Carvin Guitar models 1970 - 2006

The matrix below shows most of the standard and optional features of Carvin guitars over the past 30+ years, as well as construction style and materials, hardware, electronics and so on. Because Carvin has offered so many options, and accommodated special requests for custom features, not every conceivable option or feature is represented. Additionally, many features were offered as "unofficial options" before they were introduced, or after the feature in question was officially retired.

Prior to 1970, the top-of-the-line Carvin guitars were made with maple Höfner necks, rosewood fingerboards, Kluson tuners, and unspecified bridges and tailpieces.  Bigsby vibrolas were optional on most, standard on some.  Bodies were maple, and in some cases, were unspecified hardwoods.  All guitars had AP-series adjustable humbuckers, and A-series non-adjustable humbuckers were optional.  All Carvin guitars were finished in either natural or sunburst - no colors of any sort.  There were some imports sold at various times throughout the 1960's that had unspecified components and materials.

Note that Cobalt acoustic guitars, and their features, are not represented here.

Current Models 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Bolt X X X X X X X X X X
Bolt+ X X X X X
C66 X X X X
CT3 X X X
CT4 X X X
CT6 X X X
DC127 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC135 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC145 X X X X X
DC150 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC200 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC120 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC400 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
SC90 X X X X X X X X X X X X
TL60 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DC727 X X X X X X X X
DC747 X X X X X X X X
H2 X X X X X X X X X X X
HF2 X X X X X X X X
AE185 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
AE185-12 X X X X X X X X X X
AC175 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
AC275 X X X X X X X X X X X
AC275-12 X X X X X X X X X X
AC375 X X X X X X X X
CC275 X X X X X X
CC275-12 X X X X X X
CL450 X X X X X X
Discontinued Models 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
AS120 X
AS55 X X
AS51 X  
AS50 X X X X X X
SS65 X X X X X X
SS66             X
SS70 X X X      
SS75       X X X
SS76             X
SS85         X X
SS120         X X
CM95       X X X
CM96             X
CM120 X
CM130 X X X X X X X
CM140 X X X X X X X X X
BC130 X
DC100 X X X X X X
DC125 X X X X X X X
DC160 X X X X X X X X X
LS175 X
DC300 X
SH225 X X X X X X X X X
ABS95   X X  
AMS90   X X  
DTS90       X
DBS90       X
DB630 X X
DT640 X    
DT650 X X
DN640 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
DN612 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
V220 X X X X X X
X220 X X X
Ultra V X X X X X X X
AE150 X
H1 X X X X
HF1   X
Body Construction 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Bolt-on Hofner neck, maple body X X X X X X X
Bolt-on maple Carvin neck, poplar body     X                    
Bolt-on maple Carvin neck, maple body X X                    
Bolt-on maple Carvin neck, alder (standard), swamp ash, walnut, koa or mahogany body     X X X X X X X X X X
Set alder neck, alder body  (H1 & H2)     X X X X X X X X X X X
Set maple neck,birch back & top  (HF1 & HF2)           X X X X X X X X
Set mahogany neck, mahogany body (CT6)                     X X X
Set maple neck, maple body X X X X X X X X X
Set koa neck, koa body X X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, maple sides X X
Maple neck thru, poplar sides X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, alder sides X X X X X X X X X X X
Alder neck thru (2 piece), alder sides X X X X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, swamp ash sides X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, koa sides X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Koa neck thru (2 piece), koa sides X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Flamed koa top             X X X X X X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, mahogany sides X X X X X X X X X X X X
Mahogany neck thru (2 piece) mahogany sides X X X X X X X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, walnut sides X X X X X X X X
Walnut neck thru, walnut sides X X X X X X X X
Maple neck thru, swamp ash sides X X X X X X
Mahogany neck-thru, back and sides, Engleman spruce top X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Mahogany neck-thru, back and sides, cedar top X X X X X X
Steel reinforced neck X X                    
Graphite reinforced neck   X X X X X X X X X X
5-piece neck X X X X X X X X X X X
3-piece Anniversary body X X X X X X X X X X X
Flamed maple top X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Quilted maple top X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Reverse body X X X
Carved top X X X
Rounded body sides X X X X X X X X X X X
Standard Strat-style rounded body sides (DC145) X X X
Optional Strat-style rounded body sides X X X
Rosewood fingerboard  X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Ebony fingerboard X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Maple fingerboard X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Birdseye maple fingerboard X X X X X X
24.25" scale length

X

24.5" scale length X
24.75" scale length X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
25" scale X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
25.5" scale (Holdsworth, Bolt, 7-strings, LS175) X X X X X X X X X X X X
Hardware 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Brass nut X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Graphite nut X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Chrome hardware (standard) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Gold hardware X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Black chrome hardware X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Kluson tuners X X X X X X
Schaller tuners X X X X X X X X X X X
Carvin tuners X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Sperzel tuners X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Aluminum bridge X X X X X X X
Schaller TB6 tune-o-matic bridge/N6 tailpiece X X X X X X X
1-piece Schaller FTB6 fine-tuning bridge/tailpiece X X X X X
Schaller B6 bridge/tailpiece (no fine-tuners) X X X X X
LP6 bridge/tailpiece X
ST6 stopbar/TM6 tune-o-matic bridge X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
TM6 tune-o-matic bridge/thru body strings (M series) X X X X
FT6 fixed bridge X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
FT7 fixed bridge X X X X X X X X
String saver saddles X X X X X X X X X X X X
AG6 ebony acoustic bridge X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Bigsby Vibrola X X X X X X X X
Kahler Pro tremolo X X X X X X X
Kahler Flyer tremolo X    
Kahler Fulcrum tremolo X
Original Floyd Rose tremolo X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Carvin-licensed Floyd Rose tremolo X X X
Carvin-licensed Floyd Rose 7-string tremolo     X X X X X X
Wilkinson tremolo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Headstocks 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Square decal logo X X X X X X
Curved inlaid logo X X X X X X X X X X X X
Block logo X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"Wide-top" traditional (3X3) headstock       X X X X X X
Strat style (some models) X X X X X X X
Traditional (3X3) headstock - standard on all (ex. X & V's) X X X X X X X X X
Traditional (3X3) headstock - standard on some models X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
4X2 headstock X X X X X X X X X X X
4X3 headstock X X X X X X X X
12-inline headstock X X X X
Arrow headstock X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"Jackson style" headstock X X
Sharp angled headstock X X
Sharp straight headstock X X X X
Rounded straight headstock X X X X X X X X X X X X
California headstock X X X
Reissue "pointy"  headstock (same as 90/91) X X X
Headstock matching color/wood of body X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
3 screws in truss rod cover X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
1 screw in truss rod cover X X X X X X X X
Pickups 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Active electronics X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
White AP series pickups X X X      
Black AP series pickups       X X X X X
Chrome AP series pickups               X
Dual APH6 humbuckers X X X X X X
Three APH6 humbuckers X X X      
Dual APH6 humbuckers w/ phase switch X X
4 pickup mounting screws in bezel X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X                      
3 pickup mounting screws in bezel                                     X X X X X X X X X X X
Cream M22 series pickups X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Black M22 series pickups                 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Red M22 series pickups                             X X X X X X                  
Black/Cream M22 series pickups                             X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Black/Red M22 series pickups                             X X X X X X                  
Dual M22 humbuckers X X X X X X
Dual M22 humbuckers
w/ phase switch and coil splitters		 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Single M22SD humbucker
w/ coil splitter		 X X X X X X X
M22 humbucker (neck) & M22SD (bridge) X X X X X X X
M22SD (bridge) & 2 H11 stacked humbuckers X X X
Dual H11 stacked humbuckers X
M22SD (bridge), M22 (neck), H11 (middle) X
M22 (bridge) & 2 H60 stacked humbuckers X X
M22SD (bridge), M22 (neck), H60 (middle) X
M22N (neck) & M22T (bridge) X
M22N (neck), M22T (bridge) & H60N (middle) X
M22T (bridge) & two H60 stacked humbuckers X
M22V (neck) & M22T (bridge) X X X X
Single M22 (bridge) dual S60 single-coils X X X
M22 (bridge), M22 (neck), S60 (middle) X
Dual S60 single coils X X X X X
F60 acoustic transducer X X X X X X X
Dual C22 humbuckers X X X X X X X X X X X
C22N (neck) & C22T (bridge) humbuckers X X X X X X X
C22T (bridge) dual S60 single coils X X X X X
Single H22 humbucker (Holdsworth) X X X X X
Dual H22 humbuckers (Holdsworth) X X X X X X X X X X X
Triple AP11 single coils X X X X X X X X X X
C22N (neck), C22T (bridge) & F60 acoustic transducer X X X X X
Dual AP11 single coils X X X X X X X X
C22T humbucker, dual AP11 single coils X X X X
Dual C26 humbuckers (DC727) X X X X X X X X
Dual C26 humbuckers, single AP13 single coil (DC747) X X X X X X X X
Fishman acoustic bridge (in conjunction with other configurations) X X X X X X
C22N (neck), C22T (bridge) & LR Baggs ribbon acoustic X X
LR Baggs ribbon acoustic X X X X X X
C22N (neck) & C22B (bridge) humbuckers X X X X
C22B humbucker & 2 AP11 single-coils X X X X
C22N (neck), C22B (bridge) & LR Baggs ribbon acoustic X X X X
C22J (neck) &
C22B (bridge) humbuckers		       X
Finishes 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Clear Gloss (maple, alder, ash, koa, walnut, spruce) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Sunburst X X X X X X X                                                            
Matte Satin (maple, alder, ash, koa, walnut, spruce) X X X X X X X X
Tung Oil X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Black, White, Red* X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Hot Pearl Pink X
Platinum Pearl Pink X
Pearl Pink X
Pearl Candy Apple Red X X
Pearl Red X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Deep Pearl Blue X X X X X
Pearl Blue X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Pearl White X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Pearl Purple, Pearl Green, Light Pearl Blue, Pearl Yellow X X
Trans Blue, Trans Yellow, Trans Green X
Trans Yellow/Red (sunburst) X
Trans Sapphire Blue, Trans Vintage Yellow, Trans Emerald Green, Trans Cherry Sunburst X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Tobacco Sunburst X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Electric Green X
Trans Deep Purple X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Classic Sunburst X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Crimson Red X X X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Blueburst, Trans Greenburst X X X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Ruby Red Stain, Trans Black X X X X X X X X X X
Trans Antique Brown Stain X X X X X X X X
Pearl Silver X X X X X X X X
Harlequin Prismatique X X X X X
Trans Sunsetburst X X X X
Trans Burnt Umber Stain, Trans Whitewash X X X X
Seafoam Green X X X X
Baby Blue X
Umber Stain/Sunsetburst X X X X
Trans Cherry Red X X X X
Triple-step Deep Blue, Deep Red, Deep Green, Sunsetburst, Tiger-Eye stain X X X
Textured Black X X X

* Includes variants: Jet Black, Gloss Black, Classic White, Ferrari Red introduced at various times