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FDP Forum / Miscellaneous and Non-Fender Topics / Are Carvin guitars as good as advertised?
(This message was last edited by Lesterstrat at 09:26 AM, Jul 28th, 2010)
FDP Forum / Miscellaneous and Non-Fender Topics / Are Carvin guitars as good as advertised?
Previous 20 Messages
ejm
usaJul 25th, 2010 09:30 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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With all of their automated building processes, I would think that they would have offered a couple of different neck shapes by now.
emckenrick
Contributing Member
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Annapolis, MD USA
When in Doubt, Poke It With A StickJul 25th, 2010 11:00 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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12BarBlues
Contributing Member
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Valparaiso, FL
Disposition: EvenJul 25th, 2010 11:30 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Fretboard radius does not equal neck carve.
Peegoo
Contributing Member
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That chicken
is WRONG, baby.Jul 25th, 2010 11:47 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"so what's your point?"
The point is, Lesterstrat doesn't like the pickups. The OP asked opinions and that's what happens. The opinions expressed here are based on personal experience, but the responses are not personally directed at anyone.
I had a DC-125 built for me back in the late 80s; still have it. The original pickups (M22 humbuckers) were either "on" or "off," meaning, roll the volume back from 10 and they lost their great tone. So I replaced them. GREAT guitar. Pretty thin "shredder" neck. The fretwork on this was spectacular for a factory guitar.
ejm
usaJul 25th, 2010 11:57 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Peegoo wrote: "....roll the volume back from 10 and they lost their great tone."
In hindsight, do you think that this problem could have been fixed with one of the various "treble bypass" or "treble bleed" mods?
The late 80s were over 20 years ago. In that time I have learned about this mod, and have since installed some version of it on every guitar I have owned or come across. That includes the DC135T that I owned for about 6 years in the late 90s.
Some people like these mods, some don't. Just curious if you think that may have been the problem.
Don Miller
Contributing Member
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Anchorage, AlaskaJul 25th, 2010 12:50 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I dont have any expereince with their guitars but their PAs and speakers are top notch...A few years ago I needed a 2x12 cab for a Bandmaster head I just aquired...and needed it pronto...like for the following weekend. Ordered via internet Sunday night...it was on my porch Wednesday....and no ridiclious "2 day air-Alaska gouge" shipping...Extremely good service IMHO!!
reverend mikey
Contributing Member
*****
Omaha, USA
"...living is easy with eyes closed..."Jul 25th, 2010 03:04 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Peegoo,
Got it - it just seemed he was making a blanket statement about the pickups, like the rest of the guitar - like everything else on the net; sometimes we "over-interpret" or read into stuff! My bad.
emckenrick,
About the neck carve: someone did recently ask Carvin to duplicate their Strat and Gibson neck carve's, and Carvin is doing it for them for a nominal cost (they didn't share the amount)...this was discussed in a thread on their guitar forum, so it's not an "official" option - but it might become one.
I suspect they're more willing to do this because of the state of the economy, and perhaps as a "test run" to see if they think it's economically feasible to offer this option, because others have asked for different neck carves before (like the Fatboy neck on a CT, for example) and they've declined.
So we'll see if this becomes an option down the road.
BbendFender
Contributing Member
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Texas
It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian!Jul 25th, 2010 04:30 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I've never owned one but they sure look good. I get a Carvin catalog every now and then. I think if I went outside Fender, I might consider a Carvin for a primary playing guitar.
BANSHEE
NH, USAJul 25th, 2010 04:40 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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the new semi hollows look awesome
Peegoo
Contributing Member
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That chicken
is WRONG, baby.Jul 25th, 2010 05:46 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I tried a treble bypass (several versions, actually) because when full on, the M22s sounded really good; I wanted to keep 'em in there. But the various bypass mods didn't help.
So that pickup's been sitting in my parts bin for 20 years, patiently waiting for the Second Coming of Hair Bands.
Fred132
Contributing Member
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Ham-fisted playerJul 25th, 2010 06:05 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Peegoo was in a Hair Band??
Dunno, it just seems out of character.
Pinetree
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A friend of Jack D.Jul 25th, 2010 06:06 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I changed the pickups on mine the day I got it, so I honestly dunno if they sound any good or not.
Davebud
Contributing Member
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Unfortunately,
there's no scotch in scotch tapeJul 26th, 2010 10:43 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Wonder if they'd build a 24 3/4 scale with P-90s?
Peegoo
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That chicken
is WRONG, baby.Jul 26th, 2010 03:43 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Sure.
FYI, Reverend makes a 24 3/4" with 2X P90s and Tele switching with a bass contour control.
Lesterstrat
Moderator
Florida
Wear a cape & let 'er rip!Jul 27th, 2010 06:40 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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Peegoo,
Are you sure about that? I didn't think Carvin did the 24 3/4 thing. I thought theirs was a 25" scale.
reverend mikey
Contributing Member
*****
Omaha, USA
"...living is easy with eyes closed..."Jul 27th, 2010 01:46 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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They don't currently offer a 24.75" scale neck - they used to in the 80's, I think (you can go to www.carvinmuseum.com to see old catalogs with pics and specs from most years).
Currently they offer 25" and 25.5" scale guitars.
fogg
Contributing Member
***
Northeast Pa.
Frustrated Old Guy w/ GutJul 28th, 2010 05:43 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I have thought about these guitars for a long time ...I m curious though where one would place these guitars in relation to other brands ..I assume from the comments that they are better than American Made Fenders and Gibsons perhaps equal to PRS and Hamer Guitars of equal price ?? But not near the quality of a Suhr or an Anderson ??
Lesterstrat
Moderator
Florida
Wear a cape & let 'er rip!Jul 28th, 2010 06:37 AM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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I don't think I'd make the blanket statement of "better than Fender or Gibson". I would say that they probably pay a little better attention to detail in terms of fret work, fit & finish. Their pups, however, are not of the same quality of most Fender and Gibson pups, IMO. Playability is as good, but I wouldn't say better than the others.
PRS & Hamer are both EXTREMELY well built production guitars; probably the best if we're going to annoint a brand(s). Hamers, in particular, are an absolute steal on the used market. Personally, I've not found one that wows me enough to buy, but I'll snatch the first that does because there's no denying their build quality.
Suhr and Anderson (and Grosh, FTM) are among the best of the best in terms of craftsmanship, but you're going to pay with your first born child if you want to buy a new one. You can sometimes get a pretty good deal on the used market. But, it's kind of limited in choices because there aren't usually a lot of them out there; not that many made to begin with.
reverend mikey
Contributing Member
*****
Omaha, USA
"...living is easy with eyes closed..."Jul 28th, 2010 05:34 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"I don't think I'd make the blanket statement of "better than Fender or Gibson". I would say that they probably pay a little better attention to detail in terms of fret work, fit & finish. Their pups, however, are not of the same quality of most Fender and Gibson pups, IMO. Playability is as good, but I wouldn't say better than the others."
I pretty much agree with everything said here, EXCEPT that Carvin's tend to be better set up than Fenders and Gibsons. However, I'll admit that's kind of comparing apples to oranges, because you get the Carvin direct from the factory - it hasn't been hanging on the wall or had a bunch of greaseball with their mitts all over it.
But I've played some very poorly set up Fenders and Gibsons - and lefties are the WORST - they (F & G) don't seem to have any idea of how to check out a lefty's set-up before it's shipped.
Fred132
Contributing Member
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Ham-fisted playerJul 28th, 2010 06:20 PM Edit Profile Print Topic Search
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"you get the Carvin direct from the factory - it hasn't been hanging on the wall or had a bunch of greaseball with their mitts all over it."
*Fred quickly checks mitts for grease*
Previous 20 Messages
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