Carvin acoustics

[mm2002]

So, anybody here own one or have played one? I'm surprised to see that they are made "overseas".
I'm in the market for a better acoustic, and was considering one.

[npacheco]

My bro owns one. Can't remember which model. It is one of the ones in the $900 range. He says it plays as well as any Martin or Taylor he's ever played. Needless to say, he really likes it. I'll see if I can ask him what model it was.

[Sinistas]

the Cobalt series is imported, but there are us carvin acoustics as well.

[shreddermon]

the Cobalt series is imported, but there are us carvin acoustics as well.

Correctamundo. They have several non-Cobalt models, and those are all US made. I've got one of the AC175 thinline acoustics/electrics.



Mahogany neck-through and body, spruce top, ebony f'board, Sperzel locking tuners. Real nice guitar. It took a while to grow on me, but I'd highly recommend them. Actually, I'd really like to order another, and change up a few options.

[lerxstcat]

Correctamundo. They have several non-Cobalt models, and those are all US made. I've got one of the AC175 thinline acoustics/electrics.



Mahogany neck-through and body, spruce top, ebony f'board, Sperzel locking tuners. Real nice guitar. It took a while to grow on me, but I'd highly recommend them. Actually, I'd really like to order another, and change up a few options.

That's beautiful, and just about exactly what I'd get if I ordered one! I'd go with the 3+3 headstock for a more traditional look but if I saw one like that used and had the funds I'd jump on it like a lion on a limping gazelle!

[Sinistas]

I've wanted one of those for a while.

[hippietim]

i've played several - the regular acoustics are decent. a coworker had one that i played for a good part of an evening. i think it was the fanciest one of the line at the time - it ran him $700 +/-. it was nice but it's not in league with a taylor. even a 300 series taylor would be a better guitar imo but it's several hundred dollars more - so for the money i'd say the carvin was pretty nice.

[mm2002]

i've played several - the regular acoustics are decent. a coworker had one that i played for a good part of an evening. i think it was the fanciest one of the line at the time - it ran him $700 +/-. it was nice but it's not in league with a taylor. even a 300 series taylor would be a better guitar imo but it's several hundred dollars more - so for the money i'd say the carvin was pretty nice.

That's kinda what I was looking for. I'm pretty much in the $700.00 to $800.00 range, so my choices in "low end high end" guitars would be a Martin DM or Taylor 210. Neither of those really trip my trigger, as both are really cheap looking to me. The Martin even has laminated back and sides.
The Carvin looks like a lot of guitar for the money, and has nice woods.

[Robotechnology]

FYI... the Colbalts are basically rebadged Cort acoustics. You can get virtually the same models for a few hundred dollars less by going Cort instead of Carvin.

[texasfury]

Well I cannot seem to find the Cort equivalent of the Carvin C350 anywhere on Cort's site. Plus the top of the headstock is different.

[mm2002]

FYI... the Colbalts are basically rebadged Cort acoustics. You can get virtually the same models for a few hundred dollars less by going Cort instead of Carvin.

I checked out Corts website, and according the MSRP, they are priced pretty much the same as carvin unless you go to the bottom of the line series (which are plywood). The headstocks do look different to me too. I would think that from a "brand name" standpoint, the carvins would hold better value, no?

[hippietim]

Take a look at Takamine as well. I like those better than the Carvin's as well. Takamine makes some very nice stuff in that price range.

[mm2002]

Funny you'd mention Takamine! I was actually admiring the EG523SC Jumbo. It can be had for 6 bills, and looks like a damn nice guitar. hmmmmmmm.

[hippietim]

I've had this Takamine longer than any other guitar besides my first nylon string. I've played this guitar more than any other guitar. It is fantastic. I've gigged it. I've played out in the rain with it. It's been in the hot and cold. I've dropped it in the street. I've played the shit out of it. It sounds great. It has gunk and grime in the frets that will probably never come out. Great neck. I paid about $500 for it about 17-18 years ago. It's the best dollar for dollar value I've gotten out of any single material purchase.

[Robotechnology]

Cort has raised their prices since last year by a lot! Before Cort updated their website for 2006 there was a Cort model that corresponded to every Carvin Cobalt model. I'm am not telling you to get a Cort... just letting you know that they are Cort made guitars with minor spec changes for Carvin. So you can look at both ranges of models and have more guitars to choose from.