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Carvin Guitars :: A No-Carvin Xmas

Author: urbanhayseed
Subject: A No-Carvin Xmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:28 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

I'm bummed - I got my first postcard on Nov 4 after ordering (and paying the 20% for) a TL60. The card said "we expect it be completed on 12/09."

Today (Nov 20) I got a postcard saying "we expect it to be completed on 12/19."

So it is now 16 days later, and the completion date is pushed-back 10 days. I called to find out why, and the rep said, "i guess they screwed-up the first build.."

When I asked, "Am I going to have it by Christmas?" he said, "Probably not. Shipping takes 5-7 days to Chicago."

Great. I'm pissed. No "sorry for the delay" or anything. I really wanted a Carvin, but after hearing such a ho-hum response, I'd like to cancel the order and go buy a Telecaster locally - only I'd lose my $250+ deposit. I would think that at the very least they could eat and expedite the shipping - if indeed it is done by the 19th, but that wasn't even mentioned.

Is this normal?

Carvin Guitars :: RE: Is the SH550/575 really hot right now or what?

Author: Flint
Subject: re: Is the SH550/575 really hot right now or what?
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:01 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 15

Quote:

Inventory may be lower in both ends of a cycle

While this is true, it's not hard to guess what cycle we're in now. When every order from all sources can be started immediately, this necessarily means there are people waiting around for work to do.

Quote:

I also think the more orders Carvin is getting, the lower the GIS should be. They have orders, they don't need to stock as many "spec's".

From Carvin's point of view, GIS guitars ARE orders. Just because the factory receives GIS orders as well as custom orders doesn't mean they're not ordered from the factory.

If the low GIS count reflected brisk sales, this would mean a fairly rapid turnover in GIS. But we see from regular examination that the same guitars are sitting there, and new ones aren't being added very often. Remember, so long as X% of Carvin's buyers purchase stock items, then Carvin must allocate X% of their capacity to meet this demand.

Quote:

I can see Carvin maintaining a certain level of raw blanks at the factory based on sales history. I don't know how much farther you can go when every X "custom" order pretty much, to us the buyers delight, stops being something you can inventory. White bursts/option 50's/a zillion color combinations and top choices etc.

Making the blanks requires manufacturing resources. These resources are then not being used to fill custom orders, one of the reasons for the longer build times when sales are brisk. If the GIS are not moving, then there's little reason to build more, and the blanks go toward filling custom orders faster. Internal orders (stores and GIS) also make good use of the zillion options, and order them.

Quote:

A GIS is mostly not a good thing for Carvin I think.

I like to think the Carvin folks have a good handle on what they're doing. There are enough customers for whom the GIS are close enough and want to receive it right away, so that Carvin knows from sales history what the optimal ratio is of GIS and custom orders. I really do think profit is maximized by keeping this ratio constant, because the mix of "I want it now" and "I want it custom" sales is pretty constant.

Quote:

Holiday season, I hope Carvin's employees and owners are just too busy making guitars for customers to stock up the GIS inventory I sure do see a LOT more people mentioning Carvins and the desire to own one at the couple of other forums I drop in at.

No doubt. Yet we notice that when times are good and custom orders pour in, what happens is BOTH (1) GIS expands accordingly, and (2) Build times increase accordingly.

I'm fairly confident that from the factory's point of view, every order that comes through is a custom order. Even if that order was designed and placed by a store or by the GIS department, rather than from you or me. After all, the GIS are all different and have a wide range of options - they're not all alike or all base models.

Like you, I think Carvin makes fantastic products at a good price, and I want them to weather the lousy economy and see business boom. But right now, the indications are that Carvin is in the same boat as everyone else, sitting on the bottom waiting for the tide to return.

Carvin Guitar Amplifiers :: RE: British Series 100w Speaker

Author: jr213
Subject: re: British Series 100w Speaker
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:57 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Interesting...thanks!

Carvin Guitar Amplifiers :: RE: British Series 100w Speaker

Author: lightseeker55
Subject: re: British Series 100w Speaker
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:55 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

G-12T-75 but fatter.

Non-Carvin Gear :: RE: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...

Author: pdy
Subject: re: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:53 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Somebody commented on that page "Its bad karma for making those Hendrix strats" ha ha

Non-Carvin Gear :: RE: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...

Author: Gunner4Life
Subject: re: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:43 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Your tax dollars at work... They raid the place on our dime, and in true U.S. government inefficiency, they left the birch wood for Gibson to put in production.

Couldn't have happened to a better company.

Product Suggestions :: RE: AC 60 Acoustic/electric bass

Author: Mayers
Subject: re: AC 60 Acoustic/electric bass
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:38 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

I would prefer to have a 6 strings bolt-on before that
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Non-Carvin Gear :: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...

Author: pdy
Subject: It should be interesting to see how this plays out...
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:18 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/Daily/News/Gibson_Facilities_Raided_by_Law_Enforcement_Officials.aspx

Carvin Basses :: RE: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 content

Author: Bass Viking
Subject: Re: re: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 co
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:55 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 16

tbonesullivan wrote:

some people do not like them. they can add some unwanted high range, just like the stainless steel strings. I think Roger Sadowsky has a story about a customer who they tried stainless frets for due to his wear issues, and he brought the bass back a few days later and had them replace the frets with standard nickel silver. If the fret material is harder, you will get a slightly different tone.

You didn't give any details about the instrument in question but Sadowsky basses are generally quite bright to begin with. I doubt the fret material made much difference.

Carvin Guitars :: RE: Is the SH550/575 really hot right now or what?

Author: FlyingV
Subject: Re: re: Is the SH550/575 really hot right now or what?
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:55 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 15

Flint wrote:

Quote:

less GIS guitars being made equals faster custom orders.

Not quite. Rather, slower sales means both faster order completion and lower inventory. Think of the GIS as being "orders", but placed internally by Carvin stores. And these orders, just like customer orders, are dropping for economic reasons.

I would think Carvin maintains a ratio of customer to internal orders to match demand. For every X custom orders, have Y guitars in stock. This approach would optimize profits. Which means that indirectly, we can count the number of guitars in stock as a reflection of changes in the number of customer custom orders.

Inventory may be lower in both ends of a cycle, slower and high volume sales times so the completion time is probably the better indicator assuming employees are the same number and there are not supply issues. I also think the more orders Carvin is getting, the lower the GIS should be. They have orders, they don't need to stock as many "spec's".

I can see Carvin maintaining a certain level of raw blanks at the factory based on sales history. I don't know how much farther you can go when every X "custom" order pretty much, to us the buyers delight, stops being something you can inventory. White bursts/option 50's/a zillion color combinations and top choices etc.

Again we can't assume the number of guitars in stock reflects orders because that can be due to slow or brisk sales and Carvin keeping a lot of "GIS" should actually drag on profits because it is Carvin and the stores, if you think that is where the GIS come from to a certain extent, building spec's most likley to sell. Yes if someone wants a Carvin today [new] and they are ok with GIS, then good and profit for Carvin. But that is not Carvins model. They have outstanding build times considering. Even if it takes two months or ten weeks, still amazing compared to other builders. Of course as you know it is the quality and options and value that makes Carvin look so good. They let us choose vs how most other do it. A GIS is mostly not a good thing for Carvin I think.

Holiday season, I hope Carvin's employees and owners are just too busy making guitars for customers to stock up the GIS inventory I sure do see a LOT more people mentioning Carvins and the desire to own one at the couple of other forums I drop in at. A few long requested new/reissue guitars would be nice and generate interest/sales and not be beyond Carvin's means.
_________________
Loomis 7 string 26.5" scale & Original Floyd. DC127 w/Duncan 59' & DiMarzio D-Sonic. Randall RT50/2 & RM4
Blackface-SuperV-1086-XTC modules.

Carvin Photo Gallery :: RE: NGD Lefty Spalted C66

Author: leftyC66
Subject: re: NGD Lefty Spalted C66
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:48 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 28

That's Awesome Dino!!!! Congrats man.

Not only is is a lefty but a Spalted C66!!!!

Carvin Guitars :: RE: NEW! Left-handed Floyd Rose tremolos!

Author: mikeymac
Subject: re: NEW! Left-handed Floyd Rose tremolos!
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:36 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 41

Yeah, I was just in one of our local music stores today...they're a big shop, I'm guessing they have at least 250 guitars on their walls, fairly evenly divided between acoustics and electrics.

I counted around 1/2 dozen acoustics and 4 electrics in the whole store. All the acoustics were cheap F****r garbage (why even bother?), and there were two Schecter lefties that were nice if your main thing is shredding, one MIM Tele and one Highway One Strat that felt even cheaper than the MIM's.

I was in the 'nice' electric guitar and amp room when a sales guy came in and asked if I needed any help. I said, "No, since everything hanging on the walls in here says 'We don't serve your kind here.'" Same is true for the upscale acoustic room: not ONE left-handed guitar.

Makes me thankful again for companies like Carvin, where they say "Have it your way," no matter which way you swing an axe!
_________________
Carvin Family to date (all lefties): Jet Black Fatboy; Black Stain Flame H2; All Hog AC375; Jet Black CL450

Carvin Basses :: RE: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 content

Author: floyd
Subject: Re: re: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 co
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:28 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 16

tbonesullivan wrote:

floyd wrote:

The sound difference is minimal. Hell, the difference in tone from most wood is minimal. We are not talking about acoustic instruments here.

I can't argue with that. It makes much more sense to me to judge fret wire based on feel than it does on sound. Personally, I feel fret wire thickness much more readily than fret wire hardness, but even this is highly subjective.

Like you said, bottom line is go with what you like.

Carvin Photo Gallery :: RE: NGD Lefty Spalted C66

Author: KH
Subject: re: NGD Lefty Spalted C66
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:06 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 28

Congrats!!
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http://www.carvinguitars.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=16312

Carvin Basses :: RE: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 content

Author: tbonesullivan
Subject: Re: re: Pros & Cons of Stainless Steel Frets - SB5000 co
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:05 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 16

floyd wrote:

The sound difference is minimal. Hell, the difference in tone from most wood is minimal. We are not talking about acoustic instruments here.

sound difference is small, yes, and can be dialed out. the feel difference... well that can't. I don't know whether it's my imagination or not but the tips of my fingers seem to get sore faster on SS frets (my ct6 has them) for some reason. maybe due to the hardness or some kind of sound conduction. anyway, go with what you like. unless you play very aggressively and all the time, both types of frets will last you years.
_________________
Guitars: DC135T, DC150 (New Style), '86 V220
Basses: B4A, Fender P-Bass Lyte
Amps: MTS3212, XB212-2, V16, B800 Stack, PB100-15
Effects: Boss OD-20, Carvin XP4, AC120, Sabine Tuner, Boss OBD-3

Carvin Guitar Amplifiers :: RE: X100B combo

Author: tbonesullivan
Subject: re: X100B combo
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:01 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

I have my X-100b series iv head going through either a carvin vertical 212 loaded with 90's carvin BR12 speakers, or through an open back avatar cabinet loaded with texas heat 16s. both my old x-100b and my new one sound great through both.
_________________
Guitars: DC135T, DC150 (New Style), '86 V220
Basses: B4A, Fender P-Bass Lyte
Amps: MTS3212, XB212-2, V16, B800 Stack, PB100-15
Effects: Boss OD-20, Carvin XP4, AC120, Sabine Tuner, Boss OBD-3

Carvin Guitars :: RE: A Carvin Thanksgiving

Author: orangeguitarmusik
Subject: Re: re: A Carvin Thanksgiving
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:45 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

Lefty Blues wrote:

If you're having turkey you must do some "Carvin" heh heh. Happy gobbling!

Man I knew someone was gonna beat me to that joke.

Carvin Guitars :: RE: natural maple top

Author: mge80
Subject: Re: re: natural maple top
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:39 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 12

hbucker wrote:

I thought he was referring to the color. It is natural color. And since when was quilted maple not natural?

Sorry if I misunderstood.

Seems pretty clear to me he was looking for examples of plain maple, as he states in his post that he found "tons" of examples of quilted and flame.

In the guitar gallery I can only find one solid body guitar that has a clear finish, natural bookmatched maple top, but there are tons of pictures of clear finish quilted maple and flamed maple tops. Is there something about the clear plain maple top that makes it less desireable? Thanks

And to answer the question posted above, yes...my CT4M has the standard mahogany body and neck.
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Carvin Guitars :: New Cobalt C750T on the way!

Author: brad in nm
Subject: New Cobalt C750T on the way!
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:41 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

I could not resist the rebate! I have a new C750T on the way. I hope it gets to ABQ in time to play it Thanksgiving.

Brad in NM

Carvin Guitars :: RE: A Carvin Thanksgiving

Author: Lefty Blues
Subject: re: A Carvin Thanksgiving
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:27 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

If you're having turkey you must do some "Carvin" heh heh. Happy gobbling!

Carvin Photo Gallery :: RE: NGD Lefty Spalted C66

Author: mikeymac
Subject: re: NGD Lefty Spalted C66
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:53 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 28

Very sweet! Congrats from another lefty!

So...did they find some shorter screws for that neck plate? I'm assuming if they make this a regular option, they'll need to order another size screw for these...
_________________
Carvin Family to date (all lefties): Jet Black Fatboy; Black Stain Flame H2; All Hog AC375; Jet Black CL450

Carvin Guitar Amplifiers :: British Series 100w Speaker

Author: jr213
Subject: British Series 100w Speaker
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:32 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Anyone know if the 100w British Series speaker sounds closer to a G12T-75 or a Vintage30? Thanks!

Carvin Guitars :: RE: Photoshop People Can You Create?

Author: Hitch
Subject: Re: re: Photoshop People Can You Create?
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:28 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 5

IntoTheLens wrote:

Hitch,
Thank you so much! It's awesome! I'm ordering it! I dub it Halloween Burst! Thanks again.

Lens

Cool, I can't wait to see the end product.
Believe it or not, I actually put that pic as my current wallpaper I like it so much - even with all the glaring faults!!
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Guitars are the essence of all life in the universe.

Carvin Basses :: RE: Anybody use instructional bass dvd's

Author: Mayers
Subject: re: Anybody use instructional bass dvd's
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:45 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

I have some book with CDs. For me it is just a matter of getting the technic down after that, you must make it your own.
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Carvin Guitars :: RE: Trigger Pulled on C250

Author: 86general
Subject: Re: re: Trigger Pulled on C250
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:43 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 7

dvlsadvc8t wrote:

...reminded me of how much fun playing an acoustic can be.

I hear ya. I got my Martin back from the factory this summer...the action was high and the saddle reeeeeeally low, so it needed a neck reset. I hadn't realized how unplayable it had become until I got it back. Wow. Didn't hurt that they did a refret and polished the old girl up. It's like I have a new guitar.

Since then, I've probably played it more than all of my electrics. There is just something about that beautiful acoustic sound, and all the dynamic and timbral response you get.

Someday, I wanna play like this guy. Now there's some acoustic playing.
_________________
JP
Pathologist, Golf & Guitar Addict, Habitual Carvin Drooler

"This here's the electric guitar...a big improvement on the old gas & steam guitars..." - James Taylor