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The best Carvin bass

#42
Doug Parent said:
Kiesel basses are an excellent value BUT they are their own thing. If you don't care about string spacing or neck thickness fine, but be aware that every manufacturer has their own set of specs. Kiesel basses are 19mm (five string) and 1.75" nut width with a VERY thin neck thickness front to back. (think Ibanez) One guys dream bass is another bass players firewood. The other issue is resale but that's were I start sounding like a broken record and I'm sure you are aware of that. Good luck.
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The LB series 5 string and the B5 have narrow string spacing
 
#43
I have two LB70's. One from '90, one from '96. They're fantastic instruments that hold tune better than any other bass I've had. I just set one up a#-d#-g#-c# (bead down a half-step for the current situation); it holds tune well and sounds wonderful. I think it comes down to the features you desire most. They're almost infinitely customizable so set your limit and assess. I would consider an Icon if I were in the market. What can I say,I like neck-through.
 
#45
I just received an N420 with walnut laminates; it's extremely nice in the hand. Building a bass with it, but using a Warmoth G4 body.

I wish they'd reintroduce the Bunny. That was by far my favorite shape. I also wish they'd sell them without pickups, so I could rout for some Bartolini W4s.
 
#47
bassrig.jpg
XB75 in mahogany. Tung oil finish on the whole thing for the natural look and feel. Extended scale for a nice tight "B" string. A jazz p'up at the neck position and a humbucker at the bridge for a wide sonic palette. Best feeling/sounding bass I own.
 
#48
I have an LB75 and the body curves are chamftered instead of rounded over. There's a forearm cutout but no belly cutout. It's a little cumbersome but I like it.

I wanted a Bunny Brunell for a long time and still do, but the Bromberg is amazing looking and if I was to spend that kind of money the Bromberg is easier than convincing them to make me a Bunny. I was kind of on the fence when they changed the name but after seeing some of Jeff's videos I have to say I'm on board.
 
#49
Wow, I just had a look at 'basses in stock" - they seem to be asking crazy money there. Eleven hundred bux American for an [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] w/ hardcase? Is that really the going rate? A mexi-fender is half that price, and they are only made a few miles away....
 
#54
RBrownBass said:
I wish they'd reintroduce the Bunny. That was by far my favorite shape. I also wish they'd sell them without pickups, so I could rout for some Bartolini W4s.
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They lost/ran off a lot of their long time old-school endorsers. You can still get the Bunny bass, it's just made by ESP/LTD. FWIW, I did once order a Carvin unrouted and dropped in my own electronics.
 
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#56
It's hard to quantify what is the 'best' on such a subjective level.
Regardless, this one is the best I have played.
99 BB75 Koa. I wasn't looking for a bass, but this came across the counter at a store I worked at in the early 2000s and I was hooked. It ticked a lot of boxes for me: a J derivative, has wide spacing, active electronics, is just under 8 pounds and cost me less than $300! This is perfect for a backup to my beloved 97 US Jazz V, but it also gets lots of play time because it's a really nice bass!
It also gets bonus points because it got me on TB. I was googling mods for the preamp and that led me here.
enhance.jpg
 
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#57
bigtone23 said:
It's hard to quantify what is the 'best' on such a subjective level.
Regardless, this one is the best I have played.
99 BB75 Koa. I wasn't looking for a bass, but this came across the counter at a store I worked at in the early 2000s and I was hooked. It ticked a lot of boxes for me: a J derivative, has wide spacing, active electronics, is just under 8 pounds and cost me less than $300! This is perfect for a backup to my beloved 97 US Jazz V, but it also gets lots of play time because it's a really nice bass!
It also gets bonus points because it got me on TB. I was googling mods for the preamp and that led me here.
View attachment 2924076
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I bet those single coils sound great with that preamp. I had a bass with their double coils that I switched. And have an all passive Bass with their singles, they're actually very good single coil pickups
 
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#59
bound'n'blocked said:
If it was on Reverb last fall I almost bought it but someone beat me to it. I ended up getting the five string version in white a few weeks later.

You are right...great bass!


BnB
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That's the one. I had actually taken it it down, for a couple of months, as the Guy who bought My Schecter 004, said that He wanted it. After I gave Him a couple extra weeks, His wife nixed it. I relisted it, and it was gone, 3 days later.
I've been getting rid of stuff, for the last year, or so. Getting down to the nitty gritty, and almost done clearing out 36+ years of collecting...
 
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#60
G On Bass said:
They lost/ran off a lot of their long time old-school endorsers. You can still get the Bunny bass, it's just made by ESP/LTD. FWIW, I did once order a Carvin unrouted and dropped in my own electronics.
Click to expand...

One of the bigger complaints has been the quality (...or lack thereof) of the stock pups & pre's so this makes perfect sense.

Riis
 
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