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The best Carvin bass
- Thread starter countrybass5
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- carvin carvin bass
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.
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.
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.
Everyone is just going to say their Carvin is the best, no matter what the model is.
Just get the P! That's the one you want
Just get the P! That's the one you want
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.
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.
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....
Sold My LB70. Miss it... ALOT.
All because of the Color... drool And... "Pointyness", but... a friggin', AWESOME Bass!!!
All because of the Color... drool And... "Pointyness", but... a friggin', AWESOME Bass!!!
I have a headless Vader and while it may not be the "best" Carvin it is certainly useful as smaller to carry around. I would lean towards the Vanquish though.
This is a real thing, if there were one thing I had to say I wish were different, it would be that the neck on my AB4 was thicker.
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.
I've got an LB50 which I bought new in 1981. It's one of the highest quality instruments I've ever owned and has never required any maintenance that I couldn't do myself. I could play any type of gig with it. Don't be afraid of the used Carvin market... they're usually very reasonable.
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.
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.
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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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
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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One of the bigger complaints has been the quality (...or lack thereof) of the stock pups & pre's so this makes perfect sense.
Riis
