The Carvin Museum - 1977 Guitars

Pro Audio

In 1977, Carvin offered a selection of mixers, amps, speakers and other pro audio components and accessories for any performance situation on any budget. From small club systems with a 4-channel mixer and a pair of speakers, all the way up to concert systems with an 18-channel mixer, 4 power amps, and eight speakers and horns, Carvin had all the bases covered.

1977 Carvin Catalog Cover

Carvin offered a pair of stereo mixers n 1977, including their top-of-the-line SM1800 (above) and their SM1200 (right). Both mixers were stereo, with dual 10-band graphic equalizers, 3 VU meters, electronic crossovers and a variety of other features. The 18-channel SM1800 sold for $1249.00, and the 12-channel SM1200 sold for $899.99.

Carvin offered a pair of 10 channel mixers in 1977; the MP1000, which was a 250W powered console, and the MC1000, which was an unpowered model. Both had a single 10-band graphic equalizer, dual VU meters, electronic crossover, built in Hammond reverb and other features. The unpowered MC1000 sold for $569.00, and the powered MP1000 sold for $699.00.

Like the MP1000 series, the MP600 could be had in a 140W powered unit or a non-powered version (MC600). Both models had a 7-band graphic equalizer, VU meter, Hammond reverb and other features. The powered MP600 sold for $429.00, and the unpowered MC600 sold for $329.00.

The MP400 (left) was Carvin's basic mixer in 1977. It was a 4-channel, 125W RMS model with 2 inputs on each channel, as well as volume, bass, treble & reverb controls for each channel. Other features included master volume, bass, treble and reverb controls, monitor volume, headphone jack and preamp out jack. The MP400 sold for $279.95.

The ASG500 was Carvin's primary power amp in 1977. This was a dual-channel amp, producing 250W per channel @ 2 ohms. This unit was a standard 19" rack-mountable model, and came in it's own tolex-covered cabinet. The ASG500 sold for $439.95.

Carvin offered monitor systems, as well as individual monitors in 1977. The MS500 monitor speaker (above) was equipped with a 12" MagnaLab speaker, but could also be had with a JBL K120 12" speaker, making the actual monitor a model JBL517. Wither model was equipped with an Electro-Voice EV30A horn. The MS500 sold for $130.00, and the JBL equipped model sold for $199.00. Carvin also offered several monitor systems, with one or two speakers (in either the MagnaLab or JBL configuration) with an SV125 or SV250 power amp. For more on the SV125 & SV250 power amps, see the 1977 Guitar Amps page.

Below is the R520 horn, which was equipped with a JBL 2470 driver, and capable of handling 50 watts of power. It sold for $299.00. Identical in appearance, the R500 horn was equipped with an Electro-Voice driver, and could handle 60W RMS. It sold for $179.95. Both models featured Carvin's C-801 crossover, and tolex-covered cases.

The PS940 speaker (right) was equipped with a 15" MagnaLab speaker, EV30 horn and a C801 crossover. The price on this speaker was $189.00. It could also be ordered with a JBL K130 15" speaker for $259.00. Additionally, Carvin sold just the tolex-covered cabinet, with no speaker, but with the horn and crossover, for $139.00

For bass reinforcement, Carvin offered the JBL1330 folded horn speaker (right). This speaker came standard with a JBL K130 15" speaker in a folded-horn style cabinet. This model sold for $269.00. It was also sold with a 15" MagnaLab speaker for $209.00 (MAG1330). An empty cabinet could also be purchased for $159.00 (CAB1330).

Carvin was an authorized reseller of Shure microphones in the 1970's, and carried an assortment of mics for all applications. Shown at left is the industry-standard Shure SM58, which Carvin sold for $97.00.

Carvin offered a variety of pre-packaged PA systems in 1977. Shown at left is the Stage 1 system, which consisted of a pair of PS940 speakers with an MP600 6-channel mixer. It sold for $759.99. It could also be ordered with JBL speakers for $899.00. Both packages came required speaker cords.

Not shown in the catalog was the Club PA system. This system consisted of a 125 watt MP400 4-channel powered mixer with a pair of PS940 speakers. It sold for $549.95.

The Stage 2 system (left) also used the PS940 speakers, but included the MP1000 powered mixer. It sold for $1049.00. It could be ordered with JBL speakers for $1189.00.

The Stage 3 system (left) included an MP600 powered mixer, two MAG1330 speakers and two R500 horns. Package price on this system was $1179.00 It could be ordered as the System 4, which had upgraded JBL horns and JBL speakers. The System 4 sold for $1539.00

The Stage 5 system (left) consisted of an MP1000 powered mixer, MAG1330 speakers and R500 horns. It sold for $1749.00. The upgraded Stage 6 system, with JBL1330 speakers and R520 horns, sold for $2099.00.

The Stage 7 bi-amped system (left) consisted of two R500 horns, two MAG1330 speakers, an SM1200 12-channel stereo mixer and an ASG500 power amp. It sold for $2069.00. The Concert Stage 7, which had four MAG1330 speakers and four R500 horns, sold for $3199.00. The Stage 8 bi-amped system was the same as the Stage 7, with two JBL1330 speakers and two JBL-equipped R520 horns. It sold for $2439.00. The Concert Stage 8 had four JBL1330 speakers, four R520 horns, SM1200 mixer and ASG500 power amp. It sold for $3949.00.

The Stage 9 system consisted of an SM1800 mixer, ASG500 power amp, two R500 horns, two MAG1330 speakers, two crossovers and cables. It sold for $2399.00. The Stage 10 system had the same components, with JBL upgrades. The Concert Stage 9 system had two ASG500 amps, and 4 speakers and horns, and sold for $3529.00. The Concert Stage 10 had the same components as the Concert Stage 9, with JBL speakers & horns, and sold for $4275.00. The Super Concert Stage 9 had 4 ASG500 amps, and eight MAG1330 and eight R500 horns with am SM1800 mixer (shown, left). The Super Concert Stage 10 was the same as the Super Concert Stage 9, with JBL speakers and horns. It sold for $7295.00.