D(issappointing)NGD

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

well, I just came back from the UPS facility and got my 1st Carvin DC700, 1st 7-string and my 1st guitar with SS frets, pics (and lots of them) will be uploaded later this afternoon.

First off, it looks great!! Well, nice. Very solid, very well-made, BUT ....

- It's a solid color build, Candy Red Metallic, with burled maple fretboard, Tung oiled neck. I saw previously made ones like that and they looked AWESOME (to me anyway) with rounded edges. So, I did NOT choose the BBE option, aren't the edges of the DC700 rounded by default, just like the 727? Or was it my mistake?

- The burl figuring on the fretboard is lame, nothing like what I saw on other Carvin builds or even some high-end Fenders, MMs. So, I'm not sure what went wrong there.

So, I'm kind of disappointed, really, I know I might sound like an idiot, but I have a very busy life so that's why I went thru this order 100% online since it's a very straightforward build, or that's what I thought.

Any feedback, opinions, suggestions for what to do are welcome.

EDIT: Order was placed 7/31, and I just got it today 9/28, so it wasn't a rush build or anything.

Here are the pics:

 

[InfinityAndThree]

I'm pretty sure the body has straight edges by default. But with carvin, if you're not happy with it can't you just send it back for a rebuild?

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

If that's the case, is the 'rounded edges' option a phone-only option, because it's nowhere to be found on the online builder.

I could return it of course, it's an option, but what would guarantee the new one will not have other 'problems'.

From what I read, they seem to get very busy around the holiday season up until tax-return, that's why I waited to do it in the summer.

 

[Quitty]

The DC700 is indeed straight edged, as it appears in photos. Maybe it's an option 50, i don't know.

Concerning the burl - i understand you're more than welcome to specify the type of figuring you want for whatever part of your guitar and i'm sure they'd do it over E-mail as well -
so while i understand your disappointment, i can't say I see what Carvin did wrong.

Call them up. I think you can afford to spend half an hour over the phone to set up the purchase of a 1800$ (+-) guitar.

Concerning busy periods and CS - yes, they can be twitchy during some seasons but i can't see a better option.

Hope it all works out in the end - i'm dead happy with my Carvin.

 

[Spamspam]

Yup, I would call them up, let them know what it is you don't like about it, and arrange a re-build. Don't know if you bought the first one by talking to a salesman, or by internet, but it would be a few minutes well spent, to discuss it with them, rather than be disappointed with your purchase.
That is what the return policy is for.
Good luck.

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

Well, it cost me $1269 (everything). I am not saying Carvin did anything wrong, well, if there is one thing, they show on the main page of the DC700 two builds, one w/ straight edges, other is rounded. Yet their online ordering is not clear on this option.

Since the BBE option imply that straight edges + binding is $60 more, it seems to me that someone (like in my case) could think that the rounded edge is the default, which I think is the case with their 727, 747 models.

I'll call them up and see what they suggest.

 

[thrsher]

rounded sides is a 727/747 option not 700 option due to the arm contour

 

[capoeiraesp]

How about some pics of said guitar so that the masses can judge the quality of burled maple?

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

How about some pics of said guitar so that the masses can judge the quality of burled maple?

Sure will do in a few hours (lunch break), I'm at work at the moment.

 

[Discoqueen]

Burled maple is a carvin fretboard option on the guitar builder?

 

[thrsher]

Burled maple is a carvin fretboard option on the guitar builder?

birdseye can be considered a burl

 

[mwcarl]

birdseye can be considered a burl

Uh, no.

 

[-42-]

So you're saying that you didn't get the beveled edges? (like the one pictured below)

 

[MikeH]

I'm pretty sure he means rounded, like the DC7X7.

 

[thrsher]

Uh, no.

I meant confused...ive seen people refer to birdseye as burl

 

[bazguitarman]

Let this be a lesson to anyone thinking about ordering a Carvin. Always call your order in and talk to a sales person. For the most part they are willing to help you get the kind of figuring you want on premium woods. And you have to talk to them if you are getting any option 50 changes. It takes a few minutes, but will help avoid any new guitar disappointments.

To the OP. Man, I'm sorry to hear you are disappointed in your new guitar. That sucks. It's happened to me before. I feel your pain. Make that phone call. Have Carvin do a rebuild and talk to them about your expectations in the figured woods. And the body edge contour.

 

[illimmigrant]

Looks like you got most of your questions answered already. If you're not happy with the build, you have 10 days to send it back. There is nothing you can do about the figuring of the woods you order except pay them an additional fee (opt 50) to have them hand pick the nicest/deepest piece of wood they have at the moment. You'd have to do this over the phone. With this, you would also lose your 10-day trial period and will pretty much be stuck with whatever you get. Love it or hate it.
I would also recommend you phone them up. I talked to them whn ordering my build and everything came out great.
Rounded sides may be an OPT 50 for a DC 700, but you'd have to ask them.

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

So you're saying that you didn't get the beveled edges? (like the one pictured below)

Nope, I got straight edges, and by burled, I meant birdseye maple.

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

Let this be a lesson to anyone thinking about ordering a Carvin. Always call your order in and talk to a sales person. For the most part they are willing to help you get the kind of figuring you want on premium woods. And you have to talk to them if you are getting any option 50 changes. It takes a few minutes, but will help avoid any new guitar disappointments.

To the OP. Man, I'm sorry to hear you are disappointed in your new guitar. That sucks. It's happened to me before. I feel your pain. Make that phone call. Have Carvin do a rebuild and talk to them about your expectations in the figured woods. And the body edge contour.

Sure, I am not dissing anyone, I'm sure Carvin DO want to make me a happy customer. I'll probably have to call them and see how to do that.

But are you saying that beveled edges are option 50? How could this be the case and they have one like that on the MAIN DC700 page?

 

[Imbrium998]

So you're saying that you didn't get the beveled edges? (like the one pictured below)

Ha....thats my old DC700 from my first build with them a la http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sevenstring-guitars/198355-ngd-my-first-dc700.html


Just so you know, the 7x7 series has the smoother edges, but even in this guitar it had a rounded body contour. In my successive build, I asked for the natural binding/flat edge contour and it STILL was not what I wanted. I feel like I wasted $50.