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The Carvin B40/B50 Thread

#61
KayCee said:
Update: I was having a ground buzz problem with the H50a's at my last gig, and it wasn't a wiring/soldering problem. I called Carvin and the tech said "send em back".
So, I've got the J99a's back in the bass now. They do sound great.

Thanks for the positive feedback, BTW! The videos are fun to make, and I learn a lot from them myself.
Click to expand...

I feel like a jerk for asking but I just have to; is there a snowball's chance in hell that this noise problem could be related to your rig? Some minor overlooked thing that could get past anyone; even a pro?
 
#63
KayCee said:
Update: I was having a ground buzz problem with the H50a's at my last gig, and it wasn't a wiring/soldering problem. I called Carvin and the tech said "send em back".
So, I've got the J99a's back in the bass now. They do sound great.

Thanks for the positive feedback, BTW! The videos are fun to make, and I learn a lot from them myself.
Click to expand...

I like the sound of the singles over the humbucker's myself. The HB's sound like they are missing something to me. Great video review, BTW. Thanks.
 
#64
I've got two B50's ordered. A fretted rosewood neck/alder body/active pups and a fretless that's the same but with the standard ebony neck. Body and neck finished in tung oil.

I'm thinking Carvins might represent as close to Leo Fender's original gems as possible, as the factory is still owned by the family. Got to play a B40 the other week- fantastic bass, regardless of the low price.

Looking forward to these two basses.
 
#65
Is this the bass you mean?
IMG_7961.jpg
 
#73
Wow, I have to admit, I'm a little crushed that you're selling your B50. I went from XB75 to the SB5000 to now wanting a B50 mostly due to your videos. In fact, I plan to order a black stained flame maple B50 after I return from vacation. Have you considered another Carvin; maybe a neck-thru with the more narrow string spacing? What will be your main axe now? Have all of your five string basses had narrow string spacing? I already know about your struggles with the J99 and H50 pickups; is there anything else that was a little less than perfect about your Carvins now that you've had more time?
 
#74
dgce said:
Wow, I have to admit, I'm a little crushed that you're selling your B50. I went from XB75 to the SB5000 to now wanting a B50 mostly due to your videos. In fact, I plan to order a black stained flame maple B50 after I return from vacation. Have you considered another Carvin; maybe a neck-thru with the more narrow string spacing? What will be your main axe now? Have all of your five string basses had narrow string spacing? I already know about your struggles with the J99 and H50 pickups; is there anything else that was a little less than perfect about your Carvins now that you've had more time?
Click to expand...

Actually, I already have two LB75's, fretted and fretless, so I've got that angle covered.

The bass that I've used the most in the past decade is a Fender American Deluxe Precision V. This is a model that's no longer produced, and it has an 18mm string spacing. It's a great bass, but there are a couple of aspects that I've wanted to improve on with another bass. Neck shape is one of those.
I find the Carvin's neck shape is more comfortable than the Fender.

The Carvin is the first bass I've owned with a 19mm spacing. I hoped that adapting to that change would be easier than it turned out to be.

Other than that, my opinion of the B50 is unchanged. I think that the videos speak for themselves as far as the tone and design are concerned. Unless string spacing is a huge concern for you, don't let my selling this bass kill your enthusiasm for buying one!
 
#76
KayCee said:
Actually, I already have two LB75's, fretted and fretless, so I've got that angle covered.

The bass that I've used the most in the past decade is a Fender American Deluxe Precision V. This is a model that's no longer produced, and it has an 18mm string spacing. It's a great bass, but there are a couple of aspects that I've wanted to improve on with another bass. Neck shape is one of those.
I find the Carvin's neck shape is more comfortable than the Fender.

The Carvin is the first bass I've owned with a 19mm spacing. I hoped that adapting to that change would be easier than it turned out to be.

Other than that, my opinion of the B50 is unchanged. I think that the videos speak for themselves as far as the tone and design are concerned. Unless string spacing is a huge concern for you, don't let my selling this bass kill your enthusiasm for buying one!
Click to expand...

You know its strange - after using one of these for a while, I ended up back on my P basses, fretted and modified fretless. I guess I am just a P bass guy at heart. I think I'll leave well enough alone and start obsessing on double bass bows or something.

Too bad they don't offer this puppy with a P/J configuration. I'd be all over that.
 
#77
I just checked out the vid of the pickup comparison. To my ears, the humbuckers sound "cleaner" than the singles, not as far as hum goes, but with the actual nuances of the bass. It's almost like the single coil pickups run through a slight compression, not enough to drastically alter the sound, but enough to take a little of the sparkle out the tone. My nod goes to the J99A's, but as has been noted, I doubt if anyone could tell the difference in a live setting.

James
 
#78
I wanted to revive this thread since it's the most comprehensive on the B40 / B50 Carvins. Yes, I go the latest catalog in the mail this week and got GAS pains. Extra kudos and thanks to KayCee for this.

I have two questions spurned by GAS:

- Does Carvin offer a S1 - Series wiring on their passive basses? I don't see it as an option but don't think it is difficult. I'm one of the few that like the S1 switch on the Fender Jazzes' in the mid 00's
- On the same note: does anyone have a direct comparison (tone, feel, weight) they can offer between the B40 / B50 and the Fender American Standard Jazz? I'd be very interested.

I have had two Fender AS Jazz basses with the S1 switch and really liked the tone and tonal options. I've had a jazz bass of some sort since I started playing again 4 years ago.

So why don't I just go get another Fender Jazz? There are some features, combinations and options that are not available on the Fender and if I can order a custom bass to my spec for the cost of a used Fender, I'm all over it!

Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks!

Jazz
 
#79
I just want to thank Kaycee for his work which was the major factor in my buying decision: B50 vis a vis SB5000.

Carvin is putting out great products @ a great price. My SR5 is getting some serious competition.

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#80
Gomeztool said:
I just want to thank Kaycee for his work which was the major factor in my buying decision: B50 vis a vis SB5000.

Carvin is putting out great products @ a great price. My SR5 is getting some serious competition.

Link Removed
Click to expand...

Lady in red; very nice. Say, do you miss having the boost/cut capabilities you'd get with an active preamp? I figure at $60, it’s possibly worth throwing in there if I were to order. However, I currently play a G&L and 95% of the time I'm in passive mode. Advice?

Thanks!
 

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