Table of Contents:
- Inspiration for this build
- Features
- Photos
- First Impressions
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This is my second Carvin, and I wanted a completely different set of features than my CT624. The following references were instrumental...
Color: Purple. Reason: My favorite Hot Wheels car, Beatnick Bandit.
Primary Wood: Maple. Reason: Not only is maple one of my favorite woods, it's one of my favorite flavors.
(Secondary wood: Walnut. Also is a nice flavor.)
Bling Level: Gold. Reason: Always thought this guy had style.
Code Name: Barney. Reason: It's big. It's purple. It will disturb the neighbors.
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Features:
TRANSLUCENT PURPLE w/ BLACKBURST
SATIN FRONT / BLACK GLOSS BACK & SIDES
5PC MAPLE NECK W/WALNUT STRIPES, TUNG OIL FINISH
MEDIUM JUMBO STAINLESS STEEL FRETS
2V 2T KNOBS, 1 P/P COIL TAP FOR BOTH PICKUPS, 1-P/P FOR PHASE
TRADITIONAL STYLE HEADSTOCK
EBONY FRETBOARD, BLACK NO STREAKING
ABALONE BLOCK INLAYS
CUSTOM PAINT MASKING ON NECK HEEL
OPT 50 BIGSBY
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First impressions: Opening the case, a happy camper at first glance! (And the smell... cocoa butter.)
Wow! I was really afraid that my expectations were set too high... This guitar has blown me out of the water. I've only played it for 20 minutes, unplugged. Setup feels great - nice low action with no buzzing. It arrived almost perfectly in tune, except for the high E. It resonates very well acoustically across all strings - it's much louder unplugged than I expected it would be. The 14" radius feels great. The body size is awesome (smaller body diameter and more comfortable than my 335 copy). And the Bigsby doesn't detune other strings during fingered bends enough to matter to my ear, which was one of my concerns.
Cosmetically I am thrilled by my blacker-than-black ebony fingerboard, and the contrast between the satin top and gloss back/sides.
The abalone inlays, logo and knobs all have purple (and blue-green) highlights that go perfectly with the purple top. The trans-purple on the maple top lets through enough of the grain to give the soundboard a really unique kind-of-granite look. And I L-O-V-E how the matte finish on the top feels against my forearm when I'm playing. I wasn't sure how I'd like the look of the satin without seeing a sample in person, and I'm so glad I took that chance. It looks and feels luxurious.
I can't wait to plug in, and I promise I'll post some outdoor pics and a tone report soon. On a final note... I love watching the videos of the CNC machines Carvin' up the wood, but I find it humbling that lots of real people put their pride and skill into this instrument. The production tag that came on my shipping box is a great reminder. Awesome!
O man! That thing is gorgeous! I NEVER like gold hardware... But you have changed that! Wow, wow, WOW! That guitar...
