Carvin Guitars

Allan Holdsworth was the influential electric guitarist who played a vital role within the music products industry as both an endorser and instrument designer. Allan recorded 12 well-received albums, toured and performed with the likes of Tony Williams and Jean-Luc Ponty and composed a string of songs. In addition, Allan worked with a number of industry companies on product designs. In 1984, he helped design his first signature model for Ibanez. He later worked with Ned Steinberger, Grover Jackson as well as with Mark Kiesel at Carvin Corporation where Allan co-designed several gu

Carson Kielsel discussed the entire history of Carvin Guitars during his interview. As the son of the founder and long time president, Carson provided insight as to the growth and development of the company. Carson expanded the visibility of the company and its products with noted endorsement deals and memorable product displays at the NAMM show over the years. Carson was also at the company’s helm during the computer age and took advantage of technology to increase the awareness of the product line and to better communicate with their customers.  

Lowell Kiesel, as the founder of the southern California guitar company Carvin, joined the ranks with Leo Fender, Paul A. Bigsby, and the Rickenbacker Company, in establishing the new era of electric guitar. In 1946 he formed L. C. Kiesel Company winding pickups on an old sewing machine.  As the company grew and the product line began to connect with musicians around the world, Lowell changed the name of the company to Carvin, after his sons Carson and Gavin.

Mark Kiesel is the President of Kiesel Guitars in Escondido, California and the son of Lowell Kiesel, the founder of Carvin Guitars. When his father began making guitars in the 1930s, it was with the Kiesel name. However, he stopped using the family name when he established Carvin Guitars in the 1950s. In 2015, Mark and his son, Jeff, began using the family name again - a fact for which Mark’s dad would be very proud. Growing up in the business, Mark designed most of the guitars produced by Carvin from the early 1970s until 2015 when his son took over as lead designer.

Steve Vai is a man that could be described as a planet that revolves around a star named Music. His life is ever entwined in an orbit that includes composing, transcription, performance, acting, and philanthropy. He first gravitated into exposure as Frank Zappa’s guitarist. Affectionately coined “my little Italian virtuoso” by Frank himself, Steve’s fantastic fretboard acrobatics propelled him into stints with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake. Steve’s “do it yourself” attitude is the benchmark for his successful solo career and the creation of his own recording label that spotlights

Josh Vittek has always been immersed in music, his deep voice leading him to choir and Doo Wop groups in middle school. When his uncle gifted him a guitar, he discovered the thrill of blending vocals with instrumentation, setting him on a path toward a lifelong career in the music products industry. From his early days at Carvin Guitars to influential roles in international sales, artist relations, PR, and media, Josh has left a lasting imprint on some of the industry’s most innovative brands. His work has been featured in major music publications worldwide, and he has collaborate