Carvin Cobalt C850 acoustic electric guitar review: Can it compete with the big dogs?

The Carvin C850T is a cutaway acoustic-electric guitar that resembles many other models from high-end manufacturers, such as the amazing Martin D-16GTE. Hey, if you’re going to look like something, the D-16GTE is a great guitar to emulate! The dreadnought cutaway acoustic style featured on the C850 has to be one of, if not THE, most popular acoustic guitar styles. This type of guitar is played in music videos and concerts in almost every genre of music these days. The Carvin looks good, but I learned a long time ago that you really can’t judge a guitar by its looks. I’ve played a lot of great looking guitars over the years that really sounded terrible to my ears.

Carvin’s website states that Cobalt Series guitars are inspected at their US custom shop for the ultimate in tone and playability. This line is hand-built in a renowned factory in Korea, then undergoes final setup in their US factory before the guitars are shipped to the end user. Online reviews are quite positive and one of the reasons I decide to try the Cobalt C850T myself. Another factor in my purchase decision was that everyone I spoke to personally who owned a Carvin Cobalt acoustic loved it. They are not closet musicians, but people who play day after day, night after night and still love the Carvin. I just had to see what all the fuss was about!

The ordering process was quite simple and with a few clicks of the mouse, my order was completed and the guitar was scheduled for shipment. Within 4 days, I was eagerly getting it back from my doorstep.

The guitar I bought was very impressive.. Right out of the box, the C850’s action was low and perfect for me. Maybe that had something to do with Carvin’s Rapid Play(TM) low action neck. Players who play very loud will probably need to adjust the action a bit so the strings don’t buzz. It’s this low right out of the box. A good guitar tech will make it perfect for heavy handed players.

I compared this guitar side by side to one of my other guitars, a Martin DC-16GTEP. The guitars look very similar and both have excellent Fishman electronics for playing through a PA system, acoustic amp, or direct recording. The built in tuner is also a great feature. I’d give the Carvin a thumbs up for the sound connected through a PA, as its EQ seemed more responsive than the Martin’s similar system. The Martin had a condenser mic along with the under-saddle pickup, but I turned it off for comparison. Recording nods would have to go to Martin because it has a built in condenser microphone, and it records very well and produces a great acoustic sound when recorded. But any acoustic can be externally miked, and I was able to get some nice acoustic recordings using the C850 and a couple of good condenser mics on stands in front of the guitar.

The guitar’s unplugged tone wasn’t as loud and boomy as the Martin’s, but the C850 has a very gloss finish (the Martin had a gloss top, with satin back and sides), and it takes some time for any solid fir. -Guitar finished off to age and soften a bit. As it ages, I imagine the C850T will give many more expensive guitars a run for their money in the tone department..

The build quality of the Carvin was actually as good or better than any other acoustic-electric guitar in its $700 price range that I’ve inspected, including Martin and Taylor. Let me tell you, that’s saying a lot. The quality is there, with no unsightly glue spots or jagged fret edges, and a beautiful gloss finish is included throughout the guitar, which is a superior value over similar models from Martin and Taylor.

I played the Carvin in several concerts, and believe it or not, every time people came up to me after the concert to comment on how great the guitar sound was. So the action was great, the sound was awesome, and the C850T looked great. Did I mention that there is also a 5 year warranty against manufacturing defects? Can Carvin compete with the Big Dogs of the acoustic world? In my opinion, he certainly can, and at a mid-tier price that’s much easier on the bank account than anything similar in quality and craftsmanship he’s seen.