LeftyBassist.com

Just noticed Kiesel (Carvin) are now making Vader series Headless basses. They look great and of course are all available in left handed versions!

http://www.carvinguitars.com/customshop/vaderbass.php

I saw that - they are unique, I'm not a headless fan but if you like it this is a good choice. What do you think of the 30 in scale for 5 and 6 strings?

not having much luck finding that on their website.... can you give me a link?.... Thx!

OK, my Bad! Just read the rest of the bass descriptions, and saw they have a 30" option for these basses....

Decided to put together a wish-list on a 6-String model... came to $1689.... this is a case where it seems to me, if you buy a bass from Carvin/Kiesel at this point, you know the quality will be there, but not the resale.... so buying one is with the intent that you will own it for a long time.... here's my build order (although I didn't order it.... )

I'm thrilled to see someone offer reasonably priced short-scale 5 & 6 string left-handed basses! Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of the headless design either, but maybe they'll expand the option to their other basses eventually?

If you're looking for a shortscale 5- or 6-string but don't want to go headless, you could also look at Maruszczyk or the related brand Mensinger. They're handcrafted in Poland. The Mensinger Cazpar is a shortscale bass that's available lefthanded and as 5- and 6-string. They would probably end up being too expensive to import into the US though. Prices here are fairly affordable, especially for what you're getting.

I have long been a proponent of the full bodied headless design but more often than not such basses were either not available lefty (i.e Steinberger & Kubicki) or were only available from the higher end ($$$$$) brands like Status Graphite. I am glad to see affordable headless basses with different scale options finally on the market. If I ever happen to be in the San Diego area I'd like to give one a try at the showroom.

Jeroen, have you ever tried a 5-or-6 string short-scale bass? just curious if you, or anyone else here has tried one, and what do you think of the sound overall, and especially the B-string?

I have a 30" 6-string(and 4 & 8 strings), and 2 32" 5-strings. I have never found any of them to lack low-end. I usually run a .120 or .125 low B though, so I'm not sure how they would work with heavier gauges...though I do have to unwrap the B-string to allow it to wind around the tuning peg on my 30" 6-string. .

I've found that wood, strings, outboard EQ settings - and particularly technique - make a much bigger difference on tone than scale length.

I'm loving Carvin these days (my JB5 has become my main bass), but not a fan of the body shape on this Vader model. Too '80s metal/fusion for me. But kudos to Carvin for catering to us lefties.

I've had my Status Graphite S3 32" 5 string fretless for several months now and the low B is wonderfully thunderous, almost to the point where the E string sounds weaker by comparison. I was so worried about how the low B would sound on a medium scale bass when I was ordering such a high dollar instrument, but I am very pleased how it turned out. Now with these Vader basses I wonder all over again about how a low B would sound on a 30" scale bass. I find it most odd how they only offer 34" and 30". The main thing that I've been trying to overcome with the 32" Status is the muscle memory adjustment, and with the 30" scale of the Vader it would probably be even worse.

I'm with Lefty007 about the body shape. I would like to see a more traditional shaped bass booty like the Status or Kubicki or Steinberger XM2. The Vader has too much of the rear cut away and makes it look too weird.





That being said, I'm still very curious and I want to try one out. Whenever my Carvin crazy guitar player friend makes a trip to the factory I'll probably tag along and see if I can check one out.

@Penguin. I switch between my Wyn 34.5" scale and RA Mouse 30" scale basses all the time - even multiple times at gigs in the same set - and I've never had an issue with muscle memory.

Perhaps it's just me, or perhaps it's because it's fretless, but I felt comfortable with the Mouse 30 since Day 1

I have one on order and which I believe will be the first lefty Vader 5 out of the gate. I kept the options simple as I have no idea how it will turn out but I am optimistic. I mentioned to Keith (super nice sales guy) to thank Jeff and those who created it not only thank you for that but also thank you for considering us lefties. There are a few Carvin models not available in lefty so I'm glad this one did not also fall into that list.

I will post my thoughts on it when she arrives in a few months. For now, the dreaded wait...

Excellent!

So my Vader 5 lefty came in. It was worth the wait for sure. These are nice basses for the money.

I went with a fairly simple layout on this one as I had no idea what I was getting into. The closest I have had was a Hohner 5 for a short time but no other headless basses. It is a bit different and sometimes has that "falling off the end of the earth" feel around first position however at the same time, wonderful ergonomically.

Build quality is outstanding. I thought it would be considering my first Carvin was a used LB70 just a few years ago that I was pleasantly impressed with (never should have sold it). The body is pretty small considering the pointed style sides and fairly short length. I went with simple trans red over alder with no top to keep costs down a bit and the finish is quite nice.

The neck on this one is a maple with birdseye fretboard and a satin finish. Birdseye is very prominent and is a really nice slab chosen. The satin is well applied and smooth all around. I'm glad I went with it as I find satin to have a great feel yet fairly durable vs a rubbed oil finish. These necks though wide spaced (19mm I believe) are fairly flat in the back profile. They are not quite say Warrior flat (flattest I've ever played) but flatter than most which makes it comfortable even with the wide spacing. Fretwork is great and the heel has a nice transition and a really cool (IMO) finish line from satin to body paint.

I like what they have done with the head piece. It is designed not to require double-ball end strings. I assume the best way to string would be to start at the bridge and pull through the head piece with the screw down just enough to hold the string in, cut, then pull the string back a hair to keep the string end from cutting up the player. You can't really file the ends there as it would damage the head piece.

Bridge is great (can't go wrong with that tried and true design) and pickups are hot yet fairly neutral. They are as hot in the output as advertised and fairly consistent from top to bottom. I appreciate the passive vol-blend-tone setup as I have been leaning towards more passive setups lately.

They are on the lighter side though I have not weighed it yet. I was very pleased with the overall weight.

Killer gigbag. They really stepped that up with the more rigid style bag vs something thin and fold able.

Nitpicks: Well the only few I have so far is the lack of string spacing options (I would have gone with 17.5mm) and where the neck sits. It's just something I have to get use to. I'm so use to these G&L, MM's, Fenders, etc where the neck sits a bit further into the body giving a shorter feel overall, especially at first position. This is placement more similar to say a Spector where it is not set in as far giving it a longer feel. Again, time on that. I also would like to see inverse pots on the vol and tone but I can live without those.

I dig it and recommend it. Something different, especially for us lefties without spending an arm and a leg. I surely see another in my future.

Some photos:

http://littlesimy.com/schtuff/Vader5/photos_display.php

That's beautiful. Carvin build quality is excellent and good value for the money as long as you don't trick the out too much. They are also a very lefty friendly company

Congrats! Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about its' playability and tone.

Fantastic looking bass! As you mentioned, and by your pictures, the attention to detail is very apparent - good job Carvin! If you don't mind letting us know, what was the total cost for your bass?

Hey thanks for the kind words all.

Bass was about $1400 shipped if I remember correctly. I used to loathe the fact that they would force you into buying a case however I understand with shipping insurance and really appreciate the current cases they are sending.

It plays with very low action and little buzz however these are not my usual strings. The usual set are SIT Power Wound 45-100 + 125. I use to play more expensive DR's and such but just can't justify them any longer. SIT's are pretty decent for the money. We'll see how that sets up with those after bridge adjustments and of course I will report back here.

-vinnie

Went to the Carvin website, and "built" a bass, with a couple of options. Total came out to $1629... Would like to have one, but at that price, it may take awhile to have the extra cash to fulfill this GAS desire....