Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New Carvin P bass, about time?
- Thread starter aproud1
- Start date
- Status
Yeah, the problem for me is deciding what options I want. I planned on ordering today, but I just can't decide color, wood and pickguard options.
I know I'll be getting a four string active PJ with ebony fretboard. Beyond that I'm still debating...
I would love to know how many of these get ordered in the first 48 hours after the announcement.
OK, I know Carvin is known for the quality of their instruments. Played them before, I know the deal. I cannot spend top dollar for an instrument that I can't even try out. I sure as hell can't spend top dollar for a (here we go) copy of a P bass. Why would I go for the brand that is just trying to be like another brand. Why doesn't Carvin have a retail contract? Not sayin that they couldn't get one, but if I'm buying a knockoff, I expect a more favorable price tag. Flame on.....flamers...lol.
Hmmm...
I would order a mahogany body, but I didn't see the option of "no pickguard" available.
Anyone know if it can be ordered with no pickguard?
Mike
I would order a mahogany body, but I didn't see the option of "no pickguard" available.
Anyone know if it can be ordered with no pickguard?
Mike
FWIW, I'm very happy for all you who have been waiting on pins & needles for your Carvin "P" style bass guitars. Congratulations. I hope you'll all be very happy.
Personally, I don't get it. Retro-styled instruments have their place, if you're into that kind of thing. Not me. I'll take a modern-styled, 24-fret neck-though - like the Bromberg, Icon, or LB - any day of the week.
MM
Personally, I don't get it. Retro-styled instruments have their place, if you're into that kind of thing. Not me. I'll take a modern-styled, 24-fret neck-though - like the Bromberg, Icon, or LB - any day of the week.
MM
Not a knockoff. Pretty much the only thing they did was start offering a split P pickup and tweek one of the other body styles a tiny bit to get slightly closer to a traditional P bass look.
Sadowsky, Lull, and many others make "knockoffs" of P basses that sell for more than twice what a Carvin costs. So, buying a Carvin is not paying "top dollar".
Carvin has a very liberal return policy. IIRC it is ten days to try out the instrument and you can return it for a full refund if you don't like it.
"Retail" isn't Carvin's thing. They are able to keep prices down BECAUSE they don't ship a gagillion units to a bunch of big box stores. You are literally buying directly from the factory and cutting out the profit that would otherwise go to a retail store.
You don't have to "get it" when it comes to Carvin stuff. If it isn't your thing, there are plenty of choices for you to play/buy. Having owned several I can tell you that their basses are worth every penny and then some. Price is a relative thing. You call this bass a "knockoff" of a Fender. But fender doesn't offer you 50+ choices of woods, finishes, electronics, hardware, etc. all custom ordered to your specs (unless you go Custom Shop and pay from $3500 to $10K+).
"A more favorable price tag" will never come form a company that you custom order a bass from. Here's what you should try. In the morning, call Fender (because everything else is a knockoff) and tell them you want a 5 string P/J with active passive electronics, curly maple top with satin burst finish, a five piece neck, abalone block inlays on the maple neck, and a matching headstock. You will probably get laughed at and they would refuse to make it. But even if they say they will build it, I would bet it runs you $7,000+. The Carvin (if I had to guess) would come in at well under $2000.
I'm not flaming you. Play what you like. But there is no confusion to be had over price here.
People have been asking Carvin for a P bass for YEARS, and when they give people what they've been asking for some of you "rank" on them.
A more favorable price tag? Where else can you find a US made P bass that is this customizable for anywhere near this low price? Fender won't give you one.
Aaaarrrrghh! I just bought a MTD CRB 5 and I absolutely LOVE it! It sounds amazing and it's the most "in tune" bass I've ever owned. But it's Chinese and it's an Import. Not that that's bad but... I love my LB75 MIA right in my back yard of San Diego. I just didn't want another J style bass (SB5000). (I have 2) I love and prefer P-Basses. Now my favorite USA builder is building what I wanted to begin with and I just got the MTD... Hair pulling out time!
Word on the Carvin Forums is that they will also be releasing this new bass in a kit version. FYI.
FWIW, I'm very happy for all you who have been waiting on pins & needles for your Carvin "P" style bass guitars. Congratulations. I hope you'll all be very happy.
Personally, I don't get it. Retro-styled instruments have their place, if you're into that kind of thing. Not me. I'll take a modern-styled, 24-fret neck-though - like the Bromberg, Icon, or LB - any day of the week.
MM
For me, it's more about the pu than the bass. Right now it's only available on this new bass. But I can imagine a P/J LB70.
Word on the Carvin Forums is that they will also be releasing this new bass in a kit version. FYI.
That is just fricking huge. I might have to wait for the kit!
They have at least 3 retail stores- two in cali and they used to have one in south florida.
Carvin is an incredible value. FMIC offers one P5 in about 4 colors and two fingerboards. Maybe 3 pickguards. No preamp. No P/J5.
In what way is carvins P5 with literally dozens of options a clone?
A clone would have to have far less options and a street price of $1200
ARRRRG !!!! I know Texas is different but I'm sure it's still in The US ..... I found the proxy settings but I don't understand it enough to confidently make any changes..... and any changes I do make don't make a difference.....
The frustration of not being able to go to the US site and design my own new 5 string is killing me !!!
All posted links take me to Carvinworld !
The frustration of not being able to go to the US site and design my own new 5 string is killing me !!!
All posted links take me to Carvinworld !
I'm a little surprised that they just added a P pickup. At the same time, I'm wondering how they could make basses so long without a P pickup.
Yes, I talked to them at length about it. It's a new body shape, same neck as the SB, same active preamp and J pickup as SB, same headstock. The standard radius on the PB is 14" versus 12" on the SB4000. I'm looking forward to giving it a whirl in a couple of months.
- Status
