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New Carvin - worth it?

#42
It came out to around $1500 for a very cool J bass - plus it would be fun. Something to think about.
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And sell for about $400-$600 if you can find a buyer. The problem with Warmoth is it's a lot like one of these Asian Noodle places where you build it yourself. You end up putting everything in your bowl and it ends up tasting like sh@&t!~ vs something you could have ordered off the menu.
 
#43
I don't have a Carvin bass, but I have a Carvin guitar, and I love it (and I own many guitars). It's sitting in my office right now since I have a rehearsal is a couple of hours.

Mine is Crimson Red, but on mahogany. The color was my only compliant of the build since I was expecting a deeper tone.
 
#45
I'm thinking of crimson red translucent on maple. I expect sort of a blood red...not candy apple, but not burgundy. Is that a fair assumption?


Lefty Geek said:
I don't have a Carvin bass, but I have a Carvin guitar, and I love it (and I own many guitars). It's sitting in my office right now since I have a rehearsal is a couple of hours.

Mine is Crimson Red, but on mahogany. The color was my only compliant of the build since I was expecting a deeper tone.
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#47
fivestringgecko said:
That's exactly the situation I'm in. I've been eyeballing Carvin's stuff for years and I really want an Icon (I've got it all spec'd out and everything), but just can't seem to work up the nerve since I can't play one... :hmm:
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I hear ya. My Icon is a great bass but I can't say if it's for you or not. However, if you put together a Warmoth Gecko you're probably the adventurous type. Go for it!
 
#48
Quick question for you Carvin heads out there. If you select the option "TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck" and "PH - Headstock To Match Body Color" on a bolt-on bass.... I assume they only match the FRONT of the headstock to the body color?

I want the back of the neck and the back of the headstock to be natural wood color. But the front of the headstock to be red like the body. Am I doing this right? I just don't want to be stock in a situation where the front AND back of the headstock are red...and so when you look at it from the back, you see a red headstock bleeding into a natural wood colored neck... ugh...
 
#49
TimBosby said:
Quick question for you Carvin heads out there. If you select the option "TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck" and "PH - Headstock To Match Body Color" on a bolt-on bass.... I assume they only match the FRONT of the headstock to the body color?

I want the back of the neck and the back of the headstock to be natural wood color. But the front of the headstock to be red like the body. Am I doing this right? I just don't want to be stock in a situation where the front AND back of the headstock are red...and so when you look at it from the back, you see a red headstock bleeding into a natural wood colored neck... ugh...
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AFAIK, they only color-match the front. You should doublecheck that point when you go to order it and re-emphasize to your order-taker that you only want the front color-matched.
I'd love to order an LB-70 with a quilted top and that gorgeous dragonburst finish--YUMMY! BUT, my budget says otherwise! Oh well, what can you do?

I hope you get the bass of your dreams!
 
#50
Per Don Lithgow at Carvin, they won't do a double bucker B4. Do you remember who you talked to, and how much extra it cost you? :hmm:

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.
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#51
Tim,

I myself think about ordering a new Carvin every now and then. That last one, I bought from you played fantastic...I just could not get used to that finish!

I ended up selling it and getting my money back though, so resale wasn't so bad to me in that case.

Let me know what you decide!
 
#53
TimBosby said:
Per Don Lithgow at Carvin, they won't do a double bucker B4. Do you remember who you talked to, and how much extra it cost you? :hmm:
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I want to say it was either a $30 or a $50 upcharge but if it's important I could go into my filing cabinet and grab the receipt when I get home. I can't remember who I talked to. At the time I didn't realize it was an odd request.

Later, per TBer (and former Carvin sales rep) mgood told me that they normally didn't take double bucker orders on a B4 and when they did, the guys on the line would have a conniption fit.
 
#54
Naw the double bucker isn't that big a deal. Matter of fact, I think the H50s or whatever they're called are actually "stacked" humbuckers in a jazz style casing.

This thread is making me want a new Carvin more than ever. But first I have to sell this bass and possibly some other stuff as well.
 
#55
Some stuff of mine finally sold so I think I'm going to pull the trigger. Here are the amended specs, based on recommendations in this thread:

B4
Right Handed - $669.00

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
HC17 - ABS Hardshell Bass Case $0.00

Guitar Total: $954.00
Shipping: $29.00
Total: $983.00
 
#59
I could be wrong about this, but I thought Crimson Red was an optional translucent color when you opted for a flamed maple top.

You may already know this, but it will look fairly different on the darker alder.

I've seen a few basses with gold hardware where it looks sharp, but I agree that black might look better for yours.

MikeBass, thanks I dig that bass too.
 

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