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the anti honk.

IconBasser

IconBasser

Scuba Viking
Feb 28, 2007
7,227
1,648
34
Fontana, California
#1
ok guys, I bought a Carvin Icon about 1 year ago. I must say I love everything about this bass, the finish, the playability, but not the tone. The Soap Bars that they came out with are like, the uber honk. Piles of mids, and I absolutely hate them. the dimensions are 4.25x1.25


I need some Ideas on replacement soap bars. I'm lookin for an 'anti honk', something deep and smooth, but not muddy. suggestions?

P.S. if anyone's lookin for uber-middy soap bars, look no further than Carvin;) )
 
#6
i've heard a few complaints about the Icon's soaps...

it's really unfortunate, because IMO Carvin instruments are beautiful and well-made and those Icons are especially gorgeous..

Id probably go with the Nordie fat stacks...you'll get a bit more "vintage" type of tone from these, I think...with the Dual Coils, you'll get more of a modern 'bucker sound, similar to the barts...

why don't you email Nordstrand pickups and ask a few questions?

I once e-mailed them and Stewart McKinsey responded very quickly with good information...really nice dudes over there...
 
#11
The pickups have always seemed to be their weak link- their basses are phenomenal in playability, especially for the price. The neck on my early LB-70 is the most comfortable one I've ever owned, but the old pickups/preamp had no bottom end except in the most extreme EQ settings. I changed them out for a passive setup with Dimarzio Model Js and now the bass just kills! (if only it was a P-bass configuration, it would be my main player)

Karl
 
#12
sunbeast said:
The pickups have always seemed to be their weak link- their basses are phenomenal in playability, especially for the price. The neck on my early LB-70 is the most comfortable one I've ever owned, but the old pickups/preamp had no bottom end except in the most extreme EQ settings. I changed them out for a passive setup with Dimarzio Model Js and now the bass just kills! (if only it was a P-bass configuration, it would be my main player)

Karl
Click to expand...

interesting point...

why doesn't carvin offer a bass with a P-pickup? I believe that they used to back in the 80's

Carvin would probably go a long way forward, if they offered other pickups as options to their basses. I know that they are now carrying Dunlop and Zoom effects...perhaps, they should look at offering SD or DiMarzio Pickups in their basses...

Carvin people, are you hearing this?
 
#13
yeah, I'm hearin ya. I've heard a lot of pros complain about Carvin's lack of leniancy on this topic. Maybe they're slowly transitioning. EEK! I shouldn't have read the mtd gas pics thread, now I'm totally craving one. i'll take a mahogany body, with curly redwood top, ebony fretboard, black hardware....
 
#14
IconBasser said:
ok guys, I bought a Carvin Icon about 1 year ago. I must say I love everything about this bass, the finish, the playability, but not the tone. The Soap Bars that they came out with are like, the uber honk. Piles of mids, and I absolutely hate them. the dimensions are 4.25x1.25


I need some Ideas on replacement soap bars. I'm lookin for an 'anti honk', something deep and smooth, but not muddy. suggestions?

P.S. if anyone's lookin for uber-middy soap bars, look no further than Carvin;) )
Click to expand...

I love the thread title! I knew exactly what you were looking for before I even opened the thread.

However, I have no suggestions. Sorry! ;-D
 
#16
I played an Icon at the carvin store in hollywood last year. Liked everything but the tone, and your description is spot on with my experience. All mid honk, no thump or snap. I much preferred the LB76 that they had that was MM/J. For that matter, I much prefer my LB76 with two of the old humcancilling Js. No replacement solution, just my observation.
 

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