Guitars
Quite a few things happened in
1992. The catalog photography was basically the same style, but
a new headstock design necessitated new pictures of the complete
line. New options and standard features were added, including
colored pickups, Sperzel locking tuners and a quick-release arm for
the Carvin-licensed Floyd Rose tremolo. The LS-175 was
discontinued after only one year, and the long-running DC150 was
retired...more or less.
The SH body style (below) was no longer
standard on the DC145, but it was still offered as an option on any
DC200-style guitar. Also, the DC150 was officially retired, but
the DC150 body was offered as an option on other DC200-bodied
guitars. The guitar below is actually considered a DC127, with
the "DC" option.
The Kahler Pro tremolo was also offered
again, and the new standard bridge was the FT6.
Also in
1992, quilted
maple tops were added to the available list of wood options.
This one feature would prove to be one of the most popular optional
items Carvin would offer. |
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The
addition of Sperzel locking tuners meant that a locking nut was no
longer needed on guitars equipped with tremolos. These were
available in gold, black and chrome, and could also be purchased
separately.
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In
addition to the M22N, M22T and M22SD, a new pickup was added for 1992,
the M22V. This pickup was designed for the neck position, and
had a sound similar to a '59 PAF.
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The DC125 (left), like all Carvins in
1992, got a new headstock shape. As in 1991, the
body was poplar, with rock maple neck-thru construction and ebony
fingerboard with MOP dot inlays. Base price on the DC127
remained
$469, or $569 with Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo. The HC10 case was
$70.
The DC125 in the catalog was Ferrari
Red, with Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo, red M22SD pickup and black hardware.
Except for the new headstock and FT6
bridge, the DC127 was unchanged from 1991, although the M22N pickup
was replaced with the new M22V. The DC127 remained priced at $519, or $619 with tremolo.
The catalog showed a DC127 in Electric
Green with black hardware and Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo, and one in Sapphire
Blue with black hardware and FT6 fixed bridge. |
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The DC135 (above) was unchanged,
using the same electronics and construction of it's predecessor.
The base price of the DC135 held at $569, or $669 with tremolo.
The catalog photo showed a DC135 with
tung-oiled koa neck & body, Carvin-licensed Floyd Rose tremolo, and gold hardware.

The Ultra V and X220
remained unchanged (except for the new headstocks), and was given a similar two-page spread
as in 1991. The X220 also got coil splitters as a standard option for
this year. This was the last full year either model would be offered,
although the Ultra V would still be in the 1st quarter catalog on
1993. Base price on the Ultra V was unchanged at
$529, or
$629 with tremolo. The X220 was also priced the same, at $569, or $669
with tremolo. The HC19 hardshell case for either was $80.

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The DC200 (near left), DC120
(far left) and DC400
(right) were essentially the same as 1991, although the DC400 got the
new M22V pickup in the neck position, and an M22T in the bridge
position. Base price on the DC200 was still $669 ($769 with tremolo), and
the DC120 rose slightly to $769. The DC400 dropped to $1099 ($1199 with tremolo).
The catalog showed the DC120 in black
with gold hardware, DC200 in gloss koa with gold hardware, and the DC400 was
shown in Emerald Green on quilted maple with tremolo, reverse headstock
and gold hardware, and flamed Sapphire Blue with tremolo and black
hardware.
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The DC145 (left)
changed significantly
in 1992. It no longer sported the "SH" rounded body
option as a standard feature. The reverse headstock was still
standard, but a standard headstock could be ordered. Electronics
consisted of black pickups - an M22V, M22T and H60N. Base price
on the DC145 was unchanged at $599, or $699 with tremolo.
The catalog showed a DC145 in Jet Black
with black hardware and tremolo, and in Pearl Blue with black
hardware, tremolo, an optional inline headstock.
The DN612
(right) & DN640 (not shown) were unchanged from 1991, but the 12-inline headstock
was dropped. Traditional headstocks were standard, but 6-string
inline headstocks, as well as 4-string bass inline headstocks, were
offered. As in previous years, only
the DN612 was shown, not the DN640 or DN440. The
price remained the same, at $1399 for any model, Plus $90 for the
HC15 case.
The DN612 shown in the catalog was Jet
Black with chrome hardware.
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For a number of years, Carvin had been
offering a wide variety of swag, which continues to this day.
Customers could choose from a variety of tee shirts, jackets and caps,
so they could show their love for their Carvin gear! |
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