1974 GUITARS

The AS50B was a semi-acoustic guitar, with a bolt-on Hofner neck. The top was spruce, and the back and sides were flamed maple, finished in sunburst with "polyester" clear coat. Amenities included cast aluminum bridge and tailpiece, white MOP pickguard, Kluson tuners, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard on maple neck and MOP fingerboard and headstock inlays. Electronics consisted of a pair of AP6 humbucking pickups with dual volume and tone controls and 3-way selector switch. Prices had jumped since 1973, to $229.95 for the basic model, or $259.90 with a Bigsby tailpiece. A left-handed model was available for $239.95, or in a 12-string version for $209.90. The AC11 soft case was $18.95.

The CM95 was a solid maple, single cutaway guitar with a bolt-on maple Hofner neck. It was only available in clear satin natural finish, and featured a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, MOP inlays, Kluson tuners, cast aluminum bridge and celluloid pickguard. Electronics consisted of a pair of AP6 humbucking pickups with dual volume and tone controls and 3-way selector switch. Base price rose to $239.95, or $269.95 with a Bigsby tailpiece. A left-handed model was available for $249.95. The SC14 hardshell case was $32.95.

The SS75 and SS65 were essentially the same instrument, with the only difference being the construction and finish. The SS75 was made of solid maple, with a clear satin natural finish. The SS65 was made of "lighter high quality wood" with sunburst finish. Both models had otherwise the same amenities as the CM95. The SS75 sold for $179.95, or $209.95 with Bigsby tailpiece. Although a left-handed model was offered in 1973, this was not mentioned in the 1974 catalog. The SS65 sold for $159.95, or $189.95 with Bigsby tailpiece. The SC15 hardshell case was $32.95.

New for 1974 was the SS85. This was basically an SS75 with the #800 neck of the CM95, resulting in a hybrid instrument. Electronics were the same as the SS75, and the SS85 was offered with a conventional tailpiece or with a Bigsby vibrato. The SS85 sold for $219.95, or $229.95 with the Bigsby.

The SS120 was also new for 1974. A 12-string version of the AS50B had been offered in 1973, and the DTS90B doubleneck had a 12-string neck, but this was the first solid-body 12-string sold by Carvin. The body, electronics and all features were the same as the SS75. The SS120 sold for $199.95.

The features of the DTS90B doubleneck were basically the same as the SS75 guitar - that is, Hofner bolt-on necks with rosewood fingerboards, AP6 pickups with 3-way selector switch. Additionally, the necks were wired independently of each other, so each neck could be plugged into a different amp. The 6-string neck was available with or without the Bigsby vibrola. The DTS90B sold for $319.95, and the DNS98 (without the Bigsby) sold for $289.95. A left-handed model was not available. The SC27 hardshell case was $34.95. The features of the DBS98B doubleneck guitar/bass were basically the same as the SB60 bass, and the SS75 guitar. Like the DTS90B, each neck could be plugged into a different amp. The guitar neck was available with or without the Bigsby vibrola. The DBS98B sold for 289.95, or $319.95 with the Bigsby.

The end of Carvin's dominance in the steel guitar market was just about done by 1974. At the height of their popularity, Carvin offered as many as 10 models, but in 1974, there were only two and their variants: the PRO 6 and 8-string models. The PRO-S8 8-string sold for $89.95. The PRO-D6 doubleneck 6-string sold for $124.95. Also available was the PRO-S6 6-string model for $79.95, and the PRO-D8 doubleneck 8-string, which was $144.95. A set of telescoping chrome-plated screw-in legs was available for $18.95, and the SC12 hardshell case sold for $27.95.


1974 BASSES

The SB60 bass had minor changes from 1972/73, including a chrome cover on the bridge pickup and an inlaid design on the headstock. The SB60 was made from solid Eastern hardrock maple, with a clear satin finish. It had the short-scale 22 fret Hofner bolt-on neck with rosewood fingerboard, APB4 humbucking pickups, and aluminum bridge and tailpiece. Electronics included a 3-way pickup selector switch, and volume and tone controls for each pickup. Prices increased slightly from 1973, with the SB60 now selling for $189.95, or $199.95 for a lefthanded model, plus $32.95 for the SC18 hardshell case.

The SB40 bass had similar changes from the 1972/73 models as the SB60. This model sported the same electronics and neck of the SB60, but was made from unspecified wood - probably some variant of plywood, and was finished in sunburst. The SB40 sold for $169.95, and wasn't available in a left-handed model.

The last model was the AB45 semi-hollow-body bass, also unchanged from previous years. This bass featured the same Hofner neck and electronics of its solidbody counterparts, with aluminum bridge and tailpiece, MOP pickguard, and sunburst finish with white plastic body binding. The AB45 jumped in price to $199.95, or $209.95 for a left-handed model. The AC21 softcase was $18.95.