Guitars

Carvin offered a wide assortment of guitars in 1962, in a variety of configurations, included a left-handed model.  As in previous years, Carvin also offered Martin guitars, and an assortment of steel guitars.

Click each picture for a larger version.

 

1962 Basses 1962 Guitar Amps 1962 Bass Amps

The model #62-SGB (left) was the top-of-the-line model for 1962.  Taking a cue from the hugely popular Fender Strat, the #62-SGB had three AP-6 adjustable pickups, which was unusual for the time.  The body and neck were made from "genuine hardwood", which was presumably maple.  The 25 1/8" scale fingerboard was rosewood, and the neck had an adjustable truss rod.  The electronics configuration was a little unusual - the three-way selector switch selected either the neck pickup, neck and center pickup, or bridge pickup.  There were two volume and two tone controls, with controlled the neck and center pickup together, and the bridge pickup.  The model #62-SGC sold for $159.90, and the Guitar Vibro unit (inset photo) was an additional $19.50 (more on this unit below).  There were two cases available, both hardshell, one plush lined, the other felt lined, which sold for $23.90 and $19.90 respectively.

The model #11-SGB (right) was Carvin's entry-level electric guitar for 1962.  It was based on the #62-SGC, but with a single AP-6 adjustable pickup, and single volume and tone controls.  All other aspects were the same.  The model #11-SGB sold for $79.90, and was also available as the model #22-SGB, which had a single, non-adjustable A-1 pickup.

The model #32-SGB (left) was built on the same body as the #62-SGC, except it had two AP-6 pickups versus 3.  Otherwise, materials and construction was the same.  The #32-SGB sold for $119.90.  It was also available as the #42-SGB, which had non-adjustable A-1 pickups.  In addition, it was offered as the #2-BG, which was sold as a bass guitar, but was actually a standard guitar tuned one octave lower.  It sold for $125.00.

The model #10-LSGB guitar (right) was the same as the #32-SGB, in a left-handed version.  It sold for $139.90.

Carvin offered a pair of doublenecks in 1962, both of which were based on the same design, and had a 6-string on the bottom.  The #4-BS (left) was a doubleneck guitar/bass, with 3 pickups (two AP-6's and one AP-4), and individual volume and tone controls for each neck.  The #1-MS (right) had a six-string guitar and a mandolin with 3 pickups (two AP-6's and one AP-8) and individual volume and tone controls for each neck.  Construction and materials were the same as their single-neck counterparts.  The #4-BS guitar and bass sold for $229.90, and was also available as the #5-BS, with non-adjustable pickups, for $199.90.  The #1-MS guitar and mandolin also sold for $229.90, and was available as the #2-MS, with non-adjustable pickups, for $199.90.

In addition to guitars, Carvin offered the #1-MB mandolin (left) in 1962.  This was constructed using the same techniques and materials as Carvin's other guitars, and had a single AP-8 pickup with single volume and tone controls.  The #1-MB sold for $89.90, and was also available as the #2-MB, with a non-adjustable pickup, for $79.90.

Throughout Carvin's early years, they offered gear by other manufacturers.  In 1962, you could order a wide variety of Martin instruments (right) from Carvin, including an assortment of guitars and other stringed instruments, such as mandolins and ukuleles.

Carvin made it's name early on by making pickups for steel guitars, and then by creating their own line of lap and pedal steel instruments.   In 1962, an assortment of these instruments were offered.

The #6DHG-5B (far left) and #8DHG-5B (near left) were Carvin's main single neck lap steels.  Both were constructed of maple, with plastic fretboard, molded nut and bridge, ivory tuners and single AP-6 or AP-8 adjustable pickup with volume, treble and bass controls.  The model #6DHG-5B 6-string sold for $49.90, and was also available as the #6DHG-6B, with non-adjustable pickup, for $39.90.  The model #8DHG-5B 8-string sold for $69.90, and was available as the #8DHG-6B, with non adjustable pickup, for $59.90.

The model #80B eight string steel guitar (right) was similar in design to the DHG series, but had the 3-position tone changer (note the lever on the bridge) that allowed the guitar to be instantly retuned to A, E or Cm7.  The model #80B sold for $129.90, and the 6-string #60B sold for $99.90.

The model #C8806-D (left) was a double-8 steel guitar, that had the 3-position changer on the outer neck.  Construction & materials were the same as other Carvin steel guitars.  The #C8806-D with adjustable AP series pickups sold for $179, and the #C8806-E, with non-adjustable pickups, sold for $159.90.

The model #6606-B (near right) and the model #8806-B (far right) were essentially the same as the #C8806-D, without the 3-position changer.  The #6606-B double-six with adjustable AP-series pickups sold for $89.90, and the #8806-C with A-1 non-adjustable pickups sold for $75.00.  The #8806-B double-eight was $119.90, and the A-2 equipped #8806-C sold for $99.90.

In addition to selling guitars by Martin, Carvin also sold other brands - notably, pickups and foot pedals by DeArmond.  DeArmond made pickups for all sorts of acoustic instruments, including ukuleles, mandolins, violins and of course, guitars. 

An interesting feature of early Carvin catalogs was the inclusion of hand-drawn schematics for different pickup configurations on guitars and steel guitars.