Gear Watch: Carvin SB4001 and SB5001 Bass Guitars
Carvin has released a new spin on their SB series basses, featuring chambered-bodies.
The SB4001 and SB5001 (4 and 5-string respectively), were designed cooperatively between the California based guitar manufacturer and bassist Sekou Bunch with weight in mind.
Like the SB4000/SB5000 the body is Alder, but with the fully chambered-body style they weigh nearly a pound less than their predecessors.
Both basses come standard with a hardrock maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Carvin bridge with locking saddles, and Alnico single-coil J99A pickups. The main difference besides string count is the electronics, where the 5001 comes standard with active and the 4001 comes stock with passive and the ability to upgrade.
Speaking of choices, the new SB’s are also open for custom shop options, including top and body woods, finishes, fingerboard woods, inlays, hardware, and just about anything else you want.
Carvin SB4001 and SB5001 Specs:
- Chambered-body bolt-neck electric bass
- Standard features: chambered alder body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, chrome hardware
- Neck: 34” scale length, 12” radius, 20 medium-jumbo frets
- Weight: SB4001: 8.25 pounds, SB5001: 8.75 pounds
- Electronics:
- SB4001: J9A alnico single coil pickups, passive electronics, 2 volume, 1 tone
- SB5001: 9A alnico single coil pickups, active electronics, 2 volume, 1 tone, stacked concentric bass boost/cut and treble boost/cut
The Carvin SB4001 and SB5001 are available from Carvin directly for $1299 and $1399 respectively. For more details, visit Carvin’s website.
These basses right here are serious! I thought I was going to expect the typical Carvin bass but when I played a friend of mine’s 4000, my jaw hit the ground at how punchy and clear these things sound. He had the standard options too except he made his 4 string active. These are a sweet choice if you were thinking of getting one!