• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: carvin pb5 fretless

D48F181D-7560-4856-B484-F83B05CC400B.jpeg
63BF36C3-89F8-483D-92FF-7C05D59662A5.jpeg
7524EFB6-42F8-4F39-8D61-3FBC825050B9.jpeg
F68F4F3A-401D-4368-8F30-7DD33732238C.jpeg
Just got a new carvin pb5 lined fretless in Orangeburst. Got it off the in-stock page on their website
This thing looks fantastic. The pictures really dont do it justice.
Cant wait to play it in just a bit to see how well its going to work out.

Will mention it needs the strings replaced with flats. Most likely TI flats

Specs:
5string pbass
Trans orange burst
One piece swamp ash body
Black log
Active and radhv bridge pi
White pearliid pickguard
 
Update: Ive been playing this thing a lot for a few weeks. Got past the 10 day trial, so im definitely keeping it. And im really enjoying all it has to offer. Ive re-strung it with Daddrio Flats, and they sound great on this bass. Recorded with it a bit, and its about as easy to get into a mix as my P-Bass, so i consider that a plus. The 2band eq is nice, i appreciate the lack of mid controls. Im usually playing this bass in passive, or if in active i add just a hair of treble. The neck pickup is very much P-Bass sounding, and i like it. The bridge radius humbucker solo'd is ok, but pretty thin sounding. But combined with the p pickup on the low B, it sounds great! The low B just doesnt have enough meat to it to stand out without the Radius humbucker in the bridge.

Really enjoying the fretless nature of the bass, can get some mwah if needed. A bit on the heavy side. By far my heaviest bass. It does balance pretty good, but still heavy. I think a 3" padded leather strap with a suede backing should compensate for the weight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GlassToMouth
That is a stunning bass you have right there. You've got some nice looking grain on that swamp ash body as well. People seem to rave about the Kiesel/Carvin SCP. There's a recent brief demo video on the Kiesel youtube channel of a PB5 that sounded absolutely devastating. I think it has the same pickup configuration as yours.

Thanks for posting the follow up. It's nice to see folks like yourself post more info after the initial honeymoon phase. Congrats on a beautiful bass.