Carvin XB76WP

Have had two of them made from 2004-2005. Had one built, it broke so they built me another one and it broke as well. Both were the Claro Walnut six string with the P bass option. Two humbuckers with coil splitting switches on each pickup. The first order they got right but the second order they did not include the gold hardware or the strap locks. Was not charged for them but they also did not correct the order. A lot of good features but what good are features if you can't play the bass.

I play contempory Christian music for a church band. The guitar had good sound with good range. For the most part not noisy. A deep sounding bass with good warmth. Not real bright like my Tobias or Fender.

The fit and finish were excelent and the bass was beautiful but I ended up snapping the ends off of the truss rods for both basses. There is not sufficient adjustability in their truss rods and the rods do not adjust easily so you end up snapping them off attempting to achieve the correct neck relief. What good is a bass that you cannot properly adjust the neck relief on?

Carvin basses are OK except for their junk truss rods. They do not have sufficient adjustment and they are made of cheap metal. I also have a Fender Jazz American made and a Tobias. When the weather changes between hot and humid to cold and dry in the Northeast the necks on bass guitars need to be readjusted. No surprise that weather changes wood. For my other two basses all I have to do with the Fender is a little quater turn and the neck is set right. The Tobias is the same except there are two truss rods but they turn so easy. One finger is all that is needed on the Tobias. The Fender takes a little more effort but Carvins do not adjust enough and when you can break the end of a truss rod off with just the little wrench that they provide something is wrong. Again their truss rods are junk.

If it breaks within the first ten days they will refund your money after that they will repair it provided you send it to them and you pay the shipping. Then you have to wait around nine to ten weeks, that is if they don't loose track of your return for four months. In short it sucks! Will never buy another Carvin. You couldn't give me one!

I have been playing bass for three years and playing music for 40 years with various instruments. If this bass were stolen I would thank the theif because I could turn it in on insurance. I will never own another Carvin. I do own a five string Fender American made and I love it. I also own a five string Tobias and I love it even more. If you are looking for a five or six string check out a Fender American or Tobias you will not be disappointed. I bought both of my other basses in local stores where I could try them out. I guess mail order is not such a great idea after all.