Basses

2002 saw two innovative models added to the line - the XB75 and XB76 basses.  These basses sported an extended scale length of 35¼" scale on a 22-fret neck.  All the options and features of other Carvin basses were available on the XB Series.

In keeping with the tradition of offering freebies and specials, Carvin offered 50% off all options and cases with any custom shop order.  Because of this, you could actually get a mid-level LB70 for less in 2002 than you could in 1990 (see the 1990 page), as well as similar deals on other models.   And at the end of 2002, the Snagg microchip was added, which allowed new instruments to be electronically "fingerprinted" in case of future theft.  Once again, Carvin was ahead of the curve.

Carvin's Bolt B4 and B5 continued to go strong, and provided a high quality, USA-made, entry-level bass at a great price.  And like Carvin's top of the line basses, these were available in over 50 different combinations of colors and woods.  

The B4 was priced at $519, and the B5 was priced at $649.

The photo at the right is from the November 2002 catalog, and showed the B4 in Vintage Yellow on flamed maple with matching traditional headstock, Birdseye maple fingerboard, HB pickup with active electronics and black hardware.  The B5 was shown in Emerald Green on swamp ash with HB pickup.

The passive LB20 and active LB70 were unchanged for 2002, and the prices were unchanged from 2001

The LB20 was priced at $589, and the LB70 was priced at $659.  The LB70P was priced at $809.

The photo at the left is from the May 2002 catalog, and showed an LB20F in Jet Black with fretlines, rounded body sides and black hardware, and an LB70P in Tobacco Sunburst on swamp ash with matching headstock and gold hardware.

Like the other models from 2002, the LB75 remained unchanged, and were available with the "P" option, as well as all the combinations of colors, woods, etc. 

The new XB75 was a 5-string, long scale (35 ¼", versus 34" on the LB series), 22 fret bass, with all the features and available options of the LB series..

The LB75 was priced at $719, and the XB75 was priced at $819.  The LB75P was priced at $869, and the XB75P was priced at $969.

The photo at the right is from the May 2002 catalog.

The LB76 was unchanged, and was joined in the catalog by the new XB76, which sported the same long-scale, 22 fret neck as the XB75.

The LB76 and LB76P were priced at $819 and $969, and the base prices of the XB76 and XB76P was $919 and $1069.

The photo at the left is from the May 2002 catalog.

Carvin's LB70, LB75 and LB76 continued to be available in the Claro Walnut Series.  The body is constructed from a walnut back, with a thin maple center, and California Claro walnut top, making for a "wood binding" type of effect.  Round body edges are standard, as is a 5-piece neck.  The Claro Walnut option could also be made for the long-scale XB series of basses, and the "P" option was available on all of them.

The catalog inset shows the Anniversary model.  This is similar to the Claro Walnut Series, but with an alder back, walnut center, and highly figured flamed maple top.  This model was available in all LB and XB series basses, and has the same features as the Claro Walnut Series.

The base price on the LB70W/A was $1139, and $1289 for the "P" option.  The LB75W/A was $1199, and $1359 for the "P" option, and the LB76W/A was $1299, or $1449 for the "P" option.

The photo at the right is from the May 2002 catalog.

Carvin has had many endorsers over the years from all genres of music, but only two "signature model" instruments - the Holdsworth guitar, and the Bunny Brunel bass, created in collaboration with the renowned jazz bassist.  Although the catalog only showed the BB70 and BB75 four and five string models, it was made available in a six string model in 2001, the BB76.  It's interesting features include a shorter, fatter body, longer top horn, and wider neck at the 24th fret on the BB75 and BB76.  Additionally, the BB75 and BB76  has an asymmetrical neck, being slimmer on the treble side of the fingerboard, and the BB75 has the dot inlays off-center, so they aren't directly under the 3rd string .  It's available in all the finish and wood options of other Carvin basses.

The BB70 was $749, and $899 for the "P" option.  The BB75 was $819, and $969 for the "P" option.  The BB76 was $919, and $1069 for the "P" option.

The photo at the left is from the May 2002 catalog.  

The AC40 and AC50 were unchanged for 2002, offering the standard neck-through design, and standard AAA Engleman spruce top, as well as Carvin's vast array of finishes or flamed/quilted tops. 

The AC40 was priced at $699, and the AC50 was priced at $769.

The photo at the right is from the January 2002 catalog, and showed the AC40F in clear matte satin finish with traditional headstock, body binding and gold hardware, and the AC50 in Classic Sunburst on flamed maple with matching headstock, abalone inlays and black hardware.