Carvin 7 or Petrucci 7?

[Astiletto]

So, I am interested in buying another 7 string and I've narrowed down to a Carvin 747C and the Petrucci 7 w/piezo. I really like the finishes and other option Carvin offers, but they don't offer piezo in their 7's. Is Carvin comparable to MM?

 

[fatoni]

no not close at all. ive got a carvin and a jp6 and i dont like basswood and i love maple/mahogany (which is what the carvin is) but the carvin has nothing as far as quality or playability when compared to ebmm

 

[elvis]

Agreed. Carvin has always claimed they save money going "direct to consumer", but you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong - I've had (and have) Carvin gear, but it's a price-leader company. MM is a boutique high quality company.

 

[TimeSignature]

I think its more about the feel of the guitar than anything. I just could never get used to my EB MM Petrucci so I had to sell it. I have a Carvin CT6M and prefer the fatter neck of that to the Petrucci.

 

[Erotomaniac1928]

I think its more about the feel of the guitar than anything. I just could never get used to my EB MM Petrucci so I had to sell it. I have a Carvin CT6M and prefer the fatter neck of that to the Petrucci.

How do you compare the EBMM Petrucci to the Ibanez JPM?

 

[Old BF Shred]

I recently bought my first Carvin guitar (ST300) and I am very impressed.
Having said that, I did not like their pickup (c22) in the bridge and replaced it with a JB (much better).

The neck is a bit on the thick side but I am getting used to that and can always have it shaved down if I so decide.

I have played most MM models and like them, too, except for the body shape designs (never found them 'striking' but that is only cosmetic, I know). They do seem to be very well made.

I do know that the Carvin construction, finish and fretboard are on a par with my Hamers and that says a lot. I can't help but wonder how many criticize them, but have never actually owned (or even played) one.

I must say the neck through design results in an extemely lively and long sustaining guitar. A simple pickup change made all the difference for me.

I would suggest if you want to order the Carvin, ask if they would thin down the neck for you, if you like thinner necks. They do not post this as an option, but they may be willing to do it....I wish I had thought of this when ordering mine.

Other than that, they are a great value!

Good luck

 

[TimeSignature]

I think its more about the feel of the guitar than anything. I just could never get used to my EB MM Petrucci so I had to sell it. I have a Carvin CT6M and prefer the fatter neck of that to the Petrucci.

How do you compare the EBMM Petrucci to the Ibanez JPM?

The Ibanez JPM has a Viper neck. Its not as thin as a wizard but certainly not chunky by any means. The EB MM has a super tiny neck, especially toward the lower frets compared to the JPM.

 

[Astiletto]

Thanks for the replies guys, your opinions help a lot. I recently had a chance to play a Carvin 747 in Guitar Center and I was impressed. I did find the wider neck comfortable and easy to play. I am going to play a MM another time or so before i decide on anything.

 

[EricFeliciano]

I really can't understand the hate for Carvin all over the place either.. I used to swear by Ibanez guitars and hated playing anything else. I even didn't like some of the Carvins I tried.. the thing about Carvin is every single guitar will be different. I decided randomly to take everything I loved about all the Ibanez guitars I've owned over the years (PGMs, Jems, RGs, Destroyers, etc.) and build my 'dream guitar' through Carvin. The end result was just that.. I have never loved a guitar more in all my years of playing and I play it for hours everyday. I swapped out the Carvin pickups the moment I got it for dimarzios and just recently for Suhr pickups (far superior to any other humbucker I've played) and with 3 pickups, 2 knobs, 5 way switch, coil splitter (push/pull), and even a "blower" (push/pull) it is THE most versatile instrument I have ever owned. I even got a chance to pickup a Carvin Bolt from 1999 off a friend a couple months ago which is has a neck that's about as thin as an ibanez. I have a bolt on and neck thru Carvin and I'm set. I'm even considering getting a new Carvin built next month to give me tones on the other end of the spectrum.. I'm thinking a neck thru, satin Mahogany body and neck, (flame, birdseye, or regular) maple fret board and headstock, jumbo frets, ,20" fretboard radius (can't live without it now) and chrome hardware.. still dreaming it up. But where else could I even start thinking of all this?

I love my Carvin guitars. I just wish they'd start a custom shop for acoustics.

 

[TimeSignature]

I preferred my Carvin to my Petrucci (when I still had my EBMM Petrucci) however, I really do think the quality on Petrucci was a little better. The volume knob easily slipped off my Carvin, the finish where the dots along the side of the fretboard are starting to look like it is cracking. The pickups are a little better quality on the Petrucci. However, the Carvin is still a GREAT guitar. I personally dont think they can justify their price but a used one is well worth it. I bought mine used for about $500 bucks which was a steal. A new one just like mine would have been closer to $2000 if I ordered it from the Carvin shop.... For $2000 I could get a used PRS custom 22 10 top!

Just sayin....

 

[bucketbot]

I have 2 Carvins & I love em!! :mrgreen:

http://www.carvinguitars.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=11561&highlight=

http://www.carvinguitars.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=15865&highlight=