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Spector, or Carvin?

#41
If I had the cash, I would get a custom built SB4000.

With my budget I switched from a MIJ Fender Jazz to a Spector Rebop 4DLX. This is the best neck I've ever played.

I'm saving up for a 5er - probably a Rebop if I can find one, or a cheaper Euro (usually in the 800-900$ range used).

Then, I would save up for the Carvin SB4000.

Try both - wear a blindfold and pick what feels the best to you. Don't look at the name on the headstock.

And when I have more disposable income, I'm going to get white gloss Euro 4, and save up for a nice NS-2JA.
 
#42
Yeah, I had one of those Indonesian-made Legend's and boy was it a exercise in "how not to make a bass." Multiple finish flaws, neck pocket cut too shallow and tuners on crooked. I'm glad to hear that they're being made in Korea again.

Personally if you can find a good one, the Legends are really great basses. Customs and Classics. Carvin makes an awesome bass too. I love the Icon. :)
 
#45
I have had both American Spectors and Carvins. Both were neck through. For me, the Carvin was the better PLAYING bass. Tone is totally subjective, depending on what your goals are. Some folks hate the Carvin electronics; I liked them. My Spector was loaded with EMG's. Some folks say that the tone from that setup is "clinical and sterile." While I don't totally agree with that statement, for me, the Carvin was warmer. I also agree with Johnny A. about the ebony fretboard on the Carvin. It is wonderful. YMMV.
 
#47
Peledog - Howdy neighbor (I'm in Clairemont)! Yeah I've played a few SB's and they are definitely in my sights for a future purchase although I would probably get a SB5000.

The one negative thing I see people say about Carvin is the electronics. As stated above it's usually a "sterile" comment. To each their own, but yesterday I went to our local boutique bass shop and played the Dingwalls, Laklands, Sadowskys, Zons, MTDs, etc.... and I didn't hear any more warmth or "tone" than I get from my Carvin. But thats me, and tone is a very personally subjective thing.

Again my experience with playing a Spector is really limited so... um yeah. :hmm:


Oh and I totally agree with this statement:
Peledog said:
Try both - wear a blindfold and pick what feels the best to you. Don't look at the name on the headstock.
Click to expand...
 
#49
My $0.02.

I sold a 10-year-old LB76 and bought a ReBop 5 DLX (Zebrawood top). Or, I should say that in reverse order. :p

I know that 34" scale 5er and 6er basses can have great low Bs--maybe even some shorter (33"-ish) scales, like the Goines and Garrison Foderas, which I assume are incredible--but I really like the 35" on the ReBop. It has a much better low B than my particular Carvin did.

I had a one-piece maple neck-thru on the Carvin. It was graphite reinforced as well. I had a 2TEK bridge. All in all, a nice bass, but not a fat low B, for whatever reason. The ReBop has a VERY fat B, and that makes a difference to me.

I'm looking to replace the pups and pre in the ReBop eventually, but it's very usable now. The Carvin electronics were fantastic, except I don't think the Jazz pups on my 6 were wide enough to really pickup the outer strings--weak B and C. But the Carvin pre is very good, IMHO.

There are plenty of SB series true believers here, so you may have better luck with that series, or with an LB example that happens to have a great B. Perhaps with a different bridge, neck (multi-lam, perhaps), and pickups (soapbar or MM style), an LB can have a great low B. Mine just didn't.
 

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