There is wisdom here. Few things look as much like a P Bass as a P Bass.
A Fender P is just a rip-off of itself.
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New Carvin P bass, about time?
- Thread starter aproud1
- Start date
- Status
A Fender P is just a rip-off of itself.
The J vs MM pickup in the bridge position in a tough choice. Any thoughts from people who have used the Carvin MM pickup before?
I've had the MM and the 'regular' J pickup. No big difference for me, but I also never, ever solo or favor the bridge pickup.
Holy crap, this is just what I've been waiting for!
Anyone here bought one yet? How does it sound?
Anyone here bought one yet? How does it sound?
Ha! The only way to play one right now is to try out the prototype hanging in Carvin's San Diego storefront.
It sounds like the early adopters will be getting theirs within the next 5 weeks or so.
I got in a bit late on this thread, but I have played both the 4 string and 5 string versions of the new Carvin P's (I live near the factory so I cheat)
Few quick notes:
1) They do offer it with the big EBMM style humbucker (they just launched the model, it takes a bit for every option to show up, so relax
)
2) The 5er has full string width at the bridge, so it's great for slapping, but a bit of a workout for crazy scale work.
My post from the Carvin Forum a day or two after the announcement of the model:
"Yup I saw the post about the new basses so off to the factory I went...
So there is one, and only one, on the factory showroom floor and it has a "NOT FOR SALE" tag on it. Sorry I didn't get any pics as I was too busy playing it. Mike Jones may hook us up here but if he doesn't, I need to talk to him anyway, so I may just go back there tomorrow (Wed).
Specs:
PB4 passive model (your basic P-bass)
Alder body in clear matte finish
Rosewood fingerboard
Single split coil pickups in black ( the prototype)
One Volume
One Tone
Red Tort Pick Guard
Ok so the "review".
First and foremost it's a nice bass (Duh! ). Light weight and easy to carry. The fretboard was easy to scoot around on, and I can't tell for sure, but it felt like it had a new profile from the B or SB series. Don't give this too much weight as I'm not sure how much of this is just me. I spent the weekend playing my LB76, so the smaller neck may be the cause. In any case, it plays nice and is solid as it gets. There was no wiggle room in the neck bucket at all.
The body:
Although it is similar to Carvin's B40 in general idea, the new PB4 has much nicer body contours than the B40 and I think it's slightly smaller overall. The body is a hair thinner front to back and the arm and tummy cuts were much more aggressive than on the B40. With the new contours and the matte finish this thing was very comfortable to play.
The sound:
I played it through a B2000 (all EQ's set at 12 o'clock) into a BRX10.2 and BRX 15.3 cabinets at bedroom volume.
The tone was typical Carvin with a tight articulation with outstanding open harmonics. As is usual with Carvin pickups there is a bit more upper mid here than most players are used to, but the tone control works great and with a slight twist you're back in Motown mode.
Jeff K. told me that they have two more sets of split pickups that they are testing before saying "This is it", so what I've heard tonight may not be the final thing. If you have already ordered one you will get whatever they finally decide on as the "Best" P pickup.
So after all of that... you guys were beggin' for a P pickup and they gave us a P-Bass to go with it. Man I love this company!"
Okay so I'm a fan boy. Sue me.
Few quick notes:
1) They do offer it with the big EBMM style humbucker (they just launched the model, it takes a bit for every option to show up, so relax
)2) The 5er has full string width at the bridge, so it's great for slapping, but a bit of a workout for crazy scale work.
My post from the Carvin Forum a day or two after the announcement of the model:
"Yup I saw the post about the new basses so off to the factory I went...
So there is one, and only one, on the factory showroom floor and it has a "NOT FOR SALE" tag on it. Sorry I didn't get any pics as I was too busy playing it. Mike Jones may hook us up here but if he doesn't, I need to talk to him anyway, so I may just go back there tomorrow (Wed).
Specs:
PB4 passive model (your basic P-bass)
Alder body in clear matte finish
Rosewood fingerboard
Single split coil pickups in black ( the prototype)
One Volume
One Tone
Red Tort Pick Guard
Ok so the "review".
First and foremost it's a nice bass (Duh! ). Light weight and easy to carry. The fretboard was easy to scoot around on, and I can't tell for sure, but it felt like it had a new profile from the B or SB series. Don't give this too much weight as I'm not sure how much of this is just me. I spent the weekend playing my LB76, so the smaller neck may be the cause. In any case, it plays nice and is solid as it gets. There was no wiggle room in the neck bucket at all.
The body:
Although it is similar to Carvin's B40 in general idea, the new PB4 has much nicer body contours than the B40 and I think it's slightly smaller overall. The body is a hair thinner front to back and the arm and tummy cuts were much more aggressive than on the B40. With the new contours and the matte finish this thing was very comfortable to play.
The sound:
I played it through a B2000 (all EQ's set at 12 o'clock) into a BRX10.2 and BRX 15.3 cabinets at bedroom volume.
The tone was typical Carvin with a tight articulation with outstanding open harmonics. As is usual with Carvin pickups there is a bit more upper mid here than most players are used to, but the tone control works great and with a slight twist you're back in Motown mode.
Jeff K. told me that they have two more sets of split pickups that they are testing before saying "This is it", so what I've heard tonight may not be the final thing. If you have already ordered one you will get whatever they finally decide on as the "Best" P pickup.
So after all of that... you guys were beggin' for a P pickup and they gave us a P-Bass to go with it. Man I love this company!"
Okay so I'm a fan boy. Sue me.
That's okay, I can't afford one yet anyway.
I look forward to seeing/hearing reviews.
I will have one of these. Been wanting a 5-string P for years, but holding off.
For all those who complained about the introduction of a new bass, wishing they had just added the P pickup to their other series, I personally only want a single P pickup, without a bridge pickup (which I never use). So I'm happy for the new model, available with the single pickup.
Cheers,
Liam
For all those who complained about the introduction of a new bass, wishing they had just added the P pickup to their other series, I personally only want a single P pickup, without a bridge pickup (which I never use). So I'm happy for the new model, available with the single pickup.
Cheers,
Liam
The only thing I wish was different on this and the SB4000 and replacement necks was if they had 21 or 22 frets instead of 20 while remaining Fender retrofitting. They have 22 frets on the guitar side with Strat compatibility, I wouldn't think it would be a big deal on the bass side to put a little overhang and one more lousy fret. I really like having that last octave E.
I'm wondering if Carvin will offer the P pickup as an option on other basses? A P/J SB4000 or B40 would be sweet!
I'm guessing that's the point. Jarrett will want it, and he'll have to sell his PB&J4 that hasn't even been delivered yet.
I'm guessing that's the point. Jarrett will want it, and he'll have to sell his PB&J4 that hasn't even been delivered yet.
That sounds like a great deal for the rest of us!
I couldn't resist any longer. I put my order in this morning and I will be calling them tomorrow for the $100 rush build option because waiting is agony for Herrick. It'll come out to $1033. Not bad!
Maple Neck/Alder Body
Clear Gloss Finish
Jet Black
Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck
Icon-style Bass Headstock
Headstock To Match Body Finish
Ebony Fingerboard Black
No Top Inlays - Side Dots Only
Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W
14in Fretboard Radius
Black Pickups
Black Hardware
Flat Wound Med Light
Large White Logo
Black Multi-Layer Pickguard
Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case
Maple Neck/Alder Body
Clear Gloss Finish
Jet Black
Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck
Icon-style Bass Headstock
Headstock To Match Body Finish
Ebony Fingerboard Black
No Top Inlays - Side Dots Only
Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W
14in Fretboard Radius
Black Pickups
Black Hardware
Flat Wound Med Light
Large White Logo
Black Multi-Layer Pickguard
Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case
- Status
