Should I sell or should I keep...

[svlilioukalani]

I would keep the bass. That looks like a nice bass, and you put it together. If it plays good, and its super light, keep it. 5 strings that are that light are few and far between. A new pickup should be less than $200. Used Carvin basses bring ridiculously low prices on the used market. To get a comparable bass you like will still cost you $200 more than you can sell this one for.

I live with the regret of selling off a few basses I loved. And I have compensated for it by buying a ton of other basses. I would like to save you from these feelings. It's easy to change the tone with new electronics. If this bass feels good in your hands, keep it. Trust me on this. I am a serious bass player, with 38 basses right now. I know basses.

 

[el murdoque]

I would advise to keep the bass.
Reasons:
1. You don't have a replacement. It's the only 5er in your arsenal and you never know when you join a gig where a 5 is asked for.
2. You are not done with the bass. When you feel seller's remorse even before someone took it off your hands, how bad must it feel to actually sell it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The one bass I really regret selling was my 79’ Ric, not because it was the best sounding or playing bass I ever owned, but because I had an emotional attachment to it, and felt that sellers remorse before, during, and after the sale. The fact that you built it either means you have that attachment, or not. Picture it gone and see how your gut reacts, not your head.

 

[GroovyBaby]

This has been a helpful therapy session! I’m still undecided because I feel like I don’t play it enough to keep it but selling my only 5 string without a replacement somehow seems wrong. Do I need a 5? I hear people say “you may get a gig where you need a 5” but this has never happened to me. I play with friends locally and they will certainly give me their opinion but hey aren’t going to tell me what to play. That said, if I don’t have a 5er, I’ll likely want one in the future. I could keep this until I find a 5er I like better. Getting one that is 8 lbs won’t be easy and that is a good reason to consider keeping it, especially since it plays nice.
Question, will fret clank be less noticeable if I change to hum cancelling pickups like the Dimarzio Area Js? I play with low action to ease the strain on my hands and this Carvin seems to have more fret clank than the G&Ls even though the action is similar.

 

[GroovyBaby]

For anyone who followed, I decided to keep the bass. I spent some time this week setting it up and dialing it in. I hadn't been playing it so compared to my newer G&Ls, the action was high. Now it plays just as smooth as my G&Ls. Nice low action. Since it plays so nice and is light weight and my only 5er AND I built it, I'm keeping it. I'm probably going to research pickup options and consider swapping pickups and maybe the preamp but for now I'm just going to play it more so I have a clearer idea of what about the sound I'd like to improve. Play and feel are there! Compared to my G&L LB100 and M2000, the Carvin doesn't sound as punchy in the low-mid. I like punchy in the low mid so maybe I'll try some hum cancelling pickups. The DiMarzio Area J would fit and seems to have good reviews. When I get around to doing pickups and preamp, I'll start a new thread asking for advice! Thanks again.