New guitar - Carvin DC120 12-string electric

Ever since I picked up the Ric 360/12 last month, it's gotten relatively low usage since the narrow neck's so hard to play precisely, even after setting it up for lower action and trying a couple drop (down 1/2 step, down 1 step) tunings. After doing a few Google searches for "electric 12 string," I found a lot of buzz about the PRS Custom 22-12 (been there, done that) and a bit of buzz about the Carvin DC120. Interestingly enough, I could get a new (custom) DC120 for the same price I payed for the used Ric; of course, a used DC120 was far less than that. Given how much (or rather how little) I expect to play electric 12-string, the DC120 had the right price. And the stock features--American made, neck-through construction, Sperzel tuners, versatile electronics package--almost made the DC120 look too good to be true.

As always, I managed to hook up a deal on a practically new (read: used) DC120 in for about half the price of a new one. It's pretty basic from a visual standpoint with the classic white finish, black hardware, and pearl block inlays on the ebony fretboard. But there are a few areas where the DC120 really shines...

Feel. For an electric 12-string with standard tuning, it plays almost like a 6-string. The strings are spaced far enough apart at the nut for easy chording and at the bridge for easy picking, but not so far apart as to make the fretboard obnoxiously wide.

Tuning. The combination of Sperzel locking tuners and the graphite nut keeps the guitar in tune incredibly well. As a bonus, the bridge has 12 saddles so intonation can be set for each string (vs pairs on some electric 12's).

Tone. Saving the best for last... the stock DC120 has one of the most versatile electronics packages I've ever played. Has the standard electronics (2 humbuckers, volume pot, passive tone pot, 3-way switch) then adds the following: dual coil-spilt switches, phase switch, and dual (hi/lo) active tone pots. There are tons of extremely useful sounds here... with so many options, it's hard to imagine not being able to dial a specific tone in.

So all in all, a killer guitar at a great price... definitely a lot more playable & versatile than the Ric, and has a lot of the charm of the PRS for 1/4 of the price. I can't wait to put the DC120 to use in the studio! It would definitely encourage me to check out other Carvin's in the future.

Oh yeah, it wouldn't be a proper post if it didn't have a couple of pics...



--B