Incoming NGD!

Re: Incoming NGD!

Love those diamond inlays, not to mention the whole rest of it too!

Like the diamonds also just wish it had Abalone instead of the MOP!! This guitar is flat out dead on one I have had specked out for a couple months now on the Kiesel builder except for 2 things an Abalone Kiesel logo and the Abalone diamonds. That build was coming in at around $1700 so I was absolutely thrilled to find this particular guitar for sale at this price and there was no way i was letting this one get away!! It having the SS frets was the final closer as LOVE the feel and this one will be a workhorse to go along with the red Kiesel DC135 which is set up the same except for the H/S/S pickups.
 
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Re: Incoming NGD!

Like the diamonds also just with it had Abalone instead of the MOP!! This guitar is flat dead on one I have had specked out for a couple months now on the Kiesel builder except for 2 things an Abalone Kiesel logo and the Abalone diamonds. That one was coming in at around $1700 so I was absolutely thrilled to find this particular guitar for sale at this price and there was no way i was letting this one get away!! It having the SS frets was the final closer as LOVE the feel and this one will be a workhorse to go along with the red 135.

Wise man.
Stainless frets are such a huge bonus on Carvins, especially for used-pricing.
 
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I’ll add, if you guys are so inclined to experiment that the Bluesbucker neck is flipping amazing as well. I’d also describe it as tubular and round under gain and just the right amount chime for cleans.
It does funky cleans amazing.

Looked at that pickup a couple of time for exactly that reason so thanks. Went with the Sentient in the 127 in the end because I fell hard for the tones I was hearing in the clips I listened to but that would have been my second choice!
 
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Looked at that pickup a couple of time for exactly that reason so thanks. Went with the Sentient in the 127 in the end because I fell hard for the tones I was hearing in the clips I listened to but that would have been my second choice!

I have a Sentient in my 7 string.
That’s a great choice too.
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

I really like the Alt-8/ sentient combo it's like a bigger sweeter sounding version of the PRS HFS/ VB set up in my 07 Custom 24. SUPER versatile set up that can cover a LOT of tones when it's dialed in right and that is what i will be looking to get out of the new one. It will be interesting to see how that Crunch Lab/ Liqufire set up compares in versatility. I would think the Crunch Lab is going to be to harsh for what I do but we shall see.
She will be here this week so will keep you guys posted.
Here is the old 93 in action not the best performance but covered a lot of ground on the fly here with this set up so---. This is the old 93 with the Alt8/ Sentient through my Jet City rig at Church yesterday.
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

I really like the Alt-8/ sentient combo it's like a bigger sweeter sounding version of the PRS HFS/ VB set up in my 07 Custom 24. SUPER versatile set up that can cover a LOT of tones when it's dialed in right and that is what i will be looking to get out of the new one. It will be interesting to see how that Crunch Lab/ Liqufire set up compares in versatility. I would think the Crunch Lab is going to be to harsh for what I do but we shall see.
She will be here this week so will keep you guys posted.
Here is the old 93 in action not the best performance but covered a lot of ground on the fly here with this set up so---. This is the old 93 with the Alt8/ Sentient through my Jet City rig at Church yesterday.

I’m really interested to hear your thoughts on the liquifire.
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Got tracking info she is now in transit and due on Thursday so will yell when she arrives!
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Got here today so quick first impressions.
This guitar is absolutely NEW it's flawless unplayed and the Tweed case still had the blue plastic over the locks!
It's just stunning to look at but not quite as perfect as the 17 Kiesel I have. Neck is a little on the chunky side for me more so than my othr Carvin Kiesels but still quite comfortable and fast. Unplugged the guitar sounds really lively and sustains well.
now the downsides.
First off this guitar absolutely does NOT have the SS frets!! These are unmarked pristine and shiny but they are NOT the SS frets i was told it had!!
Secondly this Crunch lab in the bridge like will not stay long as it's icepicky bright and harsh. The liquify is still up in the air in the neck but sounds really hot so far to my ear for a neck pickup. I need to string it ( feel like 10's and Ii use 9's at the least so--) and really set it up to play the way I want it before i do anything else so will get back to you guys in a few days with photos.
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Sorry to hear about not having the SS frets! That is very disappointing...would be hard for me to go back now.

Yeah, the Crunch Lab was not usable for my playing. Interesting that you find the Liquifier to be really hot, but I haven't tried the Sentient so that comparison is not known to me.

Interested in hearing more!
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Got her strung with the DiAdderio XL120 I normally use and set up like i like it. It's the = to my 02 DC 400 in play-ability but no match for the Kiesel with the slimmer neck profile and the jumbo SS frets or my 93 KOA DC 127. Acoustically it's a very lively guitar and really shows potential but that Crunch Lab is just not my thing. The Liquifier in the neck is not to bad and seems pretty similar to the Sentient in my 93 but so far. haven't got a chance to really work with those 2 back to back yet. I have to make some decisions on the bridge pickup soon as this is not going to cut it for my needs as the Crunch lab is just to shrill and harsh. This pickup flat will not play nice with the neck pickup or clean up and I need it to do both.
What I wish was i could find out what the heck that Dimarzio DHB1 really is that is in that Yamaha Pacifica 1421 we have at the shop. Those things sound absolutely AMAZING and were US Dimarzio pickups specific to those guitars. They look pretty conventional except they have double screw rows those are Alnico 5 pickups that have a jaw dropping HUGE sweet tone. At gain they are bell clear with a tone that has meat but amazing definition at the same time. Unfortunately can find NOTHING concrete on what they really are .
 
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Re: Incoming NGD!

Got her strung with the DiAdderio XL120 I normally use and set up like i like it. It's the = to my 02 DC 400 in play-ability but no match for the Kiesel with the slimmer neck profile and the jumbo SS frets or my 93 KOA DC 127. Acoustically it's a very lively guitar and really shows potential but that Crunch Lab is just not my thing. The Liquifier in the neck is not to bad and seems pretty similar to the Sentient in my 93 but so far. haven't got a chance to really work with those 2 back to back yet. I have to make some decisions on the bridge pickup soon as this is not going to cut it for my needs as the Crunch lab is just to shrill and harsh. This pickup flat will not play nice with the neck pickup or clean up and I need it to do both.
What I wish was i could find out what the heck that Dimarzio DHB1 really is that is in that Yamaha Pacifica 1421 we have at the shop. Those things sound absolutely AMAZING and were US Dimarzio pickups specific to those guitars. They look pretty conventional except they have double screw rows those are Alnico 5 pickups that have a jaw dropping HUGE sweet tone. At gain they are bell clear with a tone that has meat but amazing definition at the same time. Unfortunately can find NOTHING concrete on what they really are .

Maybe snap some pics of the Yamaha’s pups and post here or the Dimarzio forum for info.
Or better yet, swap the Crunchlab with the Yamaha pickup!!!
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Sounds cool. If i were you, i’d consider putting a super dist or a tonezone in the bridge. Those are my fav bridge humbuckers.
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Maybe snap some pics of the Yamaha’s pups and post here or the Dimarzio forum for info.
Or better yet, swap the Crunchlab with the Yamaha pickup!!!

Here is a shot of that Yamaha showing the pickups. I thought hard abut buying that guitar instead of the carvin and may still if it doesn't sell. We have her on the rack at $1150 which is not a bad deal on one of these guitars but since i work there ---.

HUGE sounding pickups in this thing that are very clear and open sounding in particular at gain. The Carvin sounds as good unplugged and played a little better so should be able to go there with the right set up. Right now I am leaning hard towards the Gravity Storm in the bridge as I'm hearing some of those same characteristics in it in the clips i am hearing. A5 13K on the resistance and 340mv on the output puts it between a Tone Zone and a Norton in output and about where a Custom 5 is. Its a good output match and visually is dead on the Liquifire in the bridge of the Carvin with the A5 10K and 300MV. Vai used a ceramic neck pickup with the A5 bridge in the matched set but this would be closer to a Pegusus/Sentient set from Duncan. Big chewy A5 tones with some openness and sweetness + great clarity at gain.
The Yamaha
40128128_10216572539121489_3519544842294132736_n.jpg
Gravity Storm Demo
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

Another Gravity STORM Demo both these are with the full set with the ceramic mag in the neck. I will be running it with the A5 Liquifire in the neck instead. I have listened to a bunch of different clips and am consistently hearing a characteristic in this bridge pickup I REALLY like and may go ahead today and get one coming!!
 
Re: Incoming NGD!

GS VS Duncan 59 bridge. Reminds me of a Full Shread with a little meatier tone and a little more mid cut!!
 
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I have a student that has a really nice Kiesel. I have to say, though...I've watched several of Jeff Kiesel's live Facebook posts, and something about him sort of rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it is the overuse of the word 'bro' or something...I don't know. He has a bit of an odd thing about him that I can't quite place. I sort of have to like the people I am handing over that much money to.

Micter my thing with them is how so many of us who had been loyal to the company both inside Carvin and outside as players and users in the faith community got screwed when Jeff came in and took the reigns. Several at the company went quickly then they purged all the White metal and Worship guys off the Forum. Happened around starting say 98 or so and for a couple years several big Christian musician sites had Christian Carvinite refugee s check in here threads running no joke. Was why I at one time sold 20 Carvin guitars ( Pinky my 90 X220C was the only guitar from then I kept) and all my amps vowing never to play a Carvin on stage again!! My long time sales rep in particular got royally screwed by the company for one!
Years down the road I regret going that far as I REALLY love the guitars but now days just not so much the company that builds them!!
The rub was that for many years Carvin had openly advertised and promoted themselves as a company that was friendly to the Faith community. They bought adds in mags for our community and embraced discussion on the forums from us then suddenly turned on us when Jeff took over.
No harm no foul on a company like Duncan who has been consistent on policy but a major issue when you go out of your way to recruit from and promote yourselves as a friend to a community then turn on us like they did!! I really suspect it was a major factor in what killed the Carvin audio side and was a real shame.
 
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