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Old Carvin basses: SB40, SB60, LB50

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by zac2944, Nov 22, 2005.

  1. Nov 22, 2005 #1
    zac2944

    zac2944

    Dec 28, 2004
    Rochester, NY
    Last week I want to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (a must see if you like old-school soul, www.daptonerecords.com), and the bass player (Bosco Man) was using an old Carvin SB40 into an Ampeg SVT. He had really huge and deep bass tone, almost like a dub-type tone. I though it sounded great.

    Does anyone have any experience with these old Carvins? Do SB's ever come up for sale? Do they have a "vintage" price tag or are they cheap?

    I've seen LB50's come up on the bay before, are they anything like the SB's? I read on the Carvin Museum web site that the SB's used Hofner necks, that must add to the tone somewhat.

    Please share you experiences with these basses.
     
    mikewalker and Rattman like this.
  2. Nov 22, 2005 #2
    deepestend

    deepestend Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 21, 2003
    Brooklyn via Austin and NOLA
    Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
    Oh man, mind meld. I saw Sharon Jones last weekend and was wondering the same thing. Bosco got a great tone from his old Carvin. I'm really interested in knowing more.
     
    Rattman likes this.
  3. Nov 22, 2005 #3
    zac2944

    zac2944

    Dec 28, 2004
    Rochester, NY
    Nice. I cought the Boston show on Thursday.

    Dap Tone Records is putting out the greatest music these days. Check out any of their band and you won't be disappointed. I'm surprised more people don't know about these bands, they are amazing. (if old R&B is you thing)

    I ran into Bosco after the gig and talked with him for a minute about his sound. He didn't have too much to say. I don't think he likes to get all geeked-out about gear. In that type of band with that type of image you can't. It's all about cool, and that's just how his bass sounds.

    His bass is a 70's Carvin SB40, and the strings are round wounds that he told me were on the bass when he got it. That's where the tone is. It's in those old dirty strings. That night Bosco used an Ampeg SVT and 15" cab. I have also seen him use an old Fender bass amp, but I'm not sure what year/type.

    I really want to try one of those old Carvins. I've never seen one in a store though.
     
  4. Nov 22, 2005 #4
    deepestend

    deepestend Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 21, 2003
    Brooklyn via Austin and NOLA
    Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
    I'd like to try it out too... it's cool that it's a medium/short scale.

    I would need to try before I'd buy-- I'd be worried that it would weight a ton. I wonder if I'd change out the pickups too.
     
  5. Nov 22, 2005 #5
    wyleeboxer

    wyleeboxer

    Apr 28, 2005
    Orange County, CA
    well Im deciding if I should go back to the old pup's in my 78 LB50, its loaded with emg's right now. I wish someone had some idea of what this bass sounded like with the old pups in it? Were they guitar pups with a thin sound? thanks for any info. By the way as far as construction this bass is one solid instrument!
     
  6. Jul 3, 2006 #6
    Rattman

    Rattman

    Jul 3, 2006
    Orange County, Ca. USA
    Hello Zac!

    Looking for an old Carvin bass eh? They are rather uncommon to find regardless of what people may say about Carvins: "they look great, fun to play, and after about a year, everyone gets rid of them" ha ha ha! I bought my Carvin SB60 brand-new from the catalog in 1975. That same bass will be heired to my son when I pass on! I'll NEVER sell that beautiful, eastern-maple, Hofner-necked bass. I really hope you will be able to locate one. :D
     
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  7. Jul 3, 2006 #7
    Super Dwarf

    Super Dwarf

    Jun 10, 2006
    maryland, baltimore
    this is off topic but thanks for the link to some great music. listening to a clip of Sugarman Three right now, awesome.
     
  8. Jul 3, 2006 #8
    lwoc

    lwoc

    Apr 8, 2005
    Rattman said it well. I found my 80s LB76 (fretless with Fret marker lines) used in a Tampa area music store when I was traveling. I also own a Warwick Altus 5 string and a Michael Kelly acoustic 5 string, and have owned Fender Jazz, Gibson EBO, Tacoma, Ibanez and quite a few other basses in recent years.
    Every good bass has a place in music, but my Carvin is my heart and soul connection to the best music I've ever played. This one was built in the days when they used only 2 tone pots instead of 3, but is as versatile and beautiful as anything I've ever played.
    Get a great Carvin and let it become a musical inspiration!
     
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  9. Jul 3, 2006 #9
    lug

    lug Supporting Member

    Feb 11, 2005
    League City, Tx
    Mine
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Jul 3, 2006 #10
    BIGBEE

    BIGBEE

    May 27, 2006
    hi i have an 1986 LB 60 IN KOA WITH GOLD HARDWARE not only is it bootiful it rattles the rafters, grab one if you can, they sound great!!!! cheers.
     
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  11. May 6, 2017 #11
    Rattman

    Rattman

    Jul 3, 2006
    Orange County, Ca. USA
    I apologize for the 'slight' delay, Iwoc (11 years!) but nevertheless, I do concur with your post. I hope you're still active on the board occasionally. I'm still loving this '75 Carvin SB60 I bought right after talking to Jerry Peek of '3PM' about his in Raleigh, N.C. during that same year.
    . .
     
    zac2944 likes this.
  12. May 6, 2017 #12
    mtdkingstonheir

    mtdkingstonheir

    May 14, 2009
    In the woods
    Love my '92-'93 LB70 all KOA - I'm a big fan of Carvin.
     
  13. May 9, 2017 #13
    zac2944

    zac2944

    Dec 28, 2004
    Rochester, NY
    Zombie thread.
     
  14. Mar 29, 2020 #14
    pataspeladas

    pataspeladas

    Mar 28, 2020
    hi, im shearching the model of this bass, i look up the museum of carvin instruments but i cant find him, may be someone knows where i can find it or knows what model it is
    thanks deluze 3.jpg
     
  15. Mar 29, 2020 #15
    murph7489

    murph7489

    Nov 9, 2017
    Hornell NY / myrtle beach SC
    go to the kiesel / carvin group someone in there may know...
     
  16. Mar 29, 2020 #16
    mikewalker

    mikewalker Supporting Member

    Jul 30, 2017
    Canada, Eh!
    I've been getting the Carvin catalogs since the mid-70s, and I don't think they ever used a Jazz Bass body shape...