Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

R

Realmrocks

New member
First post to this cool forum...

I bought a Carvin DC 400 and there must have been to much maple in recipe as I can't get a nice balanced tone (should have sent back within 10 days but water under bridge). Every PU position is like an am radio. I had the stock Carvin humbuckers, then switched to EMG 85/81 combo, made worse.

Does the TB-11 Custom Custom (Bridge) and SH-1N '59 (Neck) model make sense? My canvas is a "Shrilly" creature so my thought is to over compensate to get "the balance".

The balance for me is Dream Theater - Rush type tone. I play through an ENGL Sovereign amp (love it) :dance: so backend is set..need PU suggestions/experiences. Thanks
Ed
 
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Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

I had a guitar tech install them, not sure if he used stock or EMG suppled but he has great rep. Interesting point though.

The only thing I could add is it sounded shrilly even with stock Carvin PU's from factory, so there was issue out the door.

I was mad when nothing worked so I had tech remove wood from guitar.
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

Duncan PA-TB1 bridge and neck will definitely warm up a shrill guitar without going too far in the opposite direction. The PA-TB3 bridge will give you more of a classic sound than the PA-TB1 bridge, but still mates up well with the PA-TB1 neck.

Another pair of Duncans to try is the Duncan Custom/Jazz or Custom/'59 combo.

A DiMarzio Tone Zone in the bridge will really warm it up and mates well with many of their neck pickups (Air Norton, Liquifire, Evolution neck). If you want the Tone Zone's warmth, but a little less intense presence, the DiMarzio Air Zone is an excellent bridge pickup, as well.

The DiMarzio Crunch Lab/Liquifire combo is on the warm side and what John Petrucci (Dream Theater) currently uses.

The EQ of the EMG 81 won't warm up a cold guitar very well at all. Many EMG fans swap the 85 to the bridge to try and warm their guitars up a bit, but that leaves the neck position the weak link. If you absolutely have to have that active presence, but want a bit more warmth in both positions and don't mind going back to a passive design, you'd be better off with a set of LACE Drop & Gains. The S.D. Blackouts might be worth a look, as well.
 
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Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

Masta'c - I like the "DiMarzio Crunch Lab/Liquifire combo " idea. I agree the EMG's not good idea to get warmer sound. Definately not married to active presence PU's. I've had Seymour Duncan pu's in back of mind for long time, this is right time to try. Thank you
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

Welcome!! The custom Custom is a great pup to warm up a bright guitar. I once had a Carvin (Sc90 with Floyd) that was alil brighter than I liked and I put a PATB3 in it and that worked great! Had a big full tone.
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

I have tremendous experience with this problem! I fought maple brightness for a long time. All maple + OFR = My very bright guitar.

The pickups I used in it from best to worst:
-Liked:

PATB-1-8: My god...
PATB-1: Very balanced pickup. Most versatile.
CC: Actually liked this one a little better than the PATB, but less versatile. Not as aggressive as I liked, although that was actually good in a lot of circumstances.
C8: Great pickup, but slightly too harsh to use in my rig. Would've worked perfectly with a less harsh amp

-Disliked:

CUOA5: Too much treble, bass was weak sounding
Alt 8: Beefy, but too stiff for leads
Tone Zone: Huge, but the harsh midrange "grind" was too much

Hope this helped! I would go with a PATB-1, then mag swap from there. If yours doesn't have an OFR, then I would go with a CC or regular PATB-1 (or 3!)
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

the Carvin S22's are very warm sounding
Click to expand...
I am into the SD models. Had one on old Explorer once, sounded awesome. There's a certain subtle power with SD's.

On Carvin train, next purchase will probably be a DC 727. That very low end growl can be awesome especially with agressive harmonic pinching.
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

I have tremendous experience with this problem!
Click to expand...
Hallelujah! :arms: :fest7:

Finally someone who shares my pain. Although I don't think you went to extreme and cut 2 large holes on guitar? :smash: I know dumb...

Thanks for detailed review of each PU...I like the PATB-1 suggestion...am agressive player who loves to kick out moving leads.

Thank you!
 
Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

P-Rails. Super thick series HB tones, and killer split tones. The Dimarzio Tone Zone will knock down those highs too, and the Norton will give you a fatter midrange. The Seymour Duncan Alternative 8 will punch up the bottom too, but without sacrificing top end harmonics and pick attack.
 
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Re: Carvin DC 400 too Shrilly...help

P-Rails. Super thick series HB tones, and killer split tones. The Dimarzio Tone Zone will...
Click to expand...

Thanks Big K...have gotten some great suggestions form this forum. Very glad I joined. Cheers
 
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