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New Carvin - worth it?

TimBosby

TimBosby

Somewhere in middle America
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2004
11,931
10,241
47
Omaha, NE, USA
#1
Having owned three used Carvins that I paid between $300-400 for apiece, I never thought buying a new one would be worth it. However, I've never used a custom shop before, and as far as custom shops go, it's relatively cheap. I've always liked their instruments, they just sadly have very low resale value. I'm not sure the bass below is worth it. I paid less for my '78 Fender Jazz in outstanding condition w/ a tweed case. Then again I've been combing Ebay for years looking for the EXACT used Carvin I wanted, and haven't been able to find it. And when I've found things that have come close, they're often $700-$800 even used.

Thoughts?

B4 Bolt on

MA - Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard) $0.00
CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard) $0.00
TR - Crimson Red $25.00
TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard) $0.00
CTH - Carved Top Headstock $20.00
PH - Headstock To Match Body Color $20.00
EB - Ebony Fingerboard (Standard) $0.00
AB - Abalone Block Inlays $80.00
FR - Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard) $0.00
R12 - 12in Fretboard Radius (Standard) $0.00
H50S - H50S Stacked Humbuckers (Standard) $0.00
AC - Active/Passive Electronics w/ Coil Splitters, Phase Switch $50.00
G - Gold Hardware $50.00
4011 - Nickel Roundwound .040 .060 .080 .100 $0.00
ABL - Abalone Logo $30.00
SL - Dunlop Straplocks $10.00
HS - Hipshot Bass Detuner $40.00
/RUSH - RUSH BUILD (30 Days) $100.00
HC17 - ABS Hardshell Bass Case $0.00
Guitar Total: $1,094.00
 
#4
I have both a Valenti and a Carvin. Both are very high quality axes that do different things, and both do them well. I won't speak to the depreciation factor here of either axe, as times are pretty tough right now and everything is going for a lot less used than they would have a year ago. In terms of getting what you want, Nino will give you any electronics package you ask for. With the Carvin, you get the Carvin electronics. I am a bit of a contrarian here in that I actually like the Carvin electronics, and have found that they sit very well in a mix. I have had my Carvin a lot longer than my Valenti, and have done hundreds of gigs with it. I'm still breaking in the Valenti (50 or so gigs in it to date.)

You will not go wrong with either. Carvin has a pretty generous return policy, and Nino will do whatever it takes to be sure that you are happy with your bass. I love both basses!
 
#6
Keep watchin Ebay and get 1 at a deal !.. I've never owned a carvin bass but I have a DC135 that I picked up at 1/2 on ebay mint condition... It's like a HSS strat but would eat it alive !.. Carvins are great American made instruments... I never understood why they didn't catch on better ... I agree no resale !.. But thats is good when U want a quality axe at 1/2 price
 
#8
steve21 said:
Why go with a rush build? An extra hundred bucks for like a month less... might be worth it for you, but patience is a virtue for a reason
Click to expand...

+1 to this.

I like Carvins and have owned a few over the years, some new and some used. Used is a great way to go if you're either patient or not that picky. Personally I've been somewhat seriously watching for one that is close to the specs I'd want if I got another one new and haven't seen anything close in over a year.

At the moment I own one Carvin and it is also a bass that I doubt I would find another one like it on the used market. First because I was pretty specific about the finish I wanted and secondly because I talked them into doing dual humbuckers which apparently they really don't do often on a B4.

b4c.jpg


So I guess my answer is that it's worth it if you think you'll have trouble finding one you want used.
 
#10
It's a B4. I don't really care for neck-through. And the extra $100.00 for rush delivery seemed worth it at first. It guarantees delivery in 30 days. At first I thought it said it would be up to 4-8 months otherwise. Then I re-read it and it's 4-8 weeks which is only 1-2 months. My bad. Even still, $100 extra isn't that much when you're already spending nearly a grand. And they have 6 month no interest financing on purchases over $1,000.

You guys are right of course - I should keep hunting for a used one.

Valentis look awesome...but are too expensive for me. Base models are over $1,500 it looks like. The most I've ever paid for a bass was $1,000 and that was for my '78 Jazz.
 
#11
That's nice. I'd prefer a double bucker B4 over a double J. But I figured Js would be easier to swap out later if I ever decided to change pickups. Although I personally have never had a problem with Carvin's electronics....or Carvin at all. Everything I've owned by them is top-notch.


TheBigO said:
+1 to this.

I like Carvins and have owned a few over the years, some new and some used. Used is a great way to go if you're either patient or not that picky. Personally I've been somewhat seriously watching for one that is close to the specs I'd want if I got another one new and haven't seen anything close in over a year.

At the moment I own one Carvin and it is also a bass that I doubt I would find another one like it on the used market. First because I was pretty specific about the finish I wanted and secondly because I talked them into doing dual humbuckers which apparently they really don't do often on a B4.

b4c.jpg


So I guess my answer is that it's worth it if you think you'll have trouble finding one you want used.
Click to expand...
 
#12
BluesHonky said:
I never understood why they didn't catch on better
Click to expand...

Simply because they're mail order and you can't try them out in stores. I've been seeing their ads in magazines and reading good reviews about them for years, but could never work up the nerve to order any gear until a few years ago. This seems to be a recurring theme in the customer testimonials on their web site.
 
#13
I too have actually owned many Carvins, and for the money they are an outstanding steal...it kills me that the resale on them is so terrible. Having said that though, I think the Valenti's are pure bass porn...and as soon as I kick this Spector habit, I will be ordering one. And even though I have only played one Valenti (:bassist:) I believe they are worth the extra $$$.
TimBosby said:
It's a B4. I don't really care for neck-through. And the extra $100.00 for rush delivery seemed worth it at first. It guarantees delivery in 30 days. At first I thought it said it would be up to 4-8 months otherwise. Then I re-read it and it's 4-8 weeks which is only 1-2 months. My bad. Even still, $100 extra isn't that much when you're already spending nearly a grand. And they have 6 month no interest financing on purchases over $1,000.

You guys are right of course - I should keep hunting for a used one.

Valentis look awesome...but are too expensive for me. Base models are over $1,500 it looks like. The most I've ever paid for a bass was $1,000 and that was for my '78 Jazz.
Click to expand...
 
#14
TimBosby said:
That's nice. I'd prefer a double bucker B4 over a double J. But I figured Js would be easier to swap out later if I ever decided to change pickups.
Click to expand...

Actually it's the other way around. There are several MM style aftermarket pickups that are drop in replacements (Nordstrand, Basslines etc) but the Carvin H50s and j99s are tougher to find replacements for because of their size.
 
#17
Interesting. Well maybe if I go the new Carvin route I'll have to convince them to do a double bucker. I have several J basses, one J/H bass, and one double HH bass (my G&L L2000). I have to say in a taste test, the G&L blows the others away in terms of power :)


TheBigO said:
Actually it's the other way around. There are several MM style aftermarket pickups that are drop in replacements (Nordstrand, Basslines etc) but the Carvin H50s and j99s are tougher to find replacements for because of their size.
Click to expand...
 
#18
Yeah good call. I hardly ever de-tune anymore. And if I need to, I have other basses with a de-tuner.

Well that brings us down to $954.00. Still expensive for Carvin's cheapest bass. :hmm:


MNAirHead said:
I'd say nix on the rush fees..

I also own a hipshot on one of my basses.. I do not think I've ever really used it..

If I need to detune I pick up a 5 string... challenge with a Drop D is that it changes the interval.. basically turning the bass into a 3 string with a D Drone.

T.
Click to expand...
 
#19
TheBigO said:
Actually it's the other way around. There are several MM style aftermarket pickups that are drop in replacements (Nordstrand, Basslines etc) but the Carvin H50s and j99s are tougher to find replacements for because of their size.
Click to expand...

I personally haven't found this to be the case. IME, there are plenty of aftermarket options available for Carvin's J-style pickups...as long as one is sure to order them in the dimensions of the Fender Jazz bridge pickup (not the neck pickup), for which the routs on the Carvin bass are a perfect match. :cool:

MM
 
#20
MysticMichael said:
I personally haven't found this to be the case. IME, there are plenty of aftermarket options available for Carvin's J-style pickups...as long as one is sure to order them in the dimensions of the Fender Jazz bridge pickup (not the neck pickup), for which the routs on the Carvin bass are a perfect match. :cool:

MM
Click to expand...

That's right. I knew there was something quirky about them that had to be taken into account, I just couldn't remember what it was.
 

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