[Digital Black]

Almost 50% of the guys I see buy a Carvin get rid of it within 2 years. I think a combo of changing taste and personal preference ( which is in constant evoulution) are two of the main factors.

The biggest thing I don't like about Carvins is choice of body styles.

[JJ Rodriguez]

The only thing I don't like about Carvin is the fact that you can't really deviate from any of their specs. I called them once and asked if they could route for EMG's, leave out the stock pickups which I hear are horrid, and route for an OFR. They wouldn't do ANY of that, and it's not exactly a complicated thing. I could get it done myself, but I just don't want to have a guitar made and finished, then get it and have to route it to possibly fuck the finish up.

[Christopher]

I had an amazing Carvin for 5 years. It was this crazy pawnshop treasure I ran into. It was Pepto Bismal Pink! It was a DC 131 (one hum one single) with a real floyd and EMG's. It was one of the older ones with the Jackson rip off headstock. Amazingly it was all maply except for the ebony board and abalone inlays. I walked into this shity little junk shop and it was hanging on the wall. It the first thing you saw as you walked in, it was just so damn ugly!

As a joke I picked up and started playing it in front of my drummer. This way about '96. We laughed so hard until I started to realize just how well it played. The price tag was something ridiculous like $100 or something so I bought it. I figured at worst I'd smash it into a million bits at the end of a gig.

I took it home and plugged it in and my jaw dropped. The thing sounded better than most of the guitars I'd ever owned and damn near played itself. At that point I decided to turn the guitar into either a tranny or full blown sex changer.

I took it to my tech who stripped all the pink fuck paint off it and sealed it with an oil and light stain finish. That thing fucking killed! I used it for damn near everything for years. I eventually sold it off when I stopped playing seven strings but I still know where it's at and have orders with the new owner that it's mine if he ever sells it. I only have one pic with it and you can only see the top of it but man that thing kicked ass. I named him "Woody" after the transplant.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

The only thing I don't like about Carvin is the fact that you can't really deviate from any of their specs. I called them once and asked if they could route for EMG's, leave out the stock pickups which I hear are horrid, and route for an OFR. They wouldn't do ANY of that, and it's not exactly a complicated thing. I could get it done myself, but I just don't want to have a guitar made and finished, then get it and have to route it to possibly fuck the finish up.

Yeah, they're not a true custom shop. They're just a production line guitar with a lot of options.

[Shawn]

Originally Posted by Shannon

Carvin = Top Notch all the way. You will not regret your purchase.

Although I've never played a Carvin 7, I would LOVE to. I've always loved the looks of them. Tony MacAlpine's Carvins are especially nice. I love his tone too. One of these days, Im getting a Carvin.

[garcia3441]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth000

Almost 50% of the guys I see buy a Carvin get rid of it within 2 years. I think a combo of changing taste and personal preference ( which is in constant evoulution) are two of the main factors.

The only reason I sold my Bolt is because the student loan people were asking for some of their money back. And it was the least favorite of the 2 guitars I had. (They'll get my Vigier when they pry it out of cold dead hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[jacksonplayer]

Those old late '80s-early '90s Carvins were pretty cool guitars and very high quality (though the fret finishing still wasn't quite as good as I'd like), but to me the quality on the newer ones isn't nearly as good--and I've owned several over the years. They cut a lot of corners now that they didn't used to. The Carvin sevens are ok, but I don't think I'd spend a lot of money for a new one.

[Jerich]

a general misconception here about Carvin pickup cavities. They are small requiring Milling out of the pocket to accept say Dimarzios but..If and when you order Dimarzios order them with a Plastic Base and grind the edges of the actual pickup down (the base not effecting the pickup what-so-EvEr) they fit right into the pocket with out damage to the guitar.

[metalfiend666]

Originally Posted by Jerich

a general misconception here about Carvin pickup cavities. They are small requiring Milling out of the pocket to accept say Dimarzios but..If and when you order Dimarzios order them with a Plastic Base and grind the edges of the actual pickup down (the base not effecting the pickup what-so-EvEr) they fit right into the pocket with out damage to the guitar.

I've just had to do this to put Dimarzio's in my Schecter, it's a piece of cake. Took about 2 minutes with a Dremmel. Just wear a dust mask when you do it. It creates tons of dust which makes you cough a lot if you don't.

[Jerich]

yeah it makes alot of people stand-off-ish to do a little bit of work. it seems hard but is easy! thanks for that Post! Metalfiend666