"Official" Carvin Club - Part 2

[gumbynotpokey]

Cool, I'll take a look into it. Thanks!

Anyone have any recommendations for tutorials / how-to's on how to clean them?

Go on the Carvin forums and use the search function.

Or start a thread.

Also, call Carvin service and ask Albert. He's the head tech and will give you the straight talk.

I've done that and followed his instructions. Works.

 

[G On Bass]

New one on the way...

I spent a couple of hours at the Hollywood store yesterday and ended up ordering a new bass.

It's an Icon 5PF, unlined fretless, with Piezo and radiused humbuckers (active/passive), in all satin tung-oiled walnut (neck and body). BAsynnetrical neck, Tusq nut, straplocks, chrome hardware.

I really wanted a B25PF, but I really wanted an all-walnut bass. Despite multiple calls farther and farther up the chain, Carvin will apparently not put a Piezo pickup in the standard B25 under any circumstances. So, despite all walnut being an option on the B25S, I would have had to order a full-on B25FP (flame/quilt top included) and have it 'downgraded' to no fancy top, and still pay an extra $100 for the Piezo. That put it several hundred beyond my budget, so I went with an Icon. I am really looking forward to it!

EDIT: Due 4/13/13!

 

[dgce]

A figured claro walnut top on walnut body won't fit the bill? They do that for B25Ps, no? Sounds like a potentially good looking bass.

 

[G On Bass]

A figured claro walnut top on walnut body won't fit the bill? They do that for B25Ps, no? Sounds like a potentially good looking bass.

I'm sure it would be a killer looking bass. But it wasn't worth the extra several hundred dollars for a top that just wasn't in the budget.

 

[WoodyG3]

It's odd that they won't do piezos on the S model. You will love the Icon, though, so no worries!

 

[G On Bass]

It's odd that they won't do piezos on the S model. You will love the Icon, though, so no worries!

Yep. Not worried in the least. Besides, the Icon is one of the few Carvin models I don't/haven't owned!

 

[plong123]

I need a number! After many months of serious Carvin GAS, I bought two in one week!

The first is 3234718's old AC40F which arrived today, and the second one is a fully custom SB5000 that I'm hoping gets here by Easter. I'm also seriously considering buying a Carvin Bolt (Strat) electric guitar kit and building it myself.

Yeah, I've got the bug!

 

[WoodyG3]

plong123 - 286

Welcome. We're going to need some pictures, you know.

 

[Willy Franklin]

Yeah... Another name for that is "Homewrecker Syndrome" which I'm going through right now... Nothing that can't be fixed though...

 

[plong123]

plong123 - 286

Welcome. We're going to need some pictures, you know.

Sure. I (and everyone who I've shown it to) loves this bass. Bought last week from TB classifieds.

 

[Willy Franklin]

Sure. I (and everyone who I've shown it to) loves this bass. Bought last week from TB classifieds.

I SAW it on TB classified a couple weeks ago and passed on it... It's a VERY nice looking bass. Enjoy!!!

 

[Snarf]

Anyone in NYC have a LB75 or IC5 I could try out?

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I'll have another Carvin soon. My BK50A kit just came in. Alder body, Birdseye maple board with MOP diamond inlays and Icon headstock. Body has a nice grain. A local luthier is going to do the finish for me. Still undecided on the color. Either a blue, green or some shade of red.

BnB

 

[basskidd]

Also, call Carvin service and ask Albert. He's the head tech and will give you the straight talk.

That worked better than I could have ever hoped. I've got a new set of electronics on its way to me in the mail, all covered by warranty. I'm filled with a warm fuzzy loyalty to Carvin right now.

PS
Thanks for the advice to call them; I've been putting it off for a little while out of fear that I'd have to send her in...

 

[gumbynotpokey]

That worked better than I could have ever hoped. I've got a new set of electronics on its way to me in the mail, all covered by warranty. I'm filled with a warm fuzzy loyalty to Carvin right now.

PS
Thanks for the advice to call them; I've been putting it off for a little while out of fear that I'd have to send her in...

He's a gem. And for customer service go to Bart.

 

[rbolanos]

so glad to be part of this club!!! loving this bass.

 

[jim777]

Sure. I (and everyone who I've shown it to) loves this bass. Bought last week from TB classifieds.

How are they? I am so tempted to try one but have absolutely no idea what they are like.

 

[jefff100]

so glad to be part of this club!!! loving this bass.

That's mighty fine.... I seriously considered a SB series when they first came out and never acted on it. Bought my first Carvin back last summer of CL .... a solid Koa bodied B4.

Yeah, I know I owe ya'll some photos.

 

[plong123]

How are they? I am so tempted to try one but have absolutely no idea what they are like.

So far, it's amazing. Sounds like a fretless should, nice piezo, lightweight, thin neck, very playable. Only negative I have so far is a little bit of neckdive due to the body being hollow and therefore lightweight. But a nice thick leather strap takes care of even the worst neckdive, so we're good to go! oh, also I got Dunlop straplocks for it, and the extra pieces sometimes vibrate to a high D. Strange, but not a big deal.

If you're itching to try one, there's still a koa version on the TB classifieds that's for sale. Looks like a 10/10.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/carvin-ac40f-semi-acoustic-fretless-954390/

EDIT: It's sold now.

 

[jazz41]

While not totally Carvin, I did use their stuff for some of this Warmoth build. 20 fret Carved Top neck with the ebony board and no inlays. Carvin tuners. Also Carvin knobs.

Link Removed

My next project will be a swamp ash B4 kit with the humbucker.