2000s Carvin H2 Allan Holdsworth Signature Model Electric Guitar Black w/ Case

Up for sale, a 2000s Carvin H2 Allan Holdsworth signature in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. The result of two years’ development by Carvin and British fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth, this decidedly unique guitar has a bevy of proprietary features and top-tier componentry including the Holdsworth-designed H22 22-pole pickups, Sperzel locking tuners, graphite nut, and semi-hollow alder body with a maple neck and thick slab ebony fretboard; all finished in gloss Black.

The chambered semi-hollow body construction has a certain natural airiness and tonal breadth, pairing well with the immediacy and glassy articulation of the ebony fretboard. The Holdsworth-designed H22 humbuckers are lively and detailed, offering ample lower-midrange warmth; tight, responsive lows; and pristine, singing highs. Each humbucker has its own two-way coil tap mini toggle, and the third mini toggle is a phase switch. Featherweight at 5lbs 14oz, this Carvin has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, slinky action, and spot-on intonation.

The maple neck has a modestly chunky C-shaped profile carve with generous shoulder in all registers, measuring .850” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. The slab ebony fretboard has a 16” radius with practically perfect jumbo fretwire that shows only a hint of wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-2. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The graphite nut measures a full 1 11/16” in width. On the headstock, the matte black locking Sperzel tuners turn smoothly and hold pitch reliably.

On the body, all of the electronics function as intended, with the H22 humbuckers wired to the stock harness, governed by a three-way pickup selector switch with Master Volume and Tone controls, independent coil split switches, and a two-way phase switch. Both pickups have also been rewound by Tom Brantley to original spec. At one point this guitar was augmented to utilize a Roland synth pickup (since removed), and the two mounting holes from said pickup are present forward of the bridge. Hardware includes the dome-topped knurled knobs, Nashville-style bridge and corresponding stopbar, all of which have exceedingly clean black plating.

Cosmetic wear on the gloss Black finish is limited to a small chip on the edge at the bass-side waist on top, light buckle rash on the back central to the upper bout, and just a few faint finish scratches in the clear coat on the body as a whole. The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is nigh-flawless.

The original Charvel-branded molded hardshell case is included.