who's played a carvin Holdsworth HH2 ?

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 03:11 PM

I've not had good luck with carvin products in the past but I'm considering trying one of these due to the sustain characteristics, radius, frets and of course the tones I'm hearing on the clips. For years, carvin has been making a holdsworth model but whenever I've seen him play he's always using a delap. Apparently, he either likes this one a whole lot more (because he's using it live) or he's getting paid a lot. At any rate, the clips sound good and it'll give me an excuse to branch out a little in terms of style...

Thoughts?

**jads57** · 02-24-2014, 07:28 PM

Jack I've owned both of the Holdsworth models w/ headstocks Fatboy and thin. I'm assuming the basic design is the same as the HH2 model. I really liked the the thinner model a lot, except the 24 fret thing killed the neck Jazz tone for me. I thought perhaps the Fatboy would cure it, but no luck there either. Since Alan Holdsworth doesn't use his neck p/up it's not an issue for him, but really a bummer to try and get a warmer tone out of the neck p/up. Other than that it would have been a keeper for me!

**Socalbill** · 02-24-2014, 08:19 PM

Hi Jack,
I play the HH2. Its a great guitar, but the size might take some getting used to. I use a strap with it all the time and it is really well balanced and comfortable. Mine is all mahogany with an ebony fretboard and SS frets. I have the oil finish on this guitar and the neck with the maple striped down the back. It also has coil splitting. The guitar does have great sustain, but it also works well for finger style which is more my thing. Anyway, what are your questions?
Bill

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 08:27 PM

i'd love to hear some clips Bill. You have anything online? I'd be inclined to order the stock options or perhaps add a maple top.

**Socalbill** · 02-24-2014, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

i'd love to hear some clips Bill. You have anything online? I'd be inclined to order the stock options or perhaps add a maple top.

I don't have anything currently, but we are expecting rain hear in CA, so I may be inside some this week. What are you looking for that I could clarify? Just some playing with different PU settings?
Bill

**Silentwiz** · 02-24-2014, 08:42 PM

I was in the Carvin store a few weeks ago, I was really impressed at the caliber of the instruments. I think that SS frets are a really nice option and the woods on the fingerboards, veneers, etc seemed really thoughtful.

It was also a really nice contrast to see how well set up and cared for the instruments were relative to the GC across the street, where I counted 12 guitars with broken strings.... seriously...really?

Anyway, I think that the "free trial" with Carvin is a heck of a deal. I don't think you can go too wrong.

Personally, even though it's custom, I'd keep things simple and functional.

Oh, and they told me that having the factory install any pickups you want is no problem at all -- so if you're nuts about a 59' or whatever, send it in. Cheers and let us know.

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Socalbill

I don't have anything currently, but we are expecting rain hear in CA, so I may be inside some this week. What are you looking for that I could clarify? Just some playing with different PU settings?
Bill

i've heard a lot of stuff on them but I haven't heard any funk rhythm stuff but I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy one or an H2 at this point...

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 09:06 PM

didn't know that about the pickups. Is there an extra charge to send your own in? I have a set of 57 classics that sound really good...

**jads57** · 02-24-2014, 09:11 PM

The stock pickups actually sound very good, despite what many people claim. I just like the look of a p/up cover better, but they seem to offer that as well now.

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 10:30 PM

which stock pickups? They make so many, how do you know the pickups in the one you played were the defaults? I was surprised that the stock bridge pickup is a super high output pickup...

[edit] - correction, the stock pickups seem to be more in the PAF output range. I must have been looking at the wrong row in their pickup chart previously

**jzucker** · 02-26-2014, 11:54 AM

any other thoughts?

**Klatu** · 02-26-2014, 02:25 PM

Something I read back when these guitars were first announced might be of interest to you. I've always been interested in headless Steinberger style guitars for travel but have hesitated because of the limited options available in double balled strings. Apparently, the designers at Carvin managed to design a system that utilizes standard single ball strings, which opens the door to heavier strings, etc.

The guitar builder app on the site has been fun to play with. I've constructed a non tremolo alder bodied guitar with a maple neck, flamed maple top, honeyburst finish, and plain ebony fretboard without dots. I have no urgent need for such a guitar, but believe me that this beauty will find it's way to my wife's inbox for future birthday present consideration!

**jzucker** · 02-26-2014, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Something I read back when these guitars were first announced might be of interest to you. I've always been interested in headless Steinberger style guitars for travel but have hesitated because of the limited options available in double balled strings. Apparently, the designers at Carvin managed to design a system that utilizes standard single ball strings, which opens the door to heavier strings, etc.

The guitar builder app on the site has been fun to play with. I've constructed a non tremolo alder bodied guitar with a maple neck, flamed maple top, honeyburst finish, and plain ebony fretboard without dots. I have no urgent need for such a guitar, but believe me that this beauty will find it's way to my wife's inbox for future birthday present consideration!

Thanks for the info. Apparently the locking mechanism at the neck doesn't support strings heavier than .010s according to a buddy of mine who has one.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 02-26-2014, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

Thanks for the info. Apparently the locking mechanism at the neck doesn't support strings heavier than .010s according to a buddy of mine who has one.

That would make it a non-starter for me

**Klatu** · 02-26-2014, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

Thanks for the info. Apparently the locking mechanism at the neck doesn't support strings heavier than .010s according to a buddy of mine who has one.

What a shame.

**David B** · 02-26-2014, 03:03 PM

Jack,
Drop GreyJazz90 on this forum a PM. He has a HH2 and has previously contributed some threads and videos to the forum about the HH2 model.
Allan Holdsworth talking about his Carvin guitar
Tonewoods for an HH2

**Klatu** · 02-26-2014, 04:26 PM

I just got off the phone with Carvin's in house guitar tech, Albert. He told me that the current version of the instrument accepts standard single balled strings and would easily handle 12 gauge strings with perhaps a small twist of the truss rod. My dreams may now resume.

**Socalbill** · 02-26-2014, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

Thanks for the info. Apparently the locking mechanism at the neck doesn't support strings heavier than .010s according to a buddy of mine who has one.

I've got 12s on mine with no adaptation. I could probably go to 13s if needed. Even if you had to adapt, it would just mean widening the low E hole into the nut block. And yes, you can use regular strings or double ball as the fixture at the nut has a locking screw for each string. It is very easy and quick to change strings. Also easy to tune with the direct pull on the string.
Bill