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 Guitars
There were some changes
for 1974 in the guitar department, but not many. The models,
features, and even the photography remained basically the same as
1973, and would continue to do so until 1975. Click
each picture to see the entire catalog page.
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The AS50B
(far left) was a semi-acoustic guitar, with a bolt-on Höfner neck. The
top was spruce, and the back and sides were flamed maple, finished in
sunburst with
"polyester" clear coat. Amenities included cast aluminum
bridge and tailpiece, white MOP pickguard, Kluson tuners, 22-fret rosewood
fingerboard on maple neck and MOP fingerboard and headstock inlays.
Electronics consisted of a pair of AP6 humbucking pickups with dual volume and
tone controls and 3-way selector switch. Prices had jumped since 1973,
to $229.95 for the basic model, or $259.90 with a Bigsby tailpiece. A
left-handed model was available for $239.95, or in a 12-string version for
$209.90. The AC11 soft case was $18.95.
The CM95
(second from left) was a solid maple, single cutaway guitar with a bolt-on
maple Hofner neck. It was only available in clear satin natural finish,
and featured a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, MOP inlays, Kluson tuners, cast
aluminum bridge and celluloid pickguard. Electronics consisted of a pair
of AP6 humbucking pickups with dual volume and tone controls and 3-way
selector switch. Base price rose to $239.95, or $269.95 with a Bigsby
tailpiece. A left-handed model was available for $249.95. The SC14
hardshell case was $32.95.
The SS75
(second from right) and SS65 (far right) were essentially the same
instrument, with the only difference being the construction and finish.
The SS75 was made of solid maple, with a clear satin natural finish. The
SS65 was made of "lighter high quality wood" with sunburst finish.
Both models had otherwise the same amenities as the CM95. The SS75 sold
for $179.95, or $209.95 with Bigsby tailpiece. Although a left-handed
model was offered in 1973, this was not mentioned in the 1974 catalog.
The SS65 sold for $159.95, or $189.95 with Bigsby tailpiece. The SC15
hardshell case was $32.95.
To see the
complete catalog write-up for these instruments,
click
here.
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New for 1974 was the SS85
(left). This was basically an SS75 with the #800 neck of the
CM95, resulting in a hybrid instrument. Electronics were the
same as the SS75, and the SS85 was offered with a conventional
tailpiece or with a Bigsby vibrato. The SS85 sold for $219.95,
or $229.95 with the Bigsby.
The SS120
(right) was also new for 1974. A 12-string version of the AS50B
had been offered in 1973, and the DTS90B doubleneck had a 12-string
neck, but this was the first solid-body 12-string sold by
Carvin. The body, electronics and all features were the same as
the SS75. The SS120 sold for $199.95. |
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The features of the DTS90B
(right) were basically the same as the SS75 guitar - that is,
Hofner bolt-on necks with rosewood fingerboards, AP6 pickups
with 3-way selector switch. Additionally, the necks were wired
independently of each other, so each neck could be plugged into a
different amp. The 6-string neck was available with or without
the Bigsby vibrola. The
DTS90B sold for $319.95, and the DNS98 (without the Bigsby) sold for $289.95.
A left-handed model was not available. The SC27 hardshell case
was $34.95.
The features of the DBS98B
(left) were basically the same as the SB60 bass, and the SS75 guitar.
Like the DTS90B, each neck could be plugged into a different
amp. The guitar neck was available with or without the Bigsby vibrola. The DBS98B sold for 289.95, or $319.95 with the Bigsby. |
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The end of Carvin's
dominance in the steel guitar market was just about done by
1974. At the height of their popularity, Carvin offered as many
as 10 models, but in 1974, there were only two and their variants: the
PRO 6 and 8-string models.
The PRO-S8
8-string (near right) sold for $89.95. The PRO-D6
doubleneck 6-string (far right) sold for $124.95. Also available
was the PRO-S6 6-string model for $79.95, and the PRO-D8
doubleneck 8-string, which was $144.95. A set of telescoping
chrome-plated screw-in legs was available for $18.95, and the SC12
hardshell case sold for $27.95. |
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