Carvin - Great for the money?

[NT02]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

What color is that V220? Those were one of Carvins coolest guitars, in a weird way. That image of Craig Chaquico will forever be burned in my mind. :laugh2: I love some of the wild 80's shapes, just for nostalgia....like the Charvel Star, and the BC Rich Mockingbird.

It's black with black hardware, Kahler Flyer trem. I didn't even know anything about Carvin when I bought it. I spotted it in a pawn shop one day, and it appealed to me. I picked it up and it was awesome, fast, easy, solid. I put it back on the hanger and walked away, but it stuck in my mind, so about a month later I went back and it was still there. Picked it up, same thing, lovely. I went home and russeled up some stuff to trade, went back to the shop and got the axe. Since then I've played on every Carvin I see, and have been most impressed with the quality.

I guess I'm a fan of those weird shaped guitars too. I had a Honda BC Rich Bich copy that had this relflector-burst paint job. That guitar was a blast.

 

[darkshadow54321]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Thanks for the replies!

Sounds like exactly the kind of thing I want: A Gibson-quality guitar that I don't have to worry about damaging because the price tag is low. Sweet!

I'll be keeping my eye on ebay now...

 

[VanStone2]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

I have owned and sold several brands and models of guitars. Carvins are my favorite - I own three. With the exception of their pickups, I put them in the PRS league (essentially, the highest quality CNCed electric guitars).

As for the devaluation, all the reason mentioned above. Plus, why would you ever buy a used guitar for a couple hundred bucks less than a new one custom made *exactly* how you want it? You wouldn't. You'd pay a little extra for the new one. So, you have to sell Carvins cheaper; otherwise people would just go buy a brand new custom-built-for-them Carvin.


Don't hesitate to buy one - new or used. They're very high quality construction and cost about half what a PRS or Gibson would. Just plan on that you will probably want to install some aftermarket pups.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

The guitars that intrigue me the most are those acoustic/electrics with the fast playing necks, and often a Koa top. If only they'd ditch their love for 24 frets!
That new Carvin model (forget the name) has 22 frets, and looks like a pretty killer guitar. If I found one of those Koa topped A/E guitars real cheap, I'd jump on it. In my opinion, those A/E's should be Carvin's claim to fame. They're really one of the most original designs to come out. Nowadays, Godin kinda grabbed that ball and ran with it.

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

One thing though, I think most people would agree Carvins are a little brighter than many guitars...

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Hot dang, That Bolt Plus looks rather tempting, especially from the things i've been hearing about their quality and the price!!!!!

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

The kit version is only 350 or 400 dollars with most options. You have to finish it yourself, but the nut is already cut and in place - it's really more of an unfinished guitar that's just disassembled. I always wanted a plus with a mahogany body. 20 bucks of tung or gunstock oil and I'd be golden... The only problem is it's not _that_ much cheaper than just ordering a neck and body from warmoth and doing the same thing... Maybe half again as much, but warmoth is pretty awesome, imho, and it'd be exactly what I want.

 

[ankalar]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

One thing though, I think most people would agree Carvins are a little brighter than many guitars...

Well I would imagine this is mostly due to the ebony fretboards and large amount of maple from the neck-thru.

 

[kherman]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Take advantage of the fact that they have poor resale, and buy a USED Carvin.
Carvin makes very good guitars, but what they do is cut corners in the places that aren't obvious to the buyer...ie, pickups, pots, electronics, and body wood that's not as good as higher end guitars...except for their tops and fretboards.

I've owned several Carvin guitars over the years, mostly years ago. They play great, and look great, but in order to sound great, you've got to gut the electronics, redrill holes for new pickup rings, and install quality pickups. Otherwise, the natural Carvin tone will sound mediocre and devoid of any mojo. I know from experience.
.

I TOTALLY disagree with this cut corners stuff.

Carvin uses very good quality woods
Honduras mahogany
N.E. USA Hard Rock maple
N.W. USA Alder
Southern USA Swamp Ash
Hawaiin KOA
California Claro Walnut
N.W. USA Figured Maple
Etc..

These are not cheap inferior woods. They are not Agathis, Nato, Pine, Basswood, and so on.

I've only had one problem with the electronics. A crackling Jack on my Dc400. They replaced it no question. No issues since.

Pickups are subjective.
Carvin make a very good quality pickup. Especially for stock.
I use the M22n/M22sd in my Carvin 6's. Never felt a need to replace them. They've worked great. Never had a problem getting the tones I wanted.
I stuck the H22n/C22b combo in my Diodati 59Q. Made a huge improvement over the stock Gotohs. More sustain, definition, clarity. Much fuller tone.

Face it, the die-hard Duncan users thinks the Dimarzio guys are wacked, they think the EMG guys are wacked, who think the Gibson guys are wacked, that believe everyone is wacked, etc, etc, etc, ...
Everyone has thier preference.
I have the Duncan Jazz/JB in my Ravelle. I think they work great in that guitar. Don't feel a need to change them. But, I do feel the Ravelle is more compressed in tone compared to the Diodati now. Could be a number of reasons why. But, I do know the Carvin pickups made the Diodati's sound difference noticable. It definitely has a more wide and open tone now.
The H22n/C22b complimented it very well.

Is Carvin perfect. No. Neither is any other company.
But, from my experience they've always resolved any questions or issues I've had, and in a timely manner.

Kent

 

[kherman]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Oh, and resale.

For some odd reason people think if you buy a Carvin for $800 new you should get $800 back when selling. Then get disappointed when they only get
$450.

These same people will buy a Jackson Soloist for $1600 and only get $900 back out of it. But, that's ok.
A Gibson for $2200 and only get $1400. But, that's ok.
Look at Heritage and Hamer. Both very respected guitar companies. And some model demand a high price new. But, your lucky to get a $1000 back out of it.
Parker Fly Deluxe (own a '98). New around $2200 now. Used around $900.
Trade is even worse. I decided to just hang on to it.

Carvin isn't alone.

If it's not a vintage guitar of some type. You are never going to get your money back out of it.

Guitars are for playing. Not investments. Buy a Roth IRA if you want investment.

Kent

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

I've heard so many good things about Carvin's quality and have been itching to try one out, but there's nowhere I can do that!!!!

 

[sosomething]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Carvins are excellent quality guitars, meaning the fretwork, fit, and finish is reliably supurb. They use high quality woods and hardware. Many people don't like the pickups, but I'd be willing to bet it's just because they're kind of ugly with all the pole pieces everywhere.

The downsides to Carvin are all preference issues - their necks are pretty thin, so if you like a beefy neck you'll probably stay away from them. Also, their body styles have never really jumped out at me as anything unique or alluring about them, just lots of soft roundy edges.

They're kind of like Hamers in that way - excellent instruments, but a lot of people aren't moved by the boat paddle headstock.

 

[Gary Ladd]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Thanks for the replies!

Sounds like exactly the kind of thing I want: A Gibson-quality guitar that I don't have to worry about damaging because the price tag is low. Sweet!

I'll be keeping my eye on ebay now...

Sorry to say this, but Carvins will never sound like Gibsons...more like Fenders, but even then there a bit different.

I don't know about the current bolt-ons, but the neck thrus are brighter and have a different tone that is common for that design...lack growl, too much attack, etc.

IMHO, nothing can beat either a bolt-on or set-neck...

One more thing, Carvin necks are also a little different, I'd suggest playing a few before you decide to join the Carvin cheerleading squad...LOL

BTW, if you're particular about your PUPs (why else would you be here) the first thing you'll do if you get a Carvin is yank ALL the electronics...probably some of the worst in the industry.


:afro:

 

[kherman]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

He's talking about build quality. Not really the tone.

Carvin does offer the CT now. Set neck, 22 frets, Honduras mahogany neck and body, String thru body.
Most have said the body is slightly thicker than a PRS. Little deeper sounding.
So, you may be able to coax some LPish if not at least some SGish type tones from the CTs.

As for the neck-thrus. To combat brightness is you do not care for the extra crispness (I do).
Go with all mahogany neck and body option.
Go with the rosewood fretboard option instead of ebony.
Stick with the TOM or hardtail bridge instead of a trem.
Try the H22n/C22b(orH22T) pickup combo. (most will switch to their favorite brand anyways. But, it's worth the shot.)
Keep passive. Actives make your tone brighter.
Remove or replace with a different value the Cap between the tone and volume pots.

There are many options to choose from. Your not stuck to just the basics.
Figure out what you want in tone, and pick the options that will get you the closest.


Kent

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

The new California Carved series are set-neck. They look stunningly beautiful. I have avoided going over there for fear of a serious GAS attack.

 

[Gary Ladd]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

The new California Carved series are set-neck. They look stunningly beautiful. I have avoided going over there for fear of a serious GAS attack.

I would perhaps consider Carvins, although I've been by their showrooms many times and never found a guitar that felt right or sounded right for my purposes, but I would only buy a Carvin if they left out the PUPs...I ain't paying for that trash! LOL :32:

Oh, another thingy...I won't buy anymore nickel/silver fretwork...on SS for me, so Carvin is not an option...

 

[Ocifer]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

I would perhaps consider Carvins, although I've been by their showrooms many times and never found a guitar that felt right or sounded right for my purposes, but I would only buy a Carvin if they left out the PUPs...I ain't paying for that trash! LOL :32:

Oh, another thingy...I won't buy anymore nickel/silver fretwork...on SS for me, so Carvin is not an option...

They offer SS frets on EVERY guitar model they make.

For clarification, have most people here had problems with the pickups? I don't really mind having to replace pickups.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

They offer SS frets on EVERY guitar model they make.

For clarification, have most people here had problems with the pickups? I don't really mind having to replace pickups.

The only problem is carvin is retarded about it and usually their routing and/or pickup rings and the holes drilled for them are different than standard humbuckers, so it can possibly be a chore.

 

[kherman]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

The only problem is carvin is retarded about it and usually their routing and/or pickup rings and the holes drilled for them are different than standard humbuckers, so it can possibly be a chore.

I've only known the 7 strings to have a little difficulty in swapping pickups.
May require a little pickup cavity routing. But, most have said they just needed to grind a little bit of the pickup base plate to fit the pickups in.

As for the 6's, I've only heard of EMG's requiring routing. But, I've heard that about most any guitar not stock with EMGs.

As for pickup rings. Yeah, not all pickup rings are spaced the same.
So, you may need to fill in the old pickup ring holes and re-drill new holes for the new rings. No biggy it all ends up under the rings anyways, and is not visable to the eye.
Most people like to replace the plastic rings with metal rings.

One of the guys over at the Carvin forum got gold metal rings and gold metal pickup covers for his DC127M. Looks awesome. Very classy looking.
These are two options many have wished carvin would add to the option list.

Here I found the pic.

Kent

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Carvin - Great for the money?

Actually that's one thing I'll admit I don't like about Carvins - I never saw the need to put so damn many extra toggle switches on them... =) looks like it's got antennas....