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I'm predicting the end for Carvin.
- Thread starter FingerDub
- Start date
Yes and no. If you've used something for all it's worth and then some, you're way ahead of the game, unless you sacrifice it for a pittance. Your purchase price is close to irrelevant.
I've never owned a Carvin. I was really interested in getting a B40 which was the least expensive of the Carvin basses. Then Carvin discontinued that model. Now I think Carvin is making it harder for the average person who maybe can't afford a $1000 bass to get a Carvin. Just my 2 cents.
I never consider resale value when I buy gear. That being said, I have no problem selling something when the time comes.
Resale value has never once entered my mind with any purchase, be it a bass, car, truck or house.
If I'm thinking about selling it before I buy it, I'll walk away.
If I'm thinking about selling it before I buy it, I'll walk away.
Or maybe not...
Remember, several popular MIM Fenders are street-priced between $899 - $1,000 for which you get standard woods-- however, you do get to chose from as many as three, maybe four colors
$1k will get you a lot of freedom in the Kiesel/Carvin builder
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The value of any instrument is in its use, not in its ownership. People who net gaudy numbers from selling instruments almost certainly held them for a loooong time. It is not an overnight thing. Buying an instrument based on its resale value completely misses the point of having it. The intensive use of said instrument greatly boosts its value, because no one wears out a marginal instrument, only a great one.
Well....maybe they were up 'til now
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That's some bad customer service. I'm glad they gave the dude a refund eventually but it took too long. I'm not sure I'd ever deal with them again after that.
Yeah, every once in a while I see something unfortunate like this happen. looks like they lost a loyal customer... I agree with him for the most part. However, it is important to note that having Kiesel do something they don't normally do-- in this case, adding a "zero Fret" is called an "option 50." They tell you up front that on an "option 50," it can't be returned for refund or exchange. I'm glad to see they took care of him in the end. Sad that it had to go the way it did.
Over the years I've ordered about a dozen guitars/basses from them and returned a few within the trial period-- only one had QC issues. Each time they took care of me without any problems. For the most part they were quick to respond to phone calls/emails, and those few times they were slow in doing so, I was the polite squeaky wheel and that took care of it
Yeah, every once in a while I see something unfortunate like this happen. looks like they lost a loyal customer... I agree with him for the most part. However, it is important to note that having Kiesel do something they don't normally do-- in this case, adding a "zero Fret" is called an "option 50." They tell you up front that on an "option 50," it can't be returned for refund or exchange. I'm glad to see they took care of him in the end. Sad that it had to go the way it did.
Over the years I've ordered about a dozen guitars/basses from them and returned a few within the trial period-- only one had QC issues. Each time they took care of me without any problems. For the most part they were quick to respond to phone calls/emails, and those few times they were slow in doing so, I was the polite squeaky wheel and that took care of it
True. I didn't read the whole thread but I'm thinking they told him about the Option 50. If a customer agrees to the conditions of Option 50s then Carvin should be in the clear...but I still think it's unfair to not offer a refund when a non-option 50 part of the instrument is screwed up. Why should a zero fret not make Carvin liable for every other part of the guitar that's a standard option?
i've hung out with these guys at namm and bass player live and they've always been cool, one of my favorite basses was my friend's 90s active carvin 4 string from back in the day, it was highly advanced, stable, and playable when compared to my gibson grabber
It's a funny thing about considering resale value as a contributing factor for the "value" of the instrument - it completely sets aside the purpose of the instrument, which is to make music. As soon as the factors of sound, durability, & playability are set aside for the purposes of financial return on investment, the topic is no longer about musical instruments, but about business goals, which as a musician, I could l care less about. I would offer another perspective, though: being the bottom feeder that I am, I love carvins low resale value, as I typically won't buy anything at full market price for a new instrument, so I am able to capture carvins quality at the "depreciated" value, and not have that concern of any further significant loss of investment, should I consider the need to sell. I own two carvin LB's, fretted and fretless 5's, which I love, both of which I bought used at significantly less prices than their original purchase prices, and they have fulfilled their purposes very well. The accessibility of the instrument as a result of its low resale value has contributed to my support and faith in their product, and I will definitely buy more.
On a separate note, I did buy a carvin power amp new 15 years ago, and it still powers one of my bass rigs today, without a single hiccup.
On a separate note, I did buy a carvin power amp new 15 years ago, and it still powers one of my bass rigs today, without a single hiccup.
They should have kept the B40 and B50 in the lineup and offered a pickguard and p pickup option. They're target market seems to be the guitarists. I see lots of guitars on the FB page but not many basses. I no longer see the mega threads on TB like when the SB's hit the market.
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
The Vanquish model is a great bass. I have three of them, twin fretted & fretless fives (tuned E-C) with ebony boards and a four with a maple board. The preamp is great and since I ordered them with Empresswood the weights are between 7 lbs 1 oz and 8 lbs 1 oz. I also have a blinged out AC40 with some real nice woods. My first Carvin was a SB5000 that I loved except for the weight. I ended up trading that for a lighter SB4000.
Wally
Wally
- Mar 9, 2001
- 963
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Accugroove Cabinets & MJC Ironworks Strings
I love the low resale value part because I buy used. On one of my Carvin basses the fretwork, neck, wood, and overall build lack nothing at all and the pickups are standard size. You know where I'm going: you'd have to pay a lot to order a bass with, say delano pickups and a John East preamp installed. I just put the East pre into my used XB76 and the Delano's are on the way. Already with the East, I don't need a better bass sound, I just need to practice and play out more. The sound is astounding and that bass always played wonderfully. Any nicer bass, you would be afraid to change out the electronics and might not get the best pickups and pre for your style.
Based on the low resale value of some Carvin basses, I got this SB5000 for a great price. I don't plan to resell this SB5K anytime soon and I'm now on the hunt for a used JB5 so as to compare the two. Then I may try to sell one and feel the wrath of the low resale value. But for now, quite happy. This bass plays/feels great and is not that heavy at all to me.
Is there a Nostradamus of the bass guitar world? I really, really want to know if Carvin and Guitar Center are going to be around in the future.
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