What are Carvin Thinking?

[MultiScaleMale]

We're not talking Carvin to Carvin, Mercedes to Mercedes comparisons here.
I'm talking about Carvin verses OTHER builders (please read my complete posts)!!! Do a fair comparison and work up a price of another American made bass with these SAME Carvin Elite options. I feel pretty confident that you can't touch Carvin's Elite price. Heck, most builders want $300 - $600 for a 5A top upgrade alone; talk about adding 5A to the back of the body and headstock... well, you know the deal.

KT

I've done that and paid considerably less for a bass that was made to my specs. Carvins are great for what they are, but you can't throw a few black lines and a quilted back on the same bass that you can get in a solid color for about $1500 less and expect it to hold a candle to a Fodera or an Alembic. It's still just a prettied up Carvin.

Personally, I think they gave up on the basses long ago. That said, I'll eventually get a Bolt+ from them and get a high quality guitar for much less than I'd pay for a similar guitar at GC.

 

[KenToby]

I'm interested in hearing about the American bass you had built to the Carvin Elite specs for less.
Once I'm convinced that a guy can have a bass built with these specs (or better) for less, I'll put my order in... TODAY!

Again, these "thrown in" black lines and quilted back (grade 5A - Exibition grade) are high dollar upgrades anywhere else. Ken Smith is getting an extra $380 for this top (again, not to mention the back or the front and back of the head stock.

I don't recall mentioning Alembic or Fodera but now that you mention it, where would Fodera be without Victor Wooten? I bet they wouldn't be getting an insane price of $4500 for sure.

I've done that and paid considerably less for a bass that was made to my specs. Carvins are great for what they are, but you can't throw a few black lines and a quilted back on the same bass that you can get in a solid color for about $1500 less and expect it to hold a candle to a Fodera or an Alembic. It's still just a prettied up Carvin.

Personally, I think they gave up on the basses long ago. That said, I'll eventually get a Bolt+ from them and get a high quality guitar for much less than I'd pay for a similar guitar at GC.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I really don't think I want to refer you to the builder that I really like. You have a Carvin chip on your shoulder, you should buy Carvin and be happy with some eye candy on a production level bass.