We all probably will have gotten a bad apple or two from the whole range of manufacturers, if we get enough stuff (as if we ever could get enough!). I had a terrible example of a classic Gibson 175D; I had a wonderful example of a Ventures model Mosrite. Unfortunately, I traded the latter for the former many years ago, looking to upgrade, and to play more jazz.
Do we ever forget our first good guitar?
There's certainly some truth to Carvin guitars not holding resale value, but another view might be that they have realistic value. Maybe their lack of sponsored players helps keep the price down? In any case, I lucked out with a great used guitar, that I was about ready to order new. I spent what I saved on an extension cabinet for the F-30 and another Analogman pedal, so what did I save? :lol:
Anyway, the tone of the DC400 really comes through on channel two and even cuts through the contour settings in ways that my strat does not, and I am crazy about the strat... Carvin's modest AG100D amp serves me better as an acoustic/combo amp than a couple of tries at similar Marshall and Peavey solid state models (but that's just convenience and a particular, or is it peculiar, taste for a certain clean sound).
However, the DC 400 into the F-30 is something special. The hot bridge pickup (M22SD) and active electronics drive both channels into incredibly sweet blues and rock tones and, combined with contour, it cuts through a band mix for lead like a laser. Just as the F-30 cleans up beautifully for chimey tones and jazz, so does the Carvin, with coil splitting options and tons of tonal options. The combination is keeping all of my other guitars on the rack. Does it mean all Carvins are great? No, but this combination would keep a lot of players awfully happy.
Tone tweaking on both of these is pretty amazing, though. Every setting on the guitar and amp interacts more sensitively than anything I've played before. It's going to take some discipline to stop tweaking.
Looks are in the eye of the beholder; the finish is very good and everything works. Click for larger pictures.
Anyway, my two cents. I know, too long for a first post on the board, but I've been lurking a long time, and this topic got me going.
