Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

[sosomething]

I've got to have a V in the arsenal, but I certainly don't need more than one.

I've got an Edwards Alexi Laiho sig V that is a really nice guitar - I'm not really a Bodom fan, I just think the guitar design is bad-ass.

But some time last night while I was checking out Carvin's website, I saw that they've re-issued the Ultra V! Complete with pointy Jackson-esque headstock, and the price with stock options is $799. That's crazy. I've always thought that Carvins were a great value (resale be damned) for well-made USA instruments. My Carve Top continues to blow me away every time I play it.

So here's the question - for what I could get out of selling the Edwards (around $1000) I could turn that into a Carvin Ultra V with all kinds of custom features - tung oil neck, mahogany body, crazy flame top, etc.

It seems like a lot more guitar for the money, but is my vision just clouded by GAS?

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

that reverse rhoads design of the ultra V is butt-ugly imo. Okay a jackson headstock looks better than the Edwards/ESP one but i really think that the Rhoads body looks infinitely better when mounted the right way and not upside down.
Don't know about pup config but SSS like in the picture just isn't a V and doesn't deserve to be called that.
I'd keep the Laiho and put a real pickup in it instead of the Emg HZ(and maybe get it routed for a neck single if possible).
I'll say it again, that carvin is ugly.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

that reverse rhoads design of the ultra V is butt-ugly imo. Okay a jackson headstock looks better than the Edwards/ESP one but i really think that the Rhoads body looks infinitely better when mounted the right way and not upside down.
Don't know about pup config but SSS like in the picture just isn't a V and doesn't deserve to be called that.
I'd keep the Laiho and put a real pickup in it instead of the Emg HZ(and maybe get it routed for a neck single if possible).
I'll say it again, that carvin is ugly.

I just posted that pic of the Carvin because it has a nice top and shows off a lot of custom features. Mine would turn out quite different.

If I decide to keep the Alexi, I will probably change from the stock pickup (which is OK but not really my style) but NO PERMANENT MODS. I'm not taking a router anywhere near that guitar - the 1 hum thing is half the sexiness of it in the first place.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

so what would your V look like? Do they offer reverse body-style?

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

so what would your V look like? Do they offer reverse body-style?

They used to back in the early '90s. I don't know if they still do.

I haven't finished spec'ing mine out, but it would probably be like this:

• Mahogany Body and Neck
• Tung-oiled neck finish
• Ebony Fretboard
• Inlay - side-markers only
• SS Jumbo frets
• TOM/string-thru body
• then -
  
  [*]Either black stain on flame maple top & headstock face w/ chrome hardware, or
  [*]Natural flame maple top - tung-oil on whole body, black hardware.​

And then reverse body, if possible. Like I said, they used to do it back in the '90s so maybe they still would if I called and asked them.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

Bit of a weird shape isn't it?

Define "weird."

I don't know, I kind of dig it. I remember reading somewhere that the reverse-V shape actually corrects a number of balance and tonal shortcomings the normal asymmetrical Vs are prone to.

That said, I notice no balance or tonal flaws in the Edwards - it's a very nice V.

The biggest factors making me think this way are that I'm much more comfortable with the 25" scale length than the 25.5", and I'm one of those people who really likes Carvin's neck profiles.

The thought of getting a flamed-out US-made V for $1100 shipped w/case is kind of a pull as well.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

Correct me if i'm wrong... but the Carvins are also 'guitars you can't play before buying' type guitars too...

If you've got a great playing V already, then i wouldn't risk it with an ugly looking upside down V.

Stick a proper EMG in the bridge of your Edwards... it'll only cost you a little. Once you've done that, THEN decide if you want to get rid of it. Chances are that improved pickups will make an already awesome guitar so good you won't want to part with it.

Well, you do strike a chord, there. I don't think I'd put an EMG in there, though - I'm not really a fan of active pickups. Probably something like the Duncan CS Scott Ian pickup.

Let's say that Carvin is willing to reverse the body for me for little or no extra cost. How do you feel about it then?

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

I think the main problem for me is that you can't try before you buy... esspecially important when you already have a nice guitar that you need to get rid of in order to buy it.

The shape is an issue for me, but hey, you may love the shape. I'd be more concerned about sacraficing a cool guitar for one that might not be so cool.

After speaking to a rep on the phone, the body question is moot anyway. I swear they even sweep the shop floor via CNC these days.

That said, the only reason I would consider buying a Carvin sight-unseen is because I have found their guitars to have a level of consistency in quality and playability that, in some ways, even PRS can't match. If you order a Carvin, you already have a pretty good idea of what you're going to get.

I'm still on the fence.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

I would buy an ESP /LTD/Edwards/Grass roots light years before even considering a Carvin, for multiple reasoons. Their vindictive customer service being the main one.... Here´s what they did to a fellow forum bro. https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=47281&highlight=carvin

 

[sosomething]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

Wow... that's pretty rough. I haven't experienced anything like that from them, nor have the two other players I know personally who have ordered guitars from Carvin.

I will say that they're not very receptive to... well... anything, really.

I'm starting to come back to earth on this. I was basing the idea on the fact that my Carve Top is so nice, the Ultra V must be really nice as well.

 

[kherman]

Re: Should I sell my Alexi V for a Carvin Ultra V?

I'm very happy with my Carvins and my Edwards.

I too, never experienced the issues that Xeromus did.

Mine were actually very very good.
Even when my '02 Dc727 developed a truss rod issue in '05,
They just built me a new '05 Dc727 to replace it.
No charge. Covered under warranty.
The '05 is working great.

But, people here will still discredit Carvin do to Xeromus's ordeal.
Despite that many others here (myself included) have had
great service.

Anyways,
What do/don't you like about the Edwards?
What would you change?
Are they changes you could correct by getting the Carvin?

Basically weigh out what you feel are the pros and cons of both guitars.
Then decide from there.

Happy Carvin & Edwards owner.
Kent