1982 GUITARS
The DC200 Koa was still the flagship model, but it's representation was reduced to make room to show off the new colors. Otherwise, it was unchanged from 1981, although the price increased $10 on the DC200KI, which had MOP block inlays versus the standard dots. The same instrument was used for the '82 photo as had been used in 1981, as well. The DC200 Koa came standard with chrome hardware, MOP dot inlays, stereo wiring and the same electronics of the DC160. Gold hardware was a $50 option. The base price of the DC200K was $460, and the HC11 hardshell case was $60. The DC200KI was $520.
Joining the DC200K was the new DC160K, which was a koa version of the DC150. Unlike the DC200K, however, the DC160K had a curly (flamed) koa body and neck, standard abalone block inlays, and standard gold hardware. Like the DC150, it was stereo wired, with coil splitters and phase switching. The price on the DC160K was $685, plus $60 for the HC10 hardshell case.
The DC160 was still offered, as well. Interestingly, although the specs referred to the wood as "curly", the photo showed what would now be considered "quilted", as "curly" was synonymous with "flamed". Nonetheless, specs and pricing was the same as 1981, including the availability of solid birdseye maple as the body wood.
The DC200 Stereo was basically unchanged, but had a new page, showing the new red and white colors. Block inlays were now standard, and the model designation was technically "DC200I", just like the koa model with block inlays. Dot inlays could be custom ordered. The base price of the DC200, in clear, red, white or black, was $495, and the HC11 hardshell case was $60. Gold hardware was an additional $50, and MOP dot inlays reduced the price by $40. It was also available as the DC120 12-string guitar, which had a base price of $495 and was not shown in the catalog.
The DC100 no longer had a rosewood fingerboard; it had an ebony fingerboard, just like all other models. It did get a new catalog page, showing a red and white model. Base price of the DC100 increased to $319. It was noted that left-handed DC100 models were not offered. The DC150 had the same photo as 1981, and it still had 3 different model configurations - the DC150BE, which had a black finish and ebony fingerboard, and sold for $435; the DC150CM, which had a clear finish and maple fingerboard and sold for $415; and the DC150CE, which had a clear finish and ebony fingerboard, and also sold for $435. Red or white finishes could be ordered for an additional $20, or plain koa for an additional $40 (by comparison, a koa body in 2022 is $500, and koa necks are generally not available, because koa in the size required to make a neck is scarce). Gold hardware was available for $50. A left-handed model was offered, at $30 extra. The HC10 hardshell case for all DC1XX models was $60.
Also unchanged from 1981 was the CM130 and CM140, right down to the catalog page. These Les Paul-style singlecuts were essentially the same instrument, with the CM140 offering stereo wiring and abalone block inlays, while the CM130 was mono with MOP dot inlays. They had the same options, at the same prices, as the DC150 (including the new red and white finishes). Prices remained the same as 1981 - the CM130CE and CM130BE were $395, and the CM130CM was $375. The CM140CE and CM140BE were $485 and a left-handed version was $515. The HC10 case for any of these was $60.
The SH225, made with Hofner parts, but assembled by Carvin, now had fine tuners on the bridge, but was otherwise unchanged for 1982. Standard features on this semi-hollow electric were dual M22 pickups, dual volume and tone controls, pickup selector switch, ebony fingerboard, abalone block inlays and natural finish. Also offered was the SH225S, which featured stereo wiring, and coil and phase switches. Gold hardware was an addition $50, and a black laminated pickguard could be added for $15. Base prices increased from 1981, to $620 for the SH225, and the $670 for the SH225S stereo. The HC18 form-fitted hardshell case was $79.
There was no change in the price or specs on the DN612 (6-string/12-string guitar) and DN640 (6-string guitar and 4-string bass), but there was a new catalog photo. Standard feature were black or natural finish, MOP inlays and chrome hardware. The new red and white finishes were offered for an extra $40. Plain koa necks and body was $80. Electronics were the same as the LB50 (bass) and DC150 (guitar), with the exception of 1 tone control versus two. Both models had two output jacks; one for each neck - therefore, stereo wiring wasn't available. The base price on the DN612 was $895, while the DN640 was $865. Gold hardware was available for an additional $100. The HC15 hardshell case sold for $75.
As in 1981, the only bass available was the LB50. The catalog page, pricing and options were identical to 1981, but the red or white finishes could be ordered for an additional $20, or plain koa for an additional $40. As the 80s progressed, more bass models would come, but in the early 80s, the LB50 was it.