1959 GUITARS

Carvin's flagship model for 1959 was the Model #6-SGB. This was a 3-pickup guitar, constructed from hardrock maple, with an adjustable maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, bone nut, and nickel-plated hardware. An interesting feature was the Gibson Vibra-rest tailpiece, which was a basic vibrato unit, similar to the Bigsby, without the complicated string paths. Electronics consisted of 3 Carvin AP-6 pickups, with a master volume control, tone control for the front and middle pickup, and a 3-way selector switch, which meant you could chose any one pickup, but not a combination or two or three. Price on the #6-SGB was $169.90, and the #3-SGC hardshell case was an additional $24.00.

The Model #3-SGB was similar in construction to the Model #6-SGB, but in a two pickup configuration with a standard stop tailpiece/bridge assembly. Electronics consisted of a pair of AP-6 pickups, with two volume controls, two tone controls, and a 3-way selector that allowed selection of the bridge, neck or both pickups. The #3-SGB sold for $119.90. The Gibson Vibra-rest could be added for $19.90. Also offered was the #4-SGB, which had non-adjustable A-1 pickups. It sold for $99.90.

The Carvin Model #1-SGB guitar was a basic guitar, constructed from maple with a natural finish, with an adjustable maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and nickel-plated tuners. Electronics consisted of a single AP-6 pickup with volume control, and treble and bass tone controls. The Model #1-SGB sold for $79.90. It was also offered as the #2-SGB, with a non-adjustable A-1 pickup, which sold for $69.90.

Carvin offered a pair of doublenecks in 1959 - the Model #1MS 6-string/mandolin doubleneck, and the #4-BS 6-string/bass doubleneck. Both these models used AP-series pickups, with dual tone and master volume controls, and a 3-way selector which selected which pickup was on (only one pickup could be on at a time). The #1-MS sold for $229.90, and was also offered as the #2-MS, with non-adjustable pickups, for $199.90. The #4-BS also sold for $229.90, or 199.90 with non-adjustable pickups (#5-BS).

Carvin continued to offer "Spanish" electric guitars at the end of the 1950s. As in previous years, these were most likely made by Kay, Hofner or some other manufacturer, and then badged with the Carvin logo. The Model 140 Spanish electric was a single-pickup arch-top model, with a spruce top, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge. It had white binding on the front and back, and a white pickguard, and a single AP6 with volume and tone controls. The finish was antique brown. It was also available as the Model 1744, which was a non-electric version. The Model 140 sold for $59.90, and the Model 1744 sold for $39.90. The case for either was an additional $9.90.

The Model #6-B was the big brother to the Model 140. Like the Model 140, it was an arch-top design, with spruce top and curly maple back. It also had a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and had body binding as well as neck binding and a bone nut. Finish was natural, and it was also available in shaded dark brown. Electronics consisted of a pair of AP6 pickups, with pickup selector switch and volume and tone controls. The price on the Model 6-B was $119.90, or $89.90 for the Model #7 non-electric version. Case for either was $15.00.

The Model #44 guitar had a spruce top, mahogany back and sides and mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard and a single pickup with volume and tone controls. This model sold for $59.90, plus $9.90 for the case.

1959 OTHER INSTRUMENTS

The Model #1-MB electric solidbody mandolin had a single AP-4 pickup, with master volume control and bass and treble tone controls. It sold for $89.90, and was also offered as the #2-MB, which had a non-adjustable pickup, and sold for $79.90.

The Model 6512 electric mandolin, had a single pickup, with volume and tone controls. It was shown on the Spanish Guitars page, so most likely, this instrument was made by another manufacturer, and badged with the Carvin name. This instrument sold for $59.90, and the Model 1735 non-electric mandolin sold for $39.90. Case for either was $7.00.

Carvin still offered accordions at the end of the 1950s, but only the two shown on the back cover of the catalog. While the brand is not specifically mentioned, one of the models shown clearly has a "Capri" logo on is, which is an Italian manufacturer popular in the 50s and 60s. The other model shown is probably a Capri, as well. The Carvin models numbers were Model #18 Baby Grand Accordion (also shown below) and the Model #19 Average Size Accordion. The Model #18 sold for $159.90, and the Model #19 sold for $229.90.

The Model #6DHG-5B and the Model #8DHG-5B lap steel guitars were featured on the inside front cover on the 1959 catalog, with Carvin's traditional Introductory Letter. These were maple-bodied instruments with a single Carvin AP-Series pickup, dual tone controls, master volume control, ivory tuners, and molded nut. The model #6DHG-5B sold for $49.90, and the #8DHG-5B sold for $69.90. Both these were also available with A-Series non-adjustable pickups for $10.00 less. Accessories including telescoping legs and hard and soft cases were also offered.

Carvin also offered the Model #60C and the Model #80C s-string and 8-string steel guitars. Both of these models featured the Multi-Harp-Triplex "tone changer", which was a device made by H. Hise Manufacturing Company that changed the tuning of the instrument to one of 3 different settings. So, for example, the #60C could be tuned to A (E, C#, A, E, A, E) or to E (E, B, G#, E, B, E) or to C#7th (E, C#, G#, E, B, E) by moving the lever to one of the 3 preset positions. These models were constructed from eastern hardrock maple and black walnut, with otherwise similar features as Carvin's other steel guitars. The Model #60C, with changer, sold for $99.90, and the Model #80C with changer sold for $129.90.

Carvin's #C8806-D steel guitar, which was a doubleneck 8-string model with a tone changer installed on one neck, and on the right is the model #88806SC, which was a triple-eight, with the changer installed on the center neck. Like the other models in this series, it was constructed from maple, with AP-Series pickups, single volume and tone controls, and nickel hardware. A variety of combinations were available, with one, two, or no changers, AP or A-Series pickups, and different string and neck configurations. Legs and cases were also offered.

Other double-six and double-eight steel guitars were offered. The Model #8806-B was a double-eight with adjustable AP-8 pickups; the Model #8806-C had standard non-adjustable pickups. The Model #6606C was the six-string version, with adjustable AP-6 pickups. The version with non-adjustable pickups was called the Model #6606-C.

1959 BASSES

The new '59 model #7-BG bass was a 25 1/8" scale model, constructed from maple with a bolt-on neck with rosewood fingerboard. This bass had a single AP-4 adjustable pickup in the neck position, with a single volume control and two tone controls. The price on the #7-BG was $119.90. It was also offered as the #8-BG, which was the same except it had a non-adjustable pickup. Price on the #8-BG was $109.90. The #2-BG hardshell case was $19.90.