Carvin LB75

[rockbassist]

Earlier this year I had a 5 string Epic that I traded for a 4 string Epic. The person I traded with told me he would contact me in the event that he decided that he didn't want it. A week later he traded the 5 string to someone who lives out of state. I recently got a great deal on a Carvin LB75. The bass is 5 string, neck through, one Jazz bass pickup, one humbucker and a piezo bridge. I figured it would be more versatile. The original owner paid $1,250 for it with a hardshell case. I bought it for $350. I did my first gig with it tonight and was very disappointed. I figured that I would have a lot of versatility. The 4 string Epic sounds much better. The Carvin sounds OK, just not what I expected. Has anyone else had a similar experience? My comment is this. Alembic makes the best sounding basses on the planet!

[mike1762]

Carvins are put together really well, but they (or about anything else for that matter) will pale in comparison to an Alembic.  I have a LB76 and found that it sounds MUCH better passive than active.  You might want to try that before you give-up on it.  I think you have to be careful running high impedance PUPs thru active electronics... it can really turn everything to mud.  I'm having the same issue with my Schecter Stiletto: it sounds OK, but I've order some replacement low impedance EMG PUPs for it.

[sonicus]

Perhaps Alembic could supply replacement pickups and electronics  for the LB75 or LB76 ?

[jbybj]

I recently spent about two hours in the Carvin store in Hollywood. Must have played about 20 different basses. Some felt really nice, most felt good. The fit and  finish was excellent, Loved the style, and the woods. Loved everything about them but the sound. Sterile, thin, flat, just no inspiration for me at all. Maybe it was the Carvin amps I was playing through??

[bigredbass]

Kevin, you've just stumbled upon what I realized a few years ago:
 
I'm a hopeless music store cruiser.  After living with my Alembics, trying the occasional axe that piques my interest is a realization that I'm ruined to buying 'off the rack' anymore.
 
I've seen a number of axes I've tried all fall in a heap in front of me.  They're just fine, but then they sound funny, the neck's a little off, the pots feel cheap, it's only got a one piece bridge and so forth . . . . I'm just ruined.  
 
The funny thing is, so many of them have 3-band EQ built in, some with a piezo bridge, and after a few minutes, I just can't find a tone.
 
It's just really hard to go back now that you KNOW  . . . .
 
J o e y

[ajdover]

I picked up a brand new Ernie Ball Family Reserve Stingray 4 about two weeks ago from a local Guitar Center.
 
I wasn't intending to buy a new bass, but I tried this EB SR and it was ... amazing.  A tone monster for sure.  
 
It has a three band EQ, and it sounds great.
 
All of this being said ...
 
There is nothing on God's green earth that sounds like an Alembic to me ... or for that matter, a Rickenbacker 4001.
 
To each his own, as they say.
 
Alan

[white_cloud]

Yes, however there are Alembics...then there are Alembics. An Epic sounds just that - until compared to a Series 1.

[funkyjazzjunky]

I also play my Carvin LB76 basses in passive mode. The active mode sounds sterile unless I go through the F-2B.  
 
VMG

[edwin]

I have heard but a couple Carvins that sounded OK. Most seem to be very well made, but I think they use flatsawn necks, which don't seem  to allow the vibrations to remain pure. Somehow the construction that they do sucks the life out of the notes. While there might be some superficial resemblances to Alembic, they are just that: skin deep.
 
I did dig their catalogs back in the 70s with those monster PA systems photographed outdoors. I might have one of those in a box somewhere.

[3rd_ray]

What??? You mean my Carvins aren't as good as my Alembics? Next you're going to tell me my Infiniti isn't a Bentley!
 
Carvin has been in business for 64 years, so they must be doing something right.  
 
Actually, I just put an LB75 on order today. Total cost including delivery was under $1200 and it will most likely be in my hands before the end of February. Let's see you do that with a new Epic.
 
Ragging on Carvin gets old.

[811952]

I've owned a couple of Carvin basses, and really the electronics are the only shortcoming of those instruments.  
 
Yes, ragging on Carvin gets old.
 
John

[rockbassist]

I bought the Carvin because I figured it was worth the risk for $350. I didn't expect it to sound like an Alembic but I did expect it to sound much better than it did. I ended up selling it for $700. Twice what I paid.