They're not super common, each one is unique, and they're quality basses. So why do they have poor resale value?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Why do Carvins have poor resale value?
- Thread starter el_Bajo_Verde
- Start date
Competition from several makers that do similar types of instruments and there's only a limited 1st time demand and even less with resale.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
They're highly customized and they're cheap. Why get somebody else's dreams when you can buy your own? On top of that, the brand has little to no name recognition. Very few "name" players use Carvin. To go even further, as somebody who owns two Carvins I do not think they are god's gift to basses like some people do. Carvin makes a solid bass but some mediocre electronics which is a huge turn off for a lot of people. I am not that shocked that Carvin's re-sale value is so low. I am surprised by Ernie Ball Music Man and Warwick's low re-sale values though.
I think that sums it up. I have no problems with the electronics on mine, which may be that they've upped their game, I'm not sure. But suppose you order a Carvin for $1200. Normally you'd expect to sell a used bass for 2/3-3/4 of its new value, that is to say for $800-900. But a prospective buyer looks at that deal and asks, why should I pay $900 for someone ELSE's custom bass when I could get my OWN custom bass if I just scratch together $300 more? So the seller has to accept a lower offer on it, often more down in the $500-700 range.
Kind of generic and boring-looking body shapes, and yet not generic enough for the traditional Fender crowd? I wonder how they'd sell if they brought back the crazy pointy bodies of the 80s.
I know Carvin has had a bad rap for resale value but if you look closely at the bass classifieds here on TB, nothing is selling unless you mark them way below normal value. It's just a bad time to sale gear.
Most of the ones I see are so gaudy and outrageous looking I'd be embarrassed to play it.
They also have resale problems because their specs change frequently with industry trends.
But you're right that anything that is customized is going to be "perfect" for the first buyer and not anyone else.
I would agree, but I understand Carvin electronics have gotten better.
It's been a bad time to sell a Carvin for 30 years now.
I love mine though. Paid $500 for it used and it's spec'd out exactly like I would have done it. Building it new would be around $1900 but most of that is because of cosmetics. After I ripped out the stock electronics and installed Delano stuff, it's become the only non-Roscoe bass that comes close to my Roscoe's.
A bunch of used Carvins I see are unlined fretless basses. The market for unlined sixes is really limited.
Carvin has always sold on price. This shapes perception.
Their resale value has been better in the past year or so. Like others said, many people would rather just spend $200 more or so (in many cases) and get what options they truly want. I happened to get lucky and found the exact model complete with all the options I'd want on ebay and scored it for $480, or with shipping, $520. If you are able to find your dream Carvin at a good price (which isn't really that rare), it's hard to find a better buy.
To me it was about that catalog mail order in your face (I used to get their catalog for years and never asked for it) and trying to be fancy. Fancy is tough to sell. And that they overextended themselves into products like amps, PAs, all kinds of stuff that were marketed to be packed with value. Takes the sexiness out of it. Kind of like a Sears or JC Penny brand.
Oh and those pointy headstocks... yuk.
Oh and those pointy headstocks... yuk.
It's simple. God made used Carvin basses have poor resale so that astute knowledgeable bass players like you and I get a free gift for GAS and don't have to sell the kids on EBAY to satisfy the urge.
I sold a Carvin SB4000 about a year ago and it took a lot of price drops and time to finally get it sold. They are really pretty solid basses with good construction (at least the two I've owned were). Mine was built up pretty standard as I knew there would come a point where I'd probably sell it. Even with a standard black body color, rosewood fretted board, and no crazy options, it still took a long time to sell. I've conveniently forgotten how much I sold my last one for.
My guess is that if someone wants a custom Carvin bass that they'll build their own. I've seen some pretty odd color/option choices and can see why those might not sell for much, but even the more standard spec'd basses aren't selling for much. When you get the Carvin down enough in price then there are a lot of budget instruments to compete with...which IME are getting pretty good in quality.
My guess is that if someone wants a custom Carvin bass that they'll build their own. I've seen some pretty odd color/option choices and can see why those might not sell for much, but even the more standard spec'd basses aren't selling for much. When you get the Carvin down enough in price then there are a lot of budget instruments to compete with...which IME are getting pretty good in quality.
Pointy headstocks? You must not have gotten a catalog since 1994 or so
Nothing pointy about their new headstocks.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Because when you sell your 2.5k upgraded Kiesel/Carvin, it is competing with the stock/base model, which costs 1k.
The name Carvin doesn't not have the same prestige as the name Fender.
Used Carvin basses tend to be HEAVY!
Bassists think because they ordered custom Carvin basses
they should be able to recoup the money that they paid for their CUSTOM Carvin
basses.
Used Carvin basses tend to be HEAVY!
Bassists think because they ordered custom Carvin basses
they should be able to recoup the money that they paid for their CUSTOM Carvin
basses.
Last edited:
