Guitars
1984 was a pretty good year for Carvin
guitars. The CM130 and DC160 Koa were retired (although you
could still get a DC160 in koa; it just was no longer an official
model). The most significant change was the addition of the V220
guitar, an instrument that would go on to be one of Carvin's most
beloved.
Click each picture for a larger
version.
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Another very significant change for 1984
was the introduction of the Kahler Pro double-locking tremolo.
This one feature leveled the playing field between Carvin and Jackson,
Kramer and other popular manufacturers of the day.
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The DC160 was unchanged for
1984, but it did get a new catalog photo showing the FTB6 bridge that was
introduced in 1983. The price of the DC160 remained $685, or $715 for a left-handed model.
The optional Kahler Pro tremolo was an additional $190. The HC10 hardshell case was
$60.
 The V220 was a guitar that
was ahead of it's time. It had a totally unique look, and was destined
to become one of the most popular models Carvin had offered. With MTV
and other music video outlets, the V220 was seen everywhere, and was made more
popular by the resurgence of Jefferson Starship (now just called Starship),
whose lead guitarist (and future Carvin signature model inspiration) Craig
Chaquico was often seen with one of his many V220s (see inset photo
above).
The V220 was made using the same
craftsmanship and materials as Carvin's other guitars. The body and set
neck were hardrock maple, and was available in black, white, red or clear
finishes. Curly maple and koa were also offered. Electronics
consisted of an M22 pickup in the neck position, and an M22SD pickup in the
bridge position, with dual volume, single tone, coil splitters and a 3-way
pickup selector switch. Chrome was standard on the Schaller mini M^
tuners and B6 bridge or Kahler tremolo. MOP dot inlays were standard on
the 24-fret ebony fingerboard.
Base price on the V220 was a very
reasonable $399. With the Kahler Pro tremolo, it was $549. Koa
wood was an additional $40, and curly maple was an additional $125. Gold
hardware was $50. The HC19 hardshell case was $69.
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The DC200 Koa (left) got a new
catalog photo, but other than that, it remained the same as 1983,
including the price.
The DC200 Koa came standard with chrome
hardware, MOP dot inlays, stereo wiring and the same electronics of
the DC160. Gold hardware was a $50 option, and abalone block
inlays were a $60 option. The base price of the DC200K was $460,
and the HC11 hardshell case was $60.
The DC200 was unchanged for
1984, but got a new catalog photo to show the optional Kahler Pro
tremolo. Base price actually dropped $16 to $479, and was $629
with the Kahler.
It was also available as the DC120
12-string guitar, which had a base price of $495.
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The DC100 (left) was unchanged -
both the catalog photo and the price The Kahler Pro tremolo was
offered as an option for an additional $190. Base price of the
DC100 remained at $329, and the HC10 hardshell case was $60.
Like the DC100, the DC150 (right)
was
unchanged. The catalog photo was the same, as was the price.
Also like the DC100, the Kahler Pro was offered for an additional $190.
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The CM140
(left) was unchanged, and with the
departure of the CM130, represented the only singlecut model offered
in 1984. Prices remained the same at $485, and the Kahler Pro
trem was offered for an additional $190.
The SH225
(right), made by Höfner for
Carvin, was unchanged for 1984. Standard features on this
semi-hollow electric were dual M22 pickups, dual volume and tone
controls, pickup selector switch, ebony fingerboard, abalone block
inlays and natural finish. Also offered was the SH225S, which
featured stereo wiring, and coil and phase switches. Gold
hardware was an addition $50, and a black laminated pickguard could be
added for $15. Base prices increased $20, to $640 for the SH225, and
$690 for the SH225S. The HC18 form-fitted hardshell case was $79.
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Carvin also continued the
doubleneck tradition with the DN612 (6-string/12-string guitar) and
DN640 (6-string guitar and 4-string bass). These were the
same as the 1983 model. The base price on the DN612 was $895, while the DN640
was $865. It could also be ordered in red or white for an
additional $40, or in Koa wood for an additional $80. Gold
hardware was available for an additional $100. The HC15
hardshell case sold for $75.
On the
right is the cover from the 1984 Winter Supplement catalog. |
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