Interesting how many folks are on the Carvin bandwagon. I picked up a mid level Strat reissue and basically had it rebuilt with hardware & new Bill Lawrence pickups (originals were noisy, these are quiet and not humbuckers). It's a fantastic guitar. When I wanted a Les Paul, I went the route of Heritage. I like the guitar a lot, but jeez is it heavy. My final choice was to pick up a guitar from my childhood dreams - something from the Carvin catalog. I settled on the california carved top. The first finish was way too dark - it was gorgeous if you put a flash on it - probably looks great under stage lights, but in my bedroom it just look black. I sent it back, no questions asked & got a replacement. Still not happy with the finish, but both guitars played great. Then I saw the Andy Timmons guitar and checked into that - wow... that was pricey! Back to Carvin - got a bolt on, replaced the pups with the AT pickups and It looks and plays fantastic. At $1,500 or less for any of the Carvins, I don't understand why they're not more popular - maybe they are, I don't know. To be able to pick out so many options for the guitar is hard to turn away from. I can't see ever picking up a regular Gibson/Fender, etc. just because it's made the way they have chosen. I have to find the finish I like, etc. With Carvins, I can pick whatever I want.
I love the look and sound of Suhrs, but 1 Classic is $3,800. I could get a Start, Tele & a LP type guitar from Carvin for the same price. While I'm sure the Suhr's play and quality is above the Carvin's, they just have to be for those people that can swing the cost more than me. For the combination of price, quality & options I don't know that you can beat Carvin.