Carvin 7 stringers

[Ventura]

You know, I've been floating around the notion of a 7 gun for the last couple weeks. I've got a deal I can get on Petrucci 7 BFRs, an ESP NT-7 (not keen on the pups though), and something made me look at the Carvin site, and cats, is there ANYONE out there who can tell me why I shouldn't go with one of these custom jobbies at 1/2 the price of a Petrucci and about $600 less than an ESP!?!?!

I mean shit, after seeing Stevie's McNaught with walnut and all that jazz, I sized up some boutique woods, matching headstock, real abalone inlays, the whole 9 yards... I'd dump the pups upon arrival and KABOOM, instant delight, no??

Just wondering... Ya ya, I know their resale value is da pits, but providing I spec it right, I don't plan on reselling it...

Mo

 

[polaris20]

I didn't like how bright as hell they are. I had (and returned) three different combinations: mahogany with mahogany neck with ebony board, mahogany body/neck with maple cap, and mahogany body/neck with maple board, and they were all way too fucking bright and sterile.

Part of that could be due to the pickups, but I just couldn't gel with them. They were, however, really nicely built guitars.

 

[yngzaklynch]

From first hand experience I can you that the EBMM BFR guitars are incredible. Whether they are better than Carvins... can't say.

 

[dawnofdreamx97]

i only play carvins, i dig em, great features and action, i usually mess with the electronics / caps / pots but there pickups aren't to bad either... i just actually ordered my third carvin, ultra v in walnut/maple tung oil!

 

[Chris O]

Buy an Ibanez K7. I have a pair and couldn't be happier. I have an Apex 1 showing up this week. I'm sold on these suckers. Nothing else I've ever played touches them as far as 7 stringers go.

 

[Ventura]

As per the above about the axes being bright and sterile, I'd imagine the only thing that would contribute to this once the wood was accounted for would have to be pups, no??

Keep 'em coming guys... I'm feeling frisky

Mojo

 

[Ventura]

Buy an Ibanez K7. I have a pair and couldn't be happier. I have an Apex 1 showing up this week. I'm sold on these suckers. Nothing else I've ever played touches them as far as 7 stringers go.

Do they make a fixed bridge model?

 

[chunktone]

Buy an Ibanez K7. I have a pair and couldn't be happier. I have an Apex 1 showing up this week. I'm sold on these suckers. Nothing else I've ever played touches them as far as 7 stringers go.

Do they make a fixed bridge model?

I think you can get any model with a fixed bridge. I love my Carvin. I would say that if you get one, plan on replacing the pickups. I go into virtually every guitar purchase expecting to had to replace the pickups, so it's no big deal to me. Carvin's are very well built, and the custom features are pretty cool! Try getting a Gibson built to your specs. Super long build time, and way too much $$$$$$$!

 

[Chris O]

Buy an Ibanez K7. I have a pair and couldn't be happier. I have an Apex 1 showing up this week. I'm sold on these suckers. Nothing else I've ever played touches them as far as 7 stringers go.

Do they make a fixed bridge model?

If you want to go cheap, get the Apex 2. It has the mahogany body and the Dimarzio PAF 7's, along with a t-o-m bridge. I don't know if they still make the RG7621 these days. You could easily block the bridge though. That sAid, the tuning on mine has been very stable now that they have settled down.

 

[Chris O]

Oh! And take a look at the Ibanez RGD model too. I had one, and it was nice to be able to tune down to A with 10's.

 

[Ventura]

Appreciated... I am really fully aware of the Ibby's, but am just not a HUGE fan of bolt on's. Hence the reason my dodging around the matter and Ibby's all the time.

As for the pickups, yes, I'd be replacing them with BKPs off the mark - or at least something a bit more standardized and consistent.

Mojo

 

[robertkoa]

Don't know about 7 Strings but on neck thru Carvins I highly recommend either Mahogany or Koa for ( especially the neck- most of the tone on neck thru ) fatter warmer tones.

Surprised that an all Mahogany neck thru would be super bright as one post said.

This should be pretty warm with a fixed Bridge. Also Koa is usually warm and thick sounding- sometimes more so than Mahogany.

 

[spirit7]

Appreciated... I am really fully aware of the Ibby's, but am just not a HUGE fan of bolt on's. Hence the reason my dodging around the matter and Ibby's all the time.

As for the pickups, yes, I'd be replacing them with BKPs off the mark - or at least something a bit more standardized and consistent.

Mojo

If the Carvin is too bright just get a C-Bomb, C-Pig or Holydiver to darken it up.

Personally I'd save and get the BFR, but that's just me. Alternatively, PRS Private Stock 7-string

-C

 

[wIsEbLooD]

Ibanez 7's are the only ones that I like. Very comfy necks.

 

[Ventura]

Ibby's necks have worldwide acclaim... They're awesome, this I know from many, many players. I just never considered them to be my cup o' with the bolt on and so forth.

Really, it comes down to choice tone woods, the ability to swap out the pups (something that's a tad tough to do on, say, the ESP NT-7), and I'm not 100% down with the EBMM BFR 7, even though many others seem to think this is the cats' ass... I guess it's a wait and see scenario. But I just saw these Carvins, great woods, great choices, great warranty and return policy, and sure - swap out the pups - but they're seemingly sweet gits. Oh ya, a fixed bridge is mandatory too.

Whatever - the search continues. Worse case scenario is I get to peruse all these axes in my free time... Like that's a bad thing

 

[fuzzyguitars]

i have a carvin seven string neck through with mahog and maple top.

it has ebony fretboard and bkp nailbomb pickups.

the only thing that I dont like is the floyd rose lisc trem, seems cheap to me. and the fact that it doesnt have a locking nut.

i have overcome that by blocking the floyd.

really is a nice sounding guitar with lots of balls and snap with the quilt top and ebony board.

sounds closer to a prs than a les paul. nice and clear on the low strings.

very quality instrument for sure.

 

[7 Stringer]

Ibanez 7's are the only ones that I like. Very comfy necks.

Here`s mine :

Chris

 

[King Crimson]

Carvin ...

 

[ashesofphoenix]

My buddy has a Carvin 7 and it is my favorite guitar to play for the money... that being said I have another friend who picked up the EBMM JP7 BFR and he had to cut off my hands before I would let go of it. If you have the cash go for the EB, if you have less cash you'll be just as happy w/ the Carvin they make a great product

 

[Ventura]

My buddy has a Carvin 7 and it is my favorite guitar to play for the money... that being said I have another friend who picked up the EBMM JP7 BFR and he had to cut off my hands before I would let go of it. If you have the cash go for the EB, if you have less cash you'll be just as happy w/ the Carvin they make a great product

Wow. Quite the statement. Alright, straight up - what makes the EBMM Pet7 so hot??

Mo