I know this is the Fender Forum, but I need some advice based on personal experiences regarding a non-Fender product. I recently visited the Carvin Guitar website and was impressed with one of their new models, the Frank Gambale FG1 semi-hollow carved top guitar. I know the resale value of Carvin's is no where near as strong as a used Fender or Gibson. I am not really looking for resale value on this guitar. Has anyone on the forum ever purchased a Carvin guitar and what did they think about their quality and playability? Also did anyone who ever owned one have to contact Carvin because of a problem and if so was it resolved to your satisfaction? I am reluctant to purchase a guitar that costs 2K without playing it first, but they have a very liberal return policy. For the record I currently own three Fender guitars and two Fender amps, which I am quite pleased with.
Thanks,
Kenny V

I am of the mind that even though Carvin may make a perfectly fine product I will still not purchase anything if I cannot try it first. Every single one of my friends feels exactly the same. Hence none of us has ever purchased a Carvin so that means none of us knows anyone with a Carvin so that means none of us has ever tried someone else's Carvin so that means none of us will ever buy a Carvin. It's a vicous cycle and Carvin needs to give their head a shake and wake up to the fact they are losing sales. I don't care about satisfaction guarantees or after purchase care and support that you always hear about from Carvin fans. I want to go to a store and try a few different models out. If I can't do that? I don't buy.

Nuf sed.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Kenny V, when I checked out the website I noticed that the majority of electric guitars listed are Stratocaster copies or Les Paul copies. After that realization every non-Fender or non-Gibson company is in play for a decision about a copy. My favorite is the Michael Kelly Vex NV and I have played some Washburns that I liked. Good luck whatever you choose.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

As some of the people on here might know, I've become a big fan of Schecter as well as a few others when it comes to guitar manufacturers. They make a great semi hollowbody. Hard to try them out since it's hard to come by in guitar stores. But I have tried out the C1EA, and it was absolutely freaking killer. Probably the biggest reason I like Schecter is they don't over price their product. Every time I try one out, I'd swear if it were to come from a more popular manufacturer, it would cost twice as much (for example PRS, Gibson, and yes Fender sometimes to be honest).

That's not to say that I think every guitar made under bigger named brands are over priced. I don't want to give off that impression. The new Fender Pawn Shop '72 is bomb!! And I consider the Fender Blacktop series to be the best pound-for pound (so to speak), bang for the buck guitar value-wise to come out in a while for what it sounds and plays like (Schecter Tempest Custom and Solo Custom a very close second). My opinion of course.

Had it not been for the Schecter C1EA offering Duncan Designed HB type pickups, that guitar could have very easily gone for twice what they were asking. If you do the math, it was a fine candidate for upgrading the pickups for a much less price than going for a $2k guitar. Plus it had an added piezo.

The Fender Pawn Shop '72 needs no upgrading in the pickup area. Just remember that sometimes higher priced guitars are priced higher simply because they have Duncans or DiMarzios etc..pickups in them from the factory. I find that in a lot of cases, mid level priced guitars can be every bit as well crafted in all other areas. A good example would be why some people swear by MIM Strats. Another good example on the flip side would be Ibanez slapping a $2k price tag simply because they have DiMarzios and a cool paint job compared to a mid-level priced model.

I would personally be very wary of any guitar that costs $2k.. After so many years of my own personal experiences with modifying lower and mid level priced guitars, I've come to terms that I can modify some models to perform every bit as well as high end guitars without putting a huge dent in my wallet.

Earlier tonight I played a show with my modified Squier Esprit (chambered body, Dimarzio Tone Zone bridge, Custom hand-wound neck PU, Orange Drop caps). I would like to see anyone put it in their hands, play it, and tell me it doesn't feel and sound like a high end guitar. Total price to purchase and modify.. $370.

My advice.. Shop around my friend. Do some research before you spend that kind of hard earned cash . Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

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