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My New Carvin -- My Big Disappointment

#21
I say if you really are unhappy, and it's only been a few days, call and talk to FLOCK! Ask what can be done. Flock might be able to work something, or he might be able to figure what can make things better for you. Call FLOCK at Carvin San Diego. Can't hurt.
 
#22
I have a 92 LB-75 that I absolutely love! It was my 1st semi-custom bass and my 1st 5er. It doesnt get played a lot anymore but its there if I need it.
I know people complain that the electronics are "meh" but personally, I dont feel that way. IMHO I get a good range of usable tones. They're just not "vintage" tones!!

I also agree with the folks who are advising you to swap the electronics. If you have certain pickups you already like, go with them! Just keep all the original parts so you can go back to stock IF you decide to sell it.
 
#23
I spent an hour in the Carvin retail
Shop in Sherman Oaks once, and played a number of instruments. None of them had "mojo" to me. All of them SOUNDED fantastic!
It has taken me 30+ years of playing to conclude I truly prefer bolt on neck instruments over neck through electrics for "mojo".
Carvin makes a great instrument- they just don't seem to make one that sings to me. I concur with the OP.
On a side note, I would have loved to work there and once spent 30 minutes on the phone with their human resources manager. At the time I had a two page call center management resume and a two page music resume. They were not interested in out of state applicants- heck I would have taken a half cut in pay to sell guitars all day and surf half an hour in San D!
 
#24
Carvin's CNC machines still have the TBS in there. I doubt the TBS itself was the Option 50, but suspect the change in electronics was it. But this is speculation.

My thinking goes a whole different direction. I would say lesson learned and keep it all as-is, and play this thing for several months. Keep it in rotation. Over time your hands and ears will learn what it is and can/can't do. Sorta like flats vs rounds. Is it what your ears wanted? Nope. But you now have a different color on your tonal palette. Tear this bass away from the expectancy. Work with it and get to know it. 6 months or a year from now if it's worthless to your ears, change out the electronics after plenty of research.

Just my 2 cents, bro.
:bassist:
 
#25
I love my Carvin. Why, cuz its different than my Fender, Lakland, Steinberger, Guild or Gibson. Not better, not worse just different. That axe may just grow on ya. Give it time. I would be slow to change electronics as you've got to much wrapped up in it already. Only way to buy Carvin is used.
 
#27
Wallyworld said:
I know, I earned it....I ordered a Carvin Timothy B. Schmit 4 string signature model but with a couple of customizations. The pickups are the standards J99a's but I also ordered a two pots (one for each pup). I thought it would produce a blend like a G&L SB-2. Wrong. I will take it to my tech to make sure all the intonation and set-up stuff is ok, but it just doesn't have the feel or the sound like I had from my '62 Jazz Bass .....way different mojo. It is beautifully constructed, nice paint, hold tune, but....It just doesn't have that indescribable 'something.' I can't send it back for a refund because it was a 'custom order' with the two pots. The action has some buzz (I'll talk with my tech) but the overall sound just isn't there. Hard to explain! I've played for 45+ years and, while all the physical dimensions are right, I'm was really disappointed. I've built better myself. Ouch. After working with my tech, I'll either sell (and take quite a hit), start to substitute parts --- pickups, caps, pots, etc. I'm $1,200 out on this one! any suggestions from a brother in need? Thanks!!!!:hmm:
Click to expand...


The J99A pickups are a completely different animal from any Fender Jazz pickups and any other Jazz style pickups I have ever heard/played. I have a Carvin B40 (a second B40 on the way) and the pickups have been the only aspect of this bass that I have not completely loved. Been on a rollercoaster with the J99A.

For me, the J99A are an acquired taste. Sure, there are a lot of people who love them right out of the shute. But for me, it took quite a bit of experimenting with EQing/tone variations to find the tones I liked.

They ( J99A) also sounds better playing through my Genz-Benz Streamliner 600 and Aguilar DB115, than they do through my Ampeg Micro head/Ampeg 2x10 Cab or my Hartke XL810/Hartke HA 4000. Although, they sounded pretty damn good through the Hartke gear, in a band setting, with TI Jazz Flats.


For me, the B40 plays like a wet dream. The neck, the playability, the body, the weight........it's so sweeeeeet.

It's addictive. I typically flip-flop and play one of my two Fender P-basses and my Carvin B40, through out the day. I start to jones for my B40, every day, if I play my P-basses all day. The B40 has such an organic feel to it's neck and body. Or maybe it's more of an ergonomic feel? I don't know.....organic...ergonomic...same thing:D;)

But then again, I start jonesing for my P-basses, too:D I love be able to alternate between the two feels/playabilities of the Fender P-bass and Carvin B40.


I would suggest you being patient and giving it more time.

Experiment with tone/EQ variations and in playing with a band settings. You may change your mind. If not, pickups/electronics are easily changed out.

Just remember, though. Both the bridge and neck J99A are the same size. They are both a typical bridge-sized pickup.

The neck J99A are NOT smaller than the bridge pickup, as with the Fenders and many other Jazz pickups sets. So make sure you order two bridge-sized pickups, if you decide to try new pickups in your Carvin.

For me, electronics/pickups are always a possible change feature, with any bass. They can be changed, any time.

If I'm not getting the sound or "mojo" I want, I will change the electronics/pickups to achieve the tone I want.

It's the feel, playability of the neck and the body weight that is most important fundamental, to start with; in my opinion.

I'll be immediately changing the pickups on my new B40, when it arrives.
 
#28
To order a custom instrument expecting it to sound the same as an antique instrument made by a different company is beyond unreasonable. To expect the company to accept the instrument's return is beyond that. And to complain about it....
 
#33
I wouldn't buy anything with Timothy B Schmidt's name on it because I think he is kind of a pretentious tool for making us use his full legal name :) Timothy B Schmidt -- LOL like some sleazy lawyer. Why not just Tim Schmidt?

I agree that the OP had seriously unrealistic expectations.
 
#34
I'd suggest trying some different strings for a start. They change the way the bass sounds it cannot be denied. Carvin electronics have improved IMHO over the last few years. You might try calling the Carvin custom shop to ask about any electronic mods you may have in mind. I'm sure they will have some good advice. Other than that I'd say just try to play it as much as possible.
 

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