I got a letter from a reader a while back asking me not only about a nice V for under 800 bucks but also asking if I had played or owned one of the Micheal Schenker V's from Dean. Dear Jon I am a huge fan of Micheal Schenker from back to the old UFO days. I have been playing guitar for five years now and was wondering if you had played the Dean signature MS guitar? If not could you help point me in the right direction of a V that is in the 800 dollar or less range? Rachel (San Diego California)
When Micheal Schenker was born in Jan 1955 he had no clue he would make such a impression on millions of guitar players around the world. He has graced the stage under so many banners from Scorpions, UFO, MSG and his solo material. He is known for playing V's and most of them with the white and black of some form almost a Yin & Yang feel to them. Micheal was known for his Gibson V's and some still feel his place is among the guitar giant. Micheal started working with Dean guitars sometime ago not only putting a fresh face on his signature V guitars but also helping design the pickups that grace these axes. My personal favorite out of the line was the flame MS signature and I bought one a while back to add to my ever growing collection of V's.
Features
Top: Mahogany Body: Mahogany Scale Length: 24-3/4 inch Nut Width: 1-11/16 inch Neck: Set Mahogany C Neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Inlays : Pearl Block Tuners : Grover Hardware : Chrome Bridge : Tune-O-Matic Pickups: USA DMT Michael Schenker Lights Out Graphic: Black and White Custom Flame Graphic Case: Hardshell Case Included
Sound
Schenker had a direct effect not on just the woods but the actual guts of this beast with helping of the Lights Out Schenker sig pickups. This Mahogany loaded beast has all that classic rock brilliance so many of us cheer for. This guitar is basic in setup but loaded with tone and sustain for days. I was able to back off the neck pickup and have that robust full sounding blues and clean that guitars three times this cost cannot effectively get. When lighting up the neck pickup I could get them singing ballad leads to the snarling rock leads Schenker is known for without much effort. The bridge pickups is a great southern rock to a balls out hard rock beast. I found that using the tone and the volume knobs (depending on the setting) could really sculpt out sounds easily instead of reaching for the amp. I could not quite push this guitar into the hardcore or death metal arena without adding a pretty heavy distortion from a pedal but all in all this is a stellar bad ass sounding guitar that is brilliant, bold and simply bad ass!!!!
My Opinion
This guitar looks huge from the bottom of the Flying V to the reversed V headstock. I was shocked on how light the guitar was and holding it for long periods of time did not take a toll on my back or shoulder. This guitar is a breeze for them long nights in the studio and has the looks for them long stage sessions that will leave the crowd head banging and pointing on how damn cool it looks!! This is a jack of almost all trades guitar that anyone from blues to hard rock can easily adapt this axe into there rig cause of the dependable build and the looks of some of the most sought after axes of all time. Micheal would not have stuck his name on this guitar unless it was anything less then perfect. This is about the import version of this guitar cause after playing but the USA and the import version of this guitar I could not tell enough of a difference to shell out the 2 or 3k more for it. The hardshell case that comes with it is form fitted and built like a tank to protect your new V and keep it looking brand new for many years!!! I think anyone who tries this axe will fall in love with it as much as I have!!!
Carvin Ultra V Classic Reissue Carvin is a company that is really a do it all company that started with pickups over 60 years ago making the Kiesel a house hold name. I first got my taste with Carvin about 5 years ago when I was hanging out with a good friend of mine and I told him ''I am looking for a different sound''. My friend went in his back room and brought out this Carvin V guitar from the 80's and told me to take it home for the weekend. This guitar looked like it was ready for the scrap yard not my studio with more dings and bings and rust on the knobs and bridge. I took this guitar home and plugged it into my Marshall stack and my jaw about hit the floor I had not played a more cool V in my life the tone was amazing and it played like a dream. I at the time was playing single cut guitars for the most part like Les Pauls so I orderd a Cs6 and the rest is history for me. Today I would like to talk about the V Reissue from the legendary company Carvin!! Since Carvin is a Custom Shop your guitar or bass may differ from the specs you choose.
Layout & Features Alder Body Flamed Maple Neck 25'' Scale Plain Maple Top Ebony Fretboard Abalone Square Inlays 24 Jumbo Frets Master Volume & Tone 3 Way Selector With Coil Tap Original Floyd Rose Tremolo C22 Covered Pickups Carvin Locking Tuners
Sound This guitar is oozing tone from the great tone woods Carvin put on this to the great C22 pickups that are standard for most models. Lets talk about the Carvin c22 pickups first, These are great all around pickups that are made in house with 22 pole pc's that have no drop out and can get sparkling cleans to down right distortion and really has a great sustain for them melodic leads these pickups are standard on most models. I can use this guitar for a full set of styles cause of the versatility of the guitar from blues to metal with the use of the coil tap it really opens up for limitless tones and possibilities. The Floyd Rose Original is top of the line what has never failed me for the heavy chunking whammy's we all love to play to get that chop effect or squeals or add tons of difference in leads.
My Opinion Carvin Reissued this guitar cause lets face it V's are damn cool and this one is really right on with any V on the market today. The neck is smooth and extremely comfortable one of the best I have ever played in my life not to thick or thin. This guitar has the four main features that make a V a killer guitar 1. Weight-It is light on the shoulder so no shoulder damage. 2. Tone- This guitar is a blues, rock, classic rock, metal, prog metal, pop rock, industrial, thrash guitar all wrapped up in a pretty purple package. 3. Looks- No one makes them quite like they do from the heel to the offset that is backwards from most offset V's, It has that madman taking stage look! 4. Playing Comfort- This guitar is not a cheap made guitar it is made to not just sound good but for total comfort, it is a 2 hour at a time guitar that will not leave you feeling fatigued. I own a storage full of guitars and this one is not only one of my favorite V's of all time but one of my favorite guitars. With all Carvin guitars your experience will be different then mine cause you will design your own guitar with your own features with a 10 day money back guarantee and a 5 year warranty for any defects in craftmenship. They are all made in the USA in there shop in California using the best equipment on the market and honestly one of the best customer service departments. If the V is not your flavor then you are in luck they make about every body style you would ever want just check there website!!! Contact https://www.facebook.com/carvinguitarsofficial http://www.carvinguitars.com/ This Video Is Not Me Nor My Carvin V Just Thought It Was A Really Cool Video Of Another Satisfied Carvin V Owner!!!!!!!
