Just bought a Carvin Bolt-T, what to expect?

[mrp5150]

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=015

I never really cared for any Carvins until I looked into the Bolt-T models which look pretty sweet, plus I've been wanting to try a Wilkinson trem so I figured I'd try one out. I was going to order a new one, but the wait time was longer than I thought so I bought that one on Ebay. It has basically every feature I would have got anyways so I lucked out. Just wondering what I can expect from it? How are the Carvin pickups?

 

[Meathead]

Just bought a Carvin Bolt-T, what to expect?

I expect you're gonna sell it.

 

[mrp5150]

Just bought a Carvin Bolt-T, what to expect?

I expect you're gonna sell it.

Haha!

Good one.

 

[CoachZ]

Carvins are supposed to be rather solid minus the pickups. The pickups are a love/hate thing.

 

[mrp5150]

Carvins are supposed to be rather solid minus the pickups. The pickups are a love/hate thing.

If the pickups suck and I like the guitar enough, I'll probably put a Duncan Custom in the bridge and 2 Hot Rails in the middle and neck.

 

[umm...]

Carvins are supposed to be rather solid minus the pickups. The pickups are a love/hate thing.

If the pickups suck and I like the guitar enough, I'll probably put a Duncan Custom in the bridge and 2 Hot Rails in the middle and neck.

Then you will get another Caparison, which you will sell and the cycle will start over and continue indefinitely.

 

[CoachZ]

Not everybody likes them from I've been told but they're definitely a step up from the Ibanez stock pickups.

 

[RV8guy]

Some people really like Carvin pickups. I just thought they were OK at best. Slapped some duncans in my Bolt Plus and couldn't be happier. I have a Bolt-T kit that I'm in the process of finishing as well.

 

[flametal]

not sure you would like the Carvin pickups, I really like them in the neck but not not the bridge.

 

[mrp5150]

not sure you would like the Carvin pickups, I really like them in the neck but not not the bridge.

What do their bridge humbuckers compare to, if anything?

 

[flametal]

not sure you would like the Carvin pickups, I really like them in the neck but not not the bridge.

What do their bridge humbuckers compare to, if anything?

I kinda remember them sounding a bit like a weak version of a '59, they are pretty low output but very creamy.

 

[mrp5150]

not sure you would like the Carvin pickups, I really like them in the neck but not not the bridge.

What do their bridge humbuckers compare to, if anything?

I kinda remember them sounding a bit like a weak version of a '59, they are pretty low output but very creamy.

 

[mrp5150]

Hey Mega,

I'm very curious what you think about the Bolt. I've been eyeing those forever, but since I've never played a Carvin, I wouldn't know what to expect. Check back in after you've played it a bit and let us know.

I'd get an ebony board with no markers, oiled maple neck, big 'ole frets, hardtail bridge, oiled body. Not sure if all of those ideas are options, though.

I'll post my thoughts after I get it.

I believe you can get all the options you listed there. The only thing I would have wanted different from the one I bought is a birdseye maple neck and fretboard, but for $500 I wasn't gonna complain. I love ebony too.

 

[Tnjpekar]

Here is my carvin bolt kit I put together, and now its one of my main axes for gigs. ash body, carvin pups (twin rails in mid and neck) wilkinson bridge and sperzels. never goes out of tune, plays like butter, and the neck is sweet. you will probably like the axe if you like the playability of the caparisons, but it has more of a meat and potatoes feel to it if you catch my drift

 

[1big1]

i don't have a bolt.. but i do have the ap 11's in my mexi strat. they aren't high output.. but they are creamy as mentioned. not as much bottom end and not as chimey as stock strat pups. i usually boost it with an sd-1 for leads. it does sit and cut pretty well imho. the guy next to me is playing an epi paul through a fender deluxe.. so we kinda contrast each other.

 

[Mudder]

On all the Carvins I've had I've always kept their singles but swapped out the hums. The singles have been perfectly described, creamy but not super clear so not the typical strat tones. They're quiet too.

 

[Pepi]

My Bolt kit. I love this guitar. Not sure why some people don't like Carvin pups? I love the C22B bridge and the AP11 SC are great.

 

[1big1]

My Bolt kit. I love this guitar. Not sure why some people don't like Carvin pups? I love the C22B bridge and the AP11 SC are great.

i think most of the people who knock thier pups are high gainers who are looking for something that's more over the top. i'm more of a classic rock.. hard rock.. and blues type of guy.. and thier pups work just fine for me. i like a something that's more on the vintage side. nice bolt btw!

 

[Subclavian]

My Bolt kit. I love this guitar. Not sure why some people don't like Carvin pups? I love the C22B bridge and the AP11 SC are great.

I really dig the finish you did.

How long did it take you to put your kit together?
What kind of finish did you put on it?
What's the writing on your headstock say?

sub

 

[SFW]

Knowing your taste in music, you'll probably swap the pups. The guitar should play great. I love my Carvin!