1965 GUITARS
The Model #33-SGB solid-body guitar replaced the model #32-SGB from 1964. It had been changed somewhat significantly from it's 1964 counterpart, but continued to use the A-38 Hofner maple neck that had been introduced the previous year. In 1964, Carvins were made from eastern hardrock maple; in 1965, it was called "genuine hardwood", but it may still have been maple, or possibly ash. The #33-SGB also came standard in sunburst, which was a first for Carvin. In addition to sunburst, however, the #33-SGB could be ordered in natural blonde finish at no extra charge. Electronics consisted of a pair of Carvin AP-6 adjustable pickups with dual volume and tone controls and a 3-way selector switch. Price on the #33-SGB was $119.90, which was the same as the '64 model. It was also offered as the #43-SGB, which had non-adjustable A-1 pickups, and sold for $99.90.
The Model #64-SGB replaced the #63-SGB, and got the same upgrades as the Model #33-SGB, but with a 3-pickup configuration. Each pickup had an on/off switch, allowing for 7 different combinations. A master volume and master tone control was standard. The Model #64-SGB sold for $159.90, in sunburst of natural blonde finish. The Guitar-Vibro that was available in '64 (and previous years) was dropped in favor of the famous Bigsby vibrato, which would be Carvin's only vibrato/tremolo until the late 1970's. The Bigsby option had been available in 1964, but it dropped in '65 to $29.90.
The left-handed Model #10-LSGB was unchanged from 1964, and even though the #32-SGB was upgraded, the #10-LSGB evidently still used the design elements from 1964, or at the very least, retained the old catalog photo. Price on this model was $139.90.
Carvin's entry-level guitar, the Model #11-SGB was unchanged for 1965, which would be it's last year. It was made from "genuine hardwood" (versus maple as on the other models) and had a single AP-6 pickup with one volume and one tone control. Price on the Model #11-SGB was $79.90, or could be ordered as the #22-SGB, with a non-adjustable pickup, for $69.90.
The Model #4-BS doubleneck was unchanged from 1964. It had a clear finish on maple, and had bolt-on maple necks with adjustable truss rods, bone nuts, and rosewood fingerboards. Electronics consisted of one AP-4 and two AP-6 pickups, with on/off switch for each, and master volume and tone controls. The #4-BS sold for $229.90, and was also offered as the #5-BS, which had non-adjustable pickups, and sold for $199.90.
The Model #1-MS doubleneck was also unchanged from 1964. It was a mandolin/guitar model, constructed from maple with maple necks and rosewood fingerboards. Electronics consisted of 3 AP-series pickups with individual on/off switches, and a master volume/tone control. Price on this model was $229.90, or $199.90 for the #2-MS, which had non-adjustable pickups. The #1-MS shown in the 1966 catalog would be more like the #33-SGB & #64-SGB, so it probably was changed at some point during the '65 model year.
In addition to guitars, Carvin offered a solid-body mandolin in 1964, the Model #1-MB. This was constructed with similar materials as the #11-SGB guitar, with a single AP-4 pickup with single volume and tone controls. The #1-MB sold for $89.90. It was also offered as the #2-MB, which had a non-adjustable pickup, and sold for $79.90.
The imported #I-902 was a 3-pickup guitar, probably made by Teisco, a Japanese instrument maker that sold guitars and instruments to be branded by other companies. It featured a tremolo, volume controls for each pickup, dual tone controls, and 3 on-off rocker switches for the pickups. The 1960's were an interesting time in the world of guitars & basses. Gibson & Fender dominated the US market, but import guitars from Japan, Germany and Italy began to flood the American music scene. Most of these instruments were made by just a handful of companies, who licensed the guitars to be sold under a variety of names in different overseas markets, just like Samick does today. The Japanese company Teisco was the king of these companies, selling guitars under such names as Teisco Del Ray, Beltone, Kingston, Silvertone, and Kimberly in the US, and Arbiter, Audition & Kay in Europe. Carvin was a part of this, as well, selling instruments that were most likely distributed by Beltone, and was in turn made my Teisco. The #I-902 sold for $89.90, and could also be ordered as the #I-903, which had 4 adjustable polepieces per pickup, and additional "tone effect switches" (possibly dual-single coil switches).
Also offered was the imported Model #I-905 classical nylon-string Spanish guitar, which sold for a mere $35.00. It could be ordered with steel strings as the Model #I-906, also for $35.00.
Like Carvin's solidbody electrics, the steel guitar lineup was changed for 1965. The Model #6DHG-5B 6-string and the Model #8DHG-5B both got a new finish - in this case, sunburst. These were constructed from hardrock maple, with AP series pickups and volume and tone controls. The #6DHG-5B sold for $49.90, and the #8DHG-5B sold for $69.90. Both were offered with non-adjustable A-1 pickups as well, for $10.00 less each. These prices were the same as 1964, despite the new finish.
The Model #6606-D and Model #8806-D steel guitars were also now finished in sunburst, and benefited from new catalog photography which showed the guitar with its legs inserted. Although these models had a new finish, they were otherwise essentially the same as the '64 models. The 6-string #6606-D sold for $89.90, and was offered as the #6606E, which had non-adjustable A-1 pickups, which sold for $75.00. The 8-string #8806-D sold for $119.90, or $99.90 for the A-1 equipped #8806-E. String changers were no longer offered on any of these models.
All new for 1965 was Carvin's new line of pedal steel guitars. These guitars used the same 22 1/2" scale fingerboards as the #8806-D, and were offered in single- and doubleneck designs. The body was maple with a black crackle aluminum frame. The Model #41, which was a single-neck model with 4 pedals, sold for $299.90. The Model #61, which was a single-neck model with 6 pedals sold for $349.90. The Model #81, which was a doubleneck 8-string model with 8 pedals sold for $499.90.
The Model #73-BG bass was new for 1965. The body was maple, and the neck was maple, with rosewood fingerboard and adjustable truss rod. Electronics consisted of two AP-4 pickups, with dual volume and tone controls, and a 3-way pickup selector switch. A bone nut, nickel tuners and plastic pickguard rounded out the package. Price on the #73-BG was $125.00, and was also available as the #83-BG, which had non-adjustable pole pieces. Not pictured in the catalog was the Model #71LH, which was a left-handed version of the #73-BG. It sold for $145.00. Two cases were available, the #21-SGC for $23.90, or the #22-SGC for $19.90.
The imported I-901 bass was a standard long scale instrument. It featured a mahogany body and rosewood fretboard and sold direct from Carvin for $119.90. This instrument was un-badged, but was most likely made by Teisco.