Carvin AE185

THis is a awesome guitar featuring great acoustic and electric tones. It came with a solid mahogany neck and body and Solid AAA Engleman spruce top. It has a Koa overlay headstock and looks great. It has Holdsworth humbuckers and a LR Baggs ribbon transducer acoustic pickup.It also came with Sperzel locking tuners. The neck is unbelievable! I've played Fender and Hamer USA guitar but the playability of my carvin is far superior. After owning this guitar, I would take a carvin over any guitar available including Gibson or Taylor! I run the Acoustic pickup through a Tech 21 sansamp Acoustic D.I.(Which I also highly recommend) and the tone is incredible. Now here's the kicker, I've compared the tone to Taylors and Langdon guitars also run through a Tech 21 Acoustic D.I. and I think the Carvin sounds better. Pure miced acoustic tone without the piezo brittleness or quacky bass sounds. THe acoustic pickup sounds great for recording also. I run it through the sansamp and an ART tube preamp. Now you might think that any guitar would sound good with these gadgets but I've come to realize that if you want an acoustic to sound good plugged in you HAVE to use some type of D.I. or effects and then you still have to worry about feedback. In my opinion, the Carvin AE185 is one of the most versatile and best sounding acoustic or electric guitars made by any one.

Personally I love the sound of this guitar both in terms of acoustic sound and electric sounds.For electric sounds I use a Zoom 707 multi-effects pedal and it sounds great for distortion or other sounds too.The clean electric tones available are awesome also. I like the electric tones better than any other electric guitars I've played including Fender or Hamer USA. I'm not knocking them, both of these companies make great guitars but Carvin os far better in my opinion!

The action of this guitar is perfect. No one does it better than Carvin! There is a tiny light spot on the top of the guitar next to the neck that I thinks was a mistake made when applying the finish.It's not very noticeable but I called Carvin when I noticed it and they said to send it back and they'd make me a new guitar!! I can't part with it now that I've played it and the spot isn't very noticeable.

THe guitar seems very durable and the finish seems to be top quality and the hardware does too.It has Dunlop strap locks whick seem very durable.I use it for gigging without a backup and feel very confident with it!

Customer support has been great from the time I first called them for information all the way through the ordering process and even now when I call to ask a stupid questions. They're very helpful!!

If this guitar was stolen I would immediately buy another one.This is like having all of the best features in electric and acoustic guitars available in one guitar!!Now I want an AE185 12-string.

I received my Carvin AE-185 about a month ago now and I've had the opportunity to play it on several gigs plus every Sunday in our church praise band. The guitar is pretty much decked out with a clear, quilted maple top, abalone block inlays, Dunlop strap locks, body binding, etc. The top is gorgeous as are the abalone block inlays. I must say the mahogany back, sides and neck are also beautiful. The controls are standard, no phase or coil splitters. The Sperzel locking tuners are excellent and keep the guitar in tune nicely. The guitar is shipped with white bronze strings, .010 - .047. I've been playing an Ibanez with .009 - .042 for years so it took a little getting used to. The neck is kind of a cross between Gibson (chunky) and Fender(thin). Also, this guitar is light, about 6.25 lbs.

I wanted a guitar that could go between electric and acoustic with some degree of accuracy. This guitar does that for me. I play it thru a Hughes & Kettner Tubeman direct into the PA board. It sounds great! It is definitely a "hybrid" guitar, doesn't sound exactly like a fat Gibson electric nor a Takamine acoustic-electric. That being said, if you want an excellent guitar that gives you a good facsimile of both electric and acoustic, this guitar will do it. The sound is full and with the white bronze strings you always have a bit of acoustic "ring" to your sound.

My only real disappointment was that the action from the factory was unacceptable. Luckily, Carvin includes information that walked me thru adjusting the neck to get the action down. If you're going to jump from your favorite "lead" riff to an acoustic sound as their advertising says, it won't be easy at the factory action setting. The book match top is gorgeous, perhaps a slight bit off on the match, the neck, frets, etc are excellent. The body binding looks like tortoise shell, a brown color and it complements the guitar body wonderfully. I'm not real wild about the location of the 3 way pickup selector,(just in front of the volume/tone knobs), you can knock off the neck pickup easily if your strum pattern/style is a bit "wide".

This guitar is well built, the hardware is sturdy. The Dunlop strap locks work fine. I have used this guitar on several gigs without a backup. I bought the guitar to avoid taking extra guitars to a job, ie. an acoustic so..no backup, it works fine and is a solid, well built instrument.

I haven't had to deal with customer support, I can't speak to this issue.

I've been playing guitar for 30 years, (I'm 51). I played professionally in a traveling band for 12 years. My other guitars are an Ibanez S-470 and a 21 year old Ovation Acoustic electric Legend.
If this guitar is lost or stolen I will immediately order a new one, same configuration. There aren't too many acoustic electrics on the market, (Godin LGX, maybe a couple others). I looked at them all and for my needs the Carvin AE-185 is the best.

Basic stock features.

The guitar had a real metalic sound. Kind of shrill sounding is the best way I can explain it. The switches were noisy too. So I sent it back.

Action was good after I had to have it set up. Nothing special.

Looked like if it were dropped you would have to buy a new one.

It sucks! They have very immature people running things there. Once I posted on their board for help and was ragged on by the Carvin moderators. Then they removed the post. I was only asking about how to return it and they started saying I was a hack and that I knew nothing about guitars. Real jack wads there. BEWARE!!!!! I cannot stress the piss poor service there enough.

Carvin needs to fire about half of their staff. I called about 7 times and only once was I treated with respect. I had a hard time getting a refund for my guitar too. 8 months it took after they tried to say I screwed it up and that's why the sound was so screwed up.

Made 1999, 24 Frets, Semi-Hollowbody. I got the active electronics option with the coil splitter and phase switch options. Standard Red finish with gold hardware.

Two humbuckers and a piezo in the bridge. Bridge is fixed tusq with compensator. Spretzel Locking tuners are standard.

Two 1/4" jacks one for humbuckers ( and piezo if desired), the other for the acoustic piezo signal only.

Wow can't think of much to add.

Be advised that the Red is really RED!!! (Looks redder than the paint samples in the order book)

Got a free custom SKB case with guitar.

I play Contemporary Christian Rock. I run this in a couple of ways. Sometimes I use a single cable into my SX-200 amp. Then use to blend knob and to set the humbucker/acoustic tone mix. I can switch the amp also between overdrive and clean channel to instantly go from Petra to "As the Deer" fingerpicking. I also may run the humbuckers into the SX200 and then the acoustic signal into a KC-500 keyboard amp. It sounds like an overdriven electric and an acoustic playing the same solo in perfect sync.

Very versitle(sp?) guitar. Lots of sound variations (almost too many) between humbuckers, coil splitting, phase switching, blending, active tone control...

Of course being an acoustic-electric hybrid it can't match a pure Les Paul for strong electric parts or a Martin for gentle acoustic parts, but it can do a heck of a lot at a much lower cost than springing for these two and constantly switching between them on stage!

The hybrid blended tones are of course unique and have to be heard to be appreciated.

Be advised that you can't use this as an "unplugged" acoustic guitar. The semi-hollow body just doesn't have the projection.

Guitar arrived from factory and was perfect. All parts were tight, routing was precise, finish excellent.

The action on Carvin's and my guitar is phenomenal. Low and fast. The neck through design lets you literally play right at the 24th fret with no problemo.

Over time the pickup selector got noisy and although I give it monthly bath in cleaning fluid, it still is fairly scratchy. I did hear that Carvin has corrected this problem in newer models.

The neck pickup seems to have significantly less volume than the bridge.

The intonation of the G (3rd) string is really sensitive to string diameter for some reason so you might have to experiment with different manufacturers to get some that match your playing style and that have a correct pitch up and down the neck.

It doesn't have a pickguard so its impossible to keep from getting those little pick scratches all on the lower half of the guitar.

The knobs got really noisy until I started cleaning them fairly often with that electronic cleaning stuff.

It is solidly built and should last me a lifetime.

The only reason I don't give it a 10 is because of the selector problems I had -- however like I mentioned I did hear that all the new models supposedly had this problem corrected.

I talked via email to a tech person when I first started getting the electronics problems. I got an email response within 24 hours detailing the exact procedure to clean the pots and switches to get rid of the scratch. They also offered to send me a swapout for the neck pickup as long as I promised to return the old one after I took it out, so they seem to be trusting of their customers.

Never had to have real warranty work done. Has a 5 year warranty. Carvin is a mail-order company so be advised that if you do need work there are no local dealers (unless you live on the left coast).

Been playing about 30 years off and on. Also have a Martin 000C-16GTE to use when I need unplugged sound.

Since you can't try this before you buy, be sure to play all the other guitars that you are thinking about buying before your Carvin comes. Then you can play the heck out of it during your 10 day trial so you can send it back if you don't like it.

I love the acoustic blend capability with the humbuckers so that I can play a wide range of sounds through one guitar. I also love the action and the neck-through design.

If it was stolen I would definately get another AE-185 to replace it.

I love my guitar. It does take about 8 weeks for them to make your guitar so it seems like eternity from the day you order to the day it comes in, but hang in there , its worth it.

I played some other guitars (like strat/lp...) but liked the Carvin the best.

Had it three years. Mine has almost all the options, and looks great.
Fit and finish were wonderful from the git-go.
Ebony fingerboard, tortoise shell type binding,gold hardware,sperzel tuners,etc.
Plays great, and in fact has replaced my Gibson ES. my Strat, and a super nice Takamine acoustic for all around use. Combined with a Boss gt-3, and running through a vintage Blackface Vibrolux, it sounds awesome.

Sounds great electrically with the humbuckers cranked. The split coil sound is thin and not very fender like. The transducer pickup is great. The acoustic sound always amazes my audience and is very nice with a little chorus added.

The neck is fine, easy to play all over, and stays in tune incredibly well.

Has been used for 3 years, and only slight wear on the fininsh would give that away. It looks great and I would love to add another color or a 12 string version to my set up.

Very friendly. Visited the plant; very impressive!Workmanship is high quality all around.

Playing too many years(30plus) started in the 60's playing rock and have been playing since. I would buy another Carvin in a heartbeat.
Haven't yet found anything to compare to its versatility. Have owned all sorts of guitars. My only other favorite at this point I wish I had never sold was a Yamaha SBG 2000. I have 5 guitars now.

This is Carvin's all-in-one electric-acoustic in a tele-esque semi hollow with-one-f-hole guitar. Very light, very resonant, very cool.

Al right, straight from the Carvin web page -- FEATURES: AAA Engleman Spruce top, Mahogany neck-through-body, Traditional 3+3 headstock (mine has the inline 6 option), Pickups: C22N, C22T & F60 acoustic, Active electronics: Master volume. 3-way selector & active tone control for the electric pickups. Separate active tone control for the F60 acoustic pickup. Pan control to blend between electric & acoustic pickups. Dual output jacks allow you to separate the electric and acoustic signals, or combine them into one jack. Guitar weight: 6 1/4 lbs. Body Thickness: 1 3/4in.
Mine has a flame maple top (clear gloss finish), inline headstock, multi-layer binding, gold hardware, coil taps and phase switch. The neck has medium jumbo frets. THis guitar actually has lots of features, so you've pretty much got to give it a ten.

The AE 185, with its dual humbuckers and piezo, plus coil taps and phase switch, has, literally a sound for any type of music. It is a one-stop sound machine, but with the range of sound types you can get from the guitar comes limitations in "true" type duplication. I guess I'm trying to say you won't get it to sound like a Paul or a Strat, but you can get close. I play with 2 amps, a Crate CA125D for acoustic and a Peavey Classic 30 for electric. The only effect I use on the tube amp is a TS9.

The humbuckers are the one true dissapointment to an otherwise smokin' guitar. They are a little too thin for my taste. I like fat, bluesy humbuckers, and these ain't it. A little too much treble. Now, you can get them to sound very good, but just not quite spectacular.

The coil taps allow for an authentic but weak single coil sound (probably from the thin humbuckers). No red hot single coil tone here. But, crank up the amp/tube screamer, and you can comp SRV and have a lot of fun doing it. I know, I know, you're never going to get REAL single coil sounds from splitting a humbucker... But it is cool to be able to fake it.

The piezo is a great feature. No one will ever accuse you of playing a Taylor, but it makes for some nice acoustic noises. I like to play crisp, clear guitar songs as much as I like to distort, so this option lets me unplug the heat and turn up the acoustic whenever I feel the urge. The two sounds also mix for a uniue blend of humbucker cake with a hint of acoustic/clear frosting. That's the best way I can describe it.

Overall, you've got to give this guitar an 8 for sound: very good, but not excellent, due to the weak humbuckers.

Ah, man! I had heard Carvins were nice, but seeing is believing. I am floored by the quality craftsmanship of this axe. A true quality bargain! The neck, the amazing neck, is so fmooth and so fast -- The ebony board is almost slick. The fretwork is, well, I can't find any flaws. Intonation is spot on everywhere. The finish is gorgeous, the neck joint is so recessed (and so freakin smooth) that my short, stubby fingers can fly to the 24th fret. YOu really want to play all over the board with this guitar -- it's so easy and fun. I did find one spot (literally) where the neck meets the guitar and the finish is imperfect. Very small. This quality and build of this axe rocks.

Not going to rate this, as I recently got it. Feels solid, thought. TIme will tell.

Got it used, don't know.

Most reviews on this site are from people raving about their guitars (unless they got a true lemon). Let's face it: Guitars are fun. If they intonate well and have a nice neck and decent pickups, well, most guitars will be a blast to play, no matter if they cost $300 or $3000. I had to write this review because I know that, while you can try Fenders and Gibbys in stores, most of us can't get our hands on a Carvin.

I am really impressed and happy with this guitar. I am saying this with having had a stable of decent guitars, including a couple American strats, A Gibby Lucille, a Gibby Studio Lite, a couple Taylors, a pair of G&Ls, a Heritage 335 look-a-like and a cheap Washburn 335. I don't think this guitar is "better" than any of the others; I really liked all of them, save the Washburn. I wish I had never traded the Studio Lite (fun little guitar).

The workmanship is amazing for a guitar priced under a grand. This one, with the options would have been about $1200, but still an amazing deal. The neck is truly a thing of beauty -- I have never played better. This is a hollow, light guitar, so it's not going to do the Gibby chunka chunka, but I play at home and appreciate light guitars (doesn't mean I don't love Pauls, just can't afford to have both right now). If you are a guitarist who has a budget, wants to play a little of everything and yet can't afford 2 or 3 guitars, you should really consider this axe. I got all my stuff used (I can never afford new), and my whole setup (guitar, 2 amps and a pedal) cost about $1200 bucs. That's less than a used Les Paul and I can do acoustic stuff. Pretty cool, if money is an issue.

Anyway, I guess I am just trying to put a good word in for Carvin. If you are looking to buy a really custom built guitar that plays like a dream, you should check them out. If you buy new, splurge and get a nice, fancy quilt of flamed top, gold hardware, et al. Then you'll have a guitar that not only plays great but is a unique work of art, all yours. If you don't need to play a Fender of a Gibby, and want a guitar built just for you, then Carvin might be the right one. I would definitely buy another carvin. In fact, I really want a strat-type guitar, and I would love to find a nice used bolt and slap in a set of Fralin Blues. That would be cooooool.

My one upgrade to this: I am going to save enough money to put in a pair of Duncan Antiquities. I think that will really turn a great sounding guitar into an amazing guitar.

So, if not for the mediocre humbuckers, I would give this guitar a true ten. No, it's not a custom PRS, but it is also a grand, not five grand. Affordable elegance, that's Carvin.

1999 Acoustic Electric....
Go to www.carvin. for specs
Gold Hardware
Body Binding
Black Finish

This guitar sounded goood till it didn't work.
I would have rated it better if it worked.

Everything here was good.

I guess I can't give it a negative.
The pickup selector was not working when I got It.
I would Have sent it back but the repairman talked me out of it.
I had to replace it myself.

They are rude and mean....!!!!!!
DON'T BUY CARVIN

THe guitar doesn't work.....It cost $950.....you rate it.

I got mine with all the gadgets... Coil splitters, phase switch... the works. Nice emerald green burst translucent finish with abalone inlays on the ebony fretboard. Tweed case is nice. 1996 model.

The transducer under the bridge gives a much better sound than most acoustics with transducers!. I use it for recording instead of my Martin. Electric pickups are great too. No feedback. I can cover the entire spectrume with this one guitar.

Unlike my two other purchases from Carvin, this one came set up perfectly. No flaws in set up or finish. I might have had to adjust the picups a little. I couldn't believe how easily it played with the 11's. I normally use 9's. I was able to play the the 11's and get all my normal 1-1 1/2 step bends with no problem. They've really improved their factory set ups over the years.

I played it out once at my last gig and it held up great. I moved to SC from MD a week after I got it, and haven't gotten with a band, because of my job. I purchased this originaly to be my gig guitar, to replace 3 others. It would have done the job and then some.

Mine would kill the battery even if it was unplugged and all the knobs were down. It seemed to constantly draw on it. I called the factory, and they said to send it back and they'd fix it, but I never did. Now the warranty is expired. If they'd have covered the shipping back it would have been nice. They were friendly and helpful on the phone though.

Been playing for 17 years. The versitility is unparalleled. Everything is top notch. If I could only play one guitar ever, this would be it.

this is a yr 2000 model with the flamed koa top and all koa guitar.

well, let me tell you a story. a while back, i bought my brother's AE185 all koa. i wasn't really turned on except for the quality and looks. but, thats because i'm a strat man. then i sold the guitar like a fool. after a while i thought, hmmmmm what a beautiful guitar, i must have it !!!. so, i ordered one with the flame top. it took 3 months to get the baby. anyway, i've been playen the guitar and i must say, this guitar can provide any sound you desire. i bought an acousticsonic junior for it. so i play stereo with my yamaha DG 80 and the junior. Oh boy, what a sound. i'm very impressed with the craftmanship of carvin guitars. they have numerical machines that machine the guitars to very tight tolerances. i now want a SC90 and i'm totally sold on carvin guitars. by the way, i sold my PRS to get a carvin. yeah, you heard correctly, i sold a PRS. i'll say this, i like PRS's, but i think they're way over rated and too high priced, same goes for parkers !!.

action, fit and finish were TOP NOTCH !!

very durable guitar

i've had good experiences talking to carvin

i've been playen for 8 years or so. i'm a big SRV fan. i don't think there's ever been anyone who can play like SRV. i listen to lenny and little wing and i just think, wow !! unbelievable ! so many tones comen from that guys fingers. i think all people are given a gift or talent, but some never find it, SRV found it. anyway, i sold my SRV guitar and PRS to buy this carvin. I have a american standard stat i use for SRV stuff. i realy don't like the neck on the SRV, its hard to get used to. this AE-185 will be a keeper. i sell guitars all the time, but this baby is a keeper.

I have a 1998 AE185. I bought it used for $800. It has flamed maple top & headstock, abalone block inlays, Body binding, coil split & phase mini switchs & gold Sperzel tuners.
It is an amazing guitar! With both the humbuker pickups & the Acoustic pickup under the bridge you can dial in an endless number of differant tones! It did take me a while to dial it in to my taste, but it was well worth the time.
The action is lightning quick & Carvin isn't joking when they guarantee there action to be 1/16th of an inch!!!
The only real gripe I have with this guitar is if you change string guage from what the factory set it at, it seem imposible to get it set as perfect as it was with the original guage. So, if you buy one new now what you want to play on for life & if you buy one used I hope you like that guage!

You can play anything from Jazz to Metal on this! Best, most versitile guitar I own!!!

Action fit & finish were almost flawless!!! I give it a 9.9

Very solid & high quality guitar! No beefs here!

Customer support is lacking a little after the sale!

I have owned several Gibsons, many Fenders, Ovations & many Vintage guitars! All the Carvins I have owned & still own are the BEST by far & the price is amazing for guitars of this quality!