Guitars

There were a few new things for guitarists to get excited about in 2003, especially a new model, the Contour 66.  A 12-string Cobalt was also added, making for a record number of available models offered.  Although subtle, the inline headstocks were redesigned very slightly at the end of 2003.  A new pickup, the C22B was added, and was standard on many models.  This high-output bridge pickup had extra windings, and a double-thick 1/4" Alnico V magnet, which was a Carvin exclusive.

There was a significant change to the marketing in mid-2003, as well.  Since the inception of the smaller, quarterly catalogs, guitars and basses had been shown on relatively neutral backgrounds, primarily using earth tones or plain white.  In mid-2003, this changed to a flashy computer generated black background, giving a high-tech, modern appearance to Carvin's guitars and basses.  This would appear in one catalog only, and would lead up to the return of the large-format 8 1/2" X 11" catalog in 2004.

The prices and pictures are from the Summer 2003 catalog.  Click each picture for a larger version.

In conjunction with the new catalog layout, Carvin's website also featured new guitar pictures on a similar computer-generated black background (above).  For the first time, the catalog and website layouts matched and complimented each other, and gave a  fresh, new appearance to both.  Carvin discontinued showing photographs of In-Stock instruments on their website in mid-2003, however, the In-Stock images were re-added after several months in response to customer's requests.

All new for 2003 was the Contour 66, one of the more revolutionary models to come from Carvin in many years.  This 22-fret bolt neck guitar had an alder body with maple neck, and standard AAAA flamed maple top with matching headstock, ebony fingerboard, Sperzel locking tuners and direct-mounted C22 pickups, with single volume and tone controls and 5-way pickup selector.  The name came from the model's most interesting feature - the contoured upper bout, allowing for a more comfortable playing position.

The base price was $829, and it was also available with the Wilkinson tremolo for $869, or with a Floyd Rose for $929.  The catalog showed a close up of a C66C in Sunsetburst on flame with a Floyd Rose tremolo; and a C66 in Cherry Sunburst on quilt with matching headstock, Fishman acoustic bridge with active electronics, abalone block inlays and gold hardware; and a C66T in Sapphire Blue on quilt with matching headstock, abalone dot inlays and gold hardware.

2003 Carvin Bolt+ Guitar

The Bolt and Bolt-T (right) were unchanged, but the prices did increase somewhat.  The new base price of the Bolt was $589, and the Bolt-T was $629.   

The catalog photo showed a Bolt in Sapphire Blue on swamp ash with Sperzel locking tuners, white pearloid pickguard and C22 bridge humbucker.  The Bolt-T was shown in Seafoam Green with Sperzel locking tuners and maple fingerboard.

New for 2003, and only shown in the Winter catalog was the Bolt+ (left).  This new instrument combined the shape of the Bolt, with the rear-routed electronics of the Contour, eliminating the pickguard.  The base price on the Bolt+ was $625.

The catalog photo showed the Bolt+ in Classic White with black hardware, and in Blueburst with chrome hardware and Wilkinson tremolo.

The DC127 (near right) and DC135 (far right), were unchanged for 2003, and had similar price increases as other models.  Base price on both models was $669, and Wilkinson-equipped models started at $709.  The Floyd Rose-equipped models started at $769. 

The catalog showed the DC127 in koa with blackburst edges and matching headstock, rounded body sides, abalone block inlays, and black hardware.  The DC135 was shown in Sunsetburst on swamp ash with matching headstock, rounded body sides, Birdseye maple fingerboard, cream AP11 pickups with 5-way switch and gold hardware.

The TL60 was unchanged, but the Crowe Option Package wasn't mentioned, although it was most likely still available, and even if it wasn't, a TL60 could still be had with the features of the Crowe Package.  The base price on the TL60 jumped up, to $659 (from $589 in 2002), and the Wilkinson-equipped model started at $699.

The catalog photo showed a TL60 in Blueburst on swamp ash with abalone dot inlays, Fishman acoustic bridge/active electronics and gold hardware.  The TL60T was shown in Tobacco Sunburst on swamp ash.

The DC150 (near right) and SC90 (far right) were unchanged, but did jump in price.  The DC150 was $769 in it's sophomore year, and the SC90 was $669.  The DC150 was not available with a tremolo, and the SC90 was still offered with the Wilkinson tremolo, or with an original Floyd Rose tremolo.

The catalog showed the DC150 in Cherry Sunburst on quilted maple with cream pickup coils, coil splitters and gold hardware.  The SC90 was shown in Tobacco Sunburst on swamp ash with rounded body sides.

The DC200, DC400 and DC120 had price increases consistent with other Carvin models in mid-2003.  The DC200 had a base price of $769, and the DC400 had a base price of $949.  The DC120 12-string model increased to $839, after many years with a $749 price tag.  The Wilkinson and Floyd Rose-equipped models had relative price increases as well, but the Anniversary pakage remained $200 additional.

The catalog photo showed the DC200 in Vintage Yellow on swamp ash with rounded body sides, Fishman acoustic bridge and gold hardware, and the DC400 was shown in Ruby Red Stain  with blackburst edges on quilted maple and matching headstock, Fishman acoustic bridge and black hardware.

The DC727 and DC747 were unchanged, and the DC747 is actually the same one used in the catalog in 2002, laid onto the new background.  The DC727 increased to $699, while the licensed Floyd Rose version was $769.  The DC747 increased to $729, with the licensed Floyd Rose version was $799.  

The catalog photo showed the DC727 in Greenburst on flamed maple with matching headstock, abalone block inlays and gold hardware, and the DC747 was shown in Sapphire Blue on quilted maple with matching headstock and coil splitters.

The H2 (far left) and HF2 (near left) were unchanged.  The price on the H2 rose to $879 (or $919 with Wilkinson tremolo) and the HF2 rose to $979.

The catalog photo showed the H2 in Antique Brown Stain on quilted maple with matching headstock, no inlays, and black hardware, and the HF2 was shown in Blueburst on quilted maple with matching headstock and black hardware.

The AE185 and it's 12-string counterpart, the AE185-12, were unchanged for 2003.  The AE185 increased in price to $869, while the 12-string version was $949.

The catalog photo showed an AE185 in Ruby Red Stain on quilted maple with matching headstock, body binding and abalone block inlays, and one in Sunsetburst on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding, coil taps and phase switches and gold hardware.

The AC175 (far left), AC275 and CC275 (near left)  models were unchanged for 2003.  The AC175 started at $769, the AC275 started at $819, and the Craig Chaquico CC275 was $979.

The catalog photo showed a left-handed AC175 in Classic Sunburst on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding, and gold hardware, and a CC275 with standard appointments.

The AC375 (near right) and the CL450 Classical (far right) were unchanged.  The AC375 increased in price to $899, and the CL450 increased to $949.

The catalog photo showed the AC375 in clear gloss on AAA Engleman spruce with body binding and gold hardware, and the CL450 in clear gloss with blackburst edges on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and gold hardware.

The Cobalt acoustic guitars were unchanged from 2002, with the exception of the addition of a 12-string model, the C980-12.  See 2004 for pictures and descriptions of the Cobalt models.