Carvin IC5 feedback

Cougar · Gold Member Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 68

Just thought i would leave some feedback about my experience with my Carvin IC5 bass (5 piece maple/walnut neck, alser body with walnut top cover). When I first received it back in March I wasn't too happy with the tone and tried my best to get the sound I wanted. I had the right wood combo that I wanted for the type of sound I wanted to get but just couldn't get that tone I wanted. I would pick it up and start playing but would go back to my Fender jazz with EMG pickup/electronics. Well, I printed out the Carvin setup guide and followed the instructions and low and behold my action was too high, So I grabbed a hex wrench and followed the instructions on the thrust rod adjustments. WOW, now I have the tone/s I was after and always imagined when i had this bass specially made. I now have that define growl and piano like mids and upper register that I always wanted. As for the playability, well...its plays like a dream, very effortlessly like all or maybe better than some the best/expensive basses out on the market that I have tried. I always seen that Carvin gets average ratings on reviews but I can tell you that these basses are top notch and I would buy another one before anything else. before i had my IC5 made I had a Tobias Killer B 5 string and it sounded/played really nice but I couldn't get all the sounds I wanted but with the Carvin ICON 5 I now get all the sounds I ever wanted and lots more. The one bass I would love to compare my IC5 to would be a MTD just to see how it would stand up to one of the best basses on the market ( I've always liked Tobias basses). The reason I think Carvin doesn't get the respect it deserves is that alot of newbies order the basses with all these exotic woods and don't really know the type of sound signature they're going to get with all these wood combos and it throws you off along with the bass setup to your standards. I knew what woods I wanted and I still got kind surprised on the initial sound when i first plugged it in. One thing I've learned through out the years with expensive sound system is when you step up in quality the weak links become more exposed and you have to deal with each one at a time. I knew when I didn't get the sound I wanted it either had to be strings or bass rig but I have a pretty good rig Hartke 3500 head, Hartke XL 4x10 cab, and 1x15 XL cab so I know this is a pretty good sounding rid, next up string Marcus Miller Signature. Remember each step was an improvement but not yet there in the sound where I wanted it. Then I focused on the string heigth and action and there's where it all came together. Plays and sounds wonderful. I almost forgot lots of messing around with the active tone controls. Now I a very happy camper and will most likely order another. This type of process usually goes for almost any bass or guitar so I hope my comments help other newbies out. A big Thank You to all the Carvin members for their support and feedbacks with their ICON basses and other, this really helped me zero in on what it may have been and I know it will help out others in the future! Cool

bassplayer7770

What did we learn today, kids? That a good setup is extremely important... Applause

IconBasser

bassplayer7770

Cougar · Gold Member Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 68

Was in a hurry when I wrote this and just wanted to help out others who may not be as seasoned or experienced in playing or adjusting their axes.

River Alph

bass4worship

Anybody seen my glasses.

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