Is Carvin Going Downhill?

[shwashwa]

since when did they stop using the graphite bars? that and the dual action truss rods are the main reasons why i love my carvins

 

[mmbongo]

The only Carvin I ever played was a Bunny Brunel signature. It sounded great and played well but the neck pocket had a HUGE gap around the neck, I could fit two quarters side by side in there. I hadn't seen such bad construction from 80$ ibanez starter pack basses, much less something they were asking 500$ (used) for. This was in 03' and I have never seen anything new from them, fwiw.

That's interesting, since those basses HAVE no neck pockets. They're neck through. Now, want to try again?

 

[eddododo]

I don't have a dog in the Carvin fight. But the original post sounds a tad confusing. The talk of "home built" followed by seemingly obvious misunderstandings about basic setup followed by "two different sets of strings" (just because the B is tapercore?) followed by talk of gluing carbon fiber to the back of the neck to "fix it."?

Sounds like some fetching from afar going on there.

This
/thread

 

[grendle]

That's interesting, since those basses HAVE no neck pockets. They're neck through. Now, want to try again?

Lol!

 

[nostatic]

That's interesting, since those basses HAVE no neck pockets. They're neck through. Now, want to try again?

Maybe someone took a Dremel tool and added a neck pocket. Custom RULZ!!!

 

[T. Alan Smith]

My Bunny B had no neck pocket.
...and I agree- the OP should address some ?'s. Otherwise, this is a clear troll.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

4 pages and still no pics? come on, now!

 

[smcd]

I think it's utterly ridiculous that so many people are piling on and criticizing the OP.

Yeah the bass setup can change during shipping but there are still a lot of other problems he listed. Why don't you guys stop being overly defensive for a moment (ok it's obvious some of you like your carvins, great) and realize his perspective. He didn't get what he asked for in ordering a custom bass (and two different kinds of strings on the bass?? really???) and Carvin talked smack about their own pickups. If I were in the OP's position, I would be doubting Carvin right now as well and asking some questions.

Yeah there's always a possibility it's a "troll post" but give him the benefit of the doubt for a minute. What he said is not too far-fetched at all. Not every negative experience is a troll post.

Sometimes this forum is pathetic with all the bandwagoning.

The OP has demonstrated a profound lack of knowledge and some glaring inconsistencies in his statements, and you rush to his defense? Now that is pathetic.

 

[Toastfuzz]

Yeah there's always a possibility it's a "troll post" but give him the benefit of the doubt for a minute. What he said is not too far-fetched at all. Not every negative experience is a troll post.

Sometimes this forum is pathetic with all the bandwagoning.

I see alot of threads on these forums where people give a negative review of a product, or even escalate it to a "rant" but they still make sense in their arguments. They don't complain that their unreasonable expectations were not met, or complain that the luthier is being honest with them (referring to the guy saying the coil tap on the buckers sounds crappy.) I dont think he said their humbuckers suck, he said they suck when you try to make them do something they're not intended to do.

I had a pretty good rant about Rickenbackers awhile back but I feel like I gave the company the best benefit of the doubt I could. While I criticized their current quality assurance standards, I still praised them for their customer service and return policy, and still praised the bass for sounding and looking awesome. This guy sounds like he drank a gallon of Haterade and got on the forums to complain because his wife was tired of hearing it.

 

[smcd]

I had a pretty good rant about Rickenbackers awhile back but I feel like I gave the company the best benefit of the doubt I could. While I criticized their current quality assurance standards, I still praised them for their customer service and return policy, and still praised the bass for sounding and looking awesome. This guy sounds like he drank a gallon of Haterade and got on the forums to complain because his wife was tired of hearing it.

Was that the one with detailed photos? Maybe a few months back? If so, that was a good thread making a solid point. Unlike the OP here.

 

[B String]

I think I'd take this more seriously if the OP had at least filled out his (or her) profile. A very recent Talkbass membership with no profile info at all, along with some seemingly ignorant observations.
I don't want to completely discount what the OP is saying, but its hard to take him (her) seriously.

 

[lucas vigor]

I couldn't agree more. Profiles that are blank always raise questions in my mind...making me think the poster is some young kid with little or no experience, trashing a major company from the safety of their Mom's basement.

 

[AdamR]

Why don't you send it back? Is the 10 day return period over?

Why do that when he can come on the internet and complain ?

 

[Rickett Customs]

OP sounds like a "busy body" to me.........dead giveaway is trying to veneer CF on the back of the neck. If you fix it and it ain't broke, fix it again........

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

I've had three SB5000's built to my specs from carvin over two years. The last one had a different pickguard color than what was specified when the bass was delivered. I called Carvin who were VERY apologetic, and promised RIGHT AWAY to correct the problem, not only did they send the correct pick guard but also a check for the price OF the pickguard seeing as it was a "custom" one...and told me to keep the other one too. Thats what I call customer support!!! Don't know why the OP is being ignored...they ALWAYS answer the phone and ALWAYS have addressed any problem I've had with them.

 

[Root 5]

I've never purchased a Carvin bass but I've played many and been blown away by them.

I do own a DC-727 7-string guitar and it is fabulous! Carvin's are not good quality for the money - they're good quality period!

 

[KingRazor]

I think it's utterly ridiculous that so many people are piling on and criticizing the OP.

Yeah the bass setup can change during shipping but there are still a lot of other problems he listed. Why don't you guys stop being overly defensive for a moment (ok it's obvious some of you like your carvins, great) and realize his perspective. He didn't get what he asked for in ordering a custom bass (and two different kinds of strings on the bass?? really???) and Carvin talked smack about their own pickups. If I were in the OP's position, I would be doubting Carvin right now as well and asking some questions.

Yeah there's always a possibility it's a "troll post" but give him the benefit of the doubt for a minute. What he said is not too far-fetched at all. Not every negative experience is a troll post.

Sometimes this forum is pathetic with all the bandwagoning.

He's a pretty obvious troll, I'm surprised so many people here don't realize that.

Well, I would be, except that I realized a long time ago that most TBers have no idea what a "troll" is.

 

[SwitchGear]

I once owned an active B5 that was quality all around but had close string spacing, which I didn't care for. I sold her.

I now own a B50 (18v active) and it is a GREAT 5 string jazz bass. Plays like buttah and has a delicious fat tone without any dead spots, on it's 19mm wide neck. Alder bodied with a maple neck, it only weighs 8.8. The bee's knee's for sure.

Carvin going downhill? I haven't seen it.

 

[BobaFret]

Yeah, they sent me this one thing with some stuff on it and I don't like it. Now I'm going to carbon fiber the crap out of it.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

OP....gonna defend yourself? A pic of your problem would greatly help us all.