What's the Deal with Carvin?
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
It really does make you wonder... American "custom" made guitars for well under a grand... why don't more people play them? Is everyone that scared of not playing one first?
It really does make you wonder... American "custom" made guitars for well under a grand... why don't more people play them? Is everyone that scared of not playing one first?
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
I think they're fugly for the most part. I guess the name itself "Carvin" doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside like PRS, Gibson, Fender etc. all seem to do for most musicians. People go by what they see their heros use and by what's popular. I don't like their pickups at all either. Lastly, because of the simple fact that they aren't popular means the resale value is suicide. People don't like to take that kind of chance. They want something that they know they can turn around and sell without too much of a loss or a risk.
JB_From_Hell said:
I think they're fugly for the most part. I guess the name itself "Carvin" doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside like PRS, Gibson, Fender etc. all seem to do for most musicians. People go by what they see their heros use and by what's popular. I don't like their pickups at all either. Lastly, because of the simple fact that they aren't popular means the resale value is suicide. People don't like to take that kind of chance. They want something that they know they can turn around and sell without too much of a loss or a risk.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
Anyone know how to get themselves OFF their catalog mailing list? Ha Ha
I swear, I get 2 every week! I use them to light my barbeque.
Anyone know how to get themselves OFF their catalog mailing list? Ha Ha
I swear, I get 2 every week! I use them to light my barbeque.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
From what I´ve assesed, Carvin makes great products for the price
A lot of shredders like their guitars for example, but most "graduate" to a Jackson or ESP, sometimes Ibanez, before their "career" ends.
They´re well made, and use original US components, and have quite a few optios available. But a true custom shop like Jackson, ESP, etc. ("You want it and can afford it, we´ll do it"-mentality) they´re not.
But it´s about the cheapest USA Neckthru you can find as a production axe, and again, not bad at all for under a grand. Just not on par with similar axes costing twice as much, the difference is in the details
:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:Gearjoneser said:
From what I´ve assesed, Carvin makes great products for the price
A lot of shredders like their guitars for example, but most "graduate" to a Jackson or ESP, sometimes Ibanez, before their "career" ends.
They´re well made, and use original US components, and have quite a few optios available. But a true custom shop like Jackson, ESP, etc. ("You want it and can afford it, we´ll do it"-mentality) they´re not.
But it´s about the cheapest USA Neckthru you can find as a production axe, and again, not bad at all for under a grand. Just not on par with similar axes costing twice as much, the difference is in the details
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
my buddy gigs with 2 carvins and they feel and sound fine, if not exactly inspiring ... they are a little generic looking (sold white / solid black), but for a bar band playing 80's hair metal, he loves 'em ... the california series with curly top looks beautiful for a price way less than a PRS would cost ...
my biggest beef with them is the fact that their pickups are not standard size/mount ... it makes upgrading to Duncans a challenge greater than i am skilled enough to execute
i dont care about resale, because i dont intend to sell an axe ever again
check out the carvin website discussion boards for more info ... they are a nice crowd over there for the most part and know alot about the products ..
cheers
t4d
my buddy gigs with 2 carvins and they feel and sound fine, if not exactly inspiring ... they are a little generic looking (sold white / solid black), but for a bar band playing 80's hair metal, he loves 'em ... the california series with curly top looks beautiful for a price way less than a PRS would cost ...
my biggest beef with them is the fact that their pickups are not standard size/mount ... it makes upgrading to Duncans a challenge greater than i am skilled enough to execute
i dont care about resale, because i dont intend to sell an axe ever again
check out the carvin website discussion boards for more info ... they are a nice crowd over there for the most part and know alot about the products ..
cheers
t4d
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
Yes they do! I've enjoyed playing pretty much every Carvin guitar and bass I've played. Great quality, playability and tone for the money....tho the styling is a little ungraceful looking on some models. Lew
Zerberus said:
Yes they do! I've enjoyed playing pretty much every Carvin guitar and bass I've played. Great quality, playability and tone for the money....tho the styling is a little ungraceful looking on some models. Lew
jmh151
Active member
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
I played a beautiful used DC400 in a music store once, it looked very well made and I wish I bought it. Regarding resale value, I bought a beautiful quilt top EB Music Man for $1400 and kept it in the case. Now I want to trade it in to the same store I bought it and they'll only give me $600, which is similar depreciation to a Carvin. Incidentally, I'm selling it to get money to buy one of Carvin's new arch top guitars.
I played a beautiful used DC400 in a music store once, it looked very well made and I wish I bought it. Regarding resale value, I bought a beautiful quilt top EB Music Man for $1400 and kept it in the case. Now I want to trade it in to the same store I bought it and they'll only give me $600, which is similar depreciation to a Carvin. Incidentally, I'm selling it to get money to buy one of Carvin's new arch top guitars.
Neeradj
New member
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
I think you hit the nail right on the head!
I was planning on getting one but then a Jackson USA KE2 made in the Custom Shop caught my eye and I was sold. I paid way less than they usually go for, the seller knew it, but he told me he wanted to give this axe to a real player and just wanted cash to pay for his car. Anyway Carvin doesn't really give you good advise, they're short and don't explain anything in their reply. I once asked them if I could get the piëzo option with the HSS option and it basically came down to: "No, contact your dealer". I'm serious!
I knew a guy here in Holland who was trying to sell his Carvin and couldn't, eh was so desperate he just went to a local store and tried to sell it to them (and man do they underpay you!). They're great guitars and I would love to own a Cali Carved top once, but I think I'll be pretty much satisfied when I get my Jackson (should be tomorrow or the day after :dance: )
the_Chris said:
I think you hit the nail right on the head!
I was planning on getting one but then a Jackson USA KE2 made in the Custom Shop caught my eye and I was sold. I paid way less than they usually go for, the seller knew it, but he told me he wanted to give this axe to a real player and just wanted cash to pay for his car. Anyway Carvin doesn't really give you good advise, they're short and don't explain anything in their reply. I once asked them if I could get the piëzo option with the HSS option and it basically came down to: "No, contact your dealer". I'm serious!
I knew a guy here in Holland who was trying to sell his Carvin and couldn't, eh was so desperate he just went to a local store and tried to sell it to them (and man do they underpay you!). They're great guitars and I would love to own a Cali Carved top once, but I think I'll be pretty much satisfied when I get my Jackson (should be tomorrow or the day after :dance: )
Neeradj
New member
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
Sorry bro :smack: :blackeye:
The deal happened really fast (it's coming form Germany) and I wasn't sure until last monday it'd be mine, I aim to please and it's the least I could do so I'll review and I'm going to charge the batteries for my camera in a minute :burnout:
Might need some help, I'll drop you a line if I do. It's got Quilt Maple wings, at least that's what it says on the tag from Jackson but it's painted solid Purple Pavo. Gonna check out the cavities for some figure and perhaps mail Jackson about it. Previous seller did, but I think he said they told him stuff about it being a San Dimas, did they work in Sand Dimas in '98?
I'll keep you posted, GLS said it'd take less than 48 hours and it was send yesterday so it's either tomorrow or tuesday (I hope) :dance:
Sorry bro :smack: :blackeye:
The deal happened really fast (it's coming form Germany) and I wasn't sure until last monday it'd be mine, I aim to please and it's the least I could do so I'll review and I'm going to charge the batteries for my camera in a minute :burnout:
Might need some help, I'll drop you a line if I do. It's got Quilt Maple wings, at least that's what it says on the tag from Jackson but it's painted solid Purple Pavo. Gonna check out the cavities for some figure and perhaps mail Jackson about it. Previous seller did, but I think he said they told him stuff about it being a San Dimas, did they work in Sand Dimas in '98?
I'll keep you posted, GLS said it'd take less than 48 hours and it was send yesterday so it's either tomorrow or tuesday (I hope) :dance:
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
WHich address do you send these to? I´ve never been able to find one out..
BTW: SD @ ´98: No way in hell, the Glendora plant was closed in ´86, definitely an Ontario Jax, Pre-Fender.
In fact, IIRC the Kelly shape wasn´t introduced until after the move to ontario, which would make a San Dimas Kelly impossible
Interesting, figured wood and Purple Pavo? Definitely not everyday work.... But don´t get your hopes up looking in the cavs, Jackson uses shielding paint and they know what they´re doingNeeradj said:
WHich address do you send these to? I´ve never been able to find one out..
BTW: SD @ ´98: No way in hell, the Glendora plant was closed in ´86, definitely an Ontario Jax, Pre-Fender.
In fact, IIRC the Kelly shape wasn´t introduced until after the move to ontario, which would make a San Dimas Kelly impossible
orbiter
New member
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
most of whats been said here is spot on IMO.
I will add ... I believe more people would play them if they could wander down to the local shop and actually play one before folking over their hard earned cash ..
the "bang for buck" factor on the used market is outstanding ... neckthru usa guitar for $250+ is pretty sweet ... unless you're the one who paid over a grand for it ...
most of whats been said here is spot on IMO.
I will add ... I believe more people would play them if they could wander down to the local shop and actually play one before folking over their hard earned cash ..
the "bang for buck" factor on the used market is outstanding ... neckthru usa guitar for $250+ is pretty sweet ... unless you're the one who paid over a grand for it ...
RiffRaff
New member
Re: What's the Deal with Carvin?
I'm forutnate enough to actually live near a carvin store, yesterday a buddy and I went to Tone Merchants (a very high end shop), Wild West Guitars (another high end dealer) and then to Carvin (only cause I needed some speaker cables and they have them really cheap). I played Suhr's, James Tylers, a couple of used Bakers and a ton of weird expensive guitars most of which I don't remember - but needless to say all the prices started at $2K and went up - while were at Carvin I played a California Carved top - price was around $1200 - the neck was perfect, the tone was excellent (and I'm playing it through a carvin amp not a $3000 two rock opal) - the workmanship on the guitar was flawless, no bleeding on the binding, no orange peel in the clear coat, the matched flamed maple top was mirror imaged and I could hardly tell where the two pieces were joined, the frets were polished to a mirror finish, the inlays in the neck were perfect - I couldn't see a drop of filler. The action was low and fast (not my exact taste but fun to play), no buzzing, intonation was right on. My only beef on Carvin in the past has been on the electronics and pickups but I've got to say this guitar sounded and played excellent. I think if your not into name brands this particular model offered by Carvin would be an excellent players guitar.
I'm forutnate enough to actually live near a carvin store, yesterday a buddy and I went to Tone Merchants (a very high end shop), Wild West Guitars (another high end dealer) and then to Carvin (only cause I needed some speaker cables and they have them really cheap). I played Suhr's, James Tylers, a couple of used Bakers and a ton of weird expensive guitars most of which I don't remember - but needless to say all the prices started at $2K and went up - while were at Carvin I played a California Carved top - price was around $1200 - the neck was perfect, the tone was excellent (and I'm playing it through a carvin amp not a $3000 two rock opal) - the workmanship on the guitar was flawless, no bleeding on the binding, no orange peel in the clear coat, the matched flamed maple top was mirror imaged and I could hardly tell where the two pieces were joined, the frets were polished to a mirror finish, the inlays in the neck were perfect - I couldn't see a drop of filler. The action was low and fast (not my exact taste but fun to play), no buzzing, intonation was right on. My only beef on Carvin in the past has been on the electronics and pickups but I've got to say this guitar sounded and played excellent. I think if your not into name brands this particular model offered by Carvin would be an excellent players guitar.
