Carvin Unveils PB4 and PB5 Basses

Carvin PB5 bass body closeup

New for summer 2013, Carvin has added to their bolt-on basses with the PB4 and PB5 Classic Bolt-Neck Basses. The new designs take cues from a classic design while adding a few of Carvin’s own touches, like Carvin’s locking bass bridge, a sculpted neck heel, and newly designed pickup.

Specifically, the passive SCP split coil P-type humbucking pickup utilizes a single large Alnico V magnet and vintage plain enamel wire. The result is a pickup that is suited for both 4- and 5-string basses and prevents drop off seen in P-type pickups when strings are aligned correctly between the pole pieces. Carvin also offers the addition of a single coil pickup in the bridge position for a P/J configuration and more tonal variety. The standard controls include passive volume and tone knobs but can be upgraded to active electronics.

Standard builds include an alder body, a tung-oiled maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. Again, the company offers many options for upgrades and customization.

The Carvin PB4 and PB5 Basses are available for order now with direct prices of $869 and $939, respectively. For more, check out the Carvin website.

Carvin PB4 and PB5 Bass Photos:

Carvin PB4 Bass Specs:

  • Construction: Bolt-On Neck
  • Scale Length: 34″
  • Body: Alder With Smooth Comfortable Neck Heel
  • Neck: Tung-Oiled Maple With SB-Style Headstock
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 14″ Radius
  • Inlays: Standard White Dots
  • Neck Width: 1.54″ Wide @ Nut, 2.48″ Wide @ 20th Fret; .79″ Thick @ 1st Fret
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Bridge: Carvin Bridge With Adjustable Lockdown Saddles & Strings-Through-Body or Top Loading
  • Tuners: Carvin Premium Tuners, 20:1 Ratio
  • Frets: 20 Medium-Jumbo, .103 Wide X .048 Tall
  • Pickup: Spc Split-Coil With Alnico V Magnets
  • Electronics: Passive With 1 Volume, 1 Tone
  • Strings: Carvin Medium-Light Roundwounds
  • Dimensions: 44.5″ Long, 13.25″ Wide Body, 1.65″ Thick Body
  • Average Weight: 8.25 Pounds

Carvin PB5 Bass Specs:

  • Construction: Bolt-On Neck
  • Scale Length: 34″
  • Body: Alder With Smooth Comfortable Neck Heel
  • Neck: Tung-Oiled Maple With SB-Style Headstock
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 14″ Radius
  • Inlays: Standard White Dots
  • Neck Width: 1.76″ Wide @ Nut, 3.00″ Wide @ 22nd Fret; .79″ Thick @ 1st Fret
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Bridge: Carvin Bridge With Adjustable Lockdown Saddles & Strings-Through-Body or Top Loading
  • Tuners: Carvin Premium Tuners, 20:1 Ratio
  • Frets: 22 Medium-Jumbo, .103 Wide X .048 Tall
  • Pickup: Spc Split-Coil With Alnico V Magnets
  • Electronics: Passive With 1 Volume, 1 Tone
  • Strings: Carvin Medium-Light Roundwounds
  • Dimensions: 44.5″ Long, 13.25″ Wide Body, 1.65″ Thick Body
  • Average Weight: 8.75 Pounds

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Leave a Reply to Tim Monaghan Cancel reply

  1. Diggin’ the fivers a lot!

  2. Like it, Carvin makes good instruments at a good price. Living a few miles from their factory, I wouldn’t mind going over to check a P-J.

  3. I bet they are great instruments, but they look ‘off’ to me – big time.

  4. I just wish the 4 strings had at least 21 frets. Why does everyone insist on 20 frets? If you going to try to improve on Fender’s design this is probably the most glaring shortcoming. I really want that high E. If they want to still sell the neck as an aftermarket replacement for Fender, they can just do an overhang like Warmoth and every freakin body else.

  5. Not my style but the green one does look pretty sweet.

  6. Not my style but the green one does look pretty sweet.

  7. Must have at any cost. No two ways about it.

  8. I’ve always wanted a spartan P-bass type of thing. My Carvin LB76W is the best value / dollar of any instrument I’ve owned…. this just might be my next bass.