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.

1958 Basses 1958 Guitar Amps 1958 Bass Amps

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.

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.

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.

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). 

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.

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.

Carvin also began including schematics for their guitars (right), showing how the single, double and triple necks were wired.