My beef with Carvin Guitars........

[robertkoa]

Costs a lot to reprogram and shut down the CNC Machines so outside of normal programming is a problem.

This is not it. The CNC part is the easy part and everything can be programmed and the gcode output while the machine is still cutting parts on a cad/cam system.

I don't know Carvin's reason, but the necessity for retooling all of the jigging/fixtures and assembly line is where the issues come in especially if you still need to cut other sizes.

Carvin is likely able to keep their costs down by keeping things consistent across guitar models.

All I know is what I was told.

Same with USA Guitars, asked if they could do a Strat neck with a longer length for Long Tenon set neck Strat they said they get calls for them but not enough to make profitable.

And downtime on CNC and programmers are expensive.

Seems.like they cant do reprogramming while its cutting, last time I asked was 2005, maybe thats changed now ...

 

[Dimebag11]

Speak of which...how much do you think a stunning trans green quilt top CT-6 with a floyd would go for? There is no locking nut, but locking tuners, a 42mm brass block, and a tremelo-stopper.

Man, I'm really not even sure. If I had to guess, around $1,100 - $1,200 or so?

Yea I figured about $1,200

 

[snowdog]

So what is wrong with the change the nut idea?

 

[Bob Savage]

All I know is what I was told.

Same with USA Guitars, asked if they could do a Strat neck with a longer length for Long Tenon set neck Strat they said they get calls for them but not enough to make profitable.

And downtime on CNC and programmers are expensive.

Seems.like they cant do reprogramming while its cutting, last time I asked was 2005, maybe thats changed now ...

It could just be the way the message was delivered. For many years now job programming occurs in software on a computer via CAD. g-code output for the machine is done the same way, with a CAM application on a computer. There will be some downtime setting up the machine and tooling but but they don't have it offline while the programming occurs.

Nonetheless, setting up for a different line when your goal is volume is definitely disruptive, regardless of why.

 

[Bob Savage]

So what is wrong with the change the nut idea?

Doesn't the neck width need to match the nut width?

 

[stratotone]

One thing to consider too is if they are selling what they are making now, they don't really have a huge incentive to cater to a smaller market/individual's taste. Not slamming the original poster - there are features I'd love to see on a PRS - stainless frets and birdseye maple boards on Cu22 stoptails or McCartys - but probably ain't going to happen. I nearly had a heart attack the first time I saw a PRS that had binding on it.

You could always find a Carvin you liked, then have a luthier shave the neck down a bit to your liking. Unless you were just in love with Carvin guitars, your money might be spent better elsewhere. At least you want something that can be done - you could make a neck smaller, but you aren't going to make it bigger.

 

[snowdog]

So what is wrong with the change the nut idea?

Doesn't the neck width need to match the nut width?

Well, we are talking about 1/16 of an inch. I agree it makes a difference in the string spacing, but I highly doubt it would be noticeable that the neck was a bit bigger with the spacing he wants.

 

[stratotone]

So what is wrong with the change the nut idea?

Doesn't the neck width need to match the nut width?

Well, we are talking about 1/16 of an inch. I agree it makes a difference in the string spacing, but I highly doubt it would be noticeable that the neck was a bit bigger with the spacing he wants.

It's weird how we can feel tiny differences though. My last Anderson was custom ordered and I had it built with a .030" oversized neck. It feels like a ball bat (in a good way, I like bigger necks) compared to another one I have, and the difference is .030". I wouldn't think that would be that much bigger, but it sure feels like it.

 

[splatter]

For a company that bill themselves as a "custom guitar company " they really aren't that custom . I have been wanting a cs6 for a couple of years but I know i don't like the standard carvin neck carve . If I buy one with a different neck carve I can't return it . So I guess i will never own another carvin .

 

[Bob Savage]

Well, we are talking about 1/16 of an inch. I agree it makes a difference in the string spacing, but I highly doubt it would be noticeable that the neck was a bit bigger with the spacing he wants.

He's noticing the 1/16" difference enough to complain that the MFG doesn't make a guitar to the spec he likes, so I don't know that I'd agree.

 

[Bluplirst]

For a company that bill themselves as a "custom guitar company " they really aren't that custom . I have been wanting a cs6 for a couple of years but I know i don't like the standard carvin neck carve . If I buy one with a different neck carve I can't return it . So I guess i will never own another carvin .

So now we're bitching about stuff they will do?

 

[Bob Savage]

So now we're bitching about stuff they will do?

Yes, how could they?

 

[yankeebulldog]

No problem with the wider nut but my beef with them is the neck profile. The standard profile is way too thin for my taste. They will do the slightly thicker Holdsworth neck profile on the set neck models for a $100 upcharge so I guess there is a small fee for reprogramming the CNC. I ordered a CT model with this but when I got it, the measurement was even smaller than the stock neck profile. I guess their tolerances for such things are all over the map even if it is CNC. I sent it back for a rebuild and got one that was slightly larger.