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The
Webmaster's BB70EP
This is a 1976 AS120 12-string guitar, which was
only offered for that one year. However, it has the chrome-covered
APH-6S pickups that were found on the 1977 models, meaning this was a
late '76 model - and maybe the only one made, since 12-string guitars
weren't that popular to begin with. Like other Carvins of that
era, it's made from Höfner components - specifically, the Höfner 4572.
As noted in other places on the site, the double-diamond headstock
inlay, headstock shape, zero-fret - these are all Höfner standards, as
is the body. It's got a nice flamed maple back and sides, with a
spruce top and mother-of-pearl block inlays. Other features
include front and back body binding, dual volume and tone contols and
phase switching. |
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Anthony Spell's #3-SGB
This is a classic
and ultra-rare Carvin, which Anthony purchased in 1959.
Models of this vintage are just not seen very often, and
probably not too many were sold in the first place. This
#3-SGB is equipped with AP-6 adjustable pickups, and has the
Vibro-Rest vibrola (sitting next to the headstock in the left
photo). The body and neck are maple, and fingerboard is
rosewood.
This is a great example of a vintage Carvin guitar that's almost
50 years old!
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Kevin
Watkins' #33-SGB
Here's a very rare
model from 1965. In those days, the model names changed
just about every year, even though the actual instruments didn't
always change. But 1965 was a transition year - the layout
of the hardware was different than in 1964, and in 1966, the
entire instrument was different. The '65 catalog
showed the #33-SGB in sunburst, but it was offered in natural,
as well. Features of this guitar include a maple body and
neck, rosewood fingerboard, and adjustable AP-6 pickups with
dual volume and tone controls.
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Tony's #62-SGB
This is a 1962
model #62-SGB, in really excellent shape. This was
Carvin's top of the line model at the time, and was loaded with 3
AP-6 pickups, and a maple body and maple neck with rosewood
fingerboard. Note the
nice Birdseye figuring on the back of the body - this was pretty
standard on maple bodies in those days, and really adds a nice
touch of class to this instrument. Notice also how nicely
preserved the chrome is on this model - almost no signs of wear.
Even the pickguard is in great shape. This is a
near-perfect example of a classic Carvin.
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Lorin
Coleman's Model #1744
Here is an
extraordinary instrument, and is one of the rarest Carvins
around. This model is from about 1955, and is an example
of Carvins early re-badging efforts - in other words, these
instruments were made by another manufacturer (probably in
Germany), then given the Carvin logo on the headstock.
This particular model was available in an electric version
(Model #140) which was identical to this one except for the
addition of an Alnico pickup and controls. The #1744 had
an oval rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge, and spruce top.
Although not specified in the catalog, the back, sides and neck
were most likely maple. New, this guitar sold for $39.50.
It actually belonged to Lorin's grandmother, who recently passed
it to him after years of being safely tucked away under a bed.
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Bill
Romac's AS50
This is another
one of those interesting mid-year models that pop up from
time-to-time. This AS50 has the body from 1972, but the
neck and pickups are from the 1971 model (The '71 had white
pickups; the '72 had black. The '71 had double-dot inlays;
the '72 had single-dots). So, this could most accurately
be described as as 1971.5 model. Regardless, it looks to
be in great shape, and Bill snagged it at a yard sale for
$50.00!
Unknown AS50
The AS50 was
made from 1970 until 1974, with this particular design being made from
1972-1974. It was made from Höfner components, finished and assembled
by Carvin in California. This particular example appeared on eBay a
couple years ago, and luckily, the seller took some excellent photos.
Unknown SS76
This is one
of those mid-year hybrids that Carvin is known for; that is, it has some of
the features from one year, and some other features from the following year.
In this case, the pickguard is from the 1975 SS75, but the dual humbucker
pickups and headstock logo are from the 1976 SS76. Still, it looks to
be in great shape, and the photos show some nice detail of a guitar that's
not often seen.
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