| Author | Message | ||
| essencetimestwo
Intermediate Member Username: essencetimestwo Post Number: 102 Registered: 8-2003 |
Just looking through the new Carvin catalog and came across their new "Elite Series" bass. Has anyone else seen this yet? Front and back laminates on the body and headstock. No matter how much you try and make it look like an Alembic it is still a Carvin. I have become such an Alembic snob. Apologies in advance to any Carvin fans out there... | ||
| funkedupbass
New Username: funkedupbass Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2005 |
I have a carvin and when I saw that catalog the poor man's Almebic is exactly what I thought. But then I realized that I just bought an Alembic (granted a used Distilate) for much less than the carvin elite bass. So even though on the grand scale of Alembics I don't have much bragging rights, I'll wager my new/used distilate against that carvin look-alike. -eric | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 508 Registered: 6-2002 |
When I got my first Alembic, I went through a period of looking down at everything else. Then I remembered how much I still enjoyed playing my other Basses, and why I can't bring myself to sell any of them. Each one of my instruments is an individual with its unique voice. It's about how it makes me feel when I play it rather than who made it and whose name or logo it wears. I never tried a Carvin, but I am impressed with what they offer and their prices. Besides, I've yet to read or hear of any Carvin that has ever had a bad review. Rami | ||
| essencetimestwo
Intermediate Member Username: essencetimestwo Post Number: 103 Registered: 8-2003 |
Many years ago I ordered a 6 string Carvin but the neck twisted during assembly. They were very nice about it but I just couldn't trust or follow through with starting over again and bailed out of it. I currently have a Carvin Vintage 16 for my guitar amp (yes they are a great value) but the first one they shipped me didn't work. I have, and am able to appreciate my other basses (Schecter P-Bass and Jay Turser Hollowbody). Maybe I just have a stigma attached when it comes to Carvin. But C'mon. laminated the back of the headstock with the same wood as the top? Imitaion is the best form of flatery. Just look at me. I play a Shecter P-Bass not a Fender. | ||
| lindoom
New Username: lindoom Post Number: 10 Registered: 1-2004 |
now this is the poor mans Alembic, you can dress it up but it is still a peice of crap 1985 Gibson bass  | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 509 Registered: 6-2002 |
I think "Crap" is a relative term. By today's standards, a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass should fall under this heading. But if you're lucky enough to find one, you'll pay more than the price of an Alembic Series II. Also, how many top professional players play Fenders compared to any other brand? Clearly, most of them can easily afford a custom made super exotic instrument. I don't think it's fair to pass out labels. What works for some may not work for others. Rami | ||
| lindoom
Junior Username: lindoom Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2004 |
well I only said that because it's my bass. I don't think it would work for anyone I retopped it at first I had Alembic pj with spoiler electronics even with that it did not sound very good so I put emg's in it as to not waste my Alembic system but from the factory the thing was pretty bad I had to do a lot of work to it just to make it playable. it was a gift to me not dissin Gibson but I would not have bought this bass. it dosent resonate very well the open e just dies right after striking it, I'v changed the bridge to a badass still no change. I guess the wood it's made from just don't want to be a bass. oh well until I can dig up enough scratch for a Spyder it will have to do it's nice to look at though | ||
| tbrannon
Junior Username: tbrannon Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2004 |
I've played a few Carvins and own one of their 5 strings. They are what they are: well put together basses that have decent options for much cheaper than what you'd pay in GC for a similarly equipped Fender-Gibson-Ibanez-etc... That being said, if I was currently in a position to shell out $1000+ for a bass, I'd just as soon get myself a used Alembic and KNOW that I was playing the best equipment my dollars could buy. | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 858 Registered: 11-2003 |
Well said, Rami. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 715 Registered: 7-2004 |
I have Carvin floor wedge monitors and a Carvin power amp for my P.A. I've had this stuff for at least 10 years now. No problems, (other than the guy I used to share the studio with "borrowing" the monitors without my knowledge or permission and bringing one back with the grill smashed in and the nut on one of the inputs missing - I don't share the studio with him anymore). Both the monitors and the power amp were excellent values for what I paid new. I've been eyeballing the Carvin DC400 guitar (neck-thru, Alembic style construction) for a while now. If I ever ran across one at a store or for a good price on eBay, I'd probably check it out. For the money they appear to be an excellent value with many options you'll never get with a Fenson or a Gibder. By the way, I looked for the Elite Series on the Carvin website and couldn't find it. Anyone know where it's hiding? Bill, tgo | ||
| glocke
Member Username: glocke Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2002 |
I have a friend that has a carvin electric....Dont know the model number, but it is nice looking and sounding guitar... As fo comparing vintage fenders to Alembic, is it fair to do that? They seem to be two different animals. I have a Series I bass, a 72 jazz, and a 64 jazz...The SI is my favorite...but the fenders sound and feel great, although I am not sure what it is that makes them worth over $2000.00 a piece....at least... | ||
| rockbassist
Junior Username: rockbassist Post Number: 48 Registered: 8-2005 |
Eric, you are making the same mistake I made when I bought my first Epic in July of this year. I was actually apologizing for not buying a Series or some other high end Alembic. This is what you have done in your mention of your Distilate. What I found is that everyone who posts on this site doesn't care if you are playing an Epic, Essence, Distilate, Series or anything else. You are part of the Alembic family and that's what matters. I love my first Epic so much that I bought another one 2 weeks after I bought my first. I also own a 1976 Fender Precision, a 1978 Fender Jazz and a Musicman Stingray that I love but I rarely play anything but the Epics. Alembic makes a great instrument. Do not apologize for owning one. I have realized that not only is the customer service outstanding but the support from other players is second to none. Congratulations on owning an Alembic. You made a great choice. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1100 Registered: 9-2003 |
I couldn't find the Elite Series on the Carvin site either. I get their catalogue but can't put my hands on it at the moment. As an aside, I was (finally) watching my Eagles "Farewell I: Live I Melbourne" DVD that I bought as a pre-order months ago. Joe Walsh was playing another one of his 8 million guitars, one that appeared to be a PRS. It turned out to be a Carvin California Carved Top with a nice double-stained Quilt Top. Nice guitar for a decent price ($100 off this month only, LOL!), but everything is an option. At least the options are not ridiculously priced. I've heard reasonably good things about their stuff, but buying sight-unseen can be dicey and I've heard their Customer service is not on par with what we've all come to expect as normal from Alembic. FWIW, Timothy B. still has a Carvin signature bass, but he's not playing Carvin's these days, at least live that is. After "Hell Freezes Over", I wanted that Carvin fretless he plays on "In A NY Minute", even though I can't play fretless, LOL! He's now playing a Pedulla Buzz fretless on the Pino Palladino parts during Henley's solo songs and getting a great "MWAH" as well). My luthier thinks Carvin is great bang for the buck, but also mentioned the Customer Service can be problematic. He prefers Warmoth...you can get just about anything you want the way you want it. You just have to put it together and set it up. | ||
| buckminster
New Username: buckminster Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2005 |
I have owned several Carvins and the quality has been sporadic. Some have been exceptional and some have been average, at best. I still regret getting rid of my anniversary series 5-string. But the Elite series is something I'm very skeptical about. There is a new Carvin store opening in West Sacramento soon, so if they have any in stock, I might try one out. But there are several high-end basses available at the same price (Rob Allen, Elrick, Pedulla, etc.) all with much better electronics. Still don't make enough to realistically afford an Alembic  ... I'd really like an Essence 6-string in burl redwood. | ||
| beelee
Intermediate Member Username: beelee Post Number: 110 Registered: 11-2004 |
I used to have a Carvin MX-1644 mixing console that I bought brand new, it was a great unit never a problem ( it had built in Hammond spring reverb) only sold it cause I needed more than 16 channels....and I picked up 4 used Carvin monitors that had JBL E-120's in them and a pair of Carvin horns that had 1 inch JBL drivers they sounded nice also. HOWEVER.... Some years ago I picked up a used Carvin doubleneck guitar on top, bass on bottom and it had a crack in the bass neck either from shipping damage or the person who sold it to me BS'd me ( a whole other story). So I contacted Carvin and asked them if I could send them the neck and have a new matching one made, the person I spoke with was very unhelpful and told me they couldn't/wouldn't do it, I also spoke to someone else on another day to get some information about the Doubleneck, emailed him pictures, gave him the serial # and he was absolutely useless, couldn't tell me what model it was or what year it was made. So now I am anti-Carvin because of that experience, since then I had a local luthier repair the neck, he did a great job and you almost can't even see where it was damaged, and I saw another one up on Ebay a while back, the seller had ALL the information in his description Carvin was unable to provide me with. I have 2 real nice Carvin double necks, but unfortunatly doubt I will use anymore of their products, I've gotten better support from Peavey, Ibanez and of course Alembic ;o) B. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 510 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've occasionally heard Lado Basses referred to as "Poor man's Alembics". I guess it's a tribute to Alembic as setting the standard by which all high-end Basses are judged. Comparing Alembics to Fenders is completely unfair because they are too different with the exception of (sometimes) sharing the same number of strings. It's also interesting to note that the Fenders most in demand are the oldest and most primitive versions of their instruments. While the new ones sound and play better, are of much better quality and construction, they have almost no resale value. Anyway, I found this Lado Studio 606:  Bocate top, Purpleheart back, Flame Maple body and neck with Purpleheart laminates, Ebony fingerboard. Bartolini pickups, controls: Vol, Pan, Bass, Mid, Treble. Totally killer sound. It cost around $3000.00. A similarly equipped Essence is well, quite a bit more. The Lado's not quite as refined as an Alembic - I would have liked dual truss rods, a brass nut, separate battery compartment, and machine screws with threaded inserts for the covers - all the little touches. But I can't find anything significant to dislike about this Bass for the price. It's not an Alembic, but it's a great Bass nonetheless. Rami (Message edited by rami on October 13, 2005) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 720 Registered: 7-2004 |
Rami: I feel compelled to take issue with you comment regarding Fenders that "the new ones sound and play better, are of much better quality and construction". I have had the pleasure of playing a '61 Strat since I picked it up for $125 in around 1975. It has the famous slabboard rosewood fingerboard. It plays and sounds MUCH better than any Fender I've checked out in the last 25 years. The construction quality is at least as good, if not better, than anything I've seen come out of Fender in recent years. And it's certainly far superior to my friend's mid- '70s strat with the 3 bolt neck that makes keeping the guitar in tune an adventure if you dig in a little too hard. Of course the important point is that it's still no Alembic! But it is kind of goofy that it is worth several Alembics, price-wise. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on October 13, 2005) | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 511 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Bill, You make a good point. I guess the main advantage of a new Fender is better quality control. My experience with older Jazz Basses is that they're a hit or miss gamble. None of my old Jazz Basses sounds alike. I do love them all and some sound better than others. New ones sound more alike - you know what to expect. I particulary like the new American Series Jazz Bass with the graphite reinforced neck, strings through the body and the new SB-1 switching. All vast improvements over the original design. And in my opinion, an improvement in sound. Rami | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 476 Registered: 9-2002 |
I do respect Carvin for maintaining a neck-thru instrument in a bolt-on world. 'Fashion' swings being what they are, another couple of years bolt-ons will be 'out' and neck thrus will be the rage again. . .but then maybe not, so 'good on 'em' for keeping on with neck thrus. EVERYBODY builds the occasional turkey or problem child. In industrial rates of guitar building, it just happens. And here is the down side of Carvin: Want warranty service? Gotta send it back to CA, no warranty stations any where else in the country, no dealers to help you. I'd approach Carvins like any other bass: I want the pickup routs, control routs to be regular sizes so if I want or need to, EMGs, Barts, Activators, etc. will drop in, no extra routing needed. A lot of times I find the manufacturers pay more attention to the woodwork and meet the price point with cheap pickups, wiring etc. So anything from now on would have to have standard size pickup routs (Carvins would take Js and MMs) to keep my later customizing life simple. J o e y | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1112 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joey hit on the Carvin rub...those crasptastic pick-ups. They don't look good, nor do they sound so great. If they're std sized, then they can be replaced. If not you are screwed. Regardless, why pay for 'em in the first place? Gimme MY choice, be it DiMarzio, Duncan, EMG, Fralin, Alembic, etc. Oh yeah, their headstocks are not the prettiest either, but I am nit-picking here. Oh yeah, believe it or not, Carvin bucked the trend yet again: that Cali Carved Top is just like the PRS it mimics: SET-Neck construction!!! Imagine that! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 111 Registered: 6-2005 |
Rami, sharp looking bass. At first glance I thought it was an old Ken Smith. I am unfamiliar with Lado. Are Lado and Smith somehow related? | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 512 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey J., No, Lado and Smith are not related. Smith's from New York while Lado's from Lindsay, Ontrio, Canada. Here's the site: http://www.lado-guitars.com/catalogue.htm# I own that Zebrawood 4 string photographed in their catalogue too. Rami | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 113 Registered: 6-2005 |
Thank you sir. Some very cool stuff. Love the Zebrawood. I've got an old 1980 Zebawood Series I myself. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 513 Registered: 6-2002 |
Here's a home picture of it:   It features Zebrawood laminates in the neck too! The back body laminates are a type of wood called "Afromosia". Rami | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 115 Registered: 6-2005 |
Wow, that baby is nice. What is she like to play? Heavy? the feel, the sound? Ever play a Smith? If a country boy were to aspire to obtain such a beauty,what ballbark pricewise would he be in? Love the Zebrawood. | ||
| dfung60
Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2002 |
Without trying to make light of the great discussion here, I think any of us can point to our own Alembics and say "that's the bass that made me a poor man". And we'd all say it was worth it, too! David Fung | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 514 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey J, She actually plays and sounds really nice! Not too heavy either. It actually feels alot like an Essence. It has an inscription on the inside of the backplate written by hand from J.K. Lado himself indicating that it was the first of its series. In terms of cost, a similar one brand new runs about $2300.00 Canadian dollars, so around $1800.00 USD. Rami | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 117 Registered: 6-2005 |
Seems like a lot of bass for the money. I'll have to sniff around for a test flight. Thanks for the info. | ||
| somatic
Junior Username: somatic Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2003 |
My 'poor man's Alembic' is my Kawai FIIB. Superb instrument, and for the money I paid for it, an incredible bargain. Maple/rosewood neck, rosewood board, maple body and zebrawood front and rear. Fit and finish is excellent, great tone and flexibility and it never needs adjustment. Mine's also so mint it looks like it was made yeaterday, when it's actually about 20 y.o.  | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 118 Registered: 6-2005 |
Very nice, the Zebrawood looks much like that of my 1980 Series I. Great picture, she looks new. How did you hook up with her? | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 515 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wow! That's a real beauty. That really looks like an Alembic. At the least, you can see the Alembic influence all over it. | ||
| somatic
Junior Username: somatic Post Number: 41 Registered: 11-2003 |
Very nice, the Zebrawood looks much like that of my 1980 Series I. Great picture, she looks new. How did you hook up with her? I really like the grain on the zebrawood on this bass. It's interesting and beautiful, but not in a really obvious or 'stand-out' manner, I like it's subtlety. I remember seeing them advertised a long time ago, then read positive reports of them on some of the bass forums, so I kept a look out for one. This particular beauty showed up on ebay a while back, and as the seller was really helpful and sent tons of high res photo's trying to show her 'faults' (+ had perfect feedback), I took the risk on buying sight unseen from the US. This bass is an '89 build and it looks like it was made yesterday, there is nary a mark on her. Even the brass backplates shine brightly and don't have a scratch. Price paid, incl Fedex to Oz and all duties etc was about the same as an MIM Fender with HSC at local retail. Wow! That's a real beauty. That really looks like an Alembic. At the least, you can see the Alembic influence all over it. Thanks. I think it's a beautiful looking and playing bass. Looking at it, it's easy to see that the designer was influenced by the Alembic's in terms of general design, control layout and tone. In many ways it reminds me of my SC Signature Deluxe, and the body on the Kawai is just about the same area (maybe a 'bit' bigger) as the Small Standard bodies. Tonally it is very big sounding with a lot of clarity, sensitivity to playing touch and a rich tonal palette that's easily varied over quite a range. It uses proprietary active pickups and if these ever fail, I think I'll add some Alembic pickups in their place. Overall, it's such a nice bass that since I have two shortscale Alembics, I think I'd have to find the funds to stretch to a Series 1 to significantly improve on it. | ||
| jetbass79
Intermediate Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 106 Registered: 2-2005 |
Evidence like that Kawai make me want to smite people who STILL don't get the fact that Japan has produced some great instruments. I would like to add commentary with respect to the original point of this thread which is about Carvin creating a "poor man's Alembic." I don't think that's what they are trying to do really. I think it's more about creating a product with features like top and back laminates to join the other list of makers that does the same thing. They still don't have the low-pass filter circuitry so there's no real way they're trying to trump Alembic with something less expensive. What I have heard though is Carvin preamps are battery eaters...this is something they should seriously look into... |
