Weird Carvin "Issue"

[PowerTube]

I put "issue" in quotes because it really isn't. I love my new Carvin DC600C.

It sounds killer across my old Line 6 Flextone.

It sounds killer across my Marshall JVM410H "as is."

But I've been experimenting with hitting the front of the JVM with a Distortion box/EQ combination, to get a tighter lead sound. Why does the Carvin sound bad ONLY with a distortion box? On the Flextone, it sounds noticeably better than my Soloists at the same amp settings. On the JVM, it sounds almost the same. But I have three distortion pedals and it doesn't seem to get along with any of them.

Ideas?

[Frigo89]

If there is an active circuit in the guitar, perhaps the compression of that circuit and the additional compression of the distortion pedals is making things ugly.

I have some gear like that too. Amps that are already fairly compressed, and when they are pushed with an overdrive pedal it just gets to be too much and loses its balls

[PowerTube]

If there is an active circuit in the guitar, perhaps the compression of that circuit and the additional compression of the distortion pedals is making things ugly.

I have some gear like that too. Amps that are already fairly compressed, and when they are pushed with an overdrive pedal it just gets to be too much and loses its balls

Good thinking, but nope. It's completely passive.

[jgcable]

Surely its the pickups. What is in the Carvin?

[PowerTube]

Surely its the pickups. What is in the Carvin?

They're the stock C22B and C22J. But here's the thing: I LOVE these pickups. They sound better than the JB's in my Soloists across the Flextone, and every bit as good across the JVM. It's only when I step on a distortion box that something "not right" happens.

[Newc]

What's the pedal?

[PowerTube]

What's the pedal?

I have three and I've tried them all:

Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff

Boss Metal Zone

Digitech Hardwire Metal Distortion

I got quite a bit closer last night, so it's getting there.

[metalone]

Try using the pedal as a clean boost with little to no distortion on, that should tighten up the low end without getting fuzzy.
Also Carvin pups are not known to be up there with Duncans or other aftermarket pups, just some ideas to try

[PowerTube]

Try using the pedal as a clean boost with little to no distortion on, that should tighten up the low end without getting fuzzy.
Also Carvin pups are not known to be up there with Duncans or other aftermarket pups, just some ideas to try

I've tried just using it as a boost on the OD channels with very mixed results.

These Carvin pups actually sound better to my ears than the stock Duncan JB's in my Soloists. They're every bit as hot but with better clarity.

[toejam]

Also Carvin pups are not known to be up there with Duncans or other aftermarket pups, just some ideas to try

They're not? Could have fooled me. They've been making pickups for about 70 years. A lot of people also take Duncans or other pups out of their guitars to put Carvins in.

[pianoguyy]

Carvin's problem is that they aren't mass produced or available at stores.
You aren't buying Carvin pickups on Amazon or at Guitar Center, the way you can other brands. This means that they don't get the widespread name recognition the way others do.
They are more like a secret society than a populous item.

[PowerTube]

They're not? Could have fooled me. They've been making pickups for about 70 years. A lot of people also take Duncans or other pups out of their guitars to put Carvins in.

I love these (C22B/N). My second DC600C came in today! I'll post pics as soon as weather permits outside shots.

[toejam]

I love these (C22B/N). My second DC600C came in today! I'll post pics as soon as weather permits outside shots.

I've used just the C22T and C22N that came standard years ago in my SC90, my old DC400, and old DC120 12-string, and I liked them a lot. They were PAF-sounding and a little on the brighter side. I took them out of my SC90 since I wanted more output at the time, so I went with a DiMarzio Super D and Super 2, but the Carvin pickups were very nice.
The one that's in my 7-string also sounds excellent and will not ever be replaced.

Can't wait to see pics of your new guitar, also!

[PowerTube]

I've used just the C22T and C22N that came standard years ago in my SC90, my old DC400, and old DC120 12-string, and I liked them a lot. They were PAF-sounding and a little on the brighter side. I took them out of my SC90 since I wanted more output at the time, so I went with a DiMarzio Super D and Super 2, but the Carvin pickups were very nice.
The one that's in my 7-string also sounds excellent and will not ever be replaced.

Can't wait to see pics of your new guitar, also!

Thanks. I hope to snap some today if the weather cooperates.

[PowerTube]

Joe, see my thread under "Other Manufacturers."