 GuitarsSo many things happened with Carvin in
1988 that it's tough to summarize them all. First, and most
obvious, Carvin adopted a new logo, ending the "curved C"
logo that had been in use since the early 70's. Also, the
catalog got it's first major renovation in 10 years. Everything
about the catalog was different - new photographs, new layout, more technical
specs and much more.
Click each picture for a larger
version.
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Carvin's guitars and
basses went through their most dramatic changes since the set-neck
design was introduced in 1979. The most significant change was
the implementation of neck-thru design, where the neck wood ran the
entire length of the guitar, with body "wings" glued on the
side. A new 6-inline headstock was added, but the traditional
3X3 and V headstocks were still available as options on all
single-neck models, as was a reverse inline headstock. New pearl
finishes were added, including Pearl Purple, Pearl Yellow, Light Pearl
Blue and Pearl Green. Translucent blue, yellow, red, and green
were added to a flamed maple top. Original Floyd Rose tremolos
were added in addition to the Kahler models (only the Kahler Pro was
offered now; the Flyer had been discontinued). Metal knobs were
also standard on all models except the DC150. Lastly, the SH225
began to make it's exit - it wasn't shown in the catalog, but was
still available.
Carvin guitars got a new
standard fixed bridge in 1988 - the LP6. Only the 12-string
models continued to use the N12 tailpiece and TB12 bridge that had
been used since 1983. This bridge would only be standard in
1988, and would be replaced by the 2-piece Gibson-style tune-o-matic
bridge with stopbar tailpiece. Like other hardware, it was
available in chrome (standard), gold or black chrome. The FTB6 was
still offered in the parts department, and presumably was still standard
on the SH225. |


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The DC125 was a
single pickup guitar, with an M22SD pickup, single volume control and
coil splitter. Like all Carvin's, it was constructed of rock
maple, with ebony fingerboard (clear maple fingerboard was
optional). Chrome hardware was standard, as was MOP dot
inlays. Floyd Rose or Kahler tremolos were optional. Base
price on the DC125 was $399, plus $60 for the HC11 hardshell
case.
The catalog photo showed a
DC125 in Light Pearl Blue, with Floyd Rose trem and black hardware.
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The DC135 was the
same design as it's predecessor, with a single M22SD pickup and a pair
of H11 stacked humbuckers. It had a single volume and tone
control, and 3 on/off mini switches (for each pickup). Chrome
hardware was standard, as was MOP dot inlays. Floyd Rose or
Kahler tremolos were optional. Base price on the DC135 was $499,
plus $60 for the HC11 hardshell case.
The catalog photo
showed a DC135 in Black, with Kahler Pro trem and gold hardware. |
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The Ultra V got
some additional cosmetic changes, in addition to the new neck-thru
design. The body edges were scalloped, versus the more angular
edges of the '87 model, which gave an even sleeker, more aggressive
look. It had all the features and options of other Carvin
guitars, with the exception of left-handed models, maple fingerboard,
and 3X3 headstock. Electronics consisted of an M22 in the neck
position, and an M22SD in the bridge position, with single volume and
tone controls. Base price on the Ultra V was $439, and the HC19
hardshell case was $79.
The catalog photo
showed an Ultra V in black, with Floyd Rose tremolo and black
hardware. |

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The V220 enjoyed
all the new features and options offered in 1988, and continued to be
very popular. Construction materials and techniques were the
same as other Carvin models, including neck-thru design, rock maple
body and neck, ebony fingerboard and MOP inlays. It was also
available with a maple fingerboard, and with the new 6-inline
headstock. Electronics consisted of an M22 in the neck position,
and an M22SD in the bridge position, with dual volume/single tone
controls, pickup selector, and coil splitters. Base price on the
V220 was $469, plus $79 for the SC19 hardshell case.
The catalog photo
showed a V220 in white, with Kahler Pro trem and black hardware. |
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The venerable DC150
Stereo retained it's basic look from previous years, with it's
traditional headstock and vintage plastic knobs. However, it
could be ordered with a V or 6-inline headstock. Pickups were
changed to the H11 stacked humbuckers, but the M22's could be ordered
as an option. The stereo electronics included dual volume and
tone controls, pickup selector, and phase and coil switches.
Base price on the DC150 Stereo was $499, and the HC10 hardshell case
was $60.
The catalog photo
showed a DC150 in clear finish with black hardware. |
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The DC200 Koa
gave the best view of the new neck-thru design - the 2-piece maple neck
was clearly visible with the koa body wings. Electronics
consisted of standard stereo wiring, and a pair of M22 pickups with
dual volume/tone controls, pickup selector, and coil/phase
mini-switches. MOP block inlays were standard, but dot inlays
could be ordered, as could the traditional or V headstocks. Base
price on the DC200 Koa was $599, plus $60 for the HC11 case.
The catalog photo
showed the DC200 with standard bridge and optional gold hardware. |
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The DC200 Stereo
was identical to it's koa counterpart, with the exception of the
finish. Electronics consisted of standard stereo wiring, and a
pair of M22 pickups with dual volume/tone controls, pickup selector,
and coil/phase mini-switches. MOP block inlays were standard,
but dot inlays could be ordered, as could the traditional or V
headstocks. Base price on the DC200 Stereo was $559, plus $60
for the HC11 case.
The catalog photo
showed the DC200 Stereo in Pearl Red, with Floyd Rose tremolo and
black hardware.

The DC120
was a twelve string version of the DC200 Stereo. Dot inlays were
standard, as were H11 stacked humbuckers. Otherwise, it was the
same as the DC200. Base price was $579. |

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The DC400 Stereo
was the top of the line for 1988, and it showed what Carvin guitars
would become in later years with it's standard flamed maple top and
choice of translucent finishes. Electronics were the same as the
DC200 Stereo, and it could also be ordered with the electronics
package of the DC135. Abalone block inlays were standard, as
were any choice of hardware color. Base price on the DC400
Stereo was $799, and the HC11 hardshell case was $60.
The catalog photo
showed the DC400 Stereo in translucent yellow, with Kahler Pro tremolo
and black hardware. |
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Like the DC120, the DN612
sported one of the most unusual features ever seen on a Carvin guitar
- the 12-inline headstock. This one feature made this guitar
instantly recognizable as a Carvin, but traditional 6X6 and 3X3
headstocks were available if desired. The upper horn was longer
than the DC200 (in previous years the DN shared the same dimensions), and the 12-string neck used the
older Schaller bridge/tailpiece combination. Electronics
consisted of dual H11 stacked humbuckers on the 12-string, and one M22
and one H11 on the 6-string. Each neck had single volume and
tone controls, phase switch, and dual coil/single coil/off switch for
each pickup. The DN640 featured the same configuration, with
H13B pickups on the bass neck. On both models, there was an
input for each neck. Base price on the DN612 and DN640 was
$1099, and the HC15 case was $89.
The catalog photo
showed the DN612 in black, with optional abalone block inlays, Kahler
Pro tremolo and gold hardware.
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As far back as the 60's,
Carvin sold necks by themselves, however, these were bolt-on Hofner
necks that were used at the time. In 1988, in conjunction with
the introduction of neck-thru design, Carvin offered the identical
necks used on the current lineup of their guitars and basses.
These were maple necks, with ebony fingerboards , mother-of-pearl dot
inlays and were pre-drilled for Carvin tuners. Block inlays and
maple fingerboards were also offered. A standard guitar neck,
with traditional (3X3), V or inline headstock sold for $149. |
This is
the hand-written control schematic that was included with new guitars
and basses in 1988. The original printed control schematic was
also included (the same one as had been used since the early 80's), but
with the new electronics configurations that were offered in 1988, this
diagram had to be drawn up and included with new purchases. |
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