What is this Carvin Bass?

[jazzin0927]

A few years ago I came across this Used Carvin 5 string Bass. I have been trying to find out what model this bass is and have researched some of the current Carvin Basses and none fit this description. I believe the closest model it resembles is the ICON 5 series but I'm not really sure. It appears to be a high end instrument. I cannot find any markings or serial numbers other than the traditional Carvin Headstock. Any players recognize the model? I realize I'm being pretty vague. Pic attached.

 

[bholder]

I'm guessing it's an earlier model, 90's or 00's. Looks kind of like a stepping stone between the old LB-40/50 series and the Icon. I doubt the knobs are stock, fwiw.

 

[bholder]

Neck through? Have any pics of the back?

 

[Bass Viking]

That's an Icon 5 string. Looks like it has a piezo pickup (there's an extra knob). I bought mine 10 years ago when it had just been introduced. I'm still loving it!

 

[IronSpatula]

It's one of the earlier Icons. Jeff "refreshed" the Icon line not too long ago.

I played a few of those back when Carvin had a retail storefront in Sacramento. They were good basses, very playable. The electronics were kind of midrange-heavy, but sounded quite good to me in walnut basses with new strings.

 

[bholder]

That's an Icon 5 string. Looks like it has a piezo pickup (there's an extra knob). I bought mine 10 years ago when it had just been introduced. I'm still loving it!

Ok, an early one, didn't know that.

 

[Bass Viking]

They were good basses, very playable.

+1. The playability is excellent. I have the 4 string version.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

... I cannot find any markings or serial numbers other than the traditional Carvin Headstock...View attachment 903089

The serial number is stamped on the fretboard on the 24th. I can see it says ..101..4...

 

[MobileHolmes]

definitely an early icon. I tried one out in their hollywood shop, and it just wasn't my thing tone wise. Way too middy for my tastes, but well made like all their stuff. Knobs are probably not stock. AFAIK, carvin never has done wooden knobs

 

[eastcoasteddie]

definitely an early icon. I tried one out in their hollywood shop, and it just wasn't my thing tone wise. Way too middy for my tastes, but well made like all their stuff. Knobs are probably not stock. AFAIK, carvin never has done wooden knobs

Rosewood knobs are optional, they've had them for a few years now, don't know when they started though.

 

[jazzin0927]

That's why I love this forum. You guys are awesome...thanks

 

[Worldeeeter]

It's an Icon5; it will look and feel great, and sound awful. I had one, and traded it after one year (2008).

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

It's an Icon5; it will look and feel great, and sound awful. I had one, and traded it after one year (2008).

Something that looks this good, I would have replaced the electronics. You don't drop Jessica Alba just because her voice is hoarse.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Something that looks this good, I would have replaced the electronics. You don't drop Jessica Alba just because her voice is hoarse.

Exactly. I looked into that. It would have run $500+, and I did an even trade for a Spector Euro5, which sounds 1000x better, and it was MUCH easier.
The piezo complicated things, and it sounded terrible. The pickups produced an extremely weak sound, and the piezo was way too bright and twangy on its own. The two did not blend well, either.
It would be more accurate to call that bass Jessica Alba with no orifaces.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

Exactly. I looked into that. It would have run $500+, and I did an even trade for a Spector Euro5, which sounds 1000x better, and it was MUCH easier.
The piezo complicated things, and it sounded terrible. The pickups produced an extremely weak sound, and the piezo was way too bright and twangy on its own. The two did not blend well, either.
It would be more accurate to call that bass Jessica Alba with no orifaces.

I feel ya..

 

[Tanner5382]

It's an Icon5; it will look and feel great, and sound awful. I had one, and traded it after one year (2008).

View attachment 903133

That is a GREAT looking bass!

 

[Worldeeeter]

That is a GREAT looking bass!

It was absolutely gorgeous. I bought it at the Carvin store in Santa Ana, CA. It had the 5-piece neck, too. Beautiful, but I couldn't pull a good tone out of it.

 

[jazzin0927]

I've got a good tone out of mine (well to me anyway). But I'm going to sell or trade it because I'm cursed with girlie hands and I just don't like the carvin neck. For me it's just to thick.

 

[Hounddog409]

A few years ago I came across this Used Carvin 5 string Bass. I have been trying to find out what model this bass is and have researched some of the current Carvin Basses and none fit this description. I believe the closest model it resembles is the ICON 5 series but I'm not really sure. It appears to be a high end instrument. I cannot find any markings or serial numbers other than the traditional Carvin Headstock. Any players recognize the model? I realize I'm being pretty vague. Pic attached.View attachment 903089

google carvin museum. you will figure it out

 

[Toptube]

I LOVE my Icon 5. Its the standard neck, which has narrow string spacing and medium/slim neck profile. My little girl hands love it. the edges of the neck have a good plumpness to them. Makes it feel like rolled edges. So comfy.

It has the second generation radiused single coil pickups, and I don't think that I will ever put anything else in this bass (I tried all of the other radiused models, at the time. They are now on gen 3). Its coming up on two years old!

Ash body wings with "Antique Ash Treatment". No color added.
Walnut/White limba neck, 5-piece.
Rosewood fretboard. I had asked for darker walnut in the 5 piece neck. They met me in the middle and gave me a deep, dark piece of rosewood.