TL60 fans

SAguitar · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

Koa is a good dense tone wood, but not terribly heavy like some are. Check out Warmoth's description of Koa...

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/options/options_bodywoods.cfm

This is a quote from Warmoth's site...

"This very beautiful wood comes exclusively from Hawaii making supply very limited. Its weight varies somewhat from medium to heavy and is an excellent tone wood for bass guitar bodies. Koa has a warm sound similar to mahogany, but with a little more brightness. Like walnut, this wood may be oiled, but generally will look its best sprayed clear. Koa is sometimes available in flame figure."

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

Thanks for the link. After looking at the pics I think it is Koa.
Not that it really matters, I'll play a balsa wood guitar it sounds good.
I was just curious, plus the fact that the guitar is not bright sounding at all. I've heard that Carvins can be very bright and I was a little worried but that link said that Koa has the warmer characteristics of Mahogany.

I have two Gibson SGs made from Mahogany and the Carvin is not any brighter than them.

SAguitar · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:42 am Post subject:

Ahh-yup. If you're not happy with the tone, it would be a simple matter to swap some pickups out for brighter options. For instance, here's Carvin's page that allows you to compare their pickup selection in output and tone from some graphs.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/comparepickups.php

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

I actually like the warmer tones. I don't want it to be too bright.

Do you know if Non-Carvin aftermarket PUs will drop right in?

SAguitar · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

The single coil size pups are interchangeable with every other main brand, no problem there. With the humbucker, if you want to replace it with somebody else's 'bucker, then you'll have to replace the plastic ring around it too. Carvin uses three screws to adjust the pickup height with their dual coil pups, and everyone else uses just two. I like Carvin's idea for that better with three screws because you can keep the pup nice and level with that setup.

But as far as routing underneath they are pretty standard. Cool

Herb · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

An added note - SA put a set of Kinmans in his Bolt. After a while he took them out and put the Carvins back in. Carvin's pickups are excellent, I don't think you'll need to change them! Wink

SAguitar · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

That there is a true fact, Jack. My dear Sapphire has an AP11, an AP11R, and a CS22B humbucker. I put a set of 300 dollar pickups in her and she didn't get any better, even though I am a diehard Kinman fan, so she went back to factory stock. Don't mess with the best!

Oh well, that freed up a nice set for another project, that I am still working on. Those pups are going to go into a Mary Kaye style bod, and I'm still going back and forth over what neck to put on there. I have a nice Warmoth Strat neck, but I am sorely tempted to put a Carvin neck on her, their necks are just so fine to play, and every note rings so sweetly. Cool

Play on,
Stan

Herb · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

Yeah, if only the headstock wasn't quite so funky...... Rolling Eyes

SAguitar · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

Well, I've grown used to mine, I guess. At least they're not the pointy things that used to be popular! Laughing

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

I did get the tremelo arm and I really like the Wilkinson. The arm is really small compared to a couple of G&L Legacys that I've owned.
The Wilkinson is really smooth.
I still need to set it up. I'm out of town for a few days on business but I brought the DC135 and a Marshall practice amp with me. Giving me something to do while I'm sitting in this hotel room.

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

Sound's like a couple of AP11s may be what I'm looking for.
I would also like to replace the humbucker with a Seymour Duncan P-Rails.

This is a new PU that is a humbucker, P90 & a single coil all in one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZhJXcSVnfs

I'm not a fan of the C22T humbucker at the bridge. It sounds kind of flubby on low notes. I was able to get a good crisp sound by plugging into my JCM800 but using my MESA F-30 for a speaker cab. It has a Celestion V30 in it.

Before I do anything I want to check out my TL60. It's supposed to be delivered today. I think it has an AP11 at the neck.

Unfortunately I won't be home for a few days to see it.

SAguitar · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:

Very cool! I think you're well on the way to enjoying being a proud Carvin owner!

Those Wilkinson trems really are sweet. I am in the long process building a custom Strat-like axe right now, and a Wilky has already been fitted into the body. Most of the time, I don't even use a trem, but when I do want one, I'm very happy using a Wilkinson.

A pity that you're not going to be home for the delivery or your next baby! Cool

Hang in there,
Stan

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

I don't use a trem very much either but I wanted one because none of my other guitars have one.

Hobo · Big Guppy Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 45

My TL60 came in.

I started a new thread for it: http://carvintalk.com/message-board-forum/about122.html

SAguitar · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

Whoo-hoo!