Carvin CT4T

This is a review of my new Carvin CT4 Goldtop with a Wilkenson trem. Mine has a rosewood fretboard as opposed to ebony, normal frets (not ss), and it's been upgraded with a Duncan 59 at the neck and a Duncan Distortion at the bridge. I'm generally not a fan of super-high output pickups, but in this case I'm very happy with each pickup. IMO, the high-output yields a more usable single coil sound when split (via tone knob).

Also, though I don't use the trem much, it's very smooth and functions well when I do.

Not loaded with features, but it doesn't need to be. Everything that's there functions as it should.

Since the pickups aren't stock, I won't rate this section. However, I will say that the sound is incredible with the Duncans. They're generally my pickup of choice, and these aren't letting me down. The guitar is very resonant, and the tight construction results in some really nice sustain.

Also, I'm a fan of the 25-inch scale. If you're used to Fenders or Gibsons, and haven't played this neck scale, I'd try before you buy. Some complain that it sounds generic, becuase it's not as bright as a fender or crunchy as a Gibson, but I think that it's really versatile.

I can't find a flaw. The goldtop is perfectly applied, and I don't see any finish leeching into the natural binding area from the top or back.

This guy was very well constructed, probably equivalent to a PRS in that area, actually. I love PRS (still own two), but I'm now a Carvin guy 100%.

It feels very solid when you pick it up. I don't mean heavy (weighs around 8.5 pounds), I just mean that you can tell when you pick it up that it's a well-made instrument from quality materials.

This is a new guitar, so I won't rate this section. However, I expect this guitar to last a very, very long time.

Because I purchased this guitar used, and never worked with the folks at Carvin, I'll leave this one blank as well.

Overall, I think this is an amazing guitar. Even if you purchase one new, I believe they are well worth the price. Honestly, I'm putting the quality up there with PRS, and that will cost you 2-3 times as much for a comparable model. I purchased this one used, and got a great deal (IMO) at $800, but I am strongly considering having one built to my specs for about $500 more. A new one is still less (on average) than that of a used PRS McCarty (the guitar I think this most closely resembles), and the fact that it's made to order just for you is one of those intangibles that goes a long way. Looking forward to that experience.

Highly recommended!

2005 Carvin CT4T, Transparent emerald green. Gold hardware, cream Carvin C22 pickups, Dunlop Straploks, Ebony fingerboard with Abolane block inlays, Natural body binding,Sperzel Locking tuners, Stainless steel med.jumbo frets,carved maple top.

This thing sounds awesome. Imo the new Carvin C22 pickups are some of the best on the market, although not exactly pretty to look at with all the pole pieces. Nice tight, full sound in the bridge position, and it fattens up at the neck. The coil taps do what theyre supposed too, but ive never really been a fan of coil taps. All in all, great sounding guitar thats very versatile.

Guitar came set up perfectly. it was actually in tune out of the box. No flaws at all on mine except for one abolane block clearly being dull compared to the rest, but this is no big problem and barely noticible since its one of the upper frets. Paint was perfect, no flaws or chipping at all.

Only had about 2 weeks, so i cant really rate this, but it feels sturdy so far.
(cheapo case though)

Great, Carvins the best

There is no where else that can make you a custom shop quality guitar like this for 1000$, plus, they have a 10 day free trial period, so if your thinking about it, go for it.

2005 Carvin California Carved Top model CT4M, mahogony body/neck, thick maple cap (painted Jet Black), with natural body binding, birdseye maple fingerboard, gold hardware, sperzel locking tuners, wilkenson trem, all creme C22N and C22B pickups, 1 volume, 1 tone (w/push-pull coil taps), 3-way gibson style toggle. Back of neck is shiny finished, fingerboard is satin finished. Bought at Carvin Covina store.

I first heard the Carved Top via Joe Walsh at the Eagles concert recently. Joe played many different guitars that night, but the CT stood out as an awesome sounding guitar (and great looking too). Right then I decided to start looking for a CT. I then checked H/C reviews (read all for C3x, C4x, C6x), and everyone was blown away. I have a Carvin TL60 with the same C22N and C22B pickups and thought they sounded good, so figured the CT4 would be great also.

The guitar sounds great, pickups sound better in this guitar (must be the mahogany body/neck vs. the Maple neck thru on the TL60). I prefer a single coil sound in the neck position, and the C22N sounds great in the tapped mode. I swapped the wire set on the tone switch so the neck is in tapped mode when the switch is down.

Action was very good at the store (the salesman said he had recently set up). I double checked it when I got it home and ended up tightening the trus rod slightly as there was a little too much bow, and also lowered a few of the wilkenson saddles. Double checked intonation, and it was still on. After that, I must say the action is super super low (for easy playing) yet very very little string buzz. Very easy playing. The neck radius on this model is different than the norm for carvin, and I found this model more comfortable to play than my other Carvins. Guitar has nice balance on your leg when sitting too. Awesome playing guitar!

The fit and finish are first rate. Attention to detail is great, the control cavity cover screws are machine type that screw into inserts in the body. I've only ever seen this used by GMP guitars. The control cavity is shielded all over with copper shielding, and all wiring and solder joints are first rate. Hardware is top quality. My input jack was also loose (see other reviews), but easily tightened.

Frets are well dressed and ends are perfectly smoothed. Nut slots are cut perfect, contributing to the easy low effort 1st fret chordings.

Guitar appears top quality, I have no doubt it will stand up to years of gigging.

Salesman was very good, no sales pressure, given time to ask questions and play it.

I have several USA Jacksons/Charvels and a PRS Custom 22 and Swamp Ash Special among my collection. As mentioned in other reviews, the CT4 easily stands up to PRS for playability and construction.

I highly recommend this guitar!

2005 Carvin California Carved Top CT4T, mahogany body with thick maple top, mahogany neck with birdseye maple fingerboard, wilkinson tremolo, sperzal tuners, coil taps, etc.

Awesome sound. Bridge humbucker get's loud and dirty, neck humbucker is sweet and warm. Think a real clean sounding Les Paul. The coil taps are nice, gives you a hot strat sound, not as bell like as a strat but nice. Without a doubt this is my best sounding guitar, better than my Les Paul Studio and G&l Legacy. Part of this is that it is shielded so well, copper foil all over the cavitity, there is almost no noise and thus remarkable clarity in the pickups.

No kidding, the fit and finish of this guitar is as nice as any PRS and better than any Gibson, including Custom Shop models. There were no flaws in the paint or finish, everything fit tightly, even the holes where the tremolo post fit had paint perfectly finished right up to the edge. Look at the post holes of most Les Pauls and you'll cracked paint by the edge of the hole. No big deal really, but when you see it done right it's remarkable. Order one of these guitars and you will be shocked when you open the case and realize you got it for less than $1000.

Looks durable, but I just got this so I can't really rate it.

Customer support was very responsive throughout the building/buying process.

No doubt, the best guitar for the money I've ever played, and the best guitar period that I have ever bought. The only negative, it comes with a generic case that seems really cheap compared to the guitar.