Funny thing is... I've never even touched a Carvin! That worries me though as I do loathe most PRS's because of their toyish, light feel. Maybe it's just the new Carvins and the crappy electronics?
Disagree with this BIG time!Overall, this thread makes me sad looking at the pics of Jason Becker, because the raw deal life dealt him is just wrong.
But to get back to the guitar....
I had the EXACT same guitar in an ebony fretboard version, due to a custom shop order that I found, and traded a Bonnie Raite strat for....
The problem I had with it, and every Carvin is those cheap electronics and pickups. Carvin makes a great guitar, then spoils it with inferior pickups and electronics. That's what much of the bad rap is all about. So, you've got to approach them as guitars that should be gutted and rewired with aftermarket pickups. Are they still a pain to overhaul due to pickup ring misalignment, or did that get addressed from then till now?
That's the deal with Carvins.
They seem to have more mojo than a lot of other brands, and definitely better construction. But the problem is the whole crappy pots, sh1tty pickups deal. And using speakers that suck. And nobody needs a bunch of mini switches like a BC Rich.
When a true gear head looks at Carvin, it's a double edged sword, because there's a lot of plusses....made in USA, nice wood, options, modern look, etc. It comes down to the fact that they cut corners, and it appears that they would have been smarter to upgrade all that and elevate their brand to a higher level.
Why don't they do that? That is the question, and the reason both Carvin and Peavey have hit left and right of center. A few bad ideas like poor electronics or ugly designs. Getting those things wrong means the difference between being them and Fender/Gibson/PRS/Martin/Taylor/Fulltone.
Carvin and Peavey both suffer from this major dilemma. Is there a job available at either of these two companies for a fix it man? It's an easy job. Stop cutting corners, and charge a few bucks more!
I just scored a Carvin off Craigslist for $600. it's a 2011 ST300 with...
Pointy headstock
Maple wings and neck
Ebony fretboard (no inlays)
SS jumbo frets
OFR and locking nut
Sperzel locking tuners
Dunlop straplocks
Single volume pot (no tone) - my favorite set-up :approve:
3-way blade pickup selector
2 humbuckers
Entire guitar finished in glossy Ferrari Red :eyecrazy: badassssssssss!
Black hardware
Black Carvin logo
Hardshell case
a great friggin deal, imo.
this guitar has the same feel, vibe, and craftsmanship of my $2000+ custom shop Jackson and B.C. Rich guitars. maybe it doesn't have quite the bling and mojo, but for $600 this is one badass guitar. jaw-dropping value. I'm still shocked.
the neck is a bit thicker than my Jacksons....I like!
I can't comment on Carvin's pups and electronics, cause the previous owner replaced it all (even the wiring). the pups are DMZ Super 3 (bridge) and Humbucker from Hell (neck).
I'm NEVER selling this guitar :approve::cool2:
I just scored a Carvin off Craigslist for $600. it's a 2011 ST300 with...
Pointy headstock
Maple wings and neck
Ebony fretboard (no inlays)
SS jumbo frets
OFR and locking nut
Sperzel locking tuners
Dunlop straplocks
Single volume pot (no tone) - my favorite set-up :approve:
3-way blade pickup selector
2 humbuckers
Entire guitar finished in glossy Ferrari Red :eyecrazy: badassssssssss!
Black hardware
Black Carvin logo
Hardshell case
a great friggin deal, imo.
this guitar has the same feel, vibe, and craftsmanship of my $2000+ custom shop Jackson and B.C. Rich guitars. maybe it doesn't have quite the bling and mojo, but for $600 this is one badass guitar. jaw-dropping value. I'm still shocked.
the neck is a bit thicker than my Jacksons....I like!
I can't comment on Carvin's pups and electronics, cause the previous owner replaced it all (even the wiring). the pups are DMZ Super 3 (bridge) and Humbucker from Hell (neck).
I'm NEVER selling this guitar :approve::cool2: