| The Carvin C850T is an acoustic-electric cutaway | | | | amp, or direct recording. The built-in tuner is also a |
| guitar that looks similar to many other high-end | | | | great feature. I would give the nod to the Carvin for |
| manufacturer models such as the awesome Martin | | | | plugged in sound through a PA, as it's E.Q. seemed |
| D-16GTE. Hey if you're gonna look like somethin', the | | | | more responsive than the similar system in the Martin. |
| D-16GTE is a great guitar to emulate! The acoustic | | | | The Martin did have a condenser mic along with the |
| dreadnought cutaway style the C850 carries has got | | | | under saddle pickup, but I turned that off for the |
| to be one of, if not THE most popular style of | | | | comparison. Recording nods would have to go to the |
| acoustic guitar. This type of guitar is being played in | | | | Martin because it has a built-in condenser mic, and it |
| music videos and concerts in just about every genre | | | | records very well making a great mic'd acoustic |
| of music these days. The Carvin looks the part, but I | | | | sound when recorded. But any acoustic can be mic'd |
| learned long ago that you can't really judge a guitar | | | | externally, and I was able to get some nice acoustic |
| by it's looks. I have played many great looking guitars | | | | recordings using the C850 and a couple of good |
| over the years that truly sounded terrible to my | | | | condenser mics placed on stands in front of the |
| ears. | | | | guitar. |
| Carvin's website states that the Cobalt series guitars | | | | The unplugged tone of the guitar wasn't as loud and |
| are inspected in their USA custom shop for the | | | | boomy as the Martin, but the C850 does have a |
| ultimate in tone and playability. This line is built by | | | | heavy gloss finish (the Martin had a gloss top, with |
| hand in a reputable factory in Korea, and then final | | | | satin back and sides), and it takes some time for any |
| setup is accomplished at their USA factory before | | | | solid spruce-topped guitar to age and mellow out a |
| the guitars ship out to the end-user. Online reviews | | | | bit. As it ages, I'd imagine that the C850T will give |
| are quite positive, and one of the reasons I decide to | | | | many a more expensive guitar a run for it's money in |
| try the Cobalt C850T myself. Another factor in my | | | | the tone department. |
| purchase decision was that everyone I talked to | | | | Construction quality on the Carvin was really as good |
| personally who owned a Carvin Cobalt acoustic | | | | or better than any other acoustic-electric guitar within |
| absolutely loved it! Not closet musicians, but people | | | | $700 of it's price range that I've inspected, Martin |
| who play day-in day-out night after night and still | | | | and and Taylor included. Let me tell you, that is |
| rave about the Carvin. I just had to see what the | | | | saying a lot. The quality is there, with no unsightly |
| fuss was all about! | | | | glue points or jagged fret edges, and a beautiful |
| The purchase process was quite simple, and with a | | | | gloss finish is included on the whole guitar, that |
| few clicks of the mouse, my order was complete | | | | comes at a premium on similar Martin and Taylor |
| and the guitar was scheduled to ship out. Within 4 | | | | models. |
| days, I was anxiously retrieving it from my doorstep. | | | | I played the Carvin at several gigs, and believe it or |
| The guitar I purchased was very impressive. Right | | | | not, each time people came up to me after the |
| out of the case, the C850's action was low and | | | | concert commenting on how great the guitar sound |
| perfect for me. Maybe that had something to do | | | | was. So the action was great, the sound was |
| with Carvin's Rapid Play(TM) low action neck. | | | | impressive, and the C850T looked great. Did I |
| Guitarists who play really hard, will probably need to | | | | mention that there is a 5 year warranty against |
| adjust the action up a bit, so that strings won't buzz. | | | | manufacturing defects too? Can the Carvin compete |
| It's that low right from the factory. A good guitar | | | | with the Big Dogs of the acoustic world? In my |
| tech will get it perfect for heavy handed players. | | | | opinion, it certainly can, and at a mid-level price point |
| I compared this guitar side-by-side with one of my | | | | that is much more comfortable on the bank account |
| other guitars, a Martin DC-16GTEP. The guitars look | | | | than anything close in quality and craftsmanship that |
| very similar, and both have excellent Fishman | | | | I've seen. |
| electronics for playing through a PA system, acoustic | | | | |