My New Carvin -- My Big Disappointment

[dgce]

Looks like it's for sale on eBay.

Carvin Bass Guitar "Timothy B Schmit" Signature Model, 2 volume controls | eBay

Yeah, I checked out this bass on eBay before I stumbled on this thread. Very odd choice. As mentioned several times, it would have made so much more sense getting an LB20 and eventually loosing the tone control; problem solved. And if it was a vintage Jazz vibe he was going for, then why not consider a passive B40 or SB4000? Well, ya live, ya learn.

 

[unclejane]

Yeah, I checked out this bass on eBay before I stumbled on this thread. Very odd choice. As mentioned several times, it would have made so much more sense getting an LB20 and eventually loosing the tone control; problem solved. And if it was a vintage Jazz vibe he was going for, then why not consider a passive B40 or SB4000? Well, ya live, ya learn.

I also find it weird to have chosen the Schmidt model if the goal was a Fender sound like a Jazz or Precision. Timothy Schmidt's sound isn't too much like the traditional Fender sound, it's much more understated to me.

As for Carvin's reputation for having bad electronics, I don't understand that at all. My Bunnies are the only basses I've ever paid $1100-$1300 for that don't buzz and hum, make me immediately pull the batteries out or otherwise make me want to put different PU's or preamps into. My G&L, OTOH, hasn't had a battery in it since sometime in 2002 and it buzzes pretty good in series mode. No sheilding in the electronics cavity unlike the Carvin which is fully sheilded.

As for the Carvin sound, one of their best features is that they _don't_ sound like a FMIC Jazz or Precision. Unless you specifically order an SB, you're free of that sound and get a much better, more serviceable sound in its place. My Bunnies are actually the only artist series basses I've ever played that actually sound almost exactly like the artist when I play them. I can sound just like Bunny Brunel with my BB70, shame I can't play like him.

As for the resale value, that's poor because Carvin's don't cost much to begin with. The best strategy there is to go with as little bling as possible. On mine I clicked "standard" on every possible option I could. The only "custom" options were unlined fretless and a 5 piece neck on both. That took a lot of the pain of their worthlessness out of it .

At any rate, if you're after a FMIC sound, the SB is a much better choice.....

LS

 

[4001]

As a long-time Carvin customer, I must concur...

If you're the kind of player who has to be able to detect that certain intangible something, on an individual, instrument-by-instrument basis in order to justify buying it, then there's no way you should be buying sight unseen in the first place.

This^^^

 

[unclejane]

This^^^

Well..... you will still get an "intangible, certain something" with a Carvin or any other bass bought sight-unseen... It just may not be the particular "intangible, certain something" you might want .

Some basses, in fact, you can easily identify in a blind listening test - the Rick 4001/3 is one of those, which makes it a practically completely safe bet to buy sight-unseen if you're after that particular sound. The Carvin Bunny is another you can almost identify the same way (which also makes it a safe bet to buy blind).

But a FMIC Jazz or Precision sound is kind of all over the map. They vary so much because of the poor QC on the instruments over the years (until recently) and all the other basses on the market that try to copy that particular FMIC "intangible, certain something" with highly variable success for reasons that escape me to this day.

For that, I agree you really need to try before you buy...

LS

 

[dgce]

Regarding Carvin's electronics, the SB active preamp along with pickups have gotten plenty of raves around TB, bass mags, and from pro reviewers like Ed Friedland since they came out. And now it looks like Carvin may have another hit on their hands with Brian Bromberg's B4 and B5 basses. The old electronics beef with Carvin seems to be a relic from the past.

 

[Rattman]

If you just got it, I'd play it a while 1st. In my experience, new instruments need to be vibrated a while before the sound opens up. It my not end up sounding like a '62 Jazz but you may dig it!

Did you specify the wood type and the length of curing? What is the finish like.. super-thick poly? Man.. so many variables to try to anticipate. :scowl:

 

[Iridescentone]

Did you specify the wood type and the length of curing? What is the finish like.. super-thick poly? Man.. so many variables to try to anticipate. :scowl:

You can specify the length of wood curing with Carvin?

 

[Roy Vogt]

A semi-Zombie thread....

 

[Massbassman15]

I bought a Carvin LB 40 - the feel is great and the sound blows me away- it's got a Gibson Jack Bruce feel to it. I was very surprised by it because I have a G & L 1000 which is a very fine bass.