1966 GUITARS

The Model #35-SGB was a 22-fret, bolt maple neck guitar, available in Sunburst finish a on maple body. Like other Carvins of the era, it had a rosewood fingerboard, MOP dot inlays, and a steel adjustable truss rod. The tuners, bridge and tailpiece were chrome, but the manufacturer of these items was not explicitly stated. Electronics consisted of Carvin's adjustable AP-6 pickups, with volume and tone controls for each, as well as a 3-way pickup selector switch. The price on this guitar was $119.90, and the model #21-SGC case was an additional $23.90. A felt-lined case, the #22-SGC, was also offered for $19.90. Also available was the Model #45-SGB guitar. This was the same as the #35-SGB, except it used the non-adjustable A-1 pickups. Price on this model was $99.90. The Bigsby Vibrato was available as an option on both these models for an additional $29.90. A chrome handrest which covered the bridge was also available as an option on either model for $5.00.

The Model #65-SGB was based on the same body and neck as the #35-SGB, but had a different electronics configuration. This model had 3 AP-6 adjustable pickups with single volume and tone controls, and an on/off switch for each pickup, allowing 7 different combinations of pickups. The chrome handrest, which was optional on the #35-SGB, was standard on this model. The Bigsby Vibrato was offered as an option. Price on the #65-SGB was $159.90, and the same cases were offered as on the #35-SGB.

The Model #10-LSGB was the same as the #35-SGB, but in a left-handed design. Specifications were the same as the #35-SGB, but the Bigsby was not offered. Price on this model was $139.90.

The Model #1-MS was a doubleneck 6-string guitar/mandolin combination. The guitar was based on the #35-SGB guitar, and the mandolin was based on the #1-MB mandolin. Necks were maple with rosewood fingerboards and the body was finished in Sunburst on maple. Electronics consisted of two AP-6 adjustable pickups on the guitar neck, and 1 AP-4 adjustable pickup on the mandolin neck, with master volume and tone controls, and on/off switches for each pickup. The #1-MS sold for $229.90, and the #2-MS, which was identical except for non-adjustable pickups, sold for $199.90. The #3-CMS case sold for $29.90.

The Model #1-MB electric mandolin, redesigned for 1966, was built using the same materials and techniques of Carvin's other USA-made instruments. It had a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, bone nut, sunburst finish on maple body with chrome-plated hardware. Electronics consisted of a fully-adjustable AP-4 pickup with master volume and tone controls. Natural finish was also available at no extra charge. The #1-MB sold for $89.90, and was also available as the #2-MB, with non-adjustable pickup, for $79.90. The #1-MA hardshell case was $19.90.

Carvin #1-MB Mandolin

The #I-902 was a lower-cost, import model offered by Carvin in 1966 and probably made by Teisco. The body was mahogany, with rosewood fingerboard, adjustable bridge and chrome tailpiece/tremolo. Electronics consisted of 3 adjustable pickups, with master volume/tone controls, and on/off rocker switches for each pickup. Price on the #I-902 was $89.90, and the #I-904 soft case was $19.90.

The #I-905 was an imported, full size Spanish acoustic guitar. Back and sides were constructed from mahogany, with a spruce top with natural finish. The #I-905 sold for $35.00, and was offered as the #I-906, which had steel strings (versus nylon) for $35.00. The #I-907 soft case was $10.00. This would be the last year this model was offered.


1966 STEEL GUITARS

The Model #6DHG-5B six-string lap steel guitar was constructed with the same high-quality materials and techniques as Carvin's other instruments - in this case, Eastern hardrock maple with sunburst finish, ivory tuning pegs and metal cast heat-hardened nut and tailpiece. Electronics consisted of an AP-6 pickup with single volume and tone controls. This model sold for $49.90. The #8DHG-5B was an 8-string version of the #6DHG-5B. Features were the same, except this model used an AP-8 pickup. The 8-string version was $69.90. Also available was the #6DHG-6B and #8DHG-6B, both of which were the same as the above models, but used the A-1 or A-2 non-adjustable pickups. Prices on these models were $39.90 and $59.90, respectively. Available options for these models included chrome-plated telescoping legs ($19.90) and the #484-B hardshell case ($19.90).

Carvin also offered doubleneck steel guitars in 1966, as they had for many years. The #6606-D was a double six, with the same features of it's single-neck counterpart. The electronics were also the same, with a pair of AP-6 pickups and master volume/tone controls. The #6606-D sold for $89.90, and was available as the #6606-E with non-adjustable A-1 pickups for $75.00. The #8806-D double eight was the same as it's single-neck counterpart, and had two AP-8 pickups. Price on it was $119.90. The #8806-E, with A-2 non-adjustable pickups, sold for $99.90.

The 8-string Model #61 Pedal Guitar had a 6-pedal assembly could be connected in a variety of ways, but it's basic function was to allow the player to sharpen or flatten the pitch of any string while playing. The body of the guitar was made from natural-finished maple, with chrome hardware, and an AP-8 pickup. Price on this model was $349.90, and the #100 case was $35.00. Not shown was the model #41 Pedal Guitar, which was the same as the #61, but with 4 pedals. It sold for $299.90.

The Model #81 Doubleneck Pedal Guitar (above) was similar to it's single-neck counterparts, with two 8-string necks and 8-string pedals. Construction and features were the same as the others, and this model carried a direct price of $499.90.


1966 BASSES

The #73-BG bass that was introduced in 1965 was retired, and replaced by the upgraded #74-BG. The most obvious difference between these models was the new, full size pickguard and slanted pickups, a feature that was common on Carvin basses and guitars of the era. The remainder of the features were essentially the same as the '65 model, with AP-6 (adjustable) or APB-4 (non-adjustable) pickups, dual volume & tone controls, and a pickup selector switch. The sunburst finish body and neck were made from maple. Interestingly, the catalog said: "Perhaps some day you may wish to sell your guitar and the fine sunburst finish will always have a much better resale than a gaudy color." My, how things change! But, at the time, sunburst finishes were the rage. Other features included a rosewood fretboard with double-dot pearl inlays, nickel tailpiece, nickel-plated tuners and a steel truss rod. The #74-BG, with adjustable pickups, sold for $125, and the #84BG, with non-adjustable pickups, sold for $105. The plush-lined #21-SGC hardshell case was $23.90, and the felt-lined #22-SGC hardshell case was $19.90.

The Model #4-BS doubleneck Spanish guitar/bass retained the same basic shape as it had at the beginning of the decade, but with improved features. Pickups were available in adjustable or non-adjustable configurations, and the electronics were rounded out by a single tone and volume control, with individual on-off switches for each one, allowing any combination of pickups to be used. The #4-BS with adjustable pickups sold for $229.90, and the #5-BS, with non-adjustable pickups, sold for $199.90. A Bigsby vibrato tailpiece could be added for an additional $29.90. The #6-CBS hardshell case was an additional $29.90.

In the sixties, Carvin offered low-cost imports in addition to the instruments made at Covina. The model #I-906 replaced the #I-901 that was offered in 1965. This bass was made of solid mahogany with "dark finish", and had an unspecified wood neck with rosewood fingerboard. A single pickup with volume and tone controls, adjustable bridge, jumbo tuners, thumb-rest and chrome bridge cover rounded out the package.