Carvin
This is my current bass guitar - a blue 1990 Carvin LB75 5-string. Mine is a fretless version, but you can't tell by looking, because it has inlays where the frets would be. In fact, I have to admit with considerable chagrin that when I first started playing it in Daddy's Junky Music store, it took me quite a while to realize that it didn't have frets. The inlays make it a lot easier to play for someone like me who has always played fretted guitars before. I picked it up because I really wanted the low B string.
The instrument very reasonably priced, so I thought it would be a good starter 5 string, but I now have no urge to buy another. The Carvin is really solid and sounds great - generally unobtrusive, but with a nice punchy, growl when desired.
I have also become a real fretless fan. Although your fingering has to be a little more precise for perfect pitch, you can always hit the note exactly, even if your tuning has gone a bit off in mid song. Also, if you happen to hit an iota high of the right spot you are not playing high by a full tone.
Last night, the Fabulous Icons (my brother Ben, Cleave Horton, and myself) got together for a practice session for the first time since playing at my sister's (non) wedding in August. Great to be back making music.
September 30, 2004 in Music | Permalink
Comments
I bought a red Yamaha six-string at that Daddy's, probably around fifteen years ago, with my summer work money. Splendid, unpretentious little instrument; like a good public university, it would deliver just as much quality as you expected of it. If played well, it sounded great. If played poorly, well, it wasn't the guitar's fault. (It probably didn't help that I found an ancient "fuzz face" distortion pedal, a crunchy old thing that looked like a land mine...)
Like you, I never really felt a need to move up. But a few years ago, when I couldn't justify keeping as many guitars as I had (four,) the Yamaha was the only one which wasn't an heirloom, and it got sold. I probably can't justify three, either, but they're all from family members who used to play, or died, or something like that...
Posted by: pjm | Sep 30, 2004 12:04:51 PM
I don't know how is missed this post. Just saw it today. That low B string must really add to the power sound of The Fabulous Icons. Luv that music. What genre are you guys playing now? Email a track if you have one. Say hey to all when you get together again.
Hurricane Bob
Posted by: Bob | Oct 21, 2004 7:53:00 AM
Hi Win! Dorsey Beard recently exposed to me this secret musical life of yours (small world). I Googled "The Fabulous Icons," and found your blog through your daughter's. Pretty cool. Any plans to audition for American Idol?
Hope all is well at Lower Falls Landing. Shoot me an email when you play your next public gig, and I'll show up with my lighter.
Posted by: Amanda Montgomery | Jan 4, 2006 12:01:08 PM
