Thoughts on current Carvins?

[gemini8026]

Ive owned 3 carvins. Easily best bang for buck guitars Ive ever played. I NEVER could grow to like the 25" scale, so I sold em all. If carvin sold the DC 24 fret series in a 25.5" scale, I would own at least 4 or 5! SS frets are a must as far as im concerned, and while your there, get a 5 piece neck and dont look back. A stable neck that will never need fret work = thumbs up!

[Ben...]

I've a Carvin coming soon. The finish date is June 19. It's a Bolt Plus. The finish is trans teal over swamp ash. It should look pretty cool. Can't wait.

Could you post pictures? I want to see how it looks.

[fullmetalguitar]

Ben, yeah I'll definitely post pics when I get it.

[Robert Burns]

The most accurate necks in the business... almost "Plecked'...
Like within 2 thousanths of an inch in alignment, and fret leveling.
Lousy resale, but that can work too, in that you end up with a $1800
axe for $650.00!

[Ben...]

Oh, this could be good. A job I applied for called and wants to interview me. Unfortunately the person I am supposed to talk to wasn't available when I called. The job is offering 11.00+ per hour as opposed to 9.25. It also is offering more hours. I think I may have to add a 5-piece neck if I get the money. I'm thinking Walnut-Maple-Walnut-Maple-Walnut. It looks so nice.

[Spivonious]

Good luck with the job.

[Ben...]

I have a job interview on Friday! I hope I get the job. At the wage being offered I'll be able to order my Carvin at the end of July!!!

[Ben...]

Man, now I have ANOTHER job interview tomorrow. It's for a job selling computer parts and accessories. Something I actually know about. It's 10.50 per hour but also a percentage of what I sell. Another bonus is that it's only a couple blocks from my house.

[Spivonious]

Man, now I have ANOTHER job interview tomorrow. It's for a job selling computer parts and accessories. Something I actually know about. It's 10.50 per hour but also a percentage of what I sell. Another bonus is that it's only a couple blocks from my house.

$10.50/hr + commission? That's really good for a sales job, at least around here.

[DocNrock]

Love all those Carvins posted!

[pro-fusion]

I've owned a couple Carvin 7-strings before. The neck profile is fantastic, neither too thick or thin. They use the cheapo import Floyd on the 7-strings unfortunately, and you have to do some body modifications to retrofit an OFR-7 on them.

The pickups are direct-mounted and have been difficult to change out to Duncans or DiMarzios without widening the pickup routs a little. However, I've read that Carvin has just introduced wider routs on them, along with introducing the non-rounded body sides as an option. The stock Carvin 7-string pickups don't sound nearly as good as their 6-string models, for some reason. Most people decide to change them out.

Regardless of pickups, the sound is inherently thinner and more trebly than a Jackson, probably due to the relatively thin body. That's just the Carvin sound and always has been. It cuts through the mix great but isn't 'huge'.

Bottom line is that the Carvin sevens are a great deal for the money, but they might not be the right guitar for everyone.

[Ben...]

I've owned a couple Carvin 7-strings before. The neck profile is fantastic, neither too thick or thin. They use the cheapo import Floyd on the 7-strings unfortunately, and you have to do some body modifications to retrofit an OFR-7 on them.

The pickups are direct-mounted and have been difficult to change out to Duncans or DiMarzios without widening the pickup routs a little. However, I've read that Carvin has just introduced wider routs on them, along with introducing the non-rounded body sides as an option. The stock Carvin 7-string pickups don't sound nearly as good as their 6-string models, for some reason. Most people decide to change them out.

Regardless of pickups, the sound is inherently thinner and more trebly than a Jackson, probably due to the relatively thin body. That's just the Carvin sound and always has been. It cuts through the mix great but isn't 'huge'.

Bottom line is that the Carvin sevens are a great deal for the money, but they might not be the right guitar for everyone.

Thanks for your insight on them. It helps a lot.

I'm now split between a Carvin and a sweet early '90's Soloist XL a music store here has for $750. I might have to get them to hold it for me until I get the cash. I have a guitar I may trade if I get it that I can get 400 for so it'll cost me 350. I am seriously conflicted right now. The Soloist is absolutely mint and the JT-590 looks like it's never been played. I probably am going to go there after my interview today and get them to put it on hold for me. I'll have to pay for a bit of it but I don't care, it's so nice.

[DocNrock]

I've build a bunch of Warmoths. Now, I'm gassing to build a neck-thru Carvin.

[Ben...]

I think the Carvin has to wait. I just spent an hour straight playing the Soloist. It's too nice to pass up. I just need to sweet talk my dad into lending me 40 bucks so I can get it held. You have to pay 10% and I only have 45 bucks right now. Maybe I'll just use my Strat I was gonna trade in as a down payment and only have to pay 300 bucks after I get a job. I'm almost guaranteed one at the place I had an interview today. The manager who interviewed me really liked me and we talked about various things for a long time. He said he's definitely putting a good word in for me.

I'm going to apply at more places tomorrow. I'm definitely motivated now.

[pro-fusion]

Good luck. The Soloist XL is a nice guitar--nicer than Jackson's current imports, in my opinion.