Knowledge Builders

why did carvin change to kiesel

by Daphne Mante Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Sadly, matriarch Agnes Kiesel would pass away on October 26th, 2007, and her husband Lowell Kiesel followed two years later on December 28th, 2009. Come 2015, internationally recognized Carvin Guitars evolved into its own entity separated from any other production facility, reverting to the Kiesel name in the process.

Is Kiesel Guitars made by Carvin?

Kiesel Guitars is an American manufacturer of custom electric guitars and electric bass guitars located in Southern California, with a heritage dating back to 1946. In 2015, Kiesel Guitars split from Carvin Corporation, taking the guitar and bass portions of Carvin. Carvin Guitar's model V220, custom built for Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship

What happened to kiesels guitars?

Basically the Kiesels took over the guitar part of the business and it is now an independent company from the electronics / amplifier business.

What happened to Carvin Guitars?

For the last ten years or so, Carvin guitars had focused on building instruments with Hofner components - essentially, they were a factory for another brand. Mark had a vision that went beyond following someone else's instructions, and he soon set the company to work developing its own line of guitars and basses.

Why is Carvin called Carvin?

The move was not permanent, though, and the company returned to California in 1949. At that point, the company was rebranded Carvin in honor of Lowell's sons (Carson and Gavin Kiesel). Sales started to pick up, and it wasn't long before it branched out to other types of instruments and accessories.

See more

image

Is Carvin Guitars out of business?

Carvin Audio in the USA has announced the end of its amp making operations, as well as a liquidation sale to help them shift the last of their stock. The company is famous for making amplifiers for the likes of Steve Vai and so this will be quite a shock for many of their fans.

Who makes Carvin Guitars now?

Carvin Corporation is a family-owned San Diego, California, manufacturer of guitar amplifiers and audio equipment. The company is known for its early work using plastics in the 1940s, making electric guitars from Resinox....Carvin Corporation.TypePrivateWebsitewww.carvinaudio.com7 more rows

What are Carvin Guitars called now?

In 2015, Carvin Corporation split its business units, and Kiesel Guitars was founded to take over the guitar and bass manufacturing, as a wholly separate company. The original Kiesel name and logo was chosen to honor founder Lowell Kiesel.

Who is Jeff Kiesel?

Year. There are new owners at Restaurant Technologies Inc., but CEO Jeff Kiesel remains at the helm after guiding the cooking-oil system maker through solid growth under the previous owner, EQT Infrastructure, a European private equity group.

Is Carvin and Kiesel the same?

Kiesel Company closed and Carvin was formed. Without selling restrictions, the same company under a different name could further operate. The product line expanded into instruments of all sorts including double and triple-neck lap steel guitars, electric mandolins, and an electric guitar.

Are Kiesel Guitars worth the money?

You can order exactly what you want, and the quality and play-ability is top notch. Unfortunately they creep up in cost with all of the extras, but they are worth it in quality and the ability to choose the exact color and pickups and hardware. But there are reasons to not order a Kiesel.

Does Carvin still exist?

2021 and beyond. Carvin Audio continues our 75-year legacy by providing great sounding gear for musicians and sound professionals worldwide. The company is still owned and operated by the Kiesel Family.

How many guitars does Kiesel make a year?

Thier engineers are constantly improving the product lines and Kiesel's craftsmen build over 1000 custom guitars and basses each year including seven-string, semi-hollow, twelve-string, carved-top and active-pickup models.

What amps does Steve Vai use?

Though he has a number of different vintage amps on hand, Vai primarily uses his signature Carvin amps when recording.

What are fanned frets for?

Fanned frets allow the lower strings to have a longer length while keeping the higher strings short. This means the length of the low E string can be longer than the length of the high E string, which helps the note ring out clearer.

Where are Carvin Guitars made?

San DiegoIn the earliest years of the company, Carvin was also a reseller of Fender and Martin guitars, DeArmond accessories, Sonola accordions and Rheem organs. Today, Carvin operates an 80,000 square foot facility in San Diego, and employs over 100 people.

Who made Carvin acoustic guitars?

The guy who founded Carvin back in the 1940s was named Lowell Kiesel, and his son Mark has run the guitar division at Carvin since 1970.

Does Carvin still exist?

2021 and beyond. Carvin Audio continues our 75-year legacy by providing great sounding gear for musicians and sound professionals worldwide. The company is still owned and operated by the Kiesel Family.

Where are Carvin Guitars made?

San DiegoIn the earliest years of the company, Carvin was also a reseller of Fender and Martin guitars, DeArmond accessories, Sonola accordions and Rheem organs. Today, Carvin operates an 80,000 square foot facility in San Diego, and employs over 100 people.

What amps does Steve Vai use?

Though he has a number of different vintage amps on hand, Vai primarily uses his signature Carvin amps when recording.

How much did Carvin Corp make in 2014?

Carvin Corp. had between $14 million and $15 million in sales in 2014, according to Carson and Jeff Kiesel, who both spoke by phone Tuesday to U-T San Diego. Each described the split as an amicable one, which they think will be mutually beneficial. Carvin Corp.’s 100 employees will be divided equally between the old and new companies.

Who is the president of Carvin Guitars?

Carson Kiesel, the president of Carvin Corp., sees only advantages with the advent of Kiesel Guitars and the continuation of Carvin Guitars, both under his brother Mark's purview.

How many guitars does Carvin make?

Carvin currently makes an estimated 5,000-plus guitars and bass guitars annually. Its instruments are endorsed by such six-string stars as Allan Holdsworth and Frank Gambale, both of whose signature guitar lines are made and marketed by Carvin. Both Carvin and Kiesel will debut new signature model guitars at the NAMM show, which runs Thursday through Sunday.

Where is Carvin Audio located?

was founded in Los Angeles in 1946 by Lowell "L.C." Kiesel, who died here in 2010 at the age of 94. Carvin moved to Valley Center in 1968. It is now located in the Carmel Mountain Ranch area , where it occupies an 80,000 square foot plant.

Is Kiesel still under the same roof?

For now, Carvin and Kiesel will continue to operate under the same roof, according to Carvin Corp. President Carson Kiesel and Kiesel Guitars Vice President Jeff Kiesel, who is Carson’s nephew. Jeff’s father, Mark Kiesel, is the president of Kiesel.

Is Carvin Corp. splitting?

San Diego's Carvin Corp. is splitting into two. - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Does Carvin Corp sell directly to customers?

Carvin Corp. does all of its North American sales direct to its customers, bypassing music stores and independent instrument and amplification dealers. This will continue in the future. As in the past, Carvin Corp. will use dealers for its foreign sales.

Where did Carvin move to?

Around 1948, it returned to Southern California—and, in 1949, moved to Baldwin Park, California, where the company name changed to Carvin Corporation, after Kiesel's two eldest sons, Car son and Ga vin.

What is the Kiesel name?

The original Kiesel name and logo was chose n to honor founder Lowell Kiesel. The new company continues to build electric, acoustic electric, MIDI, synth, semi hollow, chambered, headless guitars and basses along with necks, bodies, kits and a full parts department under the Carvin Guitars name as well as new Kiesel name.

Where are Kiesel guitars made?

Kiesel Guitars is an American manufacturer of custom electric guitars and electric bass guitars located in Southern California, with a heritage dating back to 1946. In 2015, Kiesel Guitars split from Carvin Corporation, taking the guitar and bass portions of Carvin.

When did Mark Kiesel start making guitars?

Starting in the 1970s , Mark Kiesel took over the guitar department and started offering custom instruments made to order to allow customers to choose from a range of available body shapes, woods, colors, electronics, and other features.

Who owns Kiesel Guitars?

Kiesel Guitars opened up sales globally following the name change. The company employed over 50 people and produced almost 4,000 custom made instruments per year. It is run by President Mark Kiesel (Lowell Kiesel's middle son) and Vice President Jeff Kiesel (Mark's son). Jeff Kiesel's two children also work for the company when not attending school ...

Who is the bassist for Vanquish?

Bassist Brian Bromberg has a series of basses based on a body of his design, while Roy Vogt has a signature 6 string model based on the Vanquish model. Chris Letchford of Scale the Summit has a headless multiscale signature series, with a "set through neck".

Does Jeff Kiesel have kids?

Jeff Kiesel's two children also work for the company when not attending school full-time. Example of a Kiesel Guitar's 4x3 headstock design. In January 2015, Kiesel Guitars won Revolver 's Best of Show award at the winter NAMM Show, for their headless guitar model, the Vader.

Does it make sense to move away from the name recognition that they've established for so many decades?

It doesn't make any sense to move away from the name recognition that they've established for so many decades.

Is the Vanquish bass programmable?

I would guess the new machines are probably more programmable and have made possible some of the physical shape and design features on the newer models. The Vanquish bass might not even be possible on one of their older machines. Also, the 1/1000 of an inch is marketing carried straight over from the marketing for the machines themselves. The newer machines are more accurate, requiring less finishing work and resulting in an even more consistent product.

Is Kiesel Editions a good thing?

This whole Kiesel Editions thing is an interesting marketing scheme. For people who want even more options and exotic wood choices than Carvin has already offered, it's probably a good thing. It's going to come at a cost though. These instruments aren't going to be cheap.

Is the Carvin name still on guitars?

The Carvin name will remain on some of the products; guitars ands basses will be a mix of Carvin and Kiesel to start, and amps, cabs and pro audio will remain Carvin. It's the two Kiesel brothers in charge of those divisions that are making the changes, I believe.

Is Carvin changing a thing?

That's exactly the way I understand it? Carvin is not changing a thing. Anything super custom will be a Keisel (rhymes with Deisel)..which is what the company was named before it was Carvin.

Is Carvin a good guitar?

They're definitely more consistent. You're not gonna get any duds now and the finishes are amazing. Just following every Carvin bass and guitar post, it seems 99 percent are impressed with the playabilty, fretwork, craftsmanship... Occasionally people might be unhappy but some of those people went for options they weren't familiar with. Basically you can get a Carvin that sound like a killer P-Bass, J-bass, Les Paul, Telecaster, Strat, Shred Machine, whatever. You can pick fret sizes, neck woods, electronics... It's not like picking out a guitar at GC. I agree the prices may go up but I also think they'll offer really good base models.

Is Kiesel made in the same building?

Carvin guitars and Kiesel guitars are made in the same building, on the same machines, by the same people. The quality is the same. However, the special, expensive, Kiesel Editions get more hands-on TLC as a natural consequence of what it takes to offer a Kiesel Edition in the first place. Additionally, any bit of a Kiesel Edition which isn't personally worked on by Jeff, is personally approved by Jeff.

Who took over the manufacturing of the Kiesel pickups?

Meanwhile, Carvin Amps and Audio took over the manufacturing of pickups and other audio equipment. Unlike Kiesel (which was now producing instruments under both the Carvin and Kiesel names), Carvin Amps and Audio struggled to keep going and soon shut down its main factory.

When did Carvin move to San Diego?

In 1988, the company made a change to its products, going from the original set-neck models to what were mainly neck-through designs. In 1995 , the company moved again, this time to San Diego - the same place the company had gotten started. In the same year, relative Jeff Kiesel began working for Carvin.

What color are Carvin guitars?

It's hard to look at Carvin guitars without noticing the bright, exotic coloring they favor. From rainbow-hued pickups to stand-out reds, blues, pinks, and more, Kiesel makes guitars that will stick out in any venue. Here's a brief look at the main areas where Kiesel offers customization on guitars.

What woods does Kiesel use?

Kiesel also offers choices like Hard Rock Maple (a dense wood with a bright, sustaining tone), Mahogany (a warm sound with a good low-midrange), and Swamp Ash (great lows and highs, but not quite as good in the middle), among others. Their website includes information on which colors and finishes look good with each wood - something many first-time buyers wouldn't otherwise know.

When did Carvin guitars move?

It also moved several times, going from Baldwin Park (an area near Los Angeles) to Covina (1956), then Escondido (1968).

Where did the Lowell guitar factory move to?

In 1947, the business briefly shifted from the original shop in San Diego, California to Gothenburg , Nebraska when Lowell lived there for a short time. The move was not permanent, though, and the company returned to California in 1949. ...

Did Carvin sell rebadged guitars?

Sales started to pick up, and it wasn't long before it branched out to other types of instruments and accessories. Aside from their own instruments, Carvin sold rebadged guitars from other manufacturers and slowly increased its visibility through advertisements in magazines and mailed sheets of information.

Who was one of Carvin's founders?

Kiesel was one of Carvin's founders, I think? My guess is that they had to re-brand and re-position themselves in the market to compete. What's wrong with having 24 frets...?

Who is Mark Kiesel's son?

Mark Kiesel is his son, Jeff Kiesel is his grandson.

What is the difference between a Carvin CT6M and a PRS McCarty trem?

I have a Carvin CT6M trem and a PRS McCarty trem. The differences between them are much like the differences between the SC and the LP as shown. The Carvin's body and neck are thinner, the headstock angle is different, etc. The difference in sound mostly amounts to the Carvin being thinner sounding due to its thinner body, ebony fretboard, stainless frets, and Wilkinson tremolo. It actually cuts better in a band context, whereas, the fatter sounding PRS works better in the studio.

How many frets does a Carvin guitar have?

More than a few Carvin guitars have 22 frets as an option.

image

1.Carvin's New Company, Kiesel Guitars, to Handle Guitar …

Url:https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/carvins-new-company-kiesel-guitars-handle-guitar-and-bass-manufacturing

32 hours ago  · April 8, 2022. by Joe Nevin. In 2015, Carvin Corporation split its business units, and Kiesel Guitars was founded to take over the guitar and bass manufacturing, as a wholly separate company. The original Kiesel name and logo was chosen to honor founder Lowell Kiesel. …. …

2.Carvin splits in two to launch Kiesel Guitars

Url:https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-carvin-corp-splits-in-two-adds-new-guitar-company-2015jan20-htmlstory.html

16 hours ago  · Why did Carvin change to Kiesel? In 2015, Carvin Corporation split its business units, and Kiesel Guitars was founded to take over the guitar and bass manufacturing, as a wholly …

3.Kiesel Guitars - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiesel_Guitars

22 hours ago Carvin Corp. had between $14 million and $15 million in sales in 2014, according to Carson and Jeff Kiesel, who both spoke by phone Tuesday to U-T San Diego. Each described the split as an ...

4.Carvin big news - instruments becoming Kiesel, splitting …

Url:https://www.talkbass.com/threads/carvin-big-news-instruments-becoming-kiesel-splitting-from-carvin-amps-audio.1129635/

8 hours ago  · In 2015, Carvin Corporation split off the guitar business to a new company, Kiesel Guitars, which continues to build electric and acoustic guitars, MIDI synth guitars, bass guitars …

5.A Brief History Of Carvin Guitars - Taking A Look at Its …

Url:https://vintageguitarmasters.com/carvin-guitars/

30 hours ago Lowell Kiesel founded the L. C. Kiesel Company in San Diego, California in 1946, to manufacture guitar pickups. By 1947, the company manufactured steel guitars in Gothenburg, Nebraska . …

6.What Happened to Carvin Guitars, Who is this Kiesel …

Url:https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/what-happened-to-carvin-guitars-who-is-this-kiesel-fellow-and-why-does-their-web-site-suck-now.1712565/

4 hours ago  · The Carvin name will remain on some of the products; guitars ands basses will be a mix of Carvin and Kiesel to start, and amps, cabs and pro audio will remain Carvin. It's the two …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9