Carvin bolt kit

[kiteman]

This is a bolt kit that's well worth considering.

Starting at $399 for a basic kit which includes unfinished alder body and maple neck, all the parts that included an assembled pickguard with SSS setup, and drilled for quick assembly. There isn't any kits that I know of that could be as sweet as this.

There are upgrades that you can order with the kit and my upgrades were walnut body, stainless steel frets, HSS setup in white pearloid PG, and string saver saddles. My kit with the shipping was less than $600.

I polywiped the body and the neck (miniwax clear gloss). The neck came out great after two coats and wet sanded, it is very smooth. The body, well, not as smooth as I'd like it but I got the gloss. Either I'm not a good wiper or the weather's too extreme but it looks pretty good as long you don't look at it too closely.

I assembled the guitar today and did a setup. Now I know why everybody wants a Carvin. That's some good sounding pickups on there and the neck is like butta'.

So if you're looking for a kit consider this kit very seriously.

[M29]

Hello kiteman,

Those Carvin bolts are very nice indeed. I like the grain pattern on the body. Looks real good to me
I love that background too
M29

[luvmyshiner]

WOW, that turned out very nice Kiteman! I really like the looks of that Walnut.

[just strum]

Kiteman, Nice looking guitar, be sure to report back on sound.

If I did it, I would have probably drilled a whole by the pots and attach the neck, so I could have everything in one place.

[kiteman]

Thanks guys, I finally had a chance to play it when my sis suddenly remembered she has a candle party to go to.

If Flash has a gear like mine how long you'd think it would take him to set 'em up?

This is where I was in for a surprise. It has a tone I can't describe, I don't know if it's from the walnut or the pups (especially the humbucker) or both.

I swear to you guys, the guitar actually sings. It's not as heavy as my BD guitar with D'activators nor is as bright as my Gibson SG with pearly gates and alnico II pro. My guess is it's a blues player's tone especially lead playing. My songs has taken a new perspectives and some of the songs sounded friggin good.

It's a beast of its own :

[luvmyshiner]

It's a beast of its own :

Very nice Kite. I think that's what we're all lookin' for, and you found it . . . for now.:

[kiteman]

Very nice Kite. I think that's what we're all lookin' for, and you found it . . . for now.:

Actually I was thinking about that, "Is this it?"

[marnold***]

Nice! I may have to take another looksee at those bass kits . . .

[Sblack]

I built and owned two bolt kits in the past. I bought them when they were $299.00 base price with free shipping about five years ago. The guitars were stellar in every way (except my botched finish). Stupidly, I sold them to finance a "new" guitar purchase. : Every time I played that "new" guitar, I hated it, for I had to sell the guitars that I truly loved -- those Carvins. Not suprisingly, I sold the "new" guitar within a year and have been since craving a new custom Bolt. But I am too cheap and will most likely buy another kit in the future.

Yours looks excellent, and I love the walnut body. :

[kiteman]

Now I got the guitar apart again and the body sanded down because the finish wasn't quite smooth. I'm going to try do it better and maybe add some tint to bring out the grains. Right now I have a mint green pickguard with a HSH setup (Terrapin) and a neck bucker (Carvin) ordered.

[kiteman]

Hmm.. forgot about this thread.

I refinished the guitar with spray shellac and put on my new mint green PG and a rewired switch. A simple rewire really but switched the neck wire with the mid wire so I can have bridge-neck combo in pos #2.

[mrmudcat]

Looking awesome brother !! Carvin rocks with their @#$#@ out

[kiteman]

Thanks, I'm enjoying it a lot more with the HSH setup that my poor custom axe is sitting in the case collecting dust.

I'll never part with it though.

My carvin has a 10" radius while the BD has 12" radius and I liked the 10" radius better.