"Official" Carvin Club

[aproud1]

Hi guys - Hey do any of you also own an Ibanez SR4 bass that can compare the slim/narrow/thin SR4 necks to Carvin (4 string) necks? I ask because I've always been interested in a Carvin bass providing it has an almost identical (in dimensions) neck to the Ibanez SR4 necks/spacing. The SR4 neck is only 1 7/16" wide with a 7/8" thickness at the nut, and 19mm spacing at bridge. Thanks

My B4 is....
7/8" thick at the first fret
1.60 width at the nut
19 mm spacing at bridge

The nut is wider than your bass but normally being a Jazz bass kind of guy it doesn't feel any bigger to me.

 

[eff-clef]

Hey I had a number and now I don't. I own a B1500 and a B500 and I love them both. Please give me a number. (eff-clef)

 

[JoeBelc]

My Icon

Out of the 5 basses I currently own, this is the one I am always going back to.

 

[chuckjones93]

I finally got my LB76A from a schmuck on eBay. It's in great shape. Except for the forward bow in the neck. The strings are almost 1/4 inch from the neck at the body. It's pretty much unplayable. Well, I've never messed with a truss rod in any instrument I've owned. But I'm not afraid to. The only problem is this one won't move. I can see the shaft of the rod NOT moving as I try to move the nut. I was hoping you more experienced Carvin owners might have some pointers. It's a 1996/7 model. I'll take it to a pro if I have to. But I'd rather not spend the money on that.

 

[buckminster]

My suggestion is to take it to a pro, but I'm always a little cautious when it comes to my gear. Serious neck work will be expensive (having the truss rod replaced, fingerboard planed/leveled), but if done right, it's worth it. I don't know what year that LB76A is from, but my old 1997 LB75A was one of the nicest basses I've ever played. I would put the construction (excepting the electronics) up with any boutique manufacturer's product (Alembic, Pedulla, Zon, etc.) Seriously. So get it taken care of properly.

 

[jwoodplays4u]

I got my red lb70 for a steal on ebay. # por favor?

 

[Laklandlover]

Hey Man,

Can I get a number, I maybe a Lakland Lover but definitely have a LB76WP. serial # 0911. $499 at GC a few months back.

Be Blessed
James

 

[WoodyG3]

Club member update:

WoodyG3: 1
vinxbass: 2
FLWING: 3
Oreomeister365: 4
LiquidMidnight: 5
IconBasser: 6
Cheesewiz: 7
bassrockstar: 8
peterbright: 9
rcubed: 10
silversport: 11
Legend__ : 12
K.Ross: 13
mjolnir : 14
kjpollo: 15
pbasskalas: 16
Mayers: 17
Solarmist: 18
bassistkll: 19
southpaw: 20
Jazzdogg: 21
Supertanker: 22
vinxbass: 23
ThoughtCancer: 24
Basshappi: 25
kaiser sosea: 26
BryanM: 27
MysticMichael: 28
Centralharbor: 29
hockey head: 30
DistortedBass: 31
kazamamaster: 32
rcahill29: 33
RodHutch: 34
danster: 35
Beefbass: 36
lobey: 37
bassrockstar: 38
mgood: 39
joegeezer: 40
Fnord Explorer: 41
fenderphil: 42
Mr. Pickles: 43
Big String: 44
Jimmyplaysabass: 45
::::BASSIST:::: 46
JEDI BASS: 47
wordsmith4u: 48
LAG: 49
Bassman7PM: 50
bfc: 51
van gogh bass: 52
jumbosilverette: 53
DLEE: 54
chuckjones93: 55
aproud1: 56
sasquatchofohio: 57
Bass Viking: 58
Mutant Corn: 59
PilbaraBass: 60
ezstep: 61
Mr Matt: 62
eff-clef: 63
JoeBelc: 64
jwoodplays4u: 65
Laklandlover: 66

 

[west*coast*bass]

Hey all, I have a question...

I have been looking at the Carvin site recently and am interested in possibly taking the Carvin plunge... I am trying to decide between the BB70 or the IC4...

Who can shed some light on these models? And if you guys can chime in on the current electronics I would appreciate it; pros and cons...

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[chuckjones93]

Well, it looks like no one's gonna respond to your question west coast. I only own LB series basses. And they're both older (90's). But I can vouch for Carvin's quality. As far as the electronics go, I've heard they're stock equipment is not as good as some other basses. But then again I'm not a pick up Nazi. I'd love to own an Icon series bass someday. I don't know how anyone could resist that bass.

 

[west*coast*bass]

Thanks...I will be going to the Carvin store in Hollywood today to try a few things out.

 

[Bass Viking]

Hey all, I have a question...

I have been looking at the Carvin site recently and am interested in possibly taking the Carvin plunge... I am trying to decide between the BB70 or the IC4...

Who can shed some light on these models? And if you guys can chime in on the current electronics I would appreciate it; pros and cons...

Thanks in advance.

Mark

I owned a BB75 and currently own an IC4. I think it would come down to which body shape you like better and whether you want rounded body edges (which are not available on the Bunny Brunel). Other than that, you can get the same options on either one. The BB models have the longer upper horn for better balance, but my Icon balances just fine. The Icon has the soapbars which sound great and are versatile. If you want to hear some sound samples, PM me with your email address.

I ordered my BB75 in 2004. It was beautiful, quilted maple top over swamp ash and a birdseye maple fretboard. The asymmetrical neck was very comfy, the bass played great. It had the H50N stacked humbuckers and the 3 band EQ. It sounded good too but I decided it wasn't my tone so I returned it within 10 days. Last night however, I was listening to a recording I'd made of it and it didn't sound bad at all!!! I definitely prefer the electronics on the Icon but I never thought the older electronics sounded bad. Generic maybe, but nothing a bit of EQing couldn't change.

One thing I noticed about both models: because of the short lower horn, when you're playing sitting down it feels like the bass might slip off your leg. Not a huge deal but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[Bass Viking]

Thanks...I will be going to the Carvin store in Hollywood today to try a few things out.

How did your visit go? Sure wish I lived near a Carvin showroom.

I ordered a BRX10.2 neo speaker cab from them yesterday. Should be here next week.

 

[west*coast*bass]

How did your visit go? Sure wish I lived near a Carvin showroom.

I ordered a BRX10.2 neo speaker cab from them yesterday. Should be here next week.

I didn't get a chance to go the other day as my morning session went too long.

I think I am going to go on Monday. I think I can order a BB70 with the soaps and newer preamp. I'll try both and see what sounds better to my ears. As for body style, I really dig the BB model over the Icon. I like the extended upper horn.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Sandman1278]

Sign me up!

 

[west*coast*bass]

Well, I was able to stop by the Carvin store in Hollywood today and was able to check out the differences in the electronics packages in a few basses.

I did not really care for the soapbar pickups, I felt they were a little mid-rangey...and I could not dial it out. The Jazz/MM configuration sounded much better to me - more roundness to the overall tone and I found these pickups to be a bit more musical.

I was very impressed with the piezo bridge pickup - not sure it would work all to well in a live full band situation but I can see this being a great addition when recording.

All in all, I think Carvin makes some pretty killer basses and I can't understand why they don't hold their value.

I can see a Carvin in my future!

 

[PilbaraBass]

Well, I was able to stop by the Carvin store in Hollywood today and was able to check out the differences in the electronics packages in a few basses.

I did not really care for the soapbar pickups, I felt they were a little mid-rangey...and I could not dial it out. The Jazz/MM configuration sounded much better to me - more roundness to the overall tone and I found these pickups to be a bit more musical.

I was very impressed with the piezo bridge pickup - not sure it would work all to well in a live full band situation but I can see this being a great addition when recording.

All in all, I think Carvin makes some pretty killer basses and I can't understand why they don't hold their value.

I can see a Carvin in my future!

+1 on all points

 

[chuckjones93]

I think Carvin basses don't hold their value due to the factory direct aspect. There's no middle man mark up. IMO.

 

[vinxbass]

All in all, I think Carvin makes some pretty killer basses and I can't understand why they don't hold their value.

There's a few reasons why.
1. There are only a few stores that allow someone to go into and try out their guitars and basses.
2. Their mostly custom ordered.
3. Factory direct pricing.
Those are just a few reasons. I think it's too bad that they don't hold their value, of coarse I own a 2007 LB75AP Anniversary and it's a beautiful stick, craftsmanship is exquisite, and I didn't buy it to resell anyway. It's not my #1 bass anymore, that distinction now is held by my '08' MIA Fender Jazz V. It took me 4 months to get the Carvin to sound good in a gigging situation, took the Jazz 2 nights, go figure. Though, thru all of it, Carvin does make a real good product, especially if your looking to buy a used one, your not going to find a better axe for the money than a used Carvin, IMO.

 

[Solarmist]

Well, I was able to stop by the Carvin store in Hollywood today and was able to check out the differences in the electronics packages in a few basses.

All in all, I think Carvin makes some pretty killer basses and I can't understand why they don't hold their value.

I can see a Carvin in my future!

I don't suppose you can take some pics next time you're there, and post them? I would love to see they're guitar/basses showroom, and custom finishes!