Basses

In 1972, Carvin was still printing black-and-white catalogs, but the layout and photography was still pretty good.  New for 1972 was the SB60, which was essentially the same as the SB40, with a natural finish. Also new was the doubleneck DBS98B, which replaced the ABS95.

In the early 70's, Carvin basses featured bolt-on necks made by Höfner, and this is an example of that.  This is an AB45 30" scale acoustic/electric model (right), with inlaid pearl dot rosewood fingerboard, Kluson tuners and a hardrock maple neck with black polyester front and and clear polyester back.  It also featured 2 APB4 bass pickups with individual volume and tone controls with 3-way switch, polished cast aluminum bridge, brass frets, and MOP pickguard.  It was also available in a left-handed model.

Direct price on this was $169.96, or $179.96 for the lefty.  The AC21 soft case was also offered for $15.95.

On the left is the SB40, which also featured a Höfner neck that had all the same appointments of the AB45.  This bass was made of "high quality wood" (that's a quote from the catalog), and was available in a sunburst finish.  The pickups and electronics were the same as the AB45.

This model was only available in a right-handed version, and sold for $149.95.  The SC18 hardshell case was available for $29.95.

The SB60 (right) had the same neck and neck features and the same pickups and electronics as the SB40.  The body was hardrock maple (versus "high quality wood") with a natural finish.  It sold for $164.95, and a left-handed version was available for $174.95.  The HC18 hardshell case was available for $29.95. 

There was a new model for 1972, and was another in a long line of doublenecks produced by Carvin.  This model is a DBS98B (left), which was a Spanish guitar/bass doubleneck.  The necks were also made by Höfner, with the same neck/fingerboard features of the other basses, and the body was hardrock maple.  Electronics on the bass side consisted of a single APB4 pickup with volume and tone control, and the Spanish circuit (as it was called) had two AP6 pickups with single volume/tone controls and 3-way pickup selector switch.  There were also dual output so each neck could be plugged into it's own amp.  A  Bigsby vibrato rounded out the package.

Cost on this model was $279.95 with the Bigsby, or $249.95 without.