NGD: Carvin DC800 (I know....but just look!) (56k Koa Explosion)

HexaneLake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2010
Messages
287
Reaction score
199
Location
Berkeley, CA
Hey, fellow GAS-masters, look what Smitty just picked up!

I was skimming around on the bay, putting my Lakewood up for sale, and this little dragon caught my eye. I wasn't really in the market for another 8 string....nor am I a huge fan of Carvin, (nothing against them quality-wise, just not really my taste in style), but I found myself continuously getting on eBay to stare at this guitar for long periods of time. Unhealthy amounts of time.

I caught myself one day, almost on auto-pilot, clicking through shipping information for this Carvin I just purchased. No thoughts of commitment issues or financial inquiry crossed my mind. Not even, "Yea man, its beautiful, but it's just going to end up being a really expensive clothes hanger like your other guitars." It was like I didn't have a choice. The guitar pulled me in, and put me under. The koa on this is very mesmerizing, some of you guys will agree!

The maple top is a interesting mix of flame and burling, and some almost birdeye esque swirls and markings. The wings and also the neck are all built of koa. The under wood selection was on the line for being used as a top, but the flaming was not distinct enough, so they were deemed as the body wood on this build. Haven't had a chance to plug it in just yet, so I'm undecided on the pickups. Scale length is not bad at all, I'd probably prefer a 28.625 tho. No dings, scratches, or fretwear of anykind that I have found. She is prestinnne. The ol' lady named her Māyā....thought it suit it pretty well. Can't wait to get some serious hours in on this beast!


Specs:
27" Scale
Maple Top, Koa Neck, And Koa Body
Abalone Headstock Inlay
Clear Gloss Finish
Ebony Fretboard With 20" Radius
24 Stainless Medium Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W
Black Sperzel Locking Tuning Keys
Hipshot Bridge
Carvin A80N and A80B Pickups
Dunlop Straplocks
Carvin Hard Shell Case


...lets get on with the photos! :hbang:

13199309684_9a52c3b9b0_o.jpg
13199028845_609f6829e7_o.jpg
13199037045_02c9c68a99_o.jpg
13199032535_bbbdbd8e23_o.jpg
13199133453_1f39709ac8_o.jpg

DAT GRAIN
13199024985_09a03377ed_o.jpg
13199322494_e18583cd10_o.jpg
13199136833_b893f8fb3a_o.jpg
13199116963_d68def4779_o.jpg
13199306384_0cbece9986_o.jpg

That top bursts into molten FIRE when the sun hits it!! It almost looks stained. Koa suuuure is pretty too.
13199000295_1868d94956_o.jpg
13199003145_5a3bffdaf6_o.jpg
13199112133_0e1c50d409_o.jpg
13198991565_f927f8ae9e_o.jpg






Took some indoor sleepy time photos to show just how much the sun sparks that top up. It is still vibrant indoors, just a little more mellow and collected.
13198985765_846361d6fd_o.jpg
13199277884_cf29fc3f32_o.jpg
13198982325_a2b623872c_o.jpg
13199086673_ac92748577_o.jpg
13198970945_453c520dc3_o.jpg
13199266504_d4999239a1_o.jpg
13199073293_e94eb35d1d_o.jpg
13199082423_2caf4079c2_o.jpg


*wipes away tears*:scream:

How you guys feel? lol

Edit: Thanks littledoc, read it wrong in my excitement! I should have known this lol..
 

This site may earn a commission from merchant links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.

Ocara-Jacob

SSO Recluse
Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Messages
1,245
Reaction score
222
Location
Nashville, TN
DANG man. I'm gonna be ordering a Carvin as soon as I can afford it (probably within the next month) and this is just making me even more excited.
 

littledoc

Go meat!
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
735
Reaction score
307
Location
Tulsa
Koa Top, Neck, And Body


I'm almost nabbed that one off eBay myself! But that my friend is a burl maple top, not a koa. Definitely one of the most unique pieces Carvin's ever put out. I'm very surprised the original owner would let it go.
 

Shawn

ESP • Ibanez
Forum MVP
Joined
Apr 2, 2005
Messages
21,721
Reaction score
3,319
Location
Southern Maine
Beautiful guitar. I love the back shot of the guitar, very nice!
 

Rev2010

Contributor
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Messages
6,316
Reaction score
1,464
Location
New York, NY
Congrats man, it's a beauty! :yesway: Two questions, is that fret sprout pushing through the clear coat along the sides of the neck? Second, I had a DC800 with a koa neck/body and a claro walnut top. It was stunningly gorgeous but I found the tone just too thin and bright so I sold it off. How does the tone sound on yours?


Rev.
 

Kleshas

Don Cheeto
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
43
Reaction score
124
Location
Los Angeles
Damn that is a sexy beast! What scale is it? HNGD!

All Carvin 8's are 27"

I was drooling over that same guitar on Ebay myself. I'm glad someone ended up getting it. I LOVE burl maple tops! What a gorgeous guitar!!!! Happy NGD!
 

12enoB

It's Boner Backwards
Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
159
Reaction score
30
Location
Los Angeles
It looks like the bridge has wings. What crazy detail in the top.

Congrats man!
 

ceiling_fan

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
260
Reaction score
6
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Wow the guitar did not look that exceptional on eBay... that neck is unbelievably gorgeous. Picture 2 goes in my guitar porn folder, congrats. :D

If for some reason you ever want to get rid of this... :wavey:
 

Mike

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
2,868
Reaction score
532
Awesome specimen. Carvin never disappoints. If you get tired of it let me know lol
 

Alex Kenivel

Stunt Guitar
Joined
Oct 11, 2013
Messages
4,052
Reaction score
224
Location
moon
Jeezus, HNGD! Those pics do it justice for sure.

If I reach out..
...I can almost.....
.....touch it...
 

HexaneLake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2010
Messages
287
Reaction score
199
Location
Berkeley, CA
Congrats man, it's a beauty! :yesway: Two questions, is that fret sprout pushing through the clear coat along the sides of the neck? Second, I had a DC800 with a koa neck/body and a claro walnut top. It was stunningly gorgeous but I found the tone just too thin and bright so I sold it off. How does the tone sound on yours?


Rev.

No frets are pushing through, they are all cut properly. The guys at carvin did a great job with the neck. As far as the tone goes, I have only played it through Axe-Fx II. It sounds pretty amazing, pickups are not as round as I would like tho. My father has an Egnater with some good ol tubes I want to plug up to it, but sounds really great with Axe-Fx so far.
 
Top