've been tempted to order a 6-string fretless one
What brand do you guys want to bash next?
Aside from just a "gut feeling", what do base your first assertion on? I saw them at NAMM and they appear to be *identical* to Carvin basses but with a different name on them. In fact, I think the name change is silly but it hardly changes the instruments.
And some folks - myself included - will pay real money for US made products. I will - and do - gladly pay more for non MIC gear.
My only issue with Carvin/ Kiesel is the weight, they tend to be over 9 lbs, even for the basic 4-string models. (and of course the resell) You will take a beating, ESPECIALLY if you order all the fancy woods and finishes which add nothing to the sound/playability.
