New Carvin PB-4 vs. ESP MIJ Vintage Four?

[tommybass64]

I was thinking about a getting a PJ bass and wondered how the new Carvin PB-4 stacks up against the ESP Vintage Four in terms of construction,tone,playability.....I would be buying the ESP used or ordering the Carvin new,as I don't see any used PB-4's out there. I play rock/funk/blues....I like bigger necks and the bass could weigh up to 10lbs....Anyone played both and can comment?

 

[Mystic Michael]

Are there any PB4s that have even been delivered yet? If not, that would explain the absence of PB4s on the aftermarket.

MM

 

[tommybass64]

Are there any PB4s that have even been delivered yet? If not, that would explain the absence of PB4s on the aftermarket.

MM

Yeah,that makes sense....just got a Carvin catalog in the mail and looked at it again and the PB-4 IS new....Maybe a lucky somebody has plucked one from a Carvin showroom...Man that Trans Pearl Blue PB-5 on the catalog cover has given me some G.A.S......

 

[WoodyG3]

Yeah, as Michael said, there aren't any out in the hands of the general public yet. There is one in the Carvin showroom in San Diego, but it's not for sale. As far as I know, that's the only one anyone outside of Carvin has been able to put their hands on so far. There should be a few shipping pretty soon to people who ordered right when they came out. Hang tight and see what the buzz is.

Oh, and you mentioned that you like bigger necks. The Carvin will have a J-Bass style neck that is about 1.5" at the nut on the 4-banger. This may not be what you were looking for.

 

[tommybass64]

Yeah, as Michael said, there aren't any out in the hands of the general public yet. There is one in the Carvin showroom in San Diego, but it's not for sale. As far as I know, that's the only one anyone outside of Carvin has been able to put their hands on so far. There should be a few shipping pretty soon to people who ordered right when they came out. Hang tight and see what the buzz is.

Oh, and you mentioned that you like bigger necks. The Carvin will have a J-Bass style neck that is about 1.5" at the nut on the 4-banger. This may not be what you were looking for.

Yeah,It's curious Carvin didn't do a 1-5/8"nut width on the PB-4...to me,that's the perfect width. It would be nice to get 1-5/8" or 1-3/4" nut width as an option...I can tolerate a Jazz width neck as long as it's at least 3/4" neck thickness at the 1st fret,anything smaller and my wrist will cramp...so the .780 thickness at the 1st fret listed for the PB-4 may work....I see the SB-4000 neck is even thicker,.81 at the 1st fret,so it seems Carvin is listening to players who like bigger necks.....cool.....!

 

[fritzknag]

Just got mine the other day, 4 string. I own Fenders, Musicmans, Rickenbacker, Peaveys, and a few others. This is by far my favorite bass now. I got mine with the P/J active PUPS and a Hipshot detuner. I think it weighs about 8.5 lbs. It came perfectly set up, the action is perfect and the sound is great, it also has a passive option for when the batteries go dead, I hate it when that happens and it has. A few of my bass player friends have played it and they thought it was really great. It has a familiar feel to it and is very easy to play very fast on it. Thinking about getting a fretless version too. For the money and the ability to make it how you want it, its the best deal out there. I hope this helps.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Just got mine the other day, 4 string. I own Fenders, Musicmans, Rickenbacker, Peaveys, and a few others. This is by far my favorite bass now. I got mine with the P/J active PUPS and a Hipshot detuner. I think it weighs about 8.5 lbs. It came perfectly set up, the action is perfect and the sound is great, it also has a passive option for when the batteries go dead, I hate it when that happens and it has. A few of my bass player friends have played it and they thought it was really great. It has a familiar feel to it and is very easy to play very fast on it. Thinking about getting a fretless version too. For the money and the ability to make it how you want it, its the best deal out there. I hope this helps.

Two things:1) Go start a NBD thread 2)Take picutres of said bass and post them in that thread.

I have been waiting for these things to get into people's hands. I am not in the market for one but I am curious to hear reviews.

 

[Robert B]

Just got mine the other day, 4 string. I own Fenders, Musicmans, Rickenbacker, Peaveys, and a few others. This is by far my favorite bass now. I got mine with the P/J active PUPS and a Hipshot detuner. I think it weighs about 8.5 lbs. It came perfectly set up, the action is perfect and the sound is great, it also has a passive option for when the batteries go dead, I hate it when that happens and it has. A few of my bass player friends have played it and they thought it was really great. It has a familiar feel to it and is very easy to play very fast on it. Thinking about getting a fretless version too. For the money and the ability to make it how you want it, its the best deal out there. I hope this helps.

Every new bass I've ever bought was always my favorite when I bought it. I'd be curious to hear what you think in a couple months. I'm not discounting your initial assessment - just saying your opinion may change over time. Mine has done just that, more than once!