1968 GUITARS

The model #35-SGB guitar was unchanged from it's 1967 predecessor. It sported the same Hofner neck, Carvin AP-6 pickups and electronics, and was built the same as the previous model. However, the #35-SGB variants, the 3-pickup #65-SGB and the left-handed #10-LSGB were gone. In 1969, the #35-SGB would be gone as well, after a successful 3-year run. The #35-SGB, with adjustable AP-6 pickups, sold for $119.90. The #45-SGB, with non-adjustable A-1 pickups, sold for $99.90. A Bigsby Vibrato could be added for an additional $29.90. The model #12-B was a 12-string guitar based on the #35-SGB. The body and electronics were the same, with a 12-string Hofner neck. It was only offered with AP-6 adjustable pickups, and sold for $149.90.

Carvin introduced a trio of thin semi-hollow guitars in 1968 which would be mainstays of the line until the mid-70's. These were all based on the same body, which was 1.5" thick and constructed with a spruce top and maple back and sides. The bodies had binding on the front and back, and a sunburst finish. The Hofner-made neck was maple, with rosewood fingerboard, mother-of-pearl dot inlays and Kluson tuners. The model #36-ASG was the top of the line. In addition to the standard features, it had a pair of AP-6 pickups with dual volume and tone controls and 3-way selector switch. It sold for $139.90, and the Bigsby B16 vibrato was an additional $29.90. A left-handed model, the model #39-LSGB, was $149.90. The model #31 form-fit hardshell case was an additional $31.90. The model #37-ASG was the same as the #36-ASG, but with a single AP-6 pickup in the neck position and single volume and tone controls. The Bigsby vibrato was not offered, nor was a left-handed model. The #37-ASG sold for $99.90. The model #38-ASG was a 12-string version of the model #36-ASG. Electronics and construction were identical, but with a 12-string Hofner neck.

There were a trio of doublenecks in 1968 - the model #41 bass/6-string, the model #42 6/12 string and the model #11 mandolin/6 string. These all used the same components as their single-neck counterparts. The model #41 sold for $229.90, the model #42 sold for $249.90, and the model #11 sold for $229.90.

Also available was the #3-MB mandolin. Like the semi-hollow guitars, this had a spruce top with maple back and sides, and was finished in cherry sunburst. Electronics consisted of a single AP-4 pickup with single volume and tone controls. Price on the #3-MB was $89.90.

Carvin continued to offer a wide range of steel guitars, lap steel guitars and pedal steel guitars in 1968. The model #1010A was a doubleneck 10 string pedal steel guitar, with 8 pedals. This 23" scale instrument had an aluminum frame with a black crackle finish and chrome accents, and was loaded with Carvin AP-10 pickups. Price on the #1010-A was $599.90. Also available, but not shown, was the model #10-A, which was a single-10 with 6 pedals. It sold for $399.90. There were other pedal steels offered but not shown in the catalog - the model #41 was a single-8 with 4 pedals. It sold for $299.90. The model #61 was a single-8 with 6 pedals, that sold for $349.90. The model #81 was a double-8 with 8 pedals. It sold for $499.90.

The Carvin PRO Series steel guitars consisted of 2 primary models; the model #6606-D doubleneck 6-string model, and the model #8806-D doubleneck 8-string model. Both were loaded with AP series pickups, with a master volume and tone control. These were also available with non-adjustable A Series pickups. The model #6606-d sold for $89.90, and the model #8806-D sold for $119.90. For the singleneck player, Carvin offered the #6DHG-5B, which sold for $49.90. Also offered was the #8DHG-5B, which sold for $69.90. These were loaded with adjustable AP Series pickups, but could be ordered with non-adjustable A Series pickups.

As had been the case throughout Carvin's history, you could order a wide assortment of parts, including necks, tuners, bridges, pots and speakers. The back cover showed other accessories that could be bought, including a pair of DeArmond pedals, the Bigsby vibrato, and the Guild Copicat delay/reverb/echo effects unit.


1968 BASSES

The solid-body model #74-BG for 1968 was the same as the '67 model. It featured a 22-fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and an adjustable steel truss rod. Electronics consisted of AP-6 pickups with adjustable pole pieces, 3-way pickup selector, and volume and tone controls for each pickup. Price on the #74-BG was unchanged from 1967, at $125. It was also available as the #84-BG, which was essentially the same, but with non-adjustable pole-pieces. The #84BG sold for $105.00. Two cases were available - the #21-SGC hard case with red plush lining was $23.90, and the #22-SGC with felt lining was #19.90.

New for 1968 was the model #75-ABG semi-hollow compact bass guitar. This featured the same electronics and pickups as the #7-BG solid body bass, as well as the same 25 1/4" scale bolt-on maple neck with Kluson tuners and rosewood fingerboard. It also featured a sunburst finish with white body binding, and faux MOP pickguard. Price on the #75-AGB was $129.90, or $139.90 for the #76-AGB left-handed model. The model #31 hardshell case was $31.90.

Also available, but not pictured in the catalog, was the model #77-AGB 30" long-scale bass, which was similar to the #75-ABG, with a longer scale length.