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Guitars
1958
saw all sorts of changes in Carvin guitar lineup. There were
totally new models like the Model #6-SGB and the #60-C and #80-C steel
guitars, models that had name changes, and models that were retired
and/or redesigned. Carvin was no longer a reseller of Fender
guitars, but continued to carry Martin guitars, DeArmond pickups, and
several instruments that were not Carvin-made, but were badged with the
Carvin name.
Click each picture for a
larger version.
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The 1958
model #3-SGB guitar (left) was unchanged from the redesigned
'57 model, constructed with a hard-rock maple body and a bolt-on maple
neck. The neck had a rosewood fingerboard with a bone nut and
sealed nickel-plated tuners. Electronics consisted of Carvin's
AP-6 adjustable-pole pickups, with individual volume and tone controls,
and a standard 3-way selector switch. Price increased slightly
from 1957, with the #3-SGB selling for $129.90,
and the #4-SGB, with non-adjustable pickups,
selling for $109.90.
All new for 1958 was the
Model #6-SGB (right). This guitar had the same body, neck
and other features of the #3-SGB, but used 3 pickups, like a
Stratocaster. The electronics were a little unusual - there were
two tone controls, one for the neck and one for the center pickup, and a
master volume control. The 3-way switch selector activated any one
pickup, but no combination of pickups, so only the neck, bridge or
middle pickup could be used at one time. The Gibson Vibra-rest,
which was an early vibrato unit, came standard on this model. The
#6-SGB sold for $169.90. |
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The
Model #1-SGB (left) was unchanged from the redesign that took
place in 1957. It was based on the same body as the #3-SGB and
the #6-SGB, with a single AP-6 pickup. The #1-SGB sold for
$89.90, and was offered as the #2-SGB, with a non-adjustable A-1
pickup. The #2-SGB sold for $79.90.
The
Model #1-MB mandolin (right) was also unchanged from the
previous year. It sold for $99.90, and could also be ordered
as the #2-MB, with non-adjustable A Series pickup, for $89.90. |
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Carvin continued to offer several assorted guitars that were
probably imports that had been fitted with Carvin pickups (right).
These models were the same as in 1957.
At
the upper left is the Model 140 Spanish electric. It 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 AP6 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-B (upper right) was the big brother to the Model 140. Like
the Model 140, it was an arch-top design, with spruce top and curly
maple back. It also 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 A1 pickups, with pickup selector switch and
volume and tone controls. The price on the Model 6-B was $119.90,
or $89.90 for the Model #7 non-electric version. Also
offered was the Model #8-B, which was identical to the ##6-B
with a dark finish, and sold for $109.90 (and was shown in the
1957 catalog). The #9-B was a
non-electric version of the #8-B, and sold for $79.90. The #2-B
case for either was $15.00.
On the lower
right was the Model #44. This guitar had a spruce top with a
25.25" scale mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and
a pair of pickups with volume and tone controls and a slide-selector
switch. This model sold for $59.90, plus $9.90 for the case.
Also offered, but not shown, was the #65 non-electric model
($39.90), the #12 Electric Tenor Guitar ($59.90), and the #17
Non-Electric Tenor Guitar ($39.90).
On the lower
left is the Model 6512 electric mandolin, which had a single
pickup, with volume and tone controls. This instrument sold for
$59.90, and the Model 1735 non-electric mandolin sold for
$39.90. Case for either was $7.00. |
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In
1958, Carvin offered the Model #V-11A Electric Violin (left).
This German-made instrument used a transducer-type pickup, but could
also be played acoustically. Accessories were offered,
including cases and bows. The #V-11A sold for $109.90.
It would disappear from the 1959 catalog, but would reappear in
1960.
Although Carvin no longer sold Fender instruments, they continued to
carry an assortment of Martin guitars (right). |
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Carvin continued to manufacturer a wide assortment of steel guitars
and steel guitar accessories. In fact, there were more steel
guitars offered in 1958 that standard soil-body electric guitars. |
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Carvin offered several lap steel models in 1958, all of which were
new designs. On the right is the #60-C (far left) and
the #80-C (near left). Both were made with maple necks
and black walnut bodies, with single AP-Series pickup. Both
models came equipped with a Multi-Harp Triplextone changer, which
changed the tuning from the standard A, to E or C#m7. The
#60-C sold for $109.90, and the #80-C sold for $149.90.
The
Model #6DHG-5B (near right) and Model #8DHG-5B (far
right) were both new for 1958, also. These basic lap steel
models were made from maple, with plastic fingerboards, and were
equipped with AP-Series pickups with volume and two tone controls.
The 6-string #6DHG-5B sold for $49.90, and could be ordered with a
non-adjustable A Series pickup, the #6DHG-6B, for $39.90. The
#8DHG-5B 8-string model was $69.90, or 59.90 for the #8DHG-6B, which
had an A Series pickup. |
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The Model
#C8806-D doubleneck 8-string steel guitar (above, far left) was new
for 1958. The only difference between this and the #8806-D doubleneck
8-string (above, far right) was the addition of the Multi-Harp Triplextone
changer. With AP-8 pickups, it sold for $219.90, and could be ordered
as the #C8806-E, which had non-adjustable A-2 pickups, and sold for $199.90.
Also offered, but not shown, was the #C8806-SF, which had tone changers on
both 8-string necks. It sold for $299.90. Also not shown was the
#C6806-SF, which was a 6-string/8-string doubleneck, with tone changers on
both necks. It sold for $289.90.
The Model
#8806-B doubleneck 8-string (above, far right) sold for $129.90 with
AP-8 pickups. It was also offered as the #8806-C, wich had
non-adjustable A-2 pickups, for $109.90. The 6-string Model #6606-B
(above, 2nd from right) sold for $99.90 with AP-6 pickups, or $89.90 for the
#6606-C, which had non-adjustable A-1 pickups.
The Model
#88806B triple-neck (above, center) had the same features as the
other steel guitars, in a 3-neck configuration with AP-8 pickups. It
sold for $189.90. The #88806C, with non-adjustable A-2 pickups, sold
for $159.90. Not shown was the #88806SC, which had the Multi-Harp
Triplextone changer installed on the center neck. It sold for $275.00.
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As shown on the
back cover (left) Carvin continued to offer DeArmond pickups in
1958. These pickups were designed for soundhole or F-hole
applications.
Carvin also began
including schematics for their guitars (right), showing how the
single, double and triple necks were wired. |
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