Carvin Vader

[Guamskyy]

^That's one day under 6 weeks (or 6 weeks assuming he said that yesterday). That sounds very ambitious to me, but I've never ordered a Carvin before either...

It was said yesterday, and I placed my order about 2 weeks ago. Chris said that their ETA emails haven't been working lately, so if the ETAs are given alongside when your order is invoiced, that means mine is an 8 week build time and to me that is still excellent and fast as hell.

 

[IChuckFinleyI]

I got mine June 19th but moved to a new house two days later. I'll have an NGD thread once the kitchen is finished.

 

[JDTLH9]

My new V7 appeared on the FB page today.
The top looks amazing!

Full NGD will get posted when I receive her

I have posted a short unboxing video of this V7 here if anyone is interested

 

[JDTLH9]

Hey guys-

Working on a spec'ing out a V7 right now and have been in contact with Keith at Kiesel. Almost settled on my options, but I figured I'd reach out to see if anyone else has any cool ideas that I haven't thought of for this. The specs:

-V7 7 STR VADER HEADLESS
-MAH CLEAR MAPLE NECK/MAHOGANY
-FDB DEEP BLUE OVER FLAME
-CMB CHAMBERED BODY
-CS CLEAR SATIN MATTE FINISH
-BBEB BODY BINDING EFFECT on BEV
-RNC REAR BODY/NECK NATURAL CLE
-RTF RAW TONE ULTRA-THIN SATIN

-255 25.5" Scale Option
-TN TUNG OIL FINISH BACK OF NE
-FMF FLAMED MAPLE FINGERBOARD
-NIN NO TOP INLAYS-SIDE DOTS ON
-SDL LUMINLAY SIDE DOTS
-STJF STAINLESS STEEL JUMBO FRET

-405 PICKUP CREME/BLACK

-DSLB DROP SHADOW LOGO BLACK


Pretty set on everything here other than the finish and the fretboard options. For the fretboard, I'm going back and forth between flamed maple and ebony. I like the idea of flamed maple a BIT more, but the luminlays would void the return period and be hard to see when not glowing. Ebony solves both problems, but isn't quite as pretty as flamed maple

As for finish, here are my dilemmas:

-Deep Blue Stain over Flamed Maple- Leaning towards this, but I want to talk to Kiesel again to make sure it's going to be dark enough in shade for me
- Blue Cali Burst - I like most of the cali bursts I've seen, but all of the blues I've seen look very light blue
-Faded Blue Denim - Almost every picture I've seen of this finish is stunning

I figured I'd turn to the think-tank that is SSO for some input here on those particular issues. Also, if anyone has any other thoughts on this build or suggestions, I'm all ears! I'm new to the Carvin/Kiesel game, s some of you guys more familiar with the Opt 50s might have some ideas that I'm not even aware are options, so let's hear them!

I would consider going 27" on the 7 string. The extra 1.5" is barely noticeable across the whole scale and overall the tension and feel is much better than my 25.5" 7 string guitar. I tune my 27" V7 to standard with 9.5 gauge strings and the tension feels identical to 10's on a regular scale 6 string guitar. Something to consider

 

[ianc]

I have posted a short unboxing video of this V7 here if anyone is interested

Dude I am sure that is the one I seen ont he Kiesel FB page that made me decide I need one in my life. Congrats. Beautiful looking guitar.

 

[Dram Horst]

I would consider going 27" on the 7 string. The extra 1.5" is barely noticeable across the whole scale and overall the tension and feel is much better than my 25.5" 7 string guitar. I tune my 27" V7 to standard with 9.5 gauge strings and the tension feels identical to 10's on a regular scale 6 string guitar. Something to consider

I've definitely thought about it! The longer scale on the lower strings is a main reason I was originally leaning toward the Boden OS. The longer scale across the board makes some of lead and chordal stuff I do just uncomfortable enough to be noticeable, so having a slight fan does help. I'll eventually add the Boden to the arsenal, but hopefully they'll add more pickup options at some point.

Still haven't ordered the Vader as I'm still undecided on the finish. The extreme doctoring of the photos they put online makes it REALLY hard to guage things.

 

[IChuckFinleyI]

Okay, we've got a few providers out so we don't have a bunch of patients today which has given me a little bit of time to post a few pics of my Vader. Not enough time for a full on NGD thread, but I can at least show her off. She's all Koa except for the fret board and knobs.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Okay, we've got a few providers out so we don't have a bunch of patients today which has given me a little bit of time to post a few pics of my Vader. Not enough time for a full on NGD thread, but I can at least show her off. She's all Koa except for the fret board and knobs.

Really digging the minimalist vibe, another gorgeous Vader that's a bit different.

 

[CudBucket]

Got mine a few weeks ago.

 

[Quitty]

Joining the bandwagon;
All-antique ash V7 with a maple neck and ebony board.

Anyone here used BKP Rebel-Yells? Can you compare them with the Lithiums?

 

[bonga]

What's the take on alder with maple top versus alder with walnut top. Will the walnut top significantly impact the tone? Especially with a chambered vader?

 

[BouhZik]

Hey Guys! You are making me gas so hard for a vader with all those pics... How much do they charge for the one pickup/one knob option? Thanks!!

 

[BouhZik]

got my answer: $100 for one pickup and one knob, making the guitar nonrefundable.

(sorry for the double-post. I can't edit the previous one anymore)

 

[gpbarnett]

Had Jeff Kiesel build me a V7, it only came with one fret! (the zero fret). Think I should ask for a refund for the missing frets?

 

[chewpac]

Had Jeff Kiesel build me a V7, it only came with one fret! (the zero fret). Think I should ask for a refund for the missing frets?

Thats gorgeous...and fretless...how does she sound??

 

[feraledge]

Had Jeff Kiesel build me a V7, it only came with one fret! (the zero fret). Think I should ask for a refund for the missing frets?

Demo, please and thank you.

 

[feraledge]

Vader owners, with the smaller body and no headstock, will a Vader still fit on a 5 guitar rack like this?

 

[russmuller]

Had Jeff Kiesel build me a V7, it only came with one fret! (the zero fret). Think I should ask for a refund for the missing frets?

This guitar is really something special. The only fretless instrument I ever played was a bass, but Ron Thal and Tom Monda pull off some really cool stuff on Vigier Surfreters. I hope you post a video for us to hear it!

 

[russmuller]

Vader owners, with the smaller body and no headstock, will a Vader still fit on a 5 guitar rack like this?

I am also curious about this. I imagine it would, but I've been wrong about plenty of things.