Carvin C22N

Splittable Humbucker, Passive, output about like a PAF.

This is the factory neck pickup on a Carvin DC200T. I have tried a couple other pickups in this spot (DiMarzio, Kent Armstrong) but decided to go back to the Carvin. The other pickups didn't work as well with the active electronics in the DC200, and overall, it seems that Carvin really did know what they were doing in matching these pickups to this neck-thru slimline guitar.

Output is moderate, like a PAF. I use this with a Fuchs, a Rivera M60, and several solidstate amps, usually a Crate Powerblock. (don't laugh, it's great if you know how to set it up). This pickup sounds good with all amps. SETUP IS CRUCIAL TO THE SOUND OF THESE PICKUPS. After a lot of experimentation, I found these pickups develop their full character when pretty close to the strings, and even more importantly, getting the 11 (count 'em) pole pieces adjusted. They come from the factory all set to the same height. This is WRONG. It makes the pickup sterile and lifeless. The basic idea is to stagger the pieces so that one is high and it's neighbor is low, alternating. After doing this and adjusting the treble-bass and string-to-string balance to taste, you should hear a harmonically rich dessert. Seriously, one of the best sounding pickups I've ever used. Fortunately, because this is a 24 fret guitar, there is no mud-node right over the neck pickup so you don't have to turn it around (to move the pole pieces away from the node). I am very pleased. I use the neck pickup on the DC200 for jazzy, latin-y, and typically clean rock styles, but it splits really nicely and has a good strat-ish vibe going. When split, it sounds really nice with the matching C22T bridge pickup (in humbucker mode). When you split both pickups, there's some quack going on, making the DC200T with the C22 pickups a one-guitar-can-go-all-night experience. I don't have any other guitar this versatile.

Since I figured out how these tick, I swear by 'em. I would gladly put them into any double-hum guitar where split sounds would be desirable as well. I've played to long to keep track of, and own/have owned too much gear to list. At this stage of the game, I am very happy being semi-pro and just having a ton of fun. This pickup is a definite keeper, and the best thing is you can find them cheap because most people never get to know how to use them.

Passive bucker, moderate PAF-like output.

This came in a Carvin DC127M (mahog neck through body, maple top) hardtail. In the neck.

I play into a Boogie Mark III. The output level is moderate for the pup. I think the pickup lacked a decent amound of low end and overtones when playing dirty. Enough to make me swap it out for a Dimarzio Air Norton, which sounds incredible.

The pickup did sound awesome out of phase with the bridge C22T. That's the only sound I really found useful from it, though.

I've been playing 6 years, have 6 guitars, and multiple pickups. They aren't horrible (and way better than the M22), but still not crazy about them.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Strat Plus
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fender Lace Sensor (Gold)
Other pickups on guitar: Fender Lace Sensor (Gold)
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: The lace sensor pickup in the bridge position sounded like a pissed off pirana. Shrill as hell. Nothing but treble.

Perceived output level: Decidely weak. But then Carvin advertises them as vintage pick-ups with weakened magnets.
Tone: Warm mids with just a touch of glass on the highs. Very little bottom end.
Sonic evaluation: I play through and old 72 model fender Quad-Reverb and a red knob twin. Effects are: Boss compressor-sustainer to a TS-9 tube screamer to a Nano-verb by Alesis. Every now and then through a GT-2 SansAmp between the comp/sus and the tube screamer.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For rock and roll the pick-up by itself is to weak. But in conjunction with the tube screamer it sounds out nicely. I only have it in the bridge position (I bought an entire pre-wired pick guard and pick-up assembly from carvin) The C22 has a nicer tone to it than the lace sensor I replaced but is not really much louder. The assembly came with a coil splitter for the humbucker and when split to the single coil mode and put in the 2nd position (5 way switch) it delivers a passible fender quack. It balances with the AP-11 single coils in the middle and neck positions well.

Comments: If it was broken I probably would replace it with another C22. While its not a hot pick-up, it does have a good tone to it. I've been playing for 24 years in a rock band. My other guitar is a Gibson "The PAUL". Had a Les Paul Custom for fourteen years but screwed up and let it go. In comparing the C22 to other pick-ups its no Seymor Duncan JB or its like but with a good distortion or overdrive pedal it comes into its on. Its clean sound is nice though and the pick-up is responsive enough to your pick attack.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Carvin DC-127C
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: C22-T
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, rock
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: medium output
Tone: A lot of lower mids and bass, real big beefy sound in my opinion. Treble is there but not a whole lot. Think "woman tone".
Sonic evaluation: I've tried this through several amps, and it CAN get a bit muddy under some circumstances. Other than that, I LOVE this pickup. It's the perfect compliment to the C22-T. It's a vintage sounding pickup, and metal-heads wouldn't like it. I especially like using it with some overdrive to add more treble and growl. It sounds full and satisfying with chords (with the right guitar and amp, of course) and the solos are fat-sounding.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For my styles (blues, clasic rock [zep, cream hendrix, so on.]) this is a great pick up.

Comments: If this pickup were destroyed or stolen (why would someone steal a pickup?) I'd get another one. I've been playing for about three years and it is way better than the other stock pickups I've had. The only thing that is stupid is the coil spliter option. It doesn't sound like a single coil at all. Oh well, you don't have to use it so it's not really a bad thing. I use it with my Carvin, my silver face twin reverb, and my Fulltone Fulldrive 2. I give it a nine because through a cheap amp this could sound muddy. Remember: bass galore, some mids, and enough highs to make it not muddy but balanced. If you want a fat, sweet, vintage sounding neck humbucker, try this out.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: None provided

Model of guitar or bass: Aria Pro II RS Inazuma - solid ash, 80's vintage W/floyd and coil splitter
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: 80's Aria/japan rip off of a Lawrence L500 blade Humbucker??
Other pickups on guitar: Same as Aria Pro II above but at bridge
Artists using this pickup: Van Gough
You musical style(s): Shemp - 70's rock and blues
Reason for pickup change: Looking for "the dream tone" on a budget. Bought it impulsively but based on Harmony reviews. Stock p-up seemed muddy and limited, especially now that I changed to the C22N.

Perceived output level: Hotter than the 15 year old Aria II blades. Same as my Samick crap Humbuckers on my other guitar only clean and SMOOTH!
Tone: Clean, smooth and balanced. Have not messed with pole oiece adjusters much yet. See below.
Sonic evaluation: way better than I would have ever thought. I am no expert but thse things seem to do it all. Very clear note for note even when driven. Great sustain with out the muddy sound when driven with my wonderful little Crate VC508 all tube amp. When coil split as a single they sound great, has some bite yet still smooth. Buy these pickups!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I prefer blues, blues rock but attempt all types. These work 'cuz they are so versatile. May be for metal you should skip though they can be driven by the right amp. Actully they are too good for metal but then who cares about metal.

Comments: Replace them. Hell I may buy them for all my guitars! Played electric six months but accoustic for 25 years on and (mostly) off. I use a Crate VC508 tube amp, Abilene (Samick) ALRS25DOS, Korg Pandora PS2 and a Seagull S6 cedar. As you see I have low budget but, I feel, great gear for the budget/bedroom setup. These pickups are "the ones" (this month, anyhow). I did not compare 'cuz I gut no dough or knowledge except a tone in my head. Think David Hildago tone-wise (even if your not a fan of Los Lobos the dude plays it all and has a killer sound whether its blues, rock, folk or latin/mex). I want a versatile tone and these are %500 better than what was on this or my other guitar. I bought the C22N's due to these reviews and you should too, unless you can afford Seymour Duncan JB's or Antiquities. Even then you may just like these as much especially for the money. Just buy them. I hear the AP11 singles are really good also. By the way, I am not employed by Carvin!

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Hohner "The Blonde"
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Korean made humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: C22T
Artists using this pickup: who cares?
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Blues, Metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups totally sucked and had no tone or life whatsoever...

Perceived output level: Medium Output
Tone: Clean and balanced, though slightly trebly
Sonic evaluation: I have 2 different amp rigs for 2 different bands. One is a Fender Super 112 and the other is a Crate VC5212. These pickups sound great through both amps. They have a medium output and have a very clean, balanced tone. They are crystal clear with my amps on the clean channel, but provide plenty of crunch/sustain when run thru the overdrive channel. When the tone was rolled back on the guitar, they still sounded great. I did wire them to a Yamaha 24 pole 5-way switch to expand the tone variations available.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a wide range of styles ranging from clean pop, blues, hard rock, and metal.

Comments: I have been playing for 22 years and have several other guitars equipped with various Seymour Duncan model pickups. These pickups are just as good as any of the Duncans in my other guitars. I chose the zebra coil configuration for cosmetics and they look awesome in this guitar. I had used the M22 model in a different guitar about 8 years ago. The M22 wasn't bad at the time, but the C22 model is far superior in tone and design. I would definately buy more of this model if the need arose - alot of bang for the buck!

Pickup features: Humbucking, with 12 adjustable pole pieces on 1 coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fernandes Monterey (les-paul type with Badass style bridge.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fernandes Humbuckers
Other pickups on guitar: C22T
Artists using this pickup: don't know, don't care
You musical style(s): Roots-Rock,Soul,Funk,Blues
Reason for pickup change: Old pickups(stock)were shrill sounding on the top end.
Low end tones were muddy
Pole pieces were not aligned with strings at neck position.

Perceived output level: Medium gain (PAF)
Tone: Clear low end, smooth mids, nice top
Sonic evaluation: the guitar set-up I use: Fernandez Monterey (alder body, rosewood neck),
Boss Tremolo Pedal, Daddy O, Dan Echo, Visual Sound Volume, Mesa Boogie DC-3
or Mesa Boogie Studio .22+. With this setup I'm going for clean to vintage
crunch tones. This pickup, along with the matching C22T, is ideal. Regular
humbuckers always seem to thick for me, as I was raised on Fender-Style
guitar tones. I play mainly lead guitar lines and second part rhythm fills,
with another guitar player playing rhythym on a strat. I needed a unique
clean sound that would be complimentary to his. Together we do Stax/Volt rhythms, Beatles
jangle, Elvis/Scotty Moore rockabilly, James Brown/Sly funk. The lead tones, from both pick-ups,
do not overpower the vintage strat rhythm tones.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: see above

Comments: I'd buy this pick-up again with no hesitation.
I have been playing semi-pro for 25 years.
I own numerous Strats, tele-s, les pauls, and many other guitars.
I didn't compare other pick-ups, as these were the only pickups with
the type of pole pieces I wanted (don't like blade designs).
Let's face it musicians/artists are always searching nothing can be ideal
all of the time, but this is a nice medium gain, smooth sounding pick-up.
I'd give it an overall rating of 9 (mounting rings were not same size as
the originals, causing somewhat of a pain in the ass, I used the new ring
on the neck, original on the bridge. I tried to avoid unsightly gaps around
the pick-guard area).

Pickup features: passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: PAF style

Model of guitar or bass: LP 100 Epiphone thin line Les Paul stlye solid body
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Epiphone generic Humbucking
Other pickups on guitar: C22T
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues , Rock, some jazz
Reason for pickup change: drop off on high E string on stock pickups, lack of warmth and versatility

Perceived output level: I would say the output of this pickup is medium , not really any hotter than the stock Epi humbucker I replaced
Tone: Overall tone is very smooth, sweet and warm, a classic alnico vintage tone, with out the type of overdrive distortion you migh hear in a really hot overwound pickup like a Dimarzio super distortion....if you have a good tube amp that you can crank, you can get some overdrive out of the pickup, but thats not really what it's made for....rather, cranking the amp increases the sustain, not the noise, which makes this a great pickup for blues and classic rock tones, but not very good for metal/industrial music. The adjustable pole pieces allow for good response and no noticable dropoff when bending, very smooth sweet sound, with limited high end. If you like the sort of singing sustained sound that Fripp gets with his LP's, or the old Clapton sound during his time with Cream, or even Allan Holdsworth style sustain, this is the general sort of tone you can get, especially with a good tube amp. If you want a lot of dirt and high end, this is not the pickup for you.
Sonic evaluation: Currently using a Peavey Solid state, occasionally use a Deville......the Deville is obviously a better choice for straight ahead blues, but I can get sustain that goes on forever with the Peavey distortion channel. Like most solid states, the clean channel is TOO clean.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly blues, softer classic rock (Clapton, the Dead etc...), and for this sort of music, this pickup is really sweet, especially for the modest price. It really turned a mediocre instrument into one that I really love to play, with a warm pleasing , responsive tone, the kind that I grew up on, and one that I feel very comfortable and satisfied with. As a mostly bluers player, this is a great match with my LP, the only down side being a lack of high end, but thats why I have a Strat as well as a Les Paul, after all. I liked it well enuf to go ahead and replace the other pickup as well...I might add, that on a cherry sunburst LP. the cream pickups with the black scews and cream bezels look VERY classy and add a Vintage look to my LP as well.

Comments: Overall, I would rate the item a nine, shortcommings being only the lack of highend, and MAYBE just a wee bit weak in the Overdrive department, but thats a vintage pickup afterall..If sweet warm full sustain is what you want, this pickup will deliver WITH THE RIGHT AMP....I wouldnot hesitate to buy the item again, and the folks at Carvin were very nice to deal with. The fact remains that the Guitar AND the pickups are still just part of the overall sound equation, and I believe the right amp is the final piece in the puzzle with finding a great sound. I might add that Carvin does not to my knowledge make bezels that fit Archtop or carved top guitars, so if you have a LP like I do, you will have to come up with a bezel for the pickup...I used the stock ones that came with the guitar, but I lost some of the adjusment possiblities by doing that since the pickup can accomodate 3 scews and my bezels only 2.