With the Bolt and Bolt-T, California-based guitar maker Carvin makes their entry into the so-called "Super-Strat" market with a model that offers countless customization options. Bolt-on neck guitars are nothing new for the company (they used to make them years ago), though they've become more renowned for their set-neck instruments. Strat-style guitars are virtually everywhere these days, so we have to ask, what does Carvin add to an already crowded market? With the Bolt and Bolt-T models, it's clear that they add a lot.
As is the case with all of their instruments (except for the Cobalt series), Carvin's Bolt guitars can be ordered with a number of options, including customizations of wood, hardware, color, and pickups. The guitar we reviewed came with an alder body and a beautiful flamed maple top with crimson red finish. We ordered a humbucker in the bridge position and a black perloid pickguard. We left the single coils in the neck and middle positions, just so we could still get some realistic Strat-like sounds. We also ordered our Bolt with the Wilkinson vibrato bridge option.
Regarding the guitar's electronics, it relies on a master volume and tone as well as a standard Stat-style five-way selector switch. It also includes two mini-toggles. One allows you to add the bridge pickup in positions four and five while the other allows you to split the bridge humbucker. Obviously, the Carvin Bolt-T has a wide palette of sonic possibilities.
Since we ordered the Bolt with the optional Wilkinson vibrato bridge, we tried to get the guitar to go out of tune, but the Carvin Bolt-T would have none of it. It probably didn't hurt that we ordered the optional locking Sperzel tuners. When you couple those locking tuners with the Graphtech nut, it would take a lot of work to get this guitar to go out of tune. Way to go, Carvin!
If you've never played a Carvin guitar before, then you're missing out on some of the best-playing guitars in the business. We opted to get our Bolt-T with 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard. We were positively blown away, as it was far better playing than instruments costing two or three times as much! The neck's tung oil finish added to this silky smooth feel and playability.
The instrument was shipped in a solid ABS case that is durable despite its lightness. Amazingly, the Bolt-T was tuned to concert pitch and wholly playable when we took it out of the box, which is hard to believe!
Perhaps the most compelling feature of the Carvin Bolt-T is the price. We had numerous quality upgrades and options, and the instrument still cost us less than $1,000 including shipping and the hardshell case. While we still love our Fender Strats, it's hard to justify the cost of a new Fender when you can get a new or used Carvin for a lot less.
All in all, the Carvin Bolt-T is an amazing guitar for the cost, especially if you can find a used one. If you want a guitar that gives you world-class sound and playability at a low price, the Carvin Bolt-T is sure to satisfy! - 32370
As is the case with all of their instruments (except for the Cobalt series), Carvin's Bolt guitars can be ordered with a number of options, including customizations of wood, hardware, color, and pickups. The guitar we reviewed came with an alder body and a beautiful flamed maple top with crimson red finish. We ordered a humbucker in the bridge position and a black perloid pickguard. We left the single coils in the neck and middle positions, just so we could still get some realistic Strat-like sounds. We also ordered our Bolt with the Wilkinson vibrato bridge option.
Regarding the guitar's electronics, it relies on a master volume and tone as well as a standard Stat-style five-way selector switch. It also includes two mini-toggles. One allows you to add the bridge pickup in positions four and five while the other allows you to split the bridge humbucker. Obviously, the Carvin Bolt-T has a wide palette of sonic possibilities.
Since we ordered the Bolt with the optional Wilkinson vibrato bridge, we tried to get the guitar to go out of tune, but the Carvin Bolt-T would have none of it. It probably didn't hurt that we ordered the optional locking Sperzel tuners. When you couple those locking tuners with the Graphtech nut, it would take a lot of work to get this guitar to go out of tune. Way to go, Carvin!
If you've never played a Carvin guitar before, then you're missing out on some of the best-playing guitars in the business. We opted to get our Bolt-T with 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard. We were positively blown away, as it was far better playing than instruments costing two or three times as much! The neck's tung oil finish added to this silky smooth feel and playability.
The instrument was shipped in a solid ABS case that is durable despite its lightness. Amazingly, the Bolt-T was tuned to concert pitch and wholly playable when we took it out of the box, which is hard to believe!
Perhaps the most compelling feature of the Carvin Bolt-T is the price. We had numerous quality upgrades and options, and the instrument still cost us less than $1,000 including shipping and the hardshell case. While we still love our Fender Strats, it's hard to justify the cost of a new Fender when you can get a new or used Carvin for a lot less.
All in all, the Carvin Bolt-T is an amazing guitar for the cost, especially if you can find a used one. If you want a guitar that gives you world-class sound and playability at a low price, the Carvin Bolt-T is sure to satisfy! - 32370
About the Author:
If you're wanting to buy a quality Carvin Bolt guitar, then hunt no further than Ray's Guitar Shop, which gives you the most competitive prices on all used Carvin guitars available online today!
