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 Guitars
Like the bass line, very little changed in
Carvin's guitar line for 1967. All the U.S. made models were unchanged,
and the imported #I-909 was changed only in name (it was called the
#I-902 in 1966). The doubleneck #4-BS was slightly different, with
interesting angled pickups.
Click each picture for a
larger version.
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The
model #65-SGB (left) and the model #35-SGB (near
right) were unchanged from their 1966 versions, despite the catalog
saying these were "all new" guitars. Even the catalog pictures
and pricing were unchanged - although these models were changed in
1966, so most likely, the same catalog page was used to cut
production costs.
As in
1966, the #35-SGB was offered in a left-handed version, the
#10-LSGB (far right). It had the same features as the
#35-SGB.
The
model #65-SGB sold for $159.90, and was not offered with
non-adjustable pickups. The #35-SGB sold for $119.90 and was
offered as the #45-SGB with non-adjustable A-1 pickups for $99.90.
The Bigsby Vibrato (shown on the #65-SGB) was available in either
for an additional $29.90. The #10-LSGB was $139.90, and was
not offered with non-adjustable pickups or a Bigsby. |
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The
model #1-MS doubleneck (far left) was unchanged from 1966, as
was the model #1-MB mandolin (near left) that it shared parts
with. Both had maple necks and bodies, and rosewood
fingerboards. They also both came standard with Carvin's AP
series adjustable pickups. The #1-MS sold for $229.90, or
$199.90 in the #2-MS configuration, with non-adjustable pickups.
The #1-MB sold for $89.90, or $79.90 as the #2-MB, with
non-adjustable pickups.
The
#4-BS bass/guitar doubleneck was changed slightly from 1966 -
the pickups were mounted at an unusual angle. Other than that,
it was the same as the previous year. Price on the #4-BS was
$229.90, or $199.90 as the #5-BS, with non-adjustable pickups.
The
Bigsby Vibrato was offered on the #1-MS and #4-BS for an
additional $29.90. |
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In
1967, Carvin offered it's first 12-string guitar, the model #12-A
(right). This guitar was made from the same components as the
#35-SGB, with the necessary modifications to facilitate 12 strings.
An interesting note about this guitar is that it appeared on the
back cover, almost as an afterthought. There was a note
indicating that it wouldn't be available until May 1st, 1966, which
would seem to indicate that the 1967 catalog was actually issued
sometime in 1966. Price on the #12-A was $199.90, and it
wasn't offered with non-adjustable pickups.
The
model #I-909 guitar (left) was an entry-level imported model.
It was identical to the 1966 #I-902, but had a new name. It
was made from mahogany with rosewood fingerboard, 3 adjustable
(non-Carvin) pickups, on/off switches for each pickup, master volume
and master tone control and tremolo. The price on the #I-907
was $69.90.
The
imported model #I-905 Spanish acoustic guitar that had been offered
in 1966 was no longer available.
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In
the fifties and sixties, Carvin included pickup wiring schematics in
the catalog. They had made their name initially by selling
pickups, so providing this information was of obvious benefit to
potential customers. |
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The 1967
model #6DHG-5B 6-string steel guitar (far left) and the model
#8DHG-5B 8-string steel guitar (2nd from left) were unchanged from 1966.
Both were made from maple, and had AP series pickups. The #6DHG-5B
sold for $49.90, and the #8DHG-5B sold for $69.90. Both were also
offered with non-adjustable A series pickups.
The model
#1010-1 doubleneck ten-string (center, left) was new for 1967. It
too was made from maple, and had AP-10 adjustable pickups with master volume
and master tone controls. It sold for $159.90. The model
#10-1 ten-string steel guitar (center, right) was similar to the DHG
series, but in a 10-string configuration. It sold for $99.90.
The
#6606-D doubleneck 6-string (2nd from right) was unchanged from 1966,
and sported the same features and construction as the other models.
Price on it was $89.90, or $75.00 with non-adjustable A-2 pickups (model
#6606-E). The model #8806-D doubleneck eight-string steel
guitar (far right) sold for $119.90, or $99.90 with non-adjustable pickups
(#8806-E).
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In
addition to the wide assortment of steel guitars offered by Carvin
in 1967, they also offered plenty of accessories. Like today,
steel guitars couldn't be ordered without a case, to protect the
instrument during shipping. Carvin also sold telescoping legs
which would fit any of the above steel guitars. |
Carvin
offered several pedal steel guitars in 1967. First up was the model
#61 (below), which was unchanged from 1966. This was an 8-string,
6 pedal instrument made from natural maple with chrome hardware and a single
AP-8 pickup. The model #61 sold for $349.90. Not shown was the
model #41, which was identical in construction to the model #61, but had 4
pedals. It sold for $299.90. Also offered was the model #81,
which was a doubleneck 8-string model with 8 pedals. It sold for
$499.90.
The model
#1010-A doubleneck 10-string pedal steel was new, and was Carvin's top of
the line in steel guitars for 1967. Like the #61 above, it had a
crackle-finished aluminum frame, maple bodies and plastic fingerboards (most
steel guitars had synthetic fingerboards; ebony or rosewood wasn't necessary
since the strings didn't actually touch the surface). The #1010-A had
a pair of AP-10 adjustable pickups, and master volume and master tone
controls. It sold for $599.90. Also offered was the model #10-A,
which was a single-neck 10-string model with 6 pedals. It sold for
$399.90.
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Below is a great example of the
#1-MS doubleneck. This particular model is owned by
Teisco Del Rey, and was featured in a 1980's issue of Guitar World
magazine. The #1-MS is vintage Carvin,
with sunburst finish on maple body, Carvin-made mandolin neck, Hofner-made guitar neck (both with rosewood fingerboards) and Kluson
tuners. The pickups are Carvin AP-series, each with an on-off
switch. A Bigsby vibrato, which was optional on most Carvin
guitars, rounds out the package.
The
article that accompanied the photo (left) has a wealth of
information on this model and other models from the 1960's.
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