Carvin guitars - any fans here?

[neilli]

I've found myself pretty tempted to order a Carvin (or Kiesel) recently - they seem great bang for the buck and have some pretty cool designs IMO. Has anybody here every gone through the order process, or failing that, anybody bought them used?

 

[scgtr]

I have had a Bolt+ for ten years. It has received regular play time and is still one of my favorite guitars.

Contrary to what I often read online, the pots and other electronics have held up well (all original) and are not noisy. I ride my volume knob, and it is still going strong. I also like the AP11 single coils and CT22 humbuckers. Mine is in the HSH configuration, and positions two and four sound great for semi-clean playing.

The only upgrade I made was installing a tremel-no.

I recently made it my GK3 equipped guitar (which necessitates pushing the Floyd down to change a string).

 

[JerEvil]

I have owned 2. I'd own another for sure.

 

[Atropos_Project]

I've owned 2 of their basses, still have 1 of them. Impressive build quality all around, and I would certainly order a guitar from them. If I had a pet peeve at all, it's the slightly off sizing / screw holes on quite a few of their pickups.

 

[Doughboy]

I own 3 Carvins & they are as good as any top brand guitars out there ie: Suhr, Anderson, etc.

Amazing guitars at a reasonable price.

 

[jsp]

Nobody makes better guitars than Carvin for less than 2x+ the price.

 

[Stealthtastic]

Really well built for the money.

 

[ibenhad]

They get my vote. I have a DC800 and it plays as well if not better than my Suhr. For the $$$ it's a no brainer.

 

[Jdguitar]

I've never owned one but have played a few. Top notch quality and very affordable. Very similar to G&L in that respect.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I have 2. I can't remember how long my custom order took. Both great guitars that I won't be parting with.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a Bolt+ that is actually my favorite guitar and I have a CS Charvel, MIJ Charvel SoCal and Luxxtone!!! Now I did upgrade the Wilkinson trem to a better quality Gotoh Wilkinson VS100, changed the pickups, and the pots. Awesome axe!!

 

[Econ]

Are the pickup cavities big enough to fit covered pickups?

 

[neilli]

Thanks for all the comments guys - I'm tempted to order one of the new Jason Becker 'numbers' guitars, but for some strange reason, I also like the look of the Vader. The lack of trem is disappointing though... (geddit?!)

 

[Econ]

I have Vader on order. This will be my first Carvin/Kiesel, so lots of big expectation on this one.

 

[chunktone]

I love my Carvin! Bought it used, so I'm can't comment on the order process. I would say they are as good as any production guitar I've played, and better than alot. I still have not found 1 PRS that I like as well as my Carvin.

 

[threadkiller]

I couldn't bond with mine but it was my fault. All maple neck on a neck through body guitar so the guitar ended up sounding like a slab of maple. as far as build quality it was top notch

 

[Atropos_Project]

I have a Bolt+ that is actually my favorite guitar and I have a CS Charvel, MIJ Charvel SoCal and Luxxtone!!! Now I did upgrade the Wilkinson trem to a better quality Gotoh Wilkinson VS100, changed the pickups, and the pots. Awesome axe!!

Any issues putting aftermarket pups in it?

 

[JimmyBlind]

Jeff Kiesel seems like a top guy! I too really like that Becker numbers guitar. Given the choice, I'd have the same guitar without the colour. The natural finish looks amazing and the shape and head stock make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing superstrats I've seen.
Would Carvin build this guitar without the inlays and colour pickups?

 

[Clayspun]

I've been eye balling and specin out dc600's and vaders. Wish you could get a 16" radius on the dc600. Also pickup options outside of carvin p/u's would be cool but you can always swap em out. I've been going back and forth between getting a jackson usa sl2ht, a carvin or an LEF custom. But the carvin stuff is the most tempting. Pretty quick wait time too.

 

[chunktone]

I've been eye balling and specin out dc600's and vaders. Wish you could get a 16" radius on the dc600. Also pickup options outside of carvin p/u's would be cool but you can always swap em out. I've been going back and forth between getting a jackson usa sl2ht, a carvin or an LEF custom. But the carvin stuff is the most tempting. Pretty quick wait time too.

I have heard they will install whatever pickups you like, you just have to send them to them.