Ricklh
New member
Anyone here own one of these? They're supposedly competitive in tone with lower dollar Taylors & Martins, according to a few consumer reviews I've seen. I'm looking at the 250, 250S and 350 models.
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tremblayj
Member
I am in the market for my second guitar. I have outgrown my epiphone so I am looking for something that plays well and sounds good in the $300-500 price range. I have been reading up on these carvin cobalt acoustics and have yet to read a bad review. Is there anyone that has any info on these and would it be a safe buy, considering I will not be able to try it first?
guitar junkie
Guitar User.
i want one
i got to try a used one out in Guitar Center a short time ago, it was a very nice guitar! it was very nice rosewood and spruce with very clean lines all the binding was very well done the tuners i think were grovers and the sound was better than most guitars i have played in the $1000 and up range i even liked it better than a D28 that i was playing i thought it had a better midrange and clear highs the bass was also good and thumpy so it would stack up against almost all guitars and i thought wow this thing is only $500 new! i am thinking of checking out the 12 string model someday that is what i want next, the only reason that i did not buy that guitar was that i was broke after buying my Gretsch. just the same i was thinking about buying it on lay away
it was and is a good guitar.
i got to try a used one out in Guitar Center a short time ago, it was a very nice guitar! it was very nice rosewood and spruce with very clean lines all the binding was very well done the tuners i think were grovers and the sound was better than most guitars i have played in the $1000 and up range i even liked it better than a D28 that i was playing i thought it had a better midrange and clear highs the bass was also good and thumpy so it would stack up against almost all guitars and i thought wow this thing is only $500 new! i am thinking of checking out the 12 string model someday that is what i want next, the only reason that i did not buy that guitar was that i was broke after buying my Gretsch. just the same i was thinking about buying it on lay away
it was and is a good guitar.
Hard2Hear
New member
The worst thing about Carvins is that since they sell direct, very few people have been able to try one out. On rare occasion, like above, a used one shows up somewhere. Other than that you have to scout people that actually bought one. And I have a hard time buying something if I have never played even an example of the model.
H2H
H2H
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bvp663
New member
I own one of the C750 models and love it. I bought it about 2 years ago. Lucky for me I live in San Diego and I go to go into their factory and try one out. I played some of the lower end models that you're talking about and they have a rad sound for sure. Maybe something for consideration, it seemed to me like the Carvin's have a really hyped high-end, so getting rosewood back and sides over mahogany just ends up being way to bright for my tastes.
I agree with Hard2Hear about not being able to try them out if you don't live near an outlet. Choosing an acoustic guitar is such a personal and subjective experience (a lot more so that choosing an electric) and even acoustics very slightly within a batch of same models. I'd like to go on the record however as saying the Cobalt's have my recommendation.
I agree with Hard2Hear about not being able to try them out if you don't live near an outlet. Choosing an acoustic guitar is such a personal and subjective experience (a lot more so that choosing an electric) and even acoustics very slightly within a batch of same models. I'd like to go on the record however as saying the Cobalt's have my recommendation.
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tremblayj
Member
I might also add that I live in a city in canada with one music store and one pawn shop(will never buy from there) so most of the better choices are not here and will need to be ordered in. I am 18 and will be saving up for my acoustic so I want something that will be within my price range but also be good for what I need it for(live and of course recording). I am considering one of the models with the fishmans installed. Would this be wise, as it would take me a while longer to save or should I just get a normal one and get a pick up down the road when needed.
Hard2Hear
New member
Hey bvp-
Can I ask you which other acoustic guitars you have owned or had alot of experience playing? It's just good to have a frame of reference, since I don't know your playing background. Please don't think I'm being judgemental, I'm just curious myself about the Carvins. Having myself owned Taylor, Martin and Gibson guitars, I have a pretty well rounded opinion of acoustics, though not a botique opinion like those who own Goodalls, Collings, Olsons and such.
H2H
Can I ask you which other acoustic guitars you have owned or had alot of experience playing? It's just good to have a frame of reference, since I don't know your playing background. Please don't think I'm being judgemental, I'm just curious myself about the Carvins. Having myself owned Taylor, Martin and Gibson guitars, I have a pretty well rounded opinion of acoustics, though not a botique opinion like those who own Goodalls, Collings, Olsons and such.
H2H
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bvp663
New member
I'm certainly no expert on acoustic guitars and may experience is limited. I only own one other acoustic guitar, and it's an Ashland. (My very first guitar, made by the same company that made baseball gloves in the early 90s). I do however have experience playing other instruments. The lines I have played often and are most familiar with are Taylors (700 series and under) dreadnoughts and a few lower/mid end Martins. I've also had extremely limited but quite enjoyable experience with higher end acoustic guitars. Mostly Froggy Bottom and.. well that's about it actually. I've run over a few models and I had a friend who owned one that I played a lot with until he bought something even more expensive. I tell ya, if it weren't for his wife that guy would be homeless on the streets with nothing but his guitar collection.
Again, it all depends on what sound you're going for since acoustic vary so much. The Carvin is definately worth looking into, but since you've already had experience with Taylors, Martins, and the like I would go for something a little more high-end. I sort of view them (in a good way) as a poor man's Taylor. They're close to Taylor sound (maybe like a 350c?) but they are missing a slight bit of bottom end that I prefer and have a nice bright high-end. So if you're looking for a cheap Taylor-like guitar you can knock around then it'd be a good choice. Otherwise, considering you're previous acoustic experience, I'd go for something else. They're are definately the best guitars in that price range though with excellent quality control for being built overseas.
Again, it all depends on what sound you're going for since acoustic vary so much. The Carvin is definately worth looking into, but since you've already had experience with Taylors, Martins, and the like I would go for something a little more high-end. I sort of view them (in a good way) as a poor man's Taylor. They're close to Taylor sound (maybe like a 350c?) but they are missing a slight bit of bottom end that I prefer and have a nice bright high-end. So if you're looking for a cheap Taylor-like guitar you can knock around then it'd be a good choice. Otherwise, considering you're previous acoustic experience, I'd go for something else. They're are definately the best guitars in that price range though with excellent quality control for being built overseas.