"Official" Carvin Club - Part 2

[dgce]

Control layout is simple, Vol ( A/P ), Bend, Treble and Bass. No mid pot. They do have one with the mid pot but don't need it with these pickup. I been using Bart's for years now and when I get a bass that suck in tone I'll replace the preamp first then the pickup next with Bart's.

Some basses no matter what you do sound crappy. If I sell the bass later I always include the original. Just remember that the cost of replace may be a lost when time to sell. Me I don't care, if I like the feel of the bass I'll take that chance.

Good to know. How about when you pull up the vol to go in passive mode, do you bypass any tone control all together or do you at least get a passive treb and bass roll off functionality?

Btw, the Bart preeamp I'm thinking about has vol, blend, treb/bass stack and mid push/pull mid cut knob. I know you prefer 2 band, but are you familiar with this Bart pre?

 

[bass4worship]

Good to know. How about when you pull up the vol to go in passive mode, do you bypass any tone control all together or do you at least get a passive treb and bass roll off functionality?

Btw, the Bart preeamp I'm thinking about has vol, blend, treb/bass stack and mid push/pull mid cut knob. I know you prefer 2 band, but are you familiar with this Bart pre?

When you pull up on the Vol. for passive no tone pot function. I have the mid stack in my BB75. It a killer only because that bass has Zon Bart's in it. What bass are you trying to change? If the bass is missing something in tone that what need improving on. My bass was lacking lows and had good mids and highs so all I was looking to do is help the lows.

Since the XB was 18 volts the Bart's preamp gave me another 6db increase in lows. Feel free to ask if you need any help. If you go to photonbucket you can see see of my other basses I modified.

 

[bass4worship]

I tell you why I like Bartolini stuff. I was looking to get a dark but warn tone from a cheap bass I bought when I switch over to gospel music. It sounded so bad I was going to Burn it. So I took a chance and spend about $150. On the upgrade and I was forever hook on Bart's pickups and preamps. The bass came alive and I kept it a few years until I could afford something nicer.

 

[jeff7bass]

Dude, that's nice! I have a blueburst Carvin as well, I love the color. I know what you mean about the contour. They really get all the angles just right. What's puzzling me, however, is your camera... it's taking pictures from the past! Freaking me out here, man! LOL

Wasssuppp? You're cracking me up! I took a pic with my digital camera, then used my USB connector to download it to my PC, then I had to re-size it for TB, then I uploaded it!

Old school my man.

 

[dgce]

I tell you why I like Bartolini stuff. I was looking to get a dark but warn tone from a cheap bass I bought when I switch over to gospel music. It sounded so bad I was going to Burn it. So I took a chance and spend about $150. On the upgrade and I was forever hook on Bart's pickups and preamps. The bass came alive and I kept it a few years until I could afford something nicer.

I simply lack the eloquence to explain what's missing from my Bromberg B24S (humbuckers). The tone isn’t bad but it's lacking something. I now know the problem is that the humbuckers are married to the ICON preamp and that the "magic" tone I was looking for would likely be found in the single coil RJ2s with the proper Bromberg preamp. Too late now!

I can tell you that I have a G&L ASAT bass that's almost 15 years old. I only play it in passive mode. Those pickups are blood thirsty. The humbuckers on that monster has a crispness, clarity, and authoritative thump that my Carvin just doesn't have. How I wish I had the amazing playability of the Carvin B24S (wonderful neck!) with the tone of the G&L. Oh well...

Then your post pointed out the obvious - SWAP OUT THE PREAMP YA DOPE! There have been countless stories of Carvin players who swapped out the electronics, often with Bartolinis, and fell in love with their bass. Maybe this is the solution for me as well.

BTW, where is this Photobucket of your modded basses that you speak of, sir? Love to have a look.

 

[unclejane]

I simply lack the eloquence to explain what's missing from my Bromberg B24S (humbuckers). The tone isn’t bad but it's lacking something. I now know the problem is that the humbuckers are married to the ICON preamp and that the "magic" tone I was looking for would likely be found in the single coil RJ2s with the proper Bromberg preamp. Too late now!

I finally ordered a B25S yesterday with the humbucker option, so presumeably I'll be able to contribute data on this in a couple months.

BB himself commented on how they did the pickups either in this thread or another B24/25 specific thread, can't remember.

But he said he intentionally chose the existing electronics package from the Icon series for the humbucker option, rather than develop a whole new one. The idea being since it already works, don't fix it. I guess that means they only modified the pickups (the radiused faces) for the humbuckers. The BB custom electronics and the brighter, sharper sound you apparently only get with the single coil option, since that's his signature tone and so that's where extra redesign effort went.

I went with fretless and the humbuckers because I actually hope for the Carvin velvety sound. If it sounds like an FL Icon that's kind of what I want lol. Part of what took my decision to finally get one 6 months was the singles vs humbucker decision. I finally decided I'd prefer it if it actually came out sounding more like an FL Carvin humbucker bass like my Bunnies. I almost never need a single-coil sound; even my jazz bass has humbuckers in it....

But anyway, should be interesting. Mine's totally plain jane except for a 5 piece neck, so maybe it won't take them the full 2 months to build? I can hope anyway...

LS

 

[dgce]

I finally ordered a B25S yesterday with the humbucker option, so presumeably I'll be able to contribute data on this in a couple months.

BB himself commented on how they did the pickups either in this thread or another B24/25 specific thread, can't remember.

But he said he intentionally chose the existing electronics package from the Icon series for the humbucker option, rather than develop a whole new one. The idea being since it already works, don't fix it. I guess that means they only modified the pickups (the radiused faces) for the humbuckers. The BB custom electronics and the brighter, sharper sound you apparently only get with the single coil option, since that's his signature tone and so that's where extra redesign effort went.

I went with fretless and the humbuckers because I actually hope for the Carvin velvety sound. If it sounds like an FL Icon that's kind of what I want lol. Part of what took my decision to finally get one 6 months was the singles vs humbucker decision. I finally decided I'd prefer it if it actually came out sounding more like an FL Carvin humbucker bass like my Bunnies. I almost never need a single-coil sound; even my jazz bass has humbuckers in it....

But anyway, should be interesting. Mine's totally plain jane except for a 5 piece neck, so maybe it won't take them the full 2 months to build? I can hope anyway...

LS

If you're getting a fretless, then I suspect you'll be soloing that bridge pickup quite a bit. If so, then humbuckers is probably the way to go. But in my case, my Bromberg is fretted and the tone in my head is probably more aligned with his single coil/BB preamp setup. This is the one hitch if you go mail order, you can't try these axes out and compare. Still, it's a very good bass with very good tone. However with a little tweaking, this could be a great bass.

 

[unclejane]

If you're getting a fretless, then I suspect you'll be soloing that bridge pickup quite a bit. If so, then humbuckers is probably the way to go. But in my case, my Bromberg is fretted and the tone in my head is probably more aligned with his single coil/BB preamp setup. This is the one hitch if you go mail order, you can't try these axes out and compare. Still, it's a very good bass with very good tone. However with a little tweaking, this could be a great bass.

In fact, I wish there was a just-bridge-PU option lol. I've had basses where the neck PU quit working at all and I didn't realize it for months (till I hit the switch by accident). I don't remember the last time I used the neck PU's in my Bunnies for example, the pan pot is almost permanently turned towards the bridge on both of them.

But my goal with the BB is to try to trim my herd. Returning to playing more frequently my ergos have changed again. So I'm again looking for something more ergonomic (being old and injured sucks lol). That way I can trim it all down to just one good 5 string FL and my Jazz bass for fretted.

Actually my BB76 has the ideal tone so I'm hoping the B25S comes close to it. Then I can sell off all this other stuff I have.

The single-coil sound of the B24/25 that I've heard on BB's albums, videos, etc. is a really really sharp and agressive jazz bass type tone without the FMIC jazz bass blahs, for sure (modulo my MP jazz bass of course, which hardly sounds like a JB lol). So it really achieves a goal there. If that's the type of tone that's needed, the single-coil option is the way to go....

LS

 

[dgce]

In fact, I wish there was a just-bridge-PU option lol. I've had basses where the neck PU quit working at all and I didn't realize it for months (till I hit the switch by accident). I don't remember the last time I used the neck PU's in my Bunnies for example, the pan pot is almost permanently turned towards the bridge on both of them.

But my goal with the BB is to try to trim my herd. Returning to playing more frequently my ergos have changed again. So I'm again looking for something more ergonomic (being old and injured sucks lol). That way I can trim it all down to just one good 5 string FL and my Jazz bass for fretted.

Actually my BB76 has the ideal tone so I'm hoping the B25S comes close to it. Then I can sell off all this other stuff I have.

The single-coil sound of the B24/25 that I've heard on BB's albums, videos, etc. is a really really sharp and agressive jazz bass type tone without the FMIC jazz bass blahs, for sure (modulo my MP jazz bass of course, which hardly sounds like a JB lol). So it really achieves a goal there. If that's the type of tone that's needed, the single-coil option is the way to go....

LS

A single pickup Carvin? How about this BB70.

As for B. Bromberg, agreed, his bass sounds very sharp and aggressive in his demo video clips. However the tone from my B24S humbucker bass seems closer in tone to that other BB Carvin guy (Bunny).

The truth is, it's really hard to gauge what these basses will sound like via these Carvin demo clips. Bromberg, Seko, Bunny; come on, they all sound amazing. And let's face it, a baseball bat with strings and a pickup will sound good in their hands. I find that I watch and listen to these clips more to just see these guys kick some butt on bass than to get an idea of what their instrument sounds like. Of course I appreciate all those Carvin clips and they do give us some idea of the tonal possibilities of their instruments. However, there are so many variables in the mix, who really knows what these basses will sound like in your hands through your rig.

Well good luck with that B25S. If the five-string neck is nearly as good as the four-string neck, you'll love it for that alone!

 

[bass4worship]

BTW, where is this Photobucket of your modded basses that you speak of, sir? Love to have a look.

Go here: http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bass4w123/media/My Basses/DSCF2684.jpg.html?sort=2&o=37 and
http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bass4w123/library/?sort=2&page=1

 

[WoodyG3]

Dgce, if you are thinking of trading out the preamp, why not go ahead and put the Bromberg single coils in with the Bromberg pre? It seems like that's what you were really looking for in the first place. I really doubt that a preamp change with the same soap bar pickups will be the answer you are looking for. The preamp can't totally change the inherent tone of the pickups. Just my opinion, of course.

BTW, I agree about clips being only of limited help in picking out a bass. I tend to play with a mellower attack than most people, and I spend a lot of time plucking over the neck pickup. Very few demos have people playing in my typical style.

 

[unclejane]

A single pickup Carvin? How about this BB70.

Whoa... how'd you manage that?

As for B. Bromberg, agreed, his bass sounds very sharp and aggressive in his demo video clips. However the tone from my B24S humbucker bass seems closer in tone to that other BB Carvin guy (Bunny).

Really... that's actually reassuring since that's ultimately the tone I'm going for. if it sounds like my Bunny 6, in fact, that would be absolutely ideal.

The truth is, it's really hard to gauge what these basses will sound like via these Carvin demo clips. Bromberg, Seko, Bunny; come on, they all sound amazing. And let's face it, a baseball bat with strings and a pickup will sound good in their hands.

Well, I dunno. My musicianship and technique is about at the level of your average marmoset, but when even I play my Bunny 4 it sounds _exactly_ like Bunny Brunel, I $$$$ you not. In fact, it can be almost what I might not want at a particular time because it sounds so much like his tone. Mine doesn't have the hard as nails finish on the board and the strings are rounds, but even at that it _really_ sounds like him. It's almost too successful as a signature bass. Shame I can't _play_ that way, but I definitely get that sound with the 4 string.

I find that I watch and listen to these clips more to just see these guys kick some butt on bass than to get an idea of what their instrument sounds like. Of course I appreciate all those Carvin clips and they do give us some idea of the tonal possibilities of their instruments. However, there are so many variables in the mix, who really knows what these basses will sound like in your hands through your rig.

Well good luck with that B25S. If the five-string neck is nearly as good as the four-string neck, you'll love it for that alone!

The neck is the part I don't know anything about and why I thought about it vs the Bunny 5 with the asymmetrical neck for about 800 years before I ordered the B25. I've played asymmetrical profiles before and they're extremely comfortable.

So I'll see in a couple months I guess.

LS

 

[plong123]

Wasssuppp? You're cracking me up! I took a pic with my digital camera, then used my USB connector to download it to my PC, then I had to re-size it for TB, then I uploaded it!

Old school my man.

I don't claim to be Doc Brown, but somewhere in that process, the flux capacitor kicked in and sent the pictures back in time 5 years. Heavy!

 

[dgce]

Dgce, if you are thinking of trading out the preamp, why not go ahead and put the Bromberg single coils in with the Bromberg pre? It seems like that's what you were really looking for in the first place. I really doubt that a preamp change with the same soap bar pickups will be the answer you are looking for. The preamp can't totally change the inherent tone of the pickups. Just my opinion, of course.

BTW, I agree about clips being only of limited help in picking out a bass. I tend to play with a mellower attack than most people, and I spend a lot of time plucking over the neck pickup. Very few demos have people playing in my typical style.

I had been thinking about that all along. But I didn't pull the trigger because I first wanted to get a B25S. I figured if I liked the tone of the Bromberg 5 with singles and his pre, then I could later update my B24S with the same setup. On the other hand, if a Bart pre with the existing humbucking pickups in my B24S could do the trick for only $150-$160; then why not give that a whirl? Plus, I wouldn't have the single coil hum.

As you can see, I'm all over the place. I'm just soaking up ideas here.

 

[dgce]

Whoa... how'd you manage that?

LS

I remembered this bass from the Carvin Museum and lifted the image from there. I also recall a single MM humbucker equipped Carvin for sale at Bass Northwest. For the life of me I can't remember if it was a XB75 or BB75 but it had a clear flame maple top, the MM pickup, one vol, and that's it! This was a few years ago. I was intrigued by that bass but the limited tonal flexibility scared me off. Sure looked cool, though!

 

[G On Bass]

I went with fretless and the humbuckers because I actually hope for the Carvin velvety sound. If it sounds like an FL Icon that's kind of what I want lol. Part of what took my decision to finally get one 6 months was the singles vs humbucker decision. I finally decided I'd prefer it if it actually came out sounding more like an FL Carvin humbucker bass like my Bunnies. I almost never need a single-coil sound; even my jazz bass has humbuckers in

The radiused HB w/the Icon pre are great for fretess. I love mine.

In fact, I wish there was a just-bridge-PU option lol.

You can order bassed unrouted from Carvin and they will include the elctronics unistalled. The only issue here is that the preamp is pre-configured w/blend knob, so installing only one pickup will necesitate a permanent rolling of the blend knob. Or you could look at it as an on-board mute button....

Dgce, if you are thinking of trading out the preamp, why not go ahead and put the Bromberg single coils in with the Bromberg pre? It seems like that's what you were really looking for in the first place. I really doubt that a preamp change with the same soap bar pickups will be the answer you are looking for. The preamp can't totally change the inherent tone of the pickups. Just my opinion, of course.

+1

 

[dgce]

Go here: http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bass4w123/media/My Basses/DSCF2684.jpg.html?sort=2&o=37 and
http://s9.photobucket.com/user/bass4w123/library/?sort=2&page=1

Wow, quite the collection! Nice.

Okay, another Bart preamp question.

I THINK the pre I have my eye on is powered by a single 9volt battery. And of course the stock Carvin pre is 18volts. Can the Bart be powered by 18volts or must one battery be disabled. And if the Bart can be powered by 18volts, will this actually give me more tonal headroom?

Thanks!

 

[dgce]

The radiused HB w/the Icon pre are great for fretess. I love mine.



You can order bassed unrouted from Carvin and they will include the elctronics unistalled. The only issue here is that the preamp is pre-configured w/blend knob, so installing only one pickup will necesitate a permanent rolling of the blend knob. Or you could look at it as an on-board mute button....



+1

Gratful & Woody,

Well you guys are far more knowledgeable about Carvin electronics than myself. Sounds like Swapping out my B24S humbckers and ICON preamp for RJ2s and the Bromberg preamp will make the most sense. I thought the Bartolini pre might be an easier and cost effective alternative to swapping out everything. I do appreciate the feedback.

Maybe I just need to cut the crapola and order that damn B25S with RJ2s once and for all. Then I can A/B test it with my current B24S and decide for myself what's hot and what's not. Besides, any excuse to buy a new Carvin is a good excuse, no?

 

[bass4worship]

Wow, quite the collection! Nice.

Okay, another Bart preamp question.

I THINK the pre I have my eye on is powered by a single 9volt battery. And of course the stock Carvin pre is 18volts. Can the Bart be powered by 18volts or must one battery be disabled. And if the Bart can be powered by 18volts, will this actually give me more tonal headroom?

Thanks!

All Bart's preamp can use 18 volts too. Unless stated. Yes you will gain 6db.

 

[dgce]

All Bart's preamp can use 18 volts too. Unless stated. Yes you will gain 6db.

Hmmm.... decisions decisions. Thanks!