• 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 model from Carvin - retro

#83
BigOldHarry said:
what was your take on the 500? I'm not looking to replace my Ashdown anytime soon, but a nice portable small gig head might be good to have...
Click to expand...

I'll bite on your off-topic question. :D

I didn't play for very long. I was trying to hear what it sounded like with the drive cranked. I wish it got dirtier. I preferred the simpler EQ controls in comparison to the BX1200. If didn't have so many amps I'd buy one in the 15" loaded combo. If they do come out with the 1000 version then I'll sell my 1200 and get that.
 
#87
I just ordered one. I wanted to keep it reasonably affordable so that I felt like I was getting a good deal. No fancy wood or finishes but I got what I wanted. Alder with a transparent purple finish, white pearloid pg, white pearl-top knobs, birdseye fretboard without dots and a purple birdseye headstock. Went active on this one and added the hipshot detuner. Should be pretty in purple and white. With case and shipping ran me just a bit over $1,100.

I believe there is a 4-7 week build time. Here are the options I ordered:

Custom Order Guitar
$ 799.00 - SB4000 - 4-String Bolt-Neck Jazz Bass
Right Hand
$ 0.00 - -
$ 0.00 - -
$ 60.00 - AC - Active/Passive Electronics
$ 25.00 - TP - Translucent Purple
$ 0.00 - -CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -MA - Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard)
$ 20.00 - BMPH - Birdseye Maple (Matches Body Finish)
$ 0.00 - -SBH - SB-Style Inline Bass Headstock (Standard)
$ 30.00 - BMF - Birdseye Maple Fingerboard
$ 0.00 - NIN - No Top Inlays - Side Dots Only
$ 0.00 - -FR - Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -R12 - 12in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -H50A - H50A Stacked Humbuckers (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -H50BLK - Black Pickups
$ 0.00 - BL - Black Logo
$ 0.00 - -4011 - Nickel Roundwound .040 .060 .080 .100
$ 10.00 - PK - Metal Knobs w/ White Pearl Inlays
$ 10.00 - SL - Dunlop Straplocks
$ 40.00 - HS - Hipshot Bass Detuner
$ 15.00 - WP - White Pearloid Pickguard
$ 69.00 - HC8W - Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case

--------------------------------------------------------------
$ 29.00 - Shipping & Handling
$ 0.00 - Tax
$ 1,107.00 - Your Order Total
--------------------------------------------------------------
 
#88
WoodyG3 said:
Those of you who don't like the headstock, remember that there are other headstock options for just a few extra bucks.
Click to expand...

For me it's not the headstock (which someone was dead-on as referring it as the old-school Hamer reverse headstocks) but the up-swung upper-horn. It absolutely killer the design of the front horns on the body of the bass, and is something I simply can't get over. I'm glad to hear a 5-string is in the works, but 5-strings combined with the "limitations" of a 20-fret neck is an interesting combination to have, and we'll see how that pans out - IMO the vast majority of 5-string builders and players use at least 21 to 22 frets.

What I'd truly kill for, however, would be an bolt-on version of the Icon design. I don't think it'll happen as Carvin hypes their N/T designs so much I believe they think it's a better neck joint as opposed to simply a different one, but tt seems like the body design would support a design change to a bolt-on neck, and that's the Carvin body I thinks is the most unique, current for the times, and generally "works" the best currently. Call it the "Icon-B", lower the cost a few hundred dollars (which I'd promptly put back into the bass in options ;) ) but still have it as their "high-end bolt-on bass" and I'd honestly consider spending upwards of $1,500 on a Carvin given all the wood choices they have for a quite reasonable price. This is what I worked up for my nonexistent Carvin Icon Bolt:

IC5P Right-Handed P (Piezo) Series (Hipshot A-Style Bridge with Piezo Elements in Saddles): $1,289.00
  • SM4: Flamed Spalted Maple Top: $140
  • ASH: Maple Neck/Swamp Ash Body: $30
  • CG: Clear Gloss Finish (Standard): $0
  • 5MW: Maple Neck w/ 2 Walnut Stripes: $100
  • NS: Neck Covered By Optional Top Wood: $40
  • CSN: Clean Satin Finish Back Of Neck (Natural Wood): $50
  • RIN - Reverse Inline Headstock: $30
  • SMPH: Flamed Spalted Maple Headstock: $30
  • BMF: Birdseye Maple Fretboard: $30
  • AB: Abalone Block Inlays: $80
  • STF: Stainless Steel Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W: $40
  • R14: 14 inch Fretboard Radius (Standard): $0
  • SP2: 2 Soapbar Pickups: $0
  • BC: Black Hardware: $30
  • STS: Stainless Steel Med Light Strings: $5
  • ABL: Abalone Logo: $30
  • SL: Dunlop Straplocks: $10
  • HS: Hipshot Bass Detuner: $40
  • HC8: Black Tolex Hardshell Bass Case: $69
  • Bass Total: $2,043
 
#90
BassDudeSA said:
I just ordered one. I wanted to keep it reasonably affordable so that I felt like I was getting a good deal. No fancy wood or finishes but I got what I wanted. Alder with a transparent purple finish, white pearloid pg, white pearl-top knobs, birdseye fretboard without dots and a purple birdseye headstock. Went active on this one and added the hipshot detuner. Should be pretty in purple and white. With case and shipping ran me just a bit over $1,100.

I believe there is a 4-7 week build time. Here are the options I ordered:

Custom Order Guitar
$ 799.00 - SB4000 - 4-String Bolt-Neck Jazz Bass
Right Hand
$ 0.00 - -
$ 0.00 - -
$ 60.00 - AC - Active/Passive Electronics
$ 25.00 - TP - Translucent Purple
$ 0.00 - -CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -MA - Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard)
$ 20.00 - BMPH - Birdseye Maple (Matches Body Finish)
$ 0.00 - -SBH - SB-Style Inline Bass Headstock (Standard)
$ 30.00 - BMF - Birdseye Maple Fingerboard
$ 0.00 - NIN - No Top Inlays - Side Dots Only
$ 0.00 - -FR - Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -R12 - 12in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -H50A - H50A Stacked Humbuckers (Standard)
$ 0.00 - -H50BLK - Black Pickups
$ 0.00 - BL - Black Logo
$ 0.00 - -4011 - Nickel Roundwound .040 .060 .080 .100
$ 10.00 - PK - Metal Knobs w/ White Pearl Inlays
$ 10.00 - SL - Dunlop Straplocks
$ 40.00 - HS - Hipshot Bass Detuner
$ 15.00 - WP - White Pearloid Pickguard
$ 69.00 - HC8W - Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case

--------------------------------------------------------------
$ 29.00 - Shipping & Handling
$ 0.00 - Tax
$ 1,107.00 - Your Order Total
--------------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...


Should be sick! I think the somewhat funky take on a classic design really lends itself to non-traditional color schemes. Be sure to post pics asap!
 
#91
Haven't had the chance to look as I can't figure out how to get past the catalog's adhesive appliques.

J/K! As always, Carvin has the knack for displaying a model exactly as I would order it...Ash body, red PG, white pup covers, etc.

Riis
 
#94
Ian Perge said:
For me it's not the headstock (which someone was dead-on as referring it as the old-school Hamer reverse headstocks) but the up-swung upper-horn. It absolutely killer the design of the front horns on the body of the bass, and is something I simply can't get over.
Click to expand...

I actually like the differences between this Carvin and the traditional Jazz design. I play either a variety of nice 5-strings or a variety of 4-string Fender Jazz basses. I really would not have been interested in this one if it had been the same exact body design, or at least very close to it as most other companies do when they design their Jazz clones, so the differences in horn shape was the difference I needed. In otherwords, sure the Jazz can be the inspiration, but it is not a Jazz, and I just don't like the idea of playing any other brand that looks just like the Fender, but isn't a Fender (Squier is OK though of course). So I'm all for the horn design on this Carvin, without it, or at least something straying from the original, I would not have made the purchase.
 
#98
Congrats, BassDudeSA.

I like this thing more every time I see the pictures. And that's a bold and interesting finish you chose. I think it's going to be a real head-turner. Well done.

If I hadn't already ordered an LB20 3 weeks ago, I'm not sure I wouldn't have ordered one of these, if I had known about them.

I'm really looking forward to hearing about it. :hyper:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back