Carvin SB5000

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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In 2009, Carvin teamed up with Sekou Bunch to create the SB4000, a bass the company says was designed with “vintage vibe.” The U.S.-made bass is a 4-string, though a 5-string SB5000 is available with many of the same specs.

Standard features on the SB4000 include an alder body, eastern hard rock maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, though they only begin as a jumping off point for hundreds of options ranging from finishes to woods to inlays. Another interesting option is to have the bass built with a chambered body, which reduces the weight by up to one pound.

The bass comes stock with passive electronics and a pair of Carvin’s J99A single coil pickups that feature alnico V magnets. Hardware includes a fully-adjustable bridge with lock-down saddles, Carvin premium tuners, and a graphite-teflon nut.

Videos

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Bass Whisperer TV

Carvin SB5000

Bass Whisperer TV

CARVIN SB5000 BASS

BassTheWorld.com

Carvin Microbass12 and SB5000 demo w/Chris Buck

krisdofernates

Carvin SB5000

Jay InChrist

Carvin SB5000 Bass Test

HolyOneMusic

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Carvin SB5000.

Value and pricing

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Securing a Carvin SB5000 for $450 is considered an exceptional deal, especially when compared to its typical market price.
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It’s advised to wait for Kiesel's sales events, such as President's Day, for free or discounted upgrades, potentially saving hundreds on custom builds.
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Use cases and applications

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The bass is suitable for death metal, particularly with a proper signal chain, dirt, and compression.
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Jazz basses like the SB5000 are commonly used in heavy music genres, including death metal, by adjusting EQ settings and playing techniques.
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Features and functionality

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The SB5000 model includes both active and passive modes, offering versatility in tonal options.
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Kiesel basses feature a 14" radius modern C neck profile, which can be sampled on similar spec'd used basses for those considering custom orders.
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Setup and maintenance

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It's suggested to set the bass with a low action for optimal playability in metal genres.
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One Kiesel owner noted that the setup out of the box was lackluster, with wiring issues like a lack of explicit ground connection, leading to hum problems after a pickup swap.
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Comparisons

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The Carvin SB5000's compatibility with metal is likened to the effectiveness of Fender Jazz basses in similar settings.
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Build quality

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Some Kiesel basses, including custom orders, have been reported to have minor finishing issues, such as incorrect headstock finishes, but were resolved with good customer service.
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Mods and upgrades

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Carvin SB5000s can be customized with non-Kiesel pickups if ordered over the phone, allowing for more personalized tonal options.
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User experience

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Some users express satisfaction with Kiesel basses in terms of playability and sound quality, despite mixed experiences with custom order accuracy.
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5.0 out of 5

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wintonwhite

almost 6 years ago

Excellent bang for the buck!

Carvin’s modern hommage to the classic 70s jazz bass.

This discontinued model (and brand) with all its specs was a steal for all that you get. Brand new it was about $1500. Buying it used (which I did) for $650 was almost like doing crime...but it felt good! The first time I picked this instrument up and set up my left hand against the neck, I knew this was gonna be a good one.

Thin neck with 19mm spacing and satin finish on the back automatically made me feel like I was gliding on that thing. Pick-up placement is like a 70s jazz bass with the rear pup near the bridge.

Aside from that, every SB4000/SB5000 is different so it’s hard to generalize. But my SB5000 has very bright but BIG sound. Volume is not an issue with the Carvin 18v active pups and electronics. It’s a tad bright sometimes depending on the strings you use and how much treble you kick up. But I usually bring the treble down a little under where it’s flat.

Many tonal variation, even active/passive switch, super comfy neck and balanced low and high notes makes this axe a wonder to play. It makes me curious to try the now Kiesel (formerly Carvin) basses.