Carvin Introduces JB4 and JB5 Classic Bolt-Neck Jazz Basses
Following up on their recent PB series, Carvin has announced the JB4 four-string and JB5 five-string Classic Bolt-Neck Jazz Basses. The new models blend classic styling with the company’s more contemporary features including a locking bass bridge, a smooth contoured neck heel with a 5-bolt neck plate, and a 22-fret neck with dual carbon fiber reinforcement rods.
Another key aspect to the line is Carvin’s new JVA single-coil alnico pickups, which use vintage plain enamel wire. Carvin their design accentuates the bass’s natural bottom end while producing full, punchy mids and highs. The JB4 and JB5 Classics come with active/passive electronics as a standard feature with volume, blend, and push/pull active and passive tone controls. Either bass can also be fitted with H50A stacked humbuckers instead of the single-coils.
Carvin’s JB4 and JB5 Classic Bolt-Neck Jazz Basses are available for order now with direct prices of $1,029 and $1,099, respectively.
Carvin JB4 and JB5 Classic Jazz Bass Photos:
Carvin JB4 4-string Classic Jazz Bass Specs:
| Construction: | Bolt-On Neck |
| Scale Length: | 34″ |
| Body: | Alder With Smooth Comfortable Neck Heel |
| Neck: | Tung-Oiled Maple With Classic Ch-Style Headstock, Two High-Strength Carbon-Fiber Reinforcing Rods and Fully-Adjustable Dual Action Truss Rod |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 14″ Radius |
| Inlays: | Standard White Dots |
| Neck Width: | 1.54″ Wide @ Nut, 2.48″ 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 Nickel Silver Frets, .103 Wide X .048 Tall |
| Pickups: | Two Jva Single Coil Pickups |
| Electronics: | 18V Active/Passive, Volume, Pickup Blend, Push/Pull Active and Passive Tone Control, Stacked Concentric Bass and Treble Frequency Cut or Boost |
| Strings: | Carvin Medium-Light Roundwounds |
| Dimensions: | 21″ Long Body, 13.5″ Wide Body, 1.7″ Thick Body |
| Average Weight: | 9.25 Pounds |
Carvin JB5 5-string Classic Jazz Bass Specs:
| Construction: | Bolt-On Neck |
| Scale Length: | 34″ |
| Body: | Alder With Smooth Comfortable Neck Heel |
| Neck: | Tung-Oiled Maple With Classic Style Headstock, Two High-Strength Carbon-Fiber Reinforcing Rods and Fully-Adjustable Dual Action Truss Rod |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 14″ Radius |
| Inlays: | Standard White Dots |
| Neck Width: | 1.76″ Wide @ Nut, 3.0″ 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 Nickel Silver Frets, .103 Wide X .048 Tall |
| Pickups: | Two Jva Single Coil Pickups |
| Electronics: | 18V Active/Passive, Volume, Pickup Blend, Push/Pull Active and Passive Tone Control, Stacked Concentric Bass and Treble Frequency Cut or Boost |
| Strings: | Carvin Medium-Light Roundwounds |
| Dimensions: | 21″ Long Body, 13.5″ Wide Body, 1.7″ Thick Body |
| Average Weight: | 9.75 Pounds |
For more information:
Carvin
Well I am glad this model exists, and yes it’s got 22 frets, but I wish it would have been in addition to instead of replacing the SB series. Also, I believe they are leveraging the B series necks to do this, which means they STILL haven’t modified there Fender compatible necks. Which is a shame, because the fact that they don’t have a 21 or 22 fret overhang is the one thing that is keeping it from being the ultimate Fender replacement neck,.
I don’t work for Carvin, and I’m not a lawyer, but I may be able to offer some insight to answer your comment:
The SB series was an artist model, which means it was built under a contracted agreement between both the company (Carvin) and the artist (Sekou Bunch). If the contract expires and one or both of the parties don’t resign the contract, then the company cannot continue producing the instrument. In other words, Carvin may not have had a choice in the matter.
It is a pity though, the SB series was a really refreshing take on the jazz bass theme. That being said, these bases look nice.
I own four Carvin basses, Two Icon 5 strings,an SB5000 and an LB 20 Fretless. All I can say is probably anything that they build will kick most other basses butts for the money! (I also have a Fender Jazz)You can not get a better quality bass guitar built to your specifications for less money! Period! I am sure that the JB series is no exception! Looks like number FIVE will be on order!