It means New Bass Day. You'll see it used frequently here.
Not necessarily brand new, just a new addition.
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NBD - Carvin LB-50 (You Heard Right)...
- Thread starter bassclef112
- Start date
It means New Bass Day. You'll see it used frequently here.
Not necessarily brand new, just a new addition.
I had/have a white LB50. It didn't really do anything for me, so I gave it to my cousin on semi-permanant family loan. If he sells it, he owes me the first $450 of whatever he gets for it. Otherwise, I doubt I'll ask him for it back. I probably would have liked it more if I'd taken the time to do a good setup on it.
I'm so glad to hear some mention of the (guitar) pickups not being wide enough. I still own an LB50 that I bought new, "back in the day". Mine is black and has VV master T controls.
The E string was always quieter or deader than the rest. I tried lots of things, including installing exact size replacement EMGs (like what was used in the old Steinbergers). I could not solve the problem. I have not routed it out for wider pickups, but that has crossed my mind.
The bass does have its good points and sentimental value. I rarely play it, but will probably never sell it either.
The E string was always quieter or deader than the rest. I tried lots of things, including installing exact size replacement EMGs (like what was used in the old Steinbergers). I could not solve the problem. I have not routed it out for wider pickups, but that has crossed my mind.
The bass does have its good points and sentimental value. I rarely play it, but will probably never sell it either.
Hah. My earlier post stated I was always looking for a T-50. Well, I was, about 12 years ago, because going through the herd last night sorting for the cull stack, I came across it, natural, just like yours. I even forget which basses I actually have. Sigh.
Edit - I meant LB-50, not T-40, getting my Carvin and Peavey threads crossed!
Edit - I meant LB-50, not T-40, getting my Carvin and Peavey threads crossed!
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Last night I received the set of TV Jones Thunder'Blades I ordered. Thursday it's off to my tech for a pro install.
I am very anxious to hear what this bass will sound like with a brain transplant and overhaul!
I know he's pretty backlogged so it may take a couple of weeks. Then I'll have to road test it at some gigs.
So, stay tuned for a full report!
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Similar to the Thunder'Tron, but with steel blades instead of pole screws.
The blades provide a larger magnetized surface area, producing greater inductance.
The resulting tone retains the Thunder'Tron clarity, yet is full, bold and smooth.
A great choice for basses with wider string spacing.
I am very anxious to hear what this bass will sound like with a brain transplant and overhaul!
I know he's pretty backlogged so it may take a couple of weeks. Then I'll have to road test it at some gigs.
So, stay tuned for a full report!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Similar to the Thunder'Tron, but with steel blades instead of pole screws.
The blades provide a larger magnetized surface area, producing greater inductance.
The resulting tone retains the Thunder'Tron clarity, yet is full, bold and smooth.
A great choice for basses with wider string spacing.
It's even more desirable when the listing is really too low for what it is. Getting rarer, but still out there.
Alrighty then! As I indicated, TV Jones Thunder'Blades have been installed in the LB-50 and I have had several opportunities to road test this baby.
Quick answer = Smokin'!!!
First, pics:
A close up of the pickups -
As you can see there is plenty of blade overlapping the strings. This was an issue for me with the original pickups that did effect the tone, particularly on the E string. I had previously swapped out the original high-mass Schaller bridge for a Schaller roller to better control the string spacing. No longer an issue with these pickups.
I had them installed passive with all recommended pot/cap values, V-T for each. The two yellow tipped switches are series/parallel, and the last one is just a kill switch now (this was originally the in/out of phase switch). The original stereo feature went away.
First tried these with the bass wearing Pro Steels. With the all maple bass it was way too bright and grindy for me - not the tone I was looking for.
Next up was a set of Chromes and that was clearly the ticket. Just enough mid/high push out of those strings to make the pickups really sing.
They sound very muscular, and sit in the mix very well. Great supporting bottom end with excellent mid clarity without honking. A crisp high end is not what I'm after, but I will say these pickups have a very broad tonal spectrum and can manage whatever you like. They are very well voiced.
I like them with the neck in parallel and wide open, bridge in series at about 7. Both tones wide open. Just a little 40 Hz & 800 Hz boost, same for 3K. Real smooth and clear.
If I were to do an install from the git, I would move the bridge pickup closer to the neck. Back here the full capability is limited by string amplitude.
Closer to the neck would really open up more options.
So that's it. A great playing "bargain" bass elevated to Wow! I feel these pickups were a worthwhile investment because now I want to play this bass often. What could be better!
FYI - For the road tests I used a Thunderfunk 550 on a Baer ML-112 cabinet, and an original run GK800RB on an Aguilar GS-212 cabinet. The bass sounded great with both rigs. Compliments from bandmates and audience members.
P.S. If you're looking for a guitar humbucker sized bass pickup these should be a serious consideration. Note - they'll fit the route but you will need the TV Jones surrounds because they are a slightly different size. Also check the depth - these fit but they were close. You may or may not have a minor issue here.
Quick answer = Smokin'!!!
First, pics:
A close up of the pickups -
As you can see there is plenty of blade overlapping the strings. This was an issue for me with the original pickups that did effect the tone, particularly on the E string. I had previously swapped out the original high-mass Schaller bridge for a Schaller roller to better control the string spacing. No longer an issue with these pickups.
I had them installed passive with all recommended pot/cap values, V-T for each. The two yellow tipped switches are series/parallel, and the last one is just a kill switch now (this was originally the in/out of phase switch). The original stereo feature went away.
First tried these with the bass wearing Pro Steels. With the all maple bass it was way too bright and grindy for me - not the tone I was looking for.
Next up was a set of Chromes and that was clearly the ticket. Just enough mid/high push out of those strings to make the pickups really sing.
They sound very muscular, and sit in the mix very well. Great supporting bottom end with excellent mid clarity without honking. A crisp high end is not what I'm after, but I will say these pickups have a very broad tonal spectrum and can manage whatever you like. They are very well voiced.
I like them with the neck in parallel and wide open, bridge in series at about 7. Both tones wide open. Just a little 40 Hz & 800 Hz boost, same for 3K. Real smooth and clear.
If I were to do an install from the git, I would move the bridge pickup closer to the neck. Back here the full capability is limited by string amplitude.
Closer to the neck would really open up more options.
So that's it. A great playing "bargain" bass elevated to Wow! I feel these pickups were a worthwhile investment because now I want to play this bass often. What could be better!
FYI - For the road tests I used a Thunderfunk 550 on a Baer ML-112 cabinet, and an original run GK800RB on an Aguilar GS-212 cabinet. The bass sounded great with both rigs. Compliments from bandmates and audience members.
P.S. If you're looking for a guitar humbucker sized bass pickup these should be a serious consideration. Note - they'll fit the route but you will need the TV Jones surrounds because they are a slightly different size. Also check the depth - these fit but they were close. You may or may not have a minor issue here.
It's fun to read a thread from 2015. Interesting that these often dismissed basses are not selling for $400-$450, anymore. In fact, they are not easy to find period.
It have a 1981 LB50 Koa, all original, and it has never failed me, nor sounded "Dead," ever.
It have a 1981 LB50 Koa, all original, and it has never failed me, nor sounded "Dead," ever.
I don't agree either, my experience tell me that pickup upgrades might make the single most noticeable difference on a bass, as far as goes for upgrades, and can take a decent sounding instrument to a great sounding one.
Also if you bought your vintage bass primarily for the purpose of playing it what good is it to you that you can sell of for more, if you don't have any intentions of selling it, but can't play it with a satisfactory result.
Also to OP, it looks killer, love the design.
Congratulations.
Personally I would have preferred it black though, but that is just me.
I thought about a pickup upgrade, 'cause, face it, these ARE guitar pickups on the LB50's, and my guitar tech about beat me over the head for wanting to alter the originality of my 1981 LB50 Koa.
So far, it has remained stock, and she does play like a gem.
So far, it has remained stock, and she does play like a gem.
Congratulations.
Personally I would have preferred it black though, but that is just me.
Thanks! Nice to see this thread come around. I just used it the other day and am very happy with it.
And for the record, this was my second one. My first one is all stock and it's...black!
I upgraded the natural because it played a bit better, but I dig them both!! I perved on these basses in those Carvin catalogs for years. Glad to have them.
Here she is:
An all bone-stock, 1981 LB50 Koa, stereo.
And, I am the original owner, too.
