I've looked at the SB4000 on Carvin's website and still think I like the more traditional looking basses. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.
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Thinking of getting a Carvin.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
I've looked at the SB4000 on Carvin's website and still think I like the more traditional looking basses. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.
The SB has massively upgraded electronics, though.
The "deal" with Carvin is that they switched the way the sound blends together when they switched from 9V to 18V just a few years ago(less than five, IIRC). The sound IMO, isn't as defined on the 18V versions - the tone controls seem to work about half as well and it's "louder" but not "better". I can immediately tell the difference between the 9V LB models and the 18V LB models. IMO, the tone on the new ones is more compressed and more muted - it bites and cuts through less well and as such kind of sucks for rock and live stuff. They changed the preamp wiring or something and the amplification works differently now.
So they needed new pickups to compensate. The H50 and J99 and HB pickups worked perfectly on the 9V models(and get one used if you can!). They tried to fix it/improve it with the soapbar pickups, but it sounded, well, more like any other bass with EMG type pickups. The ICON as a result is kind of a "meh" bass - you either loved it or it was just a bass.(no jiggly feeling or "wow" for us older funk and old school rockers)
The SB4000, though, they finally got their "sound" back. It's like the late 80s all over again - the thing is new, hot, and punches hard. The "Carvin" is back. Buy this and honestly, don't buy anything else unless it's passive(sans the 18V electronics, the LB basses work great - especially as a kit). Or buy an older 9V model used - the older LB and XB 9V models *are* better than the SB4000. Just - used they still cost about the same as a new SB4000.
P.S. I hear talk that they might (nothing official mind you - don't you dare quote me on this) be replacing their kit bass with a SB based design in the future and phasing out the current passive model that the kit is based upon. I can hope, as it would be a dead-simple and effective move to undercut the competition. $400 for a bass that does that (points to the Carl Carter clip)? Yeah, a weekend of putting it together I can deal with for that...
The "deal" with Carvin is that they switched the way the sound blends together when they switched from 9V to 18V just a few years ago(less than five, IIRC). The sound IMO, isn't as defined on the 18V versions - the tone controls seem to work about half as well and it's "louder" but not "better". I can immediately tell the difference between the 9V LB models and the 18V LB models. IMO, the tone on the new ones is more compressed and more muted - it bites and cuts through less well and as such kind of sucks for rock and live stuff. They changed the preamp wiring or something and the amplification works differently now.
So they needed new pickups to compensate. The H50 and J99 and HB pickups worked perfectly on the 9V models(and get one used if you can!). They tried to fix it/improve it with the soapbar pickups, but it sounded, well, more like any other bass with EMG type pickups. The ICON as a result is kind of a "meh" bass - you either loved it or it was just a bass.(no jiggly feeling or "wow" for us older funk and old school rockers)
The SB4000, though, they finally got their "sound" back. It's like the late 80s all over again - the thing is new, hot, and punches hard. The "Carvin" is back. Buy this and honestly, don't buy anything else unless it's passive(sans the 18V electronics, the LB basses work great - especially as a kit). Or buy an older 9V model used - the older LB and XB 9V models *are* better than the SB4000. Just - used they still cost about the same as a new SB4000.
P.S. I hear talk that they might (nothing official mind you - don't you dare quote me on this) be replacing their kit bass with a SB based design in the future and phasing out the current passive model that the kit is based upon. I can hope, as it would be a dead-simple and effective move to undercut the competition. $400 for a bass that does that (points to the Carl Carter clip)? Yeah, a weekend of putting it together I can deal with for that...
The Icon soapbar pickups sound just fine on their own. I've got a pair in an all-passive Warmoth bass, and they are very nice. They give the Bartolini "deep tone" pickups a run for their money, and the price is nice.
I've had issues with the 9V preamp from the mid-90s. I felt that it was getting in the way of the sound. I eventually replaced the preamp with an Aguilar OBP-3 and haven't looked back.
If Carvin were willing to make a bass that was fully passive (i.e. just 2 pickups and a volume knob) in any of the 5-string or 6-string models, and give us the option to add our own preamp later on, I'd be happy.
Keith at Carvin replied to my Email regarding the single MM or HB pickup as they call it. It will be an additional $100 with a minimum of 50% down payment. Now I have to figure out options.
Does anyone know if you can order the neck with flame maple?? I'm not seeing options like that in the build program
I'm going to have to call them to place other order anyway but it would be nice to know ahead of time 
Does anyone know if you can order the neck with flame maple?? I'm not seeing options like that in the build program
I'm going to have to call them to place other order anyway but it would be nice to know ahead of time 
Keith at Carvin replied to my Email regarding the single MM or HB pickup as they call it. It will be an additional $100 with a minimum of 50% down payment. Now I have to figure out options.
Does anyone know if you can order the neck with flame maple?? I'm not seeing options like that in the build program
I'm not sure they'll do the shaft of the neck in flame maple, but you can definitely get a flame maple fingerboard, though it may not be on the online builder. Its a $60 upgrade.
I want a black on black SB5k with a flame maple fingerboard! That would be suhweet!
I'm not sure they'll do the shaft of the neck in flame maple, but you can definitely get a flame maple fingerboard, though it may not be on the online builder. Its a $60 upgrade.
I want a black on black SB5k with a flame maple fingerboard! That would be suhweet!
I'm considering an Icon 5W or an XP75, flame maple body, probably in crimson with the black burst round the edge, matching headstock and flame maple fingerboard. I was hoping to have the neck flame maple as well.
- Apr 6, 2010
- 54
- 1
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Kingston Basses
I have two Carvin basses that I bought over 15 years ago. The basses are ok, but I see them more as utility jack of all trade, master of none basses. If I want aggressive and active, I'd go with a Stingray, although the Carvins can somewhat emulate that sound. If I want a vintage sound, I'd pull out my old p-bass, although the Carvins can somewhat emulate that sound. I put EMG's on one of the Carvins and it sounds better. They're well made instruments overall.
Sounds like an SB with a humbucker in the bridge could be the jack of all trades axe that actually sounds good, no?
Hey FL Knifemaker - where will they locate the single humbucker? On my LB70 it's pretty close to the bridge (I have the HB/J99 combo) which is ok on a 2 p'up bass but it'd be nice to have it farther out on a single p'up config IMO.
The differences between the 4000 and the other Carvin's are pretty huge - the main one being feel. The 4000 feels good- the 5000 feels GREAT. I can't say that about any other carvin I've ever played (but that is just me...)
Last year I saw the strangest Carvin XB75 on the Bass Northwest site. It was see-thru green with a flame maple top and fingerboard. But get this; it had only a single humbucker and an input jack. No volume, coil split , or eq. I also suspect that the single MM was a bit further away from the bridge than conventional Carvin neck-thrus. Maybe Carvin will make you something special if you ask real nice ($$$$- can't hurt either).
I had a 6 string carvin fretless about 10 years ago. It played well but the PUps and electronics were not good. The preamp was complete garbage and the PUps were underpowered and single coils (who uses single coil PUps anymore?)
The neck was also way wide, I can't say much for the action considering it was a fretless.
The neck was also way wide, I can't say much for the action considering it was a fretless.
That's another reason that I will have to call them to finalize everything. Right now, I'm very busy with my business and can't even give the Carvin build much thought
I'll probably put it off until things calm down next month. As long as they will do a single pickup, placed where I want it, I'll go ahead with placing an order.
I've had 3 Carvin basses, 1 guitar and a 2X10 speaker cab.
All 3 basses were fine, guitar OK and speaker cab sounds flat. BUT- for the $$, well worth it. The LB70 bass (wish I still had it) is great; used it as a backup bass for gigs. Loved the active & passive option, especially when I was gigging 2-4 nights per week. I wish others would give you that option in case the battery dies, etc. at gig. Bottom line- Carvin makes great instruments, shame the trade in value has always kicked my a$$
All 3 basses were fine, guitar OK and speaker cab sounds flat. BUT- for the $$, well worth it. The LB70 bass (wish I still had it) is great; used it as a backup bass for gigs. Loved the active & passive option, especially when I was gigging 2-4 nights per week. I wish others would give you that option in case the battery dies, etc. at gig. Bottom line- Carvin makes great instruments, shame the trade in value has always kicked my a$$
I'm on Carvin Basses since early 90' , and I don't agree with people sayin' they sounded 'dull'.
They have their sound , maybe not for everyone.
You now have a lot of choices of pickups , electronics (passive/active) piezo ......
Quality , construction is Tops and you won't find anyhing for that money
I don't care if they have a low resale value , I keep my instruments.
My main bass;
They have their sound , maybe not for everyone.
You now have a lot of choices of pickups , electronics (passive/active) piezo ......
Quality , construction is Tops and you won't find anyhing for that money
I don't care if they have a low resale value , I keep my instruments.
My main bass;
I just bought this:
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Beautiful
I played a Carvin 4-string bolt-on (not sure what it's called; the basic model with J/J setup and 3-band EQ), and I liked it quite a bit. I've looked into Carvin every now and then. I might get one someday. Great basses, and the whole "build YOUR bass" thing is pretty nifty.
Ah, yes the Bunny - that's the right answer. Here's a pic of mine. The 6 I unfortunately can't play regularly anymore for anatomical reasons, but the 4 has become my main bass. Even my L2000 has gone back into its case after I got this one.
BTW, with daddario rounds and going through my new Roland Micro Cube, it's a Tony Franklin-esque rock monster. I got to play with some friends with it the other night and you can get a surprisingly aggressive sound. To me, it definitely busts the myth that Carvins are ho-hum sounding basses... wish I had a recording!
LS
