Basses

There were some model changes for 1968.  The imported I-907 standard-scale bass was gone, and the #75-ABG semi-hollow "compact" bass was new.  Additionally, the #4-BS doubleneck was completely redesigned.  As in years past, Carvin basses still used Höfner necks - for some examples of this, see the 1969 Guitar page.

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1968 Guitars

1968 Guitar Amps

1968 Bass Amps
1968 Carvin #74-BG Bass Guitar

The model #74-BG (left) for 1968 was the same as the '67 model.  It featured a 22-fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and an adjustable steel truss rod.  Electronics consisted of AP-6 pickups with adjustable pole pieces, 3-way pickup selector, and volume and tone controls for each pickup.  

Price on the #74-BG was unchanged from 1967, at $125.  It was also available as the #84-BG, which was essentially the same, but with non-adjustable pole-pieces.  The #84BG sold for $105.00.

Two cases were available - the #21-SGC hard case with red plush lining was $23.90, and the #22-SGC with felt lining was #19.90.

New for 1968 was the model #75-ABG semi-hollow compact bass guitar (right).  This featured the same electronics and pickups as the #7-BG solid body bass, as well as the same 25 1/4" scale bolt-on maple neck with Kluson tuners and rosewood fingerboard.  It also featured a sunburst finish with white body binding, and faux MOP pickguard.

Price on the #75-AGB was $129.90, or $139.90 for the #76-AGB left-handed model.  The model #31 hardshell case was $31.90.

Also available, but not pictured in the catalog, was the model #77-AGB 30" long-scale bass, which was similar to the #75-ABG, with a longer scale length.

1968 Carvin Model #41-BS DoubleneckContinuing the tradition of doubleneck guitars, Carvin offered the newly redesigned model #41-BS bass and Spanish guitar.  This model featured a single volume and tone control for both necks, as well as on/off switches for each pickup, allowing any or all of the 3 pickups to be on or off simultaneously.  

Price on the model #41 was was $229.90, and a Bigsby vibrola could be added for an additional $29.90.  The model #61 hardshell case was available for $29.90.

The model #42 was also available, but not pictured in the catalog.  This was a 12 string/6 string doubleneck, with the same electronics as the #41.  Price on this was $249.90.

Carvin also sold just the model #58 neck that was used on all these models.  Price on this neck, with Kluson tuners, was $49.90.

In the 1960's and early to mid 1970's, Carvin bought necks from Höfner, and used them on their own guitars and basses.  Carvin's relationship with Höfner began in the mid-1960's, and would last until the late 1980's.  All Carvin guitars and basses from 1964 until 1978 had bolt on Höfner necks, and the SH225 archtop was made entirely by Höfner and sold under the Carvin name.

This is a 1964 Höfner 191i double-neck.   In this example, the necks are different than the Carvin model #41 (left), but the bodies are identical, all the way down to the slight outward angle of the necks.