MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR CARVIN BASSES

Congratulations on your Carvin bass purchase. With proper care Carvin basses will last a lifetime.

nIMPORTANT

Within several days of receiving your bass, it may require a truss rod adjustment, especially if your local weather is either very dry or very humid. If it is very dry, chances are your neck will start to acquire too much forward bow. If it is raining or very humid, the neck may become backbowed, causing string buzzing. Please refer to the 2-way truss rod adjustment instructions.

nSTRINGS

Your Carvin bass is equipped with a high quality set of Carvin strings. For replacement strings, please order from our catalog. If you change to considerably lighter or heavier strings, you may need to adjust the truss rod in the neck to maintain good string action. For long string life, keep the strings clean with a soft dry cloth. Replace strings regularly to avoid dead strings which can cause intonation problems.

n2-WAY TRUSS ROD ADJUSTMENT

Carvin basses come with a 2-way adjustable

truss rod, allowing you to add the proper amount of forward bow to necks with a reverse bow condition. You can check the neck yourself for the proper amount of forward bow. You will need a straightedge about 24” long and a feeler gauge set. Tune the bass to the proper pitch and place the straightedge edgewise on the center of the fingerboard so that it is resting on the first and last fret. Now take the feeler gauge set and check for clearance at the 7th fret. Viewing from the tip of the headstock (with the frets facing away from you), the truss rod nut must be turned left (counter clockwise) if there is less than .010” clearance at the 7th fret. If more than .020” clearance, the truss rod nut must be turned clockwise. The optimum forward bow is

.015”. Turning the nut to the right (clockwise) will reduce the amount of forward bow. To make adjustments use the 4mm hex wrench provided with your bass. A 5/32” hex wrench will also work. Turn the nut 1/10 of a turn and recheck. Do Not force or over tighten the truss rod nut!

Note: If you have just received your Carvin bass and the string action is very low with buzzing frets, then chances are the neck needs adjusting because of a backbowed condition sometimes caused during shipping. If this is the case then remove the truss rod cover with a small phillips screwdriver. Turn the truss rod counter clockwise until you have .015” forward bow. This is about the thickness of 2 business cards or playing cards.

If you don’t have a straightedge or feeler gauge set you can achieve great results by pressing one of your outside strings down at the first fret and 24th fret and having a friend slide 2 stacked playing cards between the 7th fret and the bottom of the string. The 2 cards should slide under without lifting the string up. Adjust the truss rod accordingly.

76-00005D 0808

Lockdown screw for side to side saddle adjustment

1/16” allen wrench

Height adjustment screws

1/16” allen wrench

Intonation adjusting screw

#1 phillips screwdriver

nBRIDGE ADJUSTMENTS

Each Carvin bass is set for best possible playing action for the average bassist. We set our basses up for 3/32” clearance at the 24th fret. If this dimension is much greater or less than this when you first receive your bass then your neck will probably require a truss rod adjustment. Bassists with a light playing style can possibly lower the action slightly. All bassist with a hard playing style will probably need to raise the action slightly. Use a 1/16” allen wrench to raise or lower saddles.

nRECOMMENDED PICKUP HEIGHT

After you have the neck and bridge heights properly adjusted follow these recommend pickup clearances. All dimensions are measured from bottom of string to top of pickup.

PICKUP CHOICES:

-SP2 Soap bar humbucker neck 3/32” -SP2 Soap bar humbucker bridge 1/16” -H50S J-type humbucker neck 3/32” -H50S J-type humbucker bridge 1/16” -J99 J-type Singlecoil neck 1/8”

-J99 J-type Singlecoil bridge 3/32”

-HB2 Alnico 5 humbucker neck 5/32” -HB2 Alnico 5 humbucker bridge 1/8”

Tension

Adjustment

nPREMIUM CARVIN TUNING KEYS

Carvin premium bass tuners are designed to

keep your Carvin bass in perfect tune. They feature a very smooth feel with extra fine 20:1 gear ratio. You can adjust the tension of the Carvin tuning keys with the phillips screwdriver. Just tighten or loosen the screw on the end of the button until the desired tension is obtained.

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12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

(800)854-2235 www.carvin.com

nSTRINGING YOUR BASS

You have the choice of feeding your strings through the rear feed through holes on the back of the bass or through the T-slots on top of the bridge. Either way produces great tone. Pull the string forward until the ball end of the string comes to a stop. Pull the end of the string past the tuning key string post and cut the string so that it extends about 2” past the center of the string post. Now stick the end of the string into the hole on top of the string post and wind it around the string post by turning the tuning key button. Keep the string wrapping underneath each prior wrap so that the final wrap is on the bottom of the post.

nINTONATION

Carvin presets the string saddles for accurate intonation. Use your guitar tuner to fine tune your intonation. With the aid of your electronic tuner, tune each string to the proper pitch. Now check your G string tuning at the 12th and 24th fret. If the tuner shows sharp at the 12th or 24th fret, then adjust the G string bridge saddle slightly further away from the neck. If the tuner shows flat, adjust the saddle towards the neck. Move the saddle 1/32” (about the thickness of a dime). Retune the open G string perfectly and recheck the tuning at the 12th and 24th fret. If the tuning is perfect, you are done intonating the G string. If it is still sharp, then keep moving the string saddle further away from the neck until your intonation is perfect. Repeat this procedure for each string.

nCLEANING AND POLISHING

For all Carvin basses with a gloss finish,

use any good quality automobile wax or guitar polish. To avoid scratching the finish use a clean soft cloth. Do not get wax on ebony or rosewood fingerboards.

For Carvin basses with the natural tung oil finish, apply a good furniture oil such as “Old English” lemon oil and wipe off the excess. This should be done at least twice a year.

Ebony and rosewood fingerboards should be oiled with lemon oil twice a year.

WARNING

Your bass is constructed of seasoned solid wood and dried to specific moisture requirements.

If you live in a desert, high mountain or a cold winter region, you will experience dry and extreme weather conditions from time to time, which can cause your wood and finish to crack. You can prevent cracking by storing your bass in it’s case and by not subjecting it to extreme heat or cold.

If you live in humid regions such as the Southeastern United States, or near the ocean, you should take extra precautions and keep your instrument in its case or gig bag as much as possible.

Do not leave your bass and case in direct sunlight or in your car when it is hot. Heat build up in the case can damage the instrument.

Carvin does not warranty cracks or neck warpage due to extreme weather conditions, improper storage or misuse.

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Carvin IC6W manual Strings, WAY Truss ROD Adjustment, Bridge Adjustments, Recommended Pickup Height, Stringing Your Bass

IC6W specifications

The Carvin IC6W is a remarkable instrument that stands out in the realm of modern electric guitars. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and versatile sound, the IC6W is designed for both professional musicians and passionate hobbyists. Its sleek design and high-quality components make it an attractive choice for guitarists across various genres.

One of the main features of the Carvin IC6W is its solid body construction, which enhances sustain and resonance. The body is ergonomically shaped for player comfort, making it easy to handle during long practice sessions or performances. The guitar is available in several stunning finishes, allowing players to choose a style that best represents their musical personality.

The IC6W is equipped with powerful pickups that deliver a wide range of tonal options. It usually features Carvin’s custom humbucking pickups, which are specifically designed to eliminate unwanted noise and provide rich, full-bodied sound. The guitar is also outfitted with a 5-way pickup selector switch, giving players the ability to easily switch between different tonal configurations, from warm and mellow to bright and cutting.

Another standout characteristic of the Carvin IC6W is its smooth, fast-playing neck. With a compound radius fingerboard, the neck is designed for ultimate playability across all frets. The well-constructed neck and body joint provide excellent access to the higher frets, making it suitable for complex solos and fast runs.

In terms of technology, the Carvin IC6W features stainless steel frets that are not only durable but also contribute to improved sustain and intonation. The advanced tuning stability offered by the guitar's hardware ensures that players can perform confidently, knowing that their instrument will stay in tune even under high-stress playing conditions.

Additionally, the IC6W may offer various customization options, allowing guitarists to choose hardware, electronics, and finishes that cater to their specific needs. This level of customization paired with its performance capabilities makes the Carvin IC6W a versatile and reliable choice for any guitarist looking to enhance their musical expression.

In conclusion, the Carvin IC6W is a high-performing electric guitar that combines stunning aesthetics with cutting-edge features. From its solid construction and versatile tonal options to its comfortable neck and advanced technology, the IC6W is designed to meet the demands of contemporary guitarists while still delivering a sublime playing experience. Whether on stage or in the studio, the Carvin IC6W undoubtedly holds its own as a powerful and reliable instrument.