The Guitar Player's Resource
When Carvin designed the DC135, they were solving a problem that most guitar manufacturers ignore - players need genuine tonal versatility, not just marketing bullet points about "endless combinations."
That three-pickup configuration with individual on/off switches gives you seven distinct pickup combinations that actually serve different musical purposes. The S60 single-coils provide more output and clarity than typical Strat-style pickups, but here's where it gets interesting: when you combine two or all three pickups together, you're getting humbucking performance that cancels noise while delivering fuller, more complex harmonics.
The neck-through maple construction delivers exactly what working guitarists need: sustain that goes on forever and upper fret access that feels effortless even during complex passages. That smooth neck-to-body heel means you're never fighting your instrument when you need to reach those high notes that make solos really sing.
Cherry Sunburst over quilted maple creates visual impact that photographs beautifully and catches stage lights effectively, but the poplar body sides are where the real thinking happens. Poplar adds resonance and warmth that balances the maple's natural brightness, creating a tonal foundation that serves both clean passages and saturated leads.
That M22 bridge pickup provides the perfect blend of sustain and drive for lead work - enough output to push your amp into sweet saturation without becoming harsh or muddy. The ebony fingerboard with 15" radius feels smooth and fast under your fingers, while those 24 jumbo frets give you the real estate needed for extended-range playing.
The Sperzel locking tuners and Carvin/Wilkinson tremolo solve real-world problems for gigging musicians. You get tuning stability that lets you focus on playing instead of constantly retuning, plus tremolo functionality that adds expression without sacrificing reliability.
This isn't just pickup switching for its own sake - it's genuine versatility that serves actual musical applications.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Cherry Sunburst Quilted Maple
Maple neck-through-construction
Smooth neck-to-body heel
Tone enhancing poplar body sides
24 jumbo frets (1/16" peranteed action)
Mother of Pearl block inlays
Ebony fingerboard with 15" radius
Sperzelocking tuning keys
Two 500 single colls & one Master volume & tone, 3 on/off sw
Chrome hardware standard
Carvin/Wilkinson tremolo
