Guitars

2000 was a somewhat quiet year.  The prices remained constant across the board, and the same photos were used (although laid on a new background).  There were a whopping 20 models available, and with Carvin's wide assortment of finishes, woods, and hardware, thousands of combinations were possible.

There were new things to be excited about, however.  One of these was the new availability of "Guitars in Stock" that were made available on Carvin's website.  This allowed customers to see a guitar that was already built, and ready to ship.  These guitars were often less expensive than an identical guitar ordered through the Custom Shop, and it was a real innovation in Carvin's on-line marketing.

New for 2000 was the CL450, Carvin's first-ever classical guitar.  Carvin also debuted the Collector's Series, a collection of guitars released in very limited editions and heavily customized with exotic wood inlays and other extravagant material.

The prices and pictures are from the Winter 2000 catalog.

The Bolt was unchanged, and used the same photos from 1999, laid onto the new background.  The price remained the same, as well, at $489 for the hardtail model, and $549 for the Bolt-T, with Wilkinson tremolo.   

The catalog photo showed a Bolt in Classic Sunburst, and chrome hardware, and a Bolt-T in clear gloss finish, Sperzel tuners, red tortoise pickguard, Wilkinson tremolo and chrome hardware.  The inset photo showed a Bolt-T in Sapphire Blue with maple fingerboard, white pearloid pickguard, C22T humbucker and black chrome hardware.

The DC127 (near right) and DC135 (far right), were unchanged, and used the same photos on the new background.  The prices remained the same on the DC127, starting at $559 while the DC135 remained at $569.

The catalog showed the DC127 in tung-oiled koa with matching headstock and rounded body sides, Wilkinson tremolo and gold hardware.  The DC135 was shown in Blueburst with matching headstock and standard (non-rounded) body sides, and gold hardware.

The TL60 was unchanged, and used the same catalog photo as 1999 on the new background.  The prices remained the same, with the hardtail model being $559, and $619 for the TL60T with Wilkinson tremolo.  The Crowe Option Package, which included Harlequin Prismatique finish, body binding, reverse matching headstock and dual humbuckers remained an additional $250.

The catalog photo showed a TL60 in Classic White with matching headstock, maple fingerboard C22T pickup and black hardware, and in with the new Crowe Option Package with black hardware.

The SC90 was unchanged, and the same catalog photo was used as in '99, although it was cut into the new page layout.  Prices remained the same, at $579, while the SC90T with Wilkinson tremolo remained $629, and the SC90C, with Floyd Rose tremolo, remained $669.  

The catalog showed an SC90 with the Custom Flame Package (Ruby Red Stain), with gold hardware and cream pickups, and an SC90 in classic sunburst with alder neck and body, rounded body sides, cream/black pickups and chrome hardware.

The DC727 (near right) and DC747 (far right) 7-string guitars had gained in popularity, and were unchanged for 2000.  The same catalog photo was used on the new background, and the prices remained the same, at $629 for the DC727 and $669 for the DC747.

The catalog photo showed the DC727 in Emerald Green with rounded body sides, matching headstock and chrome hardware, and the DC747 in Pearl Silver with matching headstock, rounded body sides and black hardware.

The Holdsworth H1, H2 and HF1 & HF2 were unchanged for 2000, and the prices remained the same. Base price on the H1 was $749, or $799 with Wilkinson tremolo, and the H2 was $799, or $849 with Wilkinson tremolo.  The HF1 Fatboy remained $849, and the HF2 Fatboy remained $899.

The catalog showed the HF1 in Antique Brown Stain on flamed maple with matching headstock and chrome hardware, and the H2 in Emerald Green on flamed maple with matching headstock and chrome hardware.

Like everything else, the AE185 and AE185-12 were unchanged for 2000.  The base price of the AE185 remained $799, and the base price of the AE185-12 was $849.  They also used the same catalog photo on the new background.

The catalog showed a AE185 in flamed koa with matching  headstock, body binding, coil splitters and phase switches and black hardware, and an AE185 in Tobacco Sunburst on quilted maple with matching headstock and coil splitters and phase switches and black hardware.  The inset photo showed an AE185-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and gold hardware.

The AC175 and AC275 remained the same.  Base price on the AC175 remained $649, and base price on the AC275 remained $699.  The AC275-12 held at $749.

The catalog showed an AC175 with natural spruce top, gold hardware, and inline headstock.  The AC275 was shown in Classic Sunburst on flamed maple with body binding and chrome hardware.  The inset photo showed the AC275-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and black hardware.

In 2000 and 2001, Carvin released 4 very special instruments.  These were the Collector's Series; 3 AE185's and an AC375 created by Vermont marquetry artist T. Breeze Verdant.  These guitars were hand-inlaid ("marquetry") with various exotic woods, such as Black Limba, Koto, Bubinga, Chinaberry, Claro Walnut, koa, Macassar ebony, Honduras mahogany, tulipwood and satinwood, as well as gold mother-of-pearl and paua abalone.  These were extremely limited editions, with only 6 Orchid models made, and 10 of the other models.  These models ranged in price from $3800 to $6000.  There are more details on these models on the 2001 page.