Has anyone played a Carvin guitar?

Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1493 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 08 2006 01:16 AM Every few months I get a catalog in the mail from Carvin guitars. Has anyone played them? I have never even seen one in person, and I don't have any idea how I got on their mailing list. But I guess curosity has gotten the better of me. So I'm asking. Any one have the experience of playing of of these? Joel Top
CaptainSpringfield Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 4387 Under the Sun	Posted on Nov 08 2006 02:06 AM A friend used to work for them in some capacity (I never really found out what), but he brought a DC127 over once. It was kind of nice to play, but nothing spectacular, and definitely not worth what they charge. It was obviously well crafted, but it was also, IMHO, ugly as all hell. -Warren — That was excessively violent and completely unnecessary. I loved it. Top
SurfBandBill Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1487 San Francisco	Posted on Nov 08 2006 03:03 AM I will second the motion on them being ugly as sin. I will also mention, however that Monster Pete of Monster Pete and the Chiefs (a more or less defunct band from the South SF Bay Area) used to use one religiously, and he managed to get a pretty sweet, albeit far from trad, surf tone out of it. ~B~ Top
intellitard Joined: Sep 26, 2006 Posts: 22	Posted on Nov 14 2006 11:56 AM I own a strat style kit guitar from Carvin that I put together myself almost 10 years ago. It plays and sounds swell... My paintjob left a bit to be desired. Headstock is ugly as hell!!! Got their wilkie tremolo option, love that. Got their 11-pole pickups... Not sure how I feel about them. Also built a fretless bass from them which is much better than the strat (not like I'm a bass player or anything) But as far as putting together custom jobs for less than outrageous prices, Carvin does a good job. Lots of studio cats use their gear. Top
chad3006 Joined: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 76 USA	Posted on Nov 14 2006 08:14 PM Back in the 80's I tried out a friend's Carvin. As I remember it played well, had a nice neck and fingerboard, and seemed comfortable. It had typical 80's humbuckers which aren't my favorite, but physically the guitar was fine. Personally, I think some Carvins look pretty good, but indeed some are ugly. Carvins have been used for surf. Bill Epps of the Varatones used one (probably a model 32-SGB.) Those great old Carvin pickups were used on early Mosrites and Guilds, among others. Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1493 Redlands, CA	Posted on Nov 14 2006 11:38 PM chad3006 Thanks for the reply with great info, and a great picture. It reminds me what me and the guys used to look like. We aren't the guys in the photo, but we did look just the same. I guess many young bands did back then. Joel Top
krupanut Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 492 Austin Texas	Posted on Nov 15 2006 08:26 AM Ive got a buddy who has a 140 from around 60-61. The pickups scream on that guitar! — The Thunderchiefs Top

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Has anyone played a Carvin guitar?