Anyone own a Charvel & a Carvin Bolt?

[fullmetalguitar]

I haven't gotten one of the new Charvel USA Production models yet, but I've been thinking the time is right. However, I'm also considering a Carvin Bolt+ model. I'm wondering if anyone can compare the neck shape and feel. How do they compare as far as sound and playability? The thing is, for about the same amount of money, I can get a Carvin Bolt+ with a trans flame mapel finish, a Wilkinson trem, reverse headstock, and hardshell case.

[fullmetalguitar]

UPDATE: I played both a Charvel USA Production model today and a Carvin Bolt model.

I really wanted to know how the Carvin Bolts played, so today I went to their Hollywood store. I played several models. Overall they played pretty well, some better than others. But I didn't like any of the Carvin amps so I couldn't get a great sound.

Then I went down to the Sam Ash that is a few shops down from Carvin. To my surprise, they had a brand new Charvel SD1 in polar white. I thought Sam Ash wasn't carrying these? It was definitely brand new. Anyway, I plugged in and played. Luckily they had better amp choices to use. The guitar played and sounded pretty good.

So the comparison. The necks felt fairly similar. I'd say the Carvin neck may be slightly wider, but the neck shape seemed not too different. The string tension was also about the same. The thing that I like better about the Carvin is the bridge. I'm not used to playing with a Floyd, so it kind of gets in the way when I'm picking. I like the Wilkinson a lot.

Anyway, I have a feeling I may end up ordering a Carvin. For the same money, I can get a guitar that plays about the same, but with a bridge that I prefer, a better finish, and a hard case. I just wish I could order it with the Duncans, but I can always switch those out. So that's my two cents if anyone was wondering like me.

[6string40]

I just built a Carvin bolt for our singer. The sustain is better, but that's because I got the walnut body option and fixed bridge. The necks are fairly similar, but the Charvel is probably a little better. The pickups sound pretty good and they're fine for him, but if I would have kept it, I definitely would have swapped out the pickups. I don't think you'll go wrong with either, and even though my personal allegiance is to Charvel, the Carvin plays well and sounds good...plus it's fun to build if you get the kit. I don't know what kind of music you play or what kind of amps you played through at the Carvin shop, but this walnut bolt sounds pretty killer through my Carvin X100b and through my ADA MP-1.

[fullmetalguitar]

I just built a Carvin bolt for our singer. The sustain is better, but that's because I got the walnut body option and fixed bridge. The necks are fairly similar, but the Charvel is probably a little better. The pickups sound pretty good and they're fine for him, but if I would have kept it, I definitely would have swapped out the pickups. I don't think you'll go wrong with either, and even though my personal allegiance is to Charvel, the Carvin plays well and sounds good...plus it's fun to build if you get the kit. I don't know what kind of music you play or what kind of amps you played through at the Carvin shop, but this walnut bolt sounds pretty killer through my Carvin X100b and through my ADA MP-1.

I certainly understand the allegiance to Charvel. Believe me, the idea of owning a made in the USA Charvel is very appealing. I want one. But I can get better features on the Carvin more suited to me (other than the pups). Oh the dilema.

I'm glad you mentioned that the walnut sounds killer. I'm thinking about a walnut body. The carvin website has some amazing looking walnut guitars. Anyway, I play mostly hard rock/metal through a Line 6 amp to answer your question.

[Model 88]

Thanks for the review , I own a Bolt+ and they are great guitars IMO .

[nhspike]

I've owned a bolt before and really liked it.
Just a real nice little axe in every way!
I was in flipper mode at the time and sold it.
Regret!

[6string40]

Here are a few pics of the walnut bolt...I just finished the entire thing in tung oil then gave it a nice lemon oil shine.

[quadperson]

That's pretty.

[fullmetalguitar]

Damn, that looks nice! No need for a figured walnut top if it looks that good. I've been over at the Carvin forum today looking at a bunch of walnut guitars. They are absolutely gorgeous.

You've got me thinking walnut body with the tung oil finish. Thanks a bunch for posting that!

[6string40]

pretty amazing what a little bit of oil can do to dull wood!!!!

[Robert Burns]

Well, not a bolt on... but pretty? You bet! Got this one, hanging
at Sam Ash about a year ago...dead mint, Piezio and solid Ebony fretboard
with no inlays. Killer wood on this...Paid $825.00!
Try to find a better guitar for under a grand. Impossible ** on the down side...
Walnut is HEAVY! This axe weighs... uh... 17.6 lbs! Thats 2 lbs More than
an Ibanez 20th anniversary in Lucite. Whew!











Isnt this the kind of quality you get with other makers for oh say...$1450.00 Brand new? Yeah right.
Plus Carvin has the straightest necks with perfect fret CNC work to like 10K of an inch.
This is Suhr quality, for 1/3rd the price!



********* The great thing about Carvin is their crappy resale value ! Its great, cause then the 2nd owner gets
this kind of quality for 1/2 the new price. IMO (a used) Carvin is the king of "Bang for the Buck"..

[6string40]

Walnut is HEAVY! This axe weighs... uh... 17.6 lbs!

Holy Hell!!!!!! I didn't weigh the walnut bolt, but that sumbitch is heavy too!

[Grandturk]

I've always heard great things about Carvins - in fact I don't think I've ever heard a negative review. The only problem I have is that I've never seen a Carvin that's made my nuts move.

[fullmetalguitar]

Robert, that guitar looks incredible, and for that price?!!! What a deal.

I had a Carvin several years ago and it was a great guitar. I just didn't play it much. It was neckthrough and I prefer bolt ons. Plus there standard fret size is not the jumbo Jackson/Charvel size that I was used to. Luckily you can specify 6100 jumbo frets if you custom order one from them, which is what I'll do this time.