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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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