Ssh, you're going to make him cry. And then the word might get out and Carvin might start charging what Fender does or worse!
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New Carvin P bass, about time?
- Thread starter aproud1
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I had the 'real thing' (MIA 2009 P5). And a Sadowsky Metro. And multiple Laklands. All gone now and I don't miss 'em at all. I really wanted to like it, but alas I ended up regretting buying the Fender. I wanted to see how much difference a heastock decal madem but in the end, it didn't seem to do a whole lot. But at least I can now compare them from actual, hands-on experience.
I love fenders, but the answer to the question is because a "real fender" is not what some of us really want or really wish for . . .
We want something better.
I'm not going to be able to order a PB4 for a while, but I can tell you why I will eventually - the neck. I like the P-bass sound but can't stand the P neck, would much rather have a faster jazz neck. Which pretty much means a Lakland Duck Dunn or, now, the Carvin. And a Carvin I can get MIA for the price of an Indonesian Lakland and with my choice of custom features.
Different pieces of wood could sound completely different even when of the same species, but a maple body would also brighten things up.
Look at Ken Smith's and Carvin's websites for general wood descriptions.
I love Fenders and Carvins equally. I also love G&L. And many other things. I recently sold my Fender P - not because it wasn't awesome, but more because I wanted an ash bodied P-bass with small frets, preferably stainless steel, and preferably an active preamp with passive option. Carvin offers all of this.
Though, hrodbert, I gotta say, I love chunky-as-hell P-necks. I'm a little concerned that the PB4 may be too narrow since it's 1.54" - which is basically a Jazz neck. I can go as low as 1.5" (standard Jazz) as long as the profile has some meat/chunkiness to it. I'm hoping the Carvin does. From what I've read, it's not pencil-thin...which is good. If I end up not liking it, 10 day return policy (haven't actually ordered yet.)
Though, hrodbert, I gotta say, I love chunky-as-hell P-necks. I'm a little concerned that the PB4 may be too narrow since it's 1.54" - which is basically a Jazz neck. I can go as low as 1.5" (standard Jazz) as long as the profile has some meat/chunkiness to it. I'm hoping the Carvin does. From what I've read, it's not pencil-thin...which is good. If I end up not liking it, 10 day return policy (haven't actually ordered yet.)
I had two Fender P5s and while I really wanted to like them, the B-strings just didn't sound good enough for me. I tried multiple strings and even considered having a jazz pickup installed but what I really wanted was a passive single-pickup bass.
The necks of the Fenders were nice and while the nut width was wide, it was still pretty comfortable. However, I prefer the smaller nut width and all the cosmetic options of the Carvin PB5. The body shape is really growing on me too. Last butt certainly not least, the B-string sounds pretty good.
Herrick, how does this bass compare to the Yamaha BB that you "tried to Like ?" Just curious. I still love my BB1025X. But...these Carvins are getting my attention.
I loved the sound of the BB1025X. Razor sharp B on that one. That was with both pickups though. I don't exactly recall how the P pickup alone sounded on it. The B on the Carvin sounds pretty clear & focused to me but I can't say it's as articulate as the BB. I don't know if a 5-string P can ever sound as tight as a 5-string with a bridge pickup. What's important to me is that the B sounds as good as all the other strings and that's the case with this PB5
I'm pretty sure the nut width was smaller on the BB which I liked. It was the weight and looks of the BB that sank my pickle...plus my obsession with having a single-pickup 5-string bass.
These basses aren't real? But the tooth fairy told me that Santa was going to bring me one this year!
Another option for a P-bass with great jazz neck is a used USA Peavey Fury from the late 80's / early 90's. Rock solid and super cheap.
I just spec'd one out, everything I wanted included, and it was $1183 with case I mean, that's ridiculous for a PB&J 5 string! Someone go to the classifieds and buy one of my basses! 
lol
I mean, that's ridiculous for a PB&J 5 string! Someone go to the classifieds and buy one of my basses! lol
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