Guitars This is pretty much where it all began for Carvin.  Although Lowell Kiesel had been sending out product information in the form of single-sheet advertisements since the early 1950s, in 1954, the  very first Carvin catalog was introduced.  It was 20 pages, and focused primarily on steel guitars, but also offered accordions, banjos, and few guitars, DeArmond accessories and parts. Early Carvin Literature 1954 Basses 1954 Guitar Amps 1954 Bass Amps The catalog also showed a variety of Fender and Martin instruments, which Carvin was a reseller of in the early days. The cover showed a #8805 steel guitar & a Model #119 amp (though not to scale), and Lowell Kiesel's wife, Agnes, playing a Fender Telecaster. Click each picture for a larger version.

On the near right is Carvin's Model #19 lap steel guitar.  This was a basic lap steel, with a plastic covered hardwood body, and a 22½" scale fingerboard that was probably some type of plastic.   Other features included a single pickup with chrome plated cover and single volume and tone controls.  The Model #19 sold for $28.90, and the optional case was $6.90. On the far right is the Model #50 lap steel.  It was similar in physical size to the Model #19, and also had a 22½" scale fingerboard, but the body was more sculpted, and the fingerboard inlays were more elaborate.  The pickup, electronics and hardware were the same as the Model #19.  The Model #50 sold for $39.00, and the case was $7.90.

The Model #605 (near left) and Model #805 (far left) lap steel guitars were Carvin's higher-end models for 1954.  They were made with hardwood beech bodies and 22½" scale Lucite fingerboards.  The tuner buttons were ivory, and the hardware was chrome.  Each had an A-1 non-adjustable alnico pickup, with single volume and tone controls.  The Model #605 was a 6-string model, and the #805 was an 8-string model.  The Model #605 sold for $59.90 and the Model #805 was $75.00.  Either could be upgraded with an AP-Series adjustable pickup for an additional $10.00.  The optional case was $8.90. Either model could be ordered in kit form, as well.  The kit included everything needed - hardware, fingerboard, electronics, etc., less the body.

Carvin offered an assortment of double-, triple-, and quad-neck steel guitars in 1954, in 6 and 8 string variations.  All models had beech bodies with Lucite fingerboards, and A-Series non-adjustable pickups standard.  The tuner buttons were ivory, and the hardware was chrome.  The doubleneck models had top-mounted volume and tone controls and a 3-way neck selector, while the tripleneck and quad-neck models had side-mounted master volume and tone controls and on/off switches for each neck.  The 6-string Model #6605 (above, far left) sold for $89.90, and the 8-string Model #8805 (above, 2nd from left) sold for $119.90.  The Model #8880 tripleneck (above, center) sold for $159.90, and the Model #888805 quad-neck (above, right) sold for $219.00.  All models were available with upgraded AP-Series adjustable pickups, and options such as screw-in legs and cases were offered.  The double- and tripleneck models were also offered in kit form, with all components except the body.

Carvin offered a handful of "Spanish" electric guitars (as they were generally referred to at the time) in 1954.  These were most likely made by Kay, Höfner or some other manufacturer, and then badged with the Carvin logo.

The Model 140 Spanish electric (top left) was a single-pickup arch-top model, with a spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge.  It had white binding on the front and back, and a white pickguard, and a single A-Series pickup with volume and tone controls.  The finish was antique brown.  It was also available as the Model 1744, which was a non-electric version.  The Model 140 sold for $59.90, and the Model 1744 sold for $36.90.  The case for either was an additional $9.90.

The Model 6 (top right) was also an arch-top design, with spruce top and curly maple back.  It had a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and had body binding as well as neck binding and a bone nut.  Electronics consisted of a pair of alnico pickups, with pickup selector switch and volume and tone controls.  The price on the Model 6 was $99.90, or $65.90 for the Model 90 non-electric version.  Case for either was $15.00.

Carvin's only solid-body electric for 1954 was the Model H4 (lower right).  This guitar was made from "hardwood" (possibly maple) with a 25¾" scale rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and a pair of pickups with volume and tone controls and a slide-selector switch.  The finish was considered "copper-bronze".  This model sold for $59.90, plus $7.90 for the case.

Carvin also sold mandolins throughout the fifties.  The Model 6512 electric mandolin (lower left) was constructed with an arched birch front and back, celluloid binding and pickguard and had a gloss finish.  It was equipped with a single pickup, with volume and tone controls.  This instrument sold for $59.90, and the Model 1735 non-electric mandolin sold for $35.00.  Case for either was $7.00.

Then as now, Carvin offered an assortment of parts so hobbyists could build their own guitars.  You could order just about everything you needed for a Hawaiian lap steel guitar, including a beech body.  There were also basic parts for "Spanish" guitars offered, including oval rosewood fingerboards and bridges.

In a trend that would exist into the 21st century, the inside cover of the catalog was reserved for an introductory letter, which served to primarily address Carvin's direct versus retail pricing advantages.