CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
- Thread starter SirJackdeFuzz
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L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I buy guitars that I fall in love with.
I fall in love with a guitar only after I've played it.
It's not like a pedal or a pack of strings, where every single one with the same model number is going to be identical.
It would be like going on an expensive vacation with a blind date and all you get to do for qualification is read the other person's online profile. Numbers, factoids, favorites lists. I think guitars are as individual as people, and meeting a person would be analogous to playing the guitar. How much are you willing to invest in your online romance before meeting up in real life?
I buy guitars that I fall in love with.
I fall in love with a guitar only after I've played it.
It's not like a pedal or a pack of strings, where every single one with the same model number is going to be identical.
It would be like going on an expensive vacation with a blind date and all you get to do for qualification is read the other person's online profile. Numbers, factoids, favorites lists. I think guitars are as individual as people, and meeting a person would be analogous to playing the guitar. How much are you willing to invest in your online romance before meeting up in real life?
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
The resale value is bad, also. How many people are gonna pay $500 for my design when they could get their own design for $1000?
I'm not into neck thru guitars, so that eliminates over half of their line. I've specced out Carvin Strats and they usually come out around $850 or so. I can get a used MIA Fender for way less than that, and know I can get my money back if I decide to sell it.
The resale value is bad, also. How many people are gonna pay $500 for my design when they could get their own design for $1000?
I'm not into neck thru guitars, so that eliminates over half of their line. I've specced out Carvin Strats and they usually come out around $850 or so. I can get a used MIA Fender for way less than that, and know I can get my money back if I decide to sell it.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I think the equation to answer your question the most quality the highest the price. Combine that with the company's strategy on keeping the operations small in order to keep it solid then you have a nice product and a company that performs well. I wonder how much debt Carvin could have, it think it is minimal. Popular brands like Fender on the other hand have a big debt with banks.
I think the equation to answer your question the most quality the highest the price. Combine that with the company's strategy on keeping the operations small in order to keep it solid then you have a nice product and a company that performs well. I wonder how much debt Carvin could have, it think it is minimal. Popular brands like Fender on the other hand have a big debt with banks.
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L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
Then if I build a one-off guitar from scratch, using whatever tools I have at home, the quality should be off the charts.
Then if I build a one-off guitar from scratch, using whatever tools I have at home, the quality should be off the charts.
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I tried a bunch at NAMM. Their semi-hollows (like the one in the top pic) sounded like n LP, not at all like a 335 or any other semi I have tried...I even tried out a few of those Carvins to make sure, because I love the look of them. Also, they were heavy...like between 9-11 lbs or so. I tried out the headless ones too- the Holdsworth, which I liked, except the flat radius, and chunky neck, and the new Vader, which I didn't bond with...had a larger body for a headless and no trem option. It was ok, but the looks are what sells all this stuff. I got their catalogs since 81, and never played one. When I did...eh. And these days, a guitar has to knock me out to consider it. They all looked stunning in person, though.
I tried a bunch at NAMM. Their semi-hollows (like the one in the top pic) sounded like n LP, not at all like a 335 or any other semi I have tried...I even tried out a few of those Carvins to make sure, because I love the look of them. Also, they were heavy...like between 9-11 lbs or so. I tried out the headless ones too- the Holdsworth, which I liked, except the flat radius, and chunky neck, and the new Vader, which I didn't bond with...had a larger body for a headless and no trem option. It was ok, but the looks are what sells all this stuff. I got their catalogs since 81, and never played one. When I did...eh. And these days, a guitar has to knock me out to consider it. They all looked stunning in person, though.
Aasinsilta
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
Tried a Carvin once at GC from the used section, very nearly bought the thing on the spot. Didn't quite get feel for all the electronics due to the myriad of switches, but it played wonderfully.
That said, I think the mainstream buyer would shy away from Carvin because there's almost too much choice for them. Not everyone wants to spec out a guitar, and I'd venture many people would only know what style and color they want, maybe woods. Some people just want to get something off the rack that they like, and it's probably a majority. It's also especially hard for Carvin to target an entry level audience, so they lose out on potential brand loyalty companies like Gibson and Fender can build by offering the budget models. So they're faced with two dilemmas there, but they seem successful and their product is very solid.
Tried a Carvin once at GC from the used section, very nearly bought the thing on the spot. Didn't quite get feel for all the electronics due to the myriad of switches, but it played wonderfully.
That said, I think the mainstream buyer would shy away from Carvin because there's almost too much choice for them. Not everyone wants to spec out a guitar, and I'd venture many people would only know what style and color they want, maybe woods. Some people just want to get something off the rack that they like, and it's probably a majority. It's also especially hard for Carvin to target an entry level audience, so they lose out on potential brand loyalty companies like Gibson and Fender can build by offering the budget models. So they're faced with two dilemmas there, but they seem successful and their product is very solid.
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I have a superstrat type carvin. Plays well, has good features and now has better pickups. I'm not a superstrat type guy, but whenever I want to try some shred (badly) this is the go-to. Does that better than the guitars I have now......and was only about $500 shipped to Aus (secondhand). Even squier is about double the price here.
I have a superstrat type carvin. Plays well, has good features and now has better pickups. I'm not a superstrat type guy, but whenever I want to try some shred (badly) this is the go-to. Does that better than the guitars I have now......and was only about $500 shipped to Aus (secondhand). Even squier is about double the price here.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I rarely see them as well, but a couple years ago I saw a very deluxe CT-6 used at a GC. If I hadn't JUST spent a bundle on another guitar, I would have bought it. Beautiful guitar, played well...the only reason that I didn't buy it was the lack of cash. Liked it better than almost every PRS I ever played.
I think the lack of being able to put hands on the is the biggest factor why they are not more popular. Another thing is that many guys don't like their pickups. The good news is though, you can send a guitar back if you don't like it.
I bought some of their lightweight plastic LM-15A power speakers and a pair of power subs used from a guy who was getting out of the biz. Had them three years now, and I'm very pleased with my purchase. I haven't had to use my big system for quite some time, as this one has enough power for most of the gigs I do these days. It's light and modular, which I like. Good value.
Bill
I rarely see them as well, but a couple years ago I saw a very deluxe CT-6 used at a GC. If I hadn't JUST spent a bundle on another guitar, I would have bought it. Beautiful guitar, played well...the only reason that I didn't buy it was the lack of cash. Liked it better than almost every PRS I ever played.
I think the lack of being able to put hands on the is the biggest factor why they are not more popular. Another thing is that many guys don't like their pickups. The good news is though, you can send a guitar back if you don't like it.
I bought some of their lightweight plastic LM-15A power speakers and a pair of power subs used from a guy who was getting out of the biz. Had them three years now, and I'm very pleased with my purchase. I haven't had to use my big system for quite some time, as this one has enough power for most of the gigs I do these days. It's light and modular, which I like. Good value.
Bill
Iron1
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I used to have a Carvin stack and it sounded much better than the Marshall equivalents I would use when sharing cabs at gigs. Have always had a great opinion of their guitars, but like so many others I just can't buy a guitar I didn't first play and fall in love with.
I used to have a Carvin stack and it sounded much better than the Marshall equivalents I would use when sharing cabs at gigs. Have always had a great opinion of their guitars, but like so many others I just can't buy a guitar I didn't first play and fall in love with.
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
Too bad they don't have a Scallop option...
Too bad they don't have a Scallop option...
LLL
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
Carvin guitars are plenty popular; if they weren't, they wouldn't have been in business since 1949.
That being said, I would say Gibson and Fender are more popular; brand name recognition has something (but not everything) to do with this.
In 2004, I got a neck thru mahogany slab guitar with ebony fretboard and block inlays for about $1000; you'd never
find a brand new neck thru for that price.
I put Seth Lovers in it (had to chisel some wood out of the pup cavities to fit, but not much). The org pups sold immediately.
Last I heard they went to standard pickup spacing.
I had to replace the box 3-way toggle with a Gibson-style-3 way; their electronics did seem to be more along the lines of asian guitar quality (cheaper but worked).
The guitar itself is featured on the Carvin Museum Player's Gallery; the Reissue DC150 here (with chrome covered Seths):
http://www.carvinmuseum.com/playersgallery.html
The guitar plays and sounds "teats". It is (shockingly for me) 11 years old now and everything works perfectly.
Friend has a bass from late 80's that works perfectly to this day.
Carvin guitars are plenty popular; if they weren't, they wouldn't have been in business since 1949.
That being said, I would say Gibson and Fender are more popular; brand name recognition has something (but not everything) to do with this.
In 2004, I got a neck thru mahogany slab guitar with ebony fretboard and block inlays for about $1000; you'd never
find a brand new neck thru for that price.
I put Seth Lovers in it (had to chisel some wood out of the pup cavities to fit, but not much). The org pups sold immediately.
Last I heard they went to standard pickup spacing.
I had to replace the box 3-way toggle with a Gibson-style-3 way; their electronics did seem to be more along the lines of asian guitar quality (cheaper but worked).
The guitar itself is featured on the Carvin Museum Player's Gallery; the Reissue DC150 here (with chrome covered Seths):
http://www.carvinmuseum.com/playersgallery.html
The guitar plays and sounds "teats". It is (shockingly for me) 11 years old now and everything works perfectly.
Friend has a bass from late 80's that works perfectly to this day.
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
Because they are very expensive and don't hold resale value very well? I love Carvin but it kind of sucks dropping 3K on a guitar & as soon as you leave the store it's lost 1/3 of its value! I agree that they should be more popular, if you are looking for a player that you plan on keeping Carvin is a great choice!!!
Because they are very expensive and don't hold resale value very well? I love Carvin but it kind of sucks dropping 3K on a guitar & as soon as you leave the store it's lost 1/3 of its value! I agree that they should be more popular, if you are looking for a player that you plan on keeping Carvin is a great choice!!!
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I would LOVE to try one of these f-hole-less semi's :
http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/fg1s <----- just NOT in this OTT finnish.
More in this type of wood fin :
I would LOVE to try one of these f-hole-less semi's :
http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/fg1s <----- just NOT in this OTT finnish.
More in this type of wood fin :
jmh151
Active member
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
As others have said, it's hard to lay down money on a guitar you can't play first. If you pick a bare bones model with an opaque finish, it's worth a shot- but by the time you start adding all the options you want, adding up all the money, you're in at least $1700 for a guitar you haven't sampled first- so for some it's a risk. They make beautiful guitars.
I played a used arch top CT-6 that I found in Guitar Center- their copy of a PRS. I own a PRS, and there is no comparison. The Carvin may offer prettier wood, but it feels like a Schecter Diamond series and does not have the attention to detail or carving that a PRS has.
Comparing a Carvin to a Jackson, the Jackson has a compound radius board, which is a detail I prefer.
I had a Carvin V3 amp, which is their answer to a Mesa Triple Rectifier.The amp sounded sterile in comparison to a Mesa.
As others have said, they cut corners to keep the prices down. They are still excellent guitars, but don't think you're getting a bargain.
As others have said, it's hard to lay down money on a guitar you can't play first. If you pick a bare bones model with an opaque finish, it's worth a shot- but by the time you start adding all the options you want, adding up all the money, you're in at least $1700 for a guitar you haven't sampled first- so for some it's a risk. They make beautiful guitars.
I played a used arch top CT-6 that I found in Guitar Center- their copy of a PRS. I own a PRS, and there is no comparison. The Carvin may offer prettier wood, but it feels like a Schecter Diamond series and does not have the attention to detail or carving that a PRS has.
Comparing a Carvin to a Jackson, the Jackson has a compound radius board, which is a detail I prefer.
I had a Carvin V3 amp, which is their answer to a Mesa Triple Rectifier.The amp sounded sterile in comparison to a Mesa.
As others have said, they cut corners to keep the prices down. They are still excellent guitars, but don't think you're getting a bargain.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I'd love to try one sometime when I'm in a good mood and can spare the time. I've seen some in stores, used, including a few with messed-up necks, but I think dumb people have done that to them.
I'd love to try one sometime when I'm in a good mood and can spare the time. I've seen some in stores, used, including a few with messed-up necks, but I think dumb people have done that to them.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I , like Bill, got a set of powered speakers from a guy getting out of the business. PM12A & PM15A . Love them
Also got a Belair , their 2x12 50 watter
Great amp . Changed tubes and biased it a bit hotter now it sounds great.
Also got a Redline 600 2x10 Combo bass amp
It thumps hard. Wealth of features
Cross over
Compressor
Noise gate
Mid shift
And did I mention it thumps
Also when I got the bass combo , I ordered an LB75 neck thru with koa sides and ebony board. Twas beautiful. But the neck was a.bit wide and it was heavy.they had an option for a thinner neck but until you know you just don't know.
On the builder at their website the neck thru now has an option for a thicker profile.
I noticed that recently
Playing a guitar custom made for someone else really doesn't do Carvin justice.
I have a set of the Carvin S22 pickups in one of my Ibanez shredders.
Thick dark and woolly is what the sound like to me.
They don't sound at all single coil like when split. Just lower volume woolly.
Perfect for what I want that floyded thing to do
The bolt on series are way similar to Fenders
And decked out are priced like the.American Fenders
With more options than the "off the shelf" stuff
*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
I , like Bill, got a set of powered speakers from a guy getting out of the business. PM12A & PM15A . Love them
Also got a Belair , their 2x12 50 watter
Great amp . Changed tubes and biased it a bit hotter now it sounds great.
Also got a Redline 600 2x10 Combo bass amp
It thumps hard. Wealth of features
Cross over
Compressor
Noise gate
Mid shift
And did I mention it thumps
Also when I got the bass combo , I ordered an LB75 neck thru with koa sides and ebony board. Twas beautiful. But the neck was a.bit wide and it was heavy.they had an option for a thinner neck but until you know you just don't know.
On the builder at their website the neck thru now has an option for a thicker profile.
I noticed that recently
Playing a guitar custom made for someone else really doesn't do Carvin justice.
I have a set of the Carvin S22 pickups in one of my Ibanez shredders.
Thick dark and woolly is what the sound like to me.
They don't sound at all single coil like when split. Just lower volume woolly.
Perfect for what I want that floyded thing to do
The bolt on series are way similar to Fenders
And decked out are priced like the.American Fenders
With more options than the "off the shelf" stuff
*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: CARVIN guitars, why are they not more popular ?
I played one of their double-cut models many years ago and did not like it. The heavy weight wasn't so much an issue (weighed like a Les Paul) but the neck felt like a brick with strings on it. The profile was fine, but the feel of the strings across the board was displeasing to me. Only other guitar I've ever played that felt that bad was a Custom Shop ESP (their old 90s Soloist copy).
As for online purchases and "taking a chance", you can at least get a general sense of how a neck feels from other models within a given brand. Fender, Gibson, Jackson, etc do not deviate too much from a handful of neck profiles, so if you've played one, you've played them all is generally a safe bet, though with some accepted deviation (Gibson's various "vintage" profiles, Fender's "Artist" profiles, etc). I've owned enough Jacksons over the years to know what model has what neck profile, and when I go for one that I have not personally held in my hands, I know what to expect when it arrives. There have been several that I did not bond with and passed along, but there was no definable issue with any of them - it was just "something" I didn't like about them. The same is true for most people and most brands - no matter how many of the same model you have and love, there's going to be one that seems to have something "missing".
And resale value is the last consideration one should have for a guitar.
I do have a Carvin VE212 cabinet with their British 12s in it, and it's a great cabinet IMO. Very clear and articulate, even at high volume. I've run a Fender RocPro1000 head, a Marshall JCM800 head, and a Mesa TripleRec head through it, and it remained clear and articulate with a very noticeable thump (so much that it rattled the light fixture in the ceiling, making the lights flicker each time I hit it). I would like to try their heads and combos, and have been interested in their bass amps for quite some time. One of these days.....
I played one of their double-cut models many years ago and did not like it. The heavy weight wasn't so much an issue (weighed like a Les Paul) but the neck felt like a brick with strings on it. The profile was fine, but the feel of the strings across the board was displeasing to me. Only other guitar I've ever played that felt that bad was a Custom Shop ESP (their old 90s Soloist copy).
As for online purchases and "taking a chance", you can at least get a general sense of how a neck feels from other models within a given brand. Fender, Gibson, Jackson, etc do not deviate too much from a handful of neck profiles, so if you've played one, you've played them all is generally a safe bet, though with some accepted deviation (Gibson's various "vintage" profiles, Fender's "Artist" profiles, etc). I've owned enough Jacksons over the years to know what model has what neck profile, and when I go for one that I have not personally held in my hands, I know what to expect when it arrives. There have been several that I did not bond with and passed along, but there was no definable issue with any of them - it was just "something" I didn't like about them. The same is true for most people and most brands - no matter how many of the same model you have and love, there's going to be one that seems to have something "missing".
And resale value is the last consideration one should have for a guitar.
I do have a Carvin VE212 cabinet with their British 12s in it, and it's a great cabinet IMO. Very clear and articulate, even at high volume. I've run a Fender RocPro1000 head, a Marshall JCM800 head, and a Mesa TripleRec head through it, and it remained clear and articulate with a very noticeable thump (so much that it rattled the light fixture in the ceiling, making the lights flicker each time I hit it). I would like to try their heads and combos, and have been interested in their bass amps for quite some time. One of these days.....
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