Basses

1976 saw a completely new lineup of Carvin basses.  Gone was the semi-hollow AB45, the SB60 was upgraded, the doubleneck was totally redesigned and renamed, and two new models were introduced.  Additionally, the catalog took the shape it would retain until the late 80's, giving a full page to each model, and being printed entirely in color for the first time.

Click each picture for the entire catalog page.

The SB60 short-scale bass was upgraded, and christened the SB61.  1976 was the only year this model would be produced, as new styling and features would come about in 1977.

Like it's predecessor, the SB61 featured an Eastern hardrock maple body, which is where the similarities end.  Although the neck was still made by Höfner, it actually had a Carvin model number - in this case, model #750.  This bolt-on 30" scale maple neck featured a rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays and white celluloid binding.  Tuners were chrome plated Schallers, model #M4S.

Electronics included two APH-4N humbucking pickups, with volume and tone controls for each, as well as a 3-way pickup selector switch, and phase switch.

Other amenities included a full size pickguard (versus the "half" pickguard of the SB60), adjustable aluminum bridge, brass tailpiece, and a chrome-plated pickup cover.

Price on the SB61 was $229.00, or $239.00 for a left-handed model.  The HC16 hardshell case was an additional $46.00.

New for 1976 was the CB100, Carvin's first stereo bass.  This was a single-cutaway body style, made of Eastern hardrock maple with clear finish.

The 30" scale bolt-on maple neck, model #780, featured a rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl block inlays and MOP headstock inlays, and while celluloid binding.  Tuners were chrome plated Schallers, model #M4S.

The revolutionary stereo electronics included two APH-4N humbucking pickups, with volume and tone controls for each, as well as an on/off switch for each, and a phase switch.  There were two inputs; one for monaural, and one for stereo.

Other features included a fully-adjustable aluminum bridge, brass tailpiece, and elevated pickguard.

Price on the CB100 was $279.00, and $289.00 for the left-handed model.  The HC18 case was an additional $46.00.

This is the only year this model would be produced.

Also new for 1976 was the LB70, which was destined to be Carvin's longest-running model.  This P-bass style instrument was also Carvin's first effort at a standard (or long) scale bass (hence the "LB" designation; Long Bass).

The body of the LB70 was made from Eastern hardrock maple, like the other basses from this year.  The 34" scale maple neck, model #650,  featured a rosewood fingerboard, MOP dot inlays, and white celluloid binding.  Tuners were chrome-plated jumbo Schallers, model #M4SL.

The LB70 was available in mono or stereo models, and featured two APH-4N humbucking pickups, with volume and tone controls for each, as well as a 3-way pickup selector switch, and phase switch.

Other features included a brass tune-o-matic bridge, pickguard, and chrome-plated bridge cover.

Price on the LB70 was $239.00, or $259.00 for the stereo model.  A left-handed model was not available.  The HC17 hardshell case was an additional $46.00.

Finally, Carvin continued it's tradition of doublenecks with the new DB620.  The most obviously difference between this model and it's predecessors was that the bass neck was on top, whereas the guitar neck had normally been on top (and would be again in the future).

The DB620 featured an Eastern hardrock maple body, with a model #780 bass neck and model #850 guitar neck.  Both of these maple bolt-on necks had rosewood fingerboards, mother-of-pearl block and headstock inlays, and white celluloid neck bindings.  Schaller #M4S jumbo tuners were on the 30" scale bass neck, and Schaller #M6 tuners were on the 25¼" guitar neck.

Each neck used APH-4N humbucking pickups, with a single volume and tone control and phase switches.  Each neck also had it's own on/off switch, allowing both necks to be played at the same time.  There were also two input jacks; one for each neck.

The DB620 sold for $449.00, or $489.00 with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece on the guitar.  A left-handed model was not available.  The HC19 hardshell case was $51.00.