The Webmaster's XB75

Although represented on my Collections page, my XB75 is probably worth a second look.  It has a mahogany body and neck with quilted maple top and matching headstock, finished in Vintage Yellow.  And that's where the similarity to every other XB75 ends.  Most obvious is the pickup and controls.  Yes, only one HB5 pickup - to the best of my knowledge, the first factory-built Carvin with a single HB5 humbucker.  The lower knobs are the same as other Carvin basses - bass boost, treble & midrange, and the forward top knob is a standard volume.  However, the pan control actually pans between the coils of the HB, allowing a single-coil tone in two positions, or a blend of both.  Also, notice the headstock - it's a hand-made flying V style, a feature that's not offered on 5-string basses.  A beautiful Birdseye maple fingerboard with abalone dots and gold hardware round out the package.

And if you're interested, the totem pole was completely hand-carved by my late father.  A great backdrop for taking guitar pics!

 

Dougal's XB75P
 WWW: http://www.epithetband.com

Wow, check this beauty out.  This is simply a gorgeous XB75P, with one of the best looking flamed koa tops I've seen.  Pictures I'm sure do not do this one justice.

In addition to the obvious flamed koa, this XB has a matching koa headstock,  5-piece neck, no inlays, and black chrome hardware.

Dougal also has an early 90's LB75 - be sure to take a look.  And if you want to see full sized pics of this beauty, go right here.
Dave Dulansey's XB75P
Carvin Museum Forums ID: bunkbedboy
WWW: http://www.karmaelektra.com

Because the XB basses are relatively new, you don't see too many of them, but this is a great example.  It's finished in gorgeous antique brown on quilted maple (with "no-show" neck), gold hardware, and the HB2/J99 that is standard on the "P" option.  Very nice!

This one recently switched hands - it was originally owned by Carvin BBS member cmak9, went on to Dave, and has since moved on again.

Ed Bercaw's XB75P
 Carvin BBS ID: schwinn

Here's another nice one - I dig the classic black.  As much as I like the flashy colors, I'm also a fan of black, especially with black hardware.  This one features a tung oiled neck, 5-piece (maple/koa) wider asymmetrical neck, and the J99/HB2/piezo pickup package.  Sweet!

Ed says:

"I became interested in buying a new Carvin because I knew it would be hard to find the options I wanted in any other bass. Overall, my favorite qualities in this instrument are the greater string tension provided by the extra scale length, the smooth tung-oiled feel of the neck, and the beautiful black finish. The swamp ash body, 5 piece maple-koa neck, and neck-through design give this bass a strong acoustic tone. I blend an equal amount of the aftermarket Bartolini Jazz neck pickup and the stock Carvin MM-style pickup to get a full,! but punchy tone. After playing this bass for almost a year, I really appreciate the wonderful balance and comfort while playing sitting or standing. This is one bass I doubt I will ever part with!".

Bill Knehans' XB75PF & LB75P
Carvin BBS ID: bigdaddy

Anyone who thinks that one bass just isn't enough is OK with me - and here's a great example of that philosophy.  A pair of fivers, in this case an XB and LB model, both in koa, both with the P series upgrade.  Note the side-by-side comparison of the two, illustrating the position of the pickups and bridge relative to the neck, controls and rear of the bass. Bill says:

"Carvin bass #1: "The Big Kahuna" - 2001 LB-75P, gloss koa, 5 piece neck with koa stripes, black hardware, H50N, strap locks. (right)

Carvin bass #2: "Kamehameha" or "The King" - 2003 XB-75PF, gloss koa, 5 piece wide, asymmetrical neck with koa stripes, no inlays, black hardware, H50N, strap locks. (left)

Obviously, the newer bass was made with slightly darker, more figured wood, but I tried to keep them as identical (visually) as possible.  They both sound incredible, and have become my primary gigging basses.  You should hear some of the comments I get when the two guitars are sitting next to each other in their stands on stage."
Jay Rim's XB75WP
Carvin BBS ID: groovy

Now this is nice.  I've never seen a piece of Claro walnut with the kind of flame this one has - looks really good.  In addition, this one has black chrome hardware, wider asymmetrical neck, no inlays and straplocks.