After taking a year off in 1998, Carvin offered quite a few new items for 1999.  The most significant was the DC727 and DC747 7-string guitars.  7-string guitars and gained in popularity in the late 90's, and Carvin stepped up to the plate and offered a pair of models with all the options and quality construction of their other models.  Also new for 1999 was the AC375 true acoustic, equipped with Fishman electronics.  Two new colors were added, Pearl Silver and Harlequin Prismatique.  To take advantage of the new HP finish, the Crowe Option Package was added to the TL60.

The pictures and prices on this page are from the Fall '99 catalog, and at the time, the HC11 hardshell case, rounded body sides and matching headstock were offered for free.  On the Bolt, the HC11 case and pearloid pickguard was offered for free, and on the TL60, the HC11 case and matching headstock was offered for free.

Click each picture for a larger version.

The Bolt got a new catalog photo, but the guitar itself remained unchanged.  The price rose slightly, to $489, and the Bolt-T, with Wilkinson tremolo, had a base price of $549.   

The catalog photo showed a Bolt in Classic Sunburst, and chrome hardware, and a Bolt-T in clear gloss finish, Sperzel tuners, red tortoise pickguard, Wilkinson tremolo and chrome hardware.  The inset photo showed a Bolt-T in Sapphire Blue with maple fingerboard, white pearloid pickguard, C22T humbucker and black chrome hardware.

The DC127 (near right) and DC135 (far right), were unchanged for 1999, and the DC127 was actually the same guitar as in earlier catalogs, but on a new background.  The prices rose slightly on the DC127, starting at $559 while the DC135 remained at $569.

The catalog showed the DC127 in tung-oiled koa with matching headstock and rounded body sides, Wilkinson tremolo and gold hardware.  The DC135 was shown in Blueburst with matching headstock and standard (non-rounded) body sides, and gold hardware.

The TL60 finally got a new photo, in part to show off the new Crowe Option Package (far right), created for Brooks & Dunn guitarist Charlie Crowe, who had been a TL60 endorser. The option package's most noticeable feature was the new Harlequin Prismatique finish, which was a blue-grayish paint imbedded with holographic flakes that made the guitar appear to be different colors depending on the angle it was viewed at. (To see a real HP finish, look here).  The Crowe package also had a matching reverse headstock, body binding, and DC127-style dual humbuckers.  This package added $250 to the base price of the TL60, and other options such as tremolo and hardware finishes could be added   Base price rose slightly on the hardtail model to $559, and $619 with Wilkinson tremolo.  

The catalog photo showed a TL60 in Classic White with matching headstock, maple fingerboard C22T pickup and black hardware, and in with the new Crowe Option Package with black hardware.

The SC90 was unchanged, and the same catalog photo was used as in '98, although it was cut into the new page layout.  Prices remained the same, at $579, while the SC90T with Wilkinson tremolo remained $629, and the SC90C, with Floyd Rose tremolo, remained $669.  

The catalog showed an SC90 with the Custom Flame Package (Ruby Red Stain), with gold hardware and cream pickups, and an SC90 in classic sunburst with alder neck and body, rounded body sides, cream/black pickups and chrome hardware.

Another year, another innovation.  This time, it was a pair of 7-string guitars, the DC727 (near right) and DC747 (far right).  7-string guitars had gained in popularity, and Carvin once again was ahead of the curve, offering a high quality, option-laden model at a great price.  Both of these models were based on the DC200, with the same construction material, methods and options, with the addition of a low B string on a slightly wider, 25½" scale neck.  The DC727 was equipped with C26 humbuckers, single volume and tone controls, and 3-way pickup selector.  DC200-style active/passive electronics were an available option.  The DC747 had the pair of C26 humbuckers and an AP13 single coil with single volume and tone controls and 5-way switch.  Sperzel tuners were standard on both models, as was the FT7 bridge.

The catalog photo showed the DC727 in Emerald Green with rounded body sides, matching headstock and chrome hardware, and the DC747 in Pearl Silver with matching headstock, rounded body sides and black hardware.

The Holdsworth was unchanged for 1999, and the prices remained the same. Base price on the H1 was $749, or $799 with Wilkinson tremolo, and the H2 was $799, or $849 with Wilkinson tremolo.  There were two new cousins to the Holdsworths - the HF1 Fatboy, and the HF2 Fatboy.  These were basically the same as their counterparts, but with a thicker body (2 3/8" versus 1 3/4") and a set-in maple neck, instead of alder.  The HF1 sold for $849, and the HF2 sold for $899.

The catalog showed the HF1 in Antique Brown Stain on flamed maple with matching headstock and chrome hardware, and the H2 in Emerald Green on flamed maple with matching headstock and chrome hardware.

The AE185 and AE185-12 were unchanged for 1999.  The base price of the AE185 remained $799, and the base price of the AE185-12 was $849.

The catalog showed a AE185 in flamed koa with matching  headstock, body binding, coil splitters and phase switches and black hardware, and an AE185 in Tobacco Sunburst on quilted maple with matching headstock and coil splitters and phase switches and black hardware.  The inset photo showed an AE185-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and gold hardware.

The AC175 and AC275 remained the same.  Base price on the AC175 dropped to $649, and base price on the AC275 dropped to $699.  The AC275-12 dropped to $749.

The catalog showed an AC175 with natural spruce top, gold hardware, and inline headstock.  The AC275 was shown in Classic Sunburst on flamed maple with body binding and chrome hardware.  The inset photo showed the AC275-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and black hardware.