I'm predicting the end for Carvin.

[Clef_de_fa]

Nice sensationalist headline, however you should try it more like Buzzfeed:

"Nine Reasons Carvin will fail, you won't believe #4"
​

Or try a quiz:

"Hipster's play Carvin, find out if you're one!"​

Others have already stated why I think this thread is bunk, but I fully believe that Carvin is not hurting in the least. If I were in the market for a cheaper semi-custom, they would be at the top of my list. If they do a fan fret bass that's priced around the price point of the Dingwall Combustions, I would be interested.

hahaha I like those and then I think I'm a Hipster but you know, as a lefty there is not a lot of choice and Carvin was a no brainer

 

[elgecko]

Didn't someone make this same prediction seven years ago?
Seriously, I thought this was just another dead-thread revival when I first clicked on it.

This one?

Is Carvin Going Downhill?

...or a more recent one declaring that the closing of their retail stores was a sign of impending doom?

 

[jd56hawk]

Thanks, I think that was the one.

 

[ERicks]

I love my BRX10.2 cab, to the point where I'm considering buying one of their heads...didn't see the fanned fret basses that I saw mentioned earlier in the thread on their site but I'd love to check one of those out in a 5 string if it's something they are building.

 

[LHbassist]

I'm 64. I'm a bass repairman since 1969. I have been a professional bassist since 1968. I have owned almost all of the most desirable vintage amps that exist. A 69 SVT with original cabinet, B-15's, Sunn Coliseums, Acoustics, Marshall Major, and all kinds of speaker cabs- some of which I still have, including a Cerwin- Vega B-36MF and a Sunn 2-15 SH folded horn. A couple of years ago, I bought an incredible little amp- a Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0, on here from a fellow TB'er. That amp, with some of my cabs, like my EA or Mesa Boogies, kills. After hearing a BRX 10.2 NEO cabinet and BX 500 head. I was amazed enough to buy one of those cabs. And I just got the head, and bought another 10.2 first gen cab.
My current rig, is that Carvin... I do not miss the shuttle one bit. I like the amp and it's layout so much, I bought a BX 1500. AND these amps will run at TWO ohms! That, is a very important feature. I'm going to use it this weekend for a three nighter. I'm actually getting rid of my old trusty Avatar neo 4-10 cab, because the Carvin sounds better, projects better, weighs 20 pounds less, and takes up a lot less space.
I don't see Carvin going under at all.. this is great bass gear, and it's the best stuff they've ever made, IMHO.

 

[LHbassist]

I love my BRX10.2 cab, to the point where I'm considering buying one of their heads...didn't see the fanned fret basses that I saw mentioned earlier in the thread on their site but I'd love to check one of those out in a 5 string if it's something they are building.

TOTALLY agree! See my post directly above.

 

[chuck3]

I've never played a Carvin bass or guitar, and I never had any Carvin gear until recently. I'm actually a huge Genz Benz and Mike Lull fan. But I wanted a head that could do 2 ohms so I got a Carvin B1000. It's a nice amp. It's very straightforward in its design and sounds good. I'm not giving up Genz Benz, now Genzler, but as I said I like the Carvin too. No reason for them to have "the end" anywhere near in my view.

 

[fretter]

For the consumer who doesn't care where their gear is crafted, yes, there are lots of alternatives.

(I'm looking at my Carvin micro rig, as I type)

 

[ThuzzleFump]

I have two Carvins and I'm considering a third. Maybe it will have a Kiesel logo, but I don't care.

 

[groooooove]

im definitely not as into what they're doing as i used to be

the LB basses are still great for the money, hopefully they never get rid of them..

 

[NecroticImbecil]

It seems that until technology had caught up - that Carvin filled a real need. A quality American instrument, at below Fender prices with some customization. BACK IN THE DAY. Now, you can get what you want almost anywhere, and below Carvin prices for comparable quality or better.

I can get a 30" scale headless bass with a chambered mahogany body, zebrawood top and fingerboard, 5 piece maple/purpleheart neck through, abalone block markers, and stainless steel frets almost anywhere? I guess they might as well close up shop then.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Is it over yet?

 

[Coreythebassman]

If they brought back the SB series they'd never go out of business cause i'd buy them all . My favorite factory made bass to date!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I think they serve a purpose and be still be around for some time to come.
I also think they would be well served to have showrooms in other parts
of the counrty.
I wouldn't mind spending some time trying out what they have to offer,
but I am not about to drive to San Deigo to do it.

Hear here!

Would it be so hard for Carvin to put a few stores in Portland, Seattle, New York, Boston, etc.?

As far as Carvin folding, you will not be the last over the decades to declare Carvin dead. I predict they will outlive all of us.

Here's a picture of Harry Truman they predicted would lose to Dewey. They even printed the newspapers. And he won. AND this photo was taken when Carvin was a young company in 1949.

EDIT: I must disclose that I'm not a Carvin fan. Three times in my life I bought Carvin bass amps and I didn't feel they did anything for me. That being said, I wish them a long life as one of the original American manufacturers. Like Ford, Chevy, Dodge. Carvin. Still at it 75 years later!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Someone has already quoted Clemens, right?

 

[ShenmueTacos]

Well I own 2 Carvin/Kiesel basses and hope to get a third one day. So I hope they don't go anywhere!

 

[KohanMike]

Wow, and last Labor Day when 1stnamebassist suggested looking at Carvin for a gig amp, I was thoroughly impressed with their offerings, so I bought the MB15 combo amp, had them add a neo speaker, and the matching 115MBE extension with neo. In all my research, those two are the smallest 15" 250 watt boxes I could find.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Nice setup!

 

[MegaSwing]

Well I own 2 Carvin/Kiesel basses and hope to get a third one day. So I hope they don't go anywhere!

That purple 6-string joint is dazzling!

 

[zontar]

What does resale have to do with Carvin or any manufacturer?

I know this is hard to believe, but the majority of people do not make purchases based on resale value.

I don't--I buy musical gear to keep it & play it--not to sell it.
Let my heirs worry about resale value if they don't want it.

(I realize sometimes that it is necessary to sell gear to either fund new purchases--which I am considering doing with some pedals--or due to financial needs.
I did consider doing that a couple of times, but found other legal & ethical ways to work things out rather than sell some gear)