Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Is Carvin Going Downhill?
- Thread starter tobiasaurusrex
- Start date
- Status
I hear ya im not impressed with what the dollar gets you anymore with Carvin. Too much $$ for a lifeless sound IMO
I've been tempted to order another Bunny B, and the pre-n-pups package is the last thing that would cause hesitation. A fresh Nordy setup would be ordered simultaneously tho.
This sounds odd, especially since the Bunny Brunel is a one-piece neck-thru design.
PS: Sorry for the "pile-on" but I just realized that this response given several times. My bad.
I would like to add however that my dealings with Carvin during the past 25 years have been excellent. I've had amps, speaker cabinets, cables, basses, etc., and never the first problem. The quality of my Bunny Brunel was phenominal. Of course it required a set-up, but I play nothing without it first being set-up. I don;t know of any true bassists that would do otherwise.
There's a lot here quickly. Some of it seems to call for some credentials of some sort. "Did I hear discontent? Your papers, please? Everything is fine, go home citizen." Don't forget, "Oh, the OP isn't OCD about the TB /b/. It's a hoax."
I have had excellent experience with the earlier, carbon rod buttressed Carvin necks, and expected another veritable tank of a neck, however the thin, six-string neck with single truss rod, and set up with an action granting clean, buzzless fretting... cannot but flex and flop, and makes true intonation impossible. If you've played bass long enough, you know the phenomena (whether or not you admit that Carvin could let someone down ever).
So it took a couple of months from new for the neck to bow towards the bridge, and I can't send it back now. The finish and computer controlled wood machining are clean, and it's a beautiful object. I have what I have from Carvin now, I spent $1,700 on it, I'm stuck with it at this point, and it's going to work the way I freaking want it too. The way my other Carvin necks are.
I've worked in wood for years, I've worked with glassing for surfboards, glass and wood for kayaks, and I make my own basses. A laminate can be sanded off, and if it makes the bass work right, is it so wrong?
I have had excellent experience with the earlier, carbon rod buttressed Carvin necks, and expected another veritable tank of a neck, however the thin, six-string neck with single truss rod, and set up with an action granting clean, buzzless fretting... cannot but flex and flop, and makes true intonation impossible. If you've played bass long enough, you know the phenomena (whether or not you admit that Carvin could let someone down ever).
So it took a couple of months from new for the neck to bow towards the bridge, and I can't send it back now. The finish and computer controlled wood machining are clean, and it's a beautiful object. I have what I have from Carvin now, I spent $1,700 on it, I'm stuck with it at this point, and it's going to work the way I freaking want it too. The way my other Carvin necks are.
I've worked in wood for years, I've worked with glassing for surfboards, glass and wood for kayaks, and I make my own basses. A laminate can be sanded off, and if it makes the bass work right, is it so wrong?
tobiasaurusrex said:
Dude, you have every right to be miffed at some of the responses here, but I think posting pictures of the bass would add some credibility to your argument. You haven't made an amazing one so far.
FWIW, I've never played a carvin, but I've gassed over their sixers. Your complaint does give rise to some concern on my part as someone interested in their basses, but it's not like I could afford a new bass in the near future anyway...
Even if you can't return it, you should be able to send it back to be fixed under warranty.
If the neck is in fact unable to be properly adjusted, call up Carvin and have them take care of it as a warranty issue. They're quite good about fixing defects.
Will a photo prove that the truss rod is currently maxed out; show how easily my fretting hand (my right, I'm a lefty) can bow and stretch the neck; or ...?
If people don't want to believe me - as if talk of bass neck trouble is synonymous with a UFO sighting - then any such photo can labelled "Mocked up and fake," and they'll keep saying, "I don't want to hear it. Creation is perfect."
I guess I was hoping to reach someone relatedly crafty and creative, as well as sympathetic (as you seem).
-t.
So... the obvious must be stated, it seems.
All the strings are replaced with a singular, new set of Dean Markley SR2000's.
I set the string heights to the lowest action without fret buzz, as on my other necks.
The truss rod is cranked down fully, to turn it more will strip the tightening nut, or strip or snap the truss rod.
I have only reached this point with a neck after owning a bass for over a decade, and it's seen its time. This is since October.
All the strings are replaced with a singular, new set of Dean Markley SR2000's.
I set the string heights to the lowest action without fret buzz, as on my other necks.
The truss rod is cranked down fully, to turn it more will strip the tightening nut, or strip or snap the truss rod.
I have only reached this point with a neck after owning a bass for over a decade, and it's seen its time. This is since October.
So what exactly did you order that gave you a lifeless sound? Maybe you chose the wrong pickups when you ordered your bass...show us the invoice.
Interesting that it took 4 months to figure out the neck was flopping around. That would have been the first thing I noticed. If it was impossible to intonate, you shoud have sent it back. However, I refuse to believe that Carvin shipped you a bass that they could not tune or intonate. "Maybe he won't notice...ship it out!" Didn't happen.
So what did they say when you called them and reported the problem?
So what did they say when you called them and reported the problem?
It could be 100 days since you received the bass,if that's the case,they will take it back due to structural damage/builder error.
I have bought two of their LB76 lefty too end fo 2006 and the others mid 2007 and I don't have any problems.
Their neck are really stable if your humidity is controled. I didn't have any problems you mentionned.
It is kind of weird that you are to the point of breaking the truss rod ...
Their neck are really stable if your humidity is controled. I didn't have any problems you mentionned.
It is kind of weird that you are to the point of breaking the truss rod ...
Just to chime in with my two cents on Carvin CS. I recently ordered one of the Carvin MB15 combo amps. Love the little amp but after 3 days, I noticed a little vibration or buzz behind the faceplate. I called Carvin up and within 30 minutes they had emailed me the UPS return label and the new tracking number for the replacement amp that had already shipped out. I don't get to say this very much any more...GREAT AMERICAN CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I'm really liking the SB4000 right now, and I'm thinking about flying out to CA just to go to the Carvin Store and see it for myself. I can fly out of Atlanta and take the red eye back the same day for about $300 or use my Delta Miles.
I'm really liking the SB4000 right now, and I'm thinking about flying out to CA just to go to the Carvin Store and see it for myself. I can fly out of Atlanta and take the red eye back the same day for about $300 or use my Delta Miles.
- Status
