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Guitars 1970
was an interesting year in Carvin's history. Most obviously, for
the first time, the catalog had a splash of color in it, albeit just
on the cover, and the unusual pink price list and order form that were
in the center.
Additionally, the 1970 catalog was the first since the 50's not to
have any doubleneck instruments of any sort in it (they would return
in 1971, however). Also, Carvin offered only 3 guitar models in 1970,
and these models (and the catalog photography and descriptions) were
the same as in 1969, although they had been given new model numbers
that would persist through the next couple of years. There were
also only a few steel guitars to choose from, and within a few years,
they would be gone permanently from Carvin's lineup. For the
first time, there were no mandolins offered, and the left-handed and
12-string versions of the available guitars that were offered in 1969
were no longer sold.
Click the pictures for a larger
version. |
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On the left is the SS65B
guitar, which was identical to the 1969 #35-SGC, but with a new
name. As in 1969, this model was constructed from a maple Höfner
neck with rosewood fingerboard and Kluson tuners. The body was
made from "select woods from the Black Forest" with a
sunburst finish. Electronics consisted of a pair of Carvin AP-6
pickups, with dual volume and tone controls and three-way selector
switch. The Bigsby tailpiece was optional (indicated by the
"B" following the model number). Price on the SS65 was
$140.00, and price on the SS65B was $170.00.
The SS70B
(right) was identical to the 1969 #65-SGC. The Bigsby tailpiece
was standard, and a hardtail model was not offered. Materials
were the same as the SS65, with three AP-6 pickups versus two.
Controls consisted of a single volume and tone control, with an on/off
switch for each pickup. Price on the SS70B was $200.00.
The SC22 hardshell case
for either model was $26.00. |
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The semi-hollow AS50B
was identical to the 1969 #36-ASGC. This model had a standard
Hofner maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, maple body with spruce
top, Kluson tuners and AP-6 pickups with dual volume and tone controls
and a 3-way selector switch. The Bigsby tailpiece was
optional. The AS50 sold for $160.00, and the AS50B was
$190.00. The AC24 hardshell case was $40.00. |
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As the seventies began,
a mainstay of Carvin's instrument line began to fade: the steel
guitars. During the fifties and sixties, these had been hugely
popular, but changing musical styles of the seventies began to severely
limit the appeal of these instruments. In fact, Carvin only
offered two base models - a pedal steel and a lap steel, in a variety
of configurations. |
Carvin offered two
doubleneck pedal steel guitars in 1970 - the P6000 double-ten (above)
and the P4000 double-eight. Both were constructed from Eastern
hardrock maple, with standard 23" scale fingerboards and lacquered
sunburst finish. Electronics consisted of an AP-8 or AP-10 pickup with a
single volume and tone control. The P6000 with 8 pedals and knee lever
sold for $675.00. The P4000 with 8 pedals sold for $550.00. A
double sharp and double flat changer could be added for $50.00.
There were also a
pair of single-neck pedal steel guitars offered in 1970 - the P2500
10-string with 6 pedals (above), and the P1500 8-string with 4 pedals,
which were actually shown on the back cover of the catalog. The
construction materials and electronics were the same as the double-neck
counterparts. The P2500 sold for $450.00, and the P1500 sold for
$360.00.
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Carvin offered 3 lap
steel guitars (also referred to as Hawaiian steel guitars) in
1970. The PRO-S8 (left) was a single neck 8-string model
with single AP-8 pickup and master volume and tone controls. It
sold for $80.00. The PRO-D6 (near right) was a doubleneck
6-string model, with AP-6 pickups, and master volume and tone
controls. It sold for $100.00. The PRO-D8 (far
right) was a double-eight, with AP-8 pickups and master volume and
tone controls. It sold for $130.00. |
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In 1970, only
the "retail" price was shown with each instrument, and the
actual direct prices were only shown on the price list (left). The
price list and the order form (right) were printed with an unusual pink
tint - the first color used in a Carvin catalog. |
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