1978 GUITARS

The DC150 was available in two models, the clear-finished DC150C and the gloss black DC150B. Both were constructed of Eastern hardrock maple with 24 1/2" scale maple fingerboards, MOP dot inlays, Schaller #M6 mini tuners, and 2 new M22 pickups with dual volume/single tone controls, coil splitters and phase switch. Both also used the new #900 neck, which was replacing the Hofner-made Carvin #860 neck, which was in its last year of availability. The only difference between the two DC150 models was that one was black, and the other was clear. Interestingly, the DC150C was available as a left-handed model (DC150L), but the DC150B was not. The DC150C and DC150B sold for $355.00, and the DC150L sold for $375.00. The HC10 hardshell case was an additional $45.

The CM140 Stereo was based on the same singlecut design Carvin had sold under other names (CM95, CM96). However, the new CM140 could be considered the first "modern" Carvin, with the new M22 pickups, stereo wiring, Schaller hardware and other features that would become staples of the Carvin line. The neck was a 25 1/4" scale model #860, which had an ebony fingerboard and MOP block inlays. The CM140 was available in black or clear finishes, and sold for $375.00. The left-handed CM140L was $395.00. The CM130 was essentially the same as the CM140, but it had mono wiring, and a rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays on a #820 neck. It was not offered in a left handed model, but was available in black or clear. The CM130 sold for $285.00. The HC11 hardshell case for either model sold for $45.00.

The CM120 was a 12-string variant of the CM140. It had the same construction, materials and features of the CM140, with a #950 12-string neck that had an ebony fingerboard and MOP block inlays. It was stereo-wired, and had a pair of M22 pickups with dual volume controls, single tone control, and coil splitters and phase switch. It was offered in black or clear finishes, and sold for $410.00. A left-handed model was not offered.

The DT650 6-string/12-string and the DB630 bass/6-string would be the last of the small-bodied doublenecks Carvin would produce. There would be no doublenecks in 1979, and in 1980, the DC-inspired DN612 & DN640 would be introduced. The DT650 used the #650 neck of the CM120 and the #860 neck of the CM140 (both with ebony fingerboards & MOP inlays), and a solid Eastern hardrock maple body with a pair of M22 pickups with dual volume controls, single tone controls, phase switching and coil splitters. It was available in clear or black finishes, and sold for $695.00. A left-handed version was offered (in clear only), and sold for $755.00. The HC18 case was $55.00. The DB630 bass/guitar doubleneck had all the same features of the DT650, with a #790 bass neck. The DB630 sold for $665.00 in black or clear finish, or $725.00 for a left-handed model in clear. It was also offered as the DB120C, which had a 12-string guitar on top, 4-string bass on bottom, and a clear finish. The DB120C sold for $715. The HC19 case was $55.00.

Carvin DB630 Doubleneck Guitar/Bass

One of the most significant developments of 1978 was the introduction of the M22 and M22B pickups, which replaced the long-running AP Series pickups. These innovative 22-pole adjustable pickups would become the mainstay of Carvin's guitars and basses for many years, and would evolve into a whole line of 22-pole humbuckers over the next 40 years.

1978 BASSES

The CB100 bass guitar was based on Carvins "CM" series of guitars, which was in turn based on the legendary Gibson Les Paul and similar singlecut instruments. This model was available in 1976, then disappeared in '77, and was reborn for one year in '78, with new controls, and the M22 humbucking pickup - which would be a mainstay on Carvin instruments throughout the 80's. It was available in clear or black finishes, with an ebony fingerboard and Schaller tuners. This was the last Carvin bass to use the short-scale 30" neck, the last "wider-at-the-top" headstock, and also signaled the end of bolt-on necks as the "standard" on Carvin instruments (although they would reappear as entry-level instruments in the 90's). The CM100 sold for $320.00, or $340.00 for a left-handed model. The HC15 hardshell case was $50.00.