Is Carvin Going Downhill?

[G On Bass]

They certainly are no longer for the budget minded! Basses are over $1000 without anything special. That puts them in the MIA Fender range and I just can't see that. I know they had always been pretty good quality, but a fair to midland price.

Some basses are. Others are not. The B40's start in the $700 range and go up from there. But the fact that people have a choice of rosewood, ebony and 3 different maple fretboards in addition to a couple of fretless options and a huge choice of colors and top and body woods makes each one special. Can't say if that is even possible with an MIA Fender at any price.

 

[smcd]

They certainly are no longer for the budget minded! Basses are over $1000 without anything special. That puts them in the MIA Fender range and I just can't see that. I know they had always been pretty good quality, but a fair to midland price.

Perhaps you should visit Carvin's website. They list many basses that are well under $1,000 that have super nice features. Nicer than you'll see on any Fender even close to that price range.




Still... how about a company that manufactures in the US asking MIA prices!? The nerve of those guys!!

 

[jim777]

I sent back a limited edition Smith 6 string because while it could hang with my Carvin BB75, it didn't blow it away - and for 10 times the price (I got them, both used) it damned well needed to blow it away. Still have the BB75 and it still rules.

True story

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'm seeing nothing but big gains for Carvin within the past three or so years. They've definitley upped their game and are putting out an interesting product.

 

[pica]

I've heard nothing but good things from Carvin and Carvin's customer service. I find it hard to imagine that Carvin is "ignoring" you.

 

[mmbongo]

They certainly are no longer for the budget minded! Basses are over $1000 without anything special. That puts them in the MIA Fender range and I just can't see that. I know they had always been pretty good quality, but a fair to midland price.

I would consider an MIA Fender quite a step down from Carvin for sure. Carvin's USA Customs start around $700, which is less than most folks Chinese made basses.

 

[Bass Viking]

Something smells fishy about this whole thing. Why would Carvin exclude features that you ordered? Why don't you just send it back instead of complaining here?

Something's not right...how about some pics of the bass? Post a scan of your invoice where it says they left the coil taps out.

Agreed, definitely an odd post. Not quite sure what to make of it...

The only quality issue I had with Carvin was when I ordered my BX500 amp (there was a big megathread about problems with that one). Everything else, basses included, has been fine.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Nope. Carvins seem more and more impressive each year in my opinion.

 

[mmbongo]

I notice the OP has disappeared without any proof or pictures or anything.

Let's delete this thread, shall we?

 

[MyMusic]

I received my XB75 in Nov. and am extremely happy with it. I took it to my luthier and had it set up. Both he and my teacher are very impressed. Sorry that you had such a problem. My next bass will be a Carvin also. I'm diggin' the amps too.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I've got lots of Carvin gear, including a full PA from them. When it arrived, there were approximately 15 boxes, none were damaged in any way, and the only issue I had was with one of the 2153's. Apparently I got a Friday afternoon cabinet, because the horn wasn't screwed into its bracket, it was just hanging by the wires. I screwed it in myself and haven't had a single issue since.

I think the OP ordered something without really knowing what it was he wanted.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Trolling?

 

[hvymetallurgist]

Piling on here...nothing but good experiences here. Would go thru them again in a heartbeat. Love Carvin!

 

[jazzin0927]

I have an ICON and I am in love, simply no other bass is for me and this is coming from a first time Carvin user

 

[west*coast*bass]

Carvin is putting out a fantastic product right now. Everything I have seen and played has been nothing short of perfect. The OP's post was a bit odd to me...if he has problems with the new bass, simply return it for a full refund - no questions asked.

 

[Snarf]

About six years back I had a bolt neck. Thing was floppy, and the truss rod actually broke. They sent a replacement, same problem. Just sayin'.

 

[west*coast*bass]

About six years back I had a bolt neck. Thing was floppy, and the truss rod actually broke. They sent a replacement, same problem. Just sayin'.

Six years ago??? As a bass player, were you at the same level skill wise six years ago? If you have grown and gotten better at what you do, perhaps they have done the same. Unless you have played any of the current models that Carvin has produced in the last 18 months, you may be missing something.

Just sayin'.

 

[tobiasaurusrex]

Looks like a back-of-neck lamination it is.

Sucks to get the bad apple.

 

[nostatic]

Looks like a back-of-neck lamination it is.

Gotta see pics of that.

 

[Handyman]

Looks like a back-of-neck lamination it is.

Sucks to get the bad apple.

You might want to try returning or re-selling it before you do something that will quite likely destroy your instrument.

Maybe you could post some pictures of the problems you're having with your bass, and you could get some advice on how to deal with it?

Taking your bass to a professional for a setup/assessment would be a good first step, too.