1991 GUITARS

The DC125 was unchanged from 1990 - in fact, the model shown in '91 looks like the same one that was shown the previous year. Like all Carvins in 1991, the body was poplar, with rock maple neck-thru construction and ebony fingerboard with MOP dot inlays. Base price on the DC127 was $469, or $569 with Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo. The HC10 case was $70. The DC125 in the catalog was Ferrari Red, with licensed Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo and black hardware.

New for 1991, more or less, was the DC127. For several years, the DC125 had been offered with an additional pickup, and called the DC127, but this was the first year one was actually shown. Electronics consisted of and M22T and M22N pickup, with 3-way pickup selector and volume/tone controls. The DC127 sold for $519, or $619 with tremolo. The catalog showed a DC127 in Sapphire Blue with black hardware.

The DC135 was unchanged, using the same electronics and construction of it's predecessor. The base price of the DC135 was $569, or $669 with tremolo. The catalog photo showed a DC135 with tung-oiled koa body, tremolo, and gold hardware.

The DC145 was also unchanged, with the exception of the pickups - it now had an M22T, M22N and H60N. The rounded horn body style was standard, but it could be ordered with the more angular body style of the DC135. Base price on the DC145 was $599, or $699 with tremolo. The catalog showed the DC145 in Jet Black with tung-oiled neck, tremolo and black hardware.

The DC200 and DC400 were essentially the same as the 1990 models, but the DC200 got the M22T and M22N pickups standard, and was made with a poplar body and maple neck. The DC400 continued using the standard M22 pickups, but had a standard koa body and koa neck. Base price on the DC200 was $669 ($769 with tremolo), and the DC400 was $1199 ($1299 with tremolo). The catalog showed the DC200 in tung-oiled koa with maple neck and gold hardware, and the DC400 was shown in flamed Sapphire Blue with licensed Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo and black hardware.

Although the DC120 12-string had been available for several years, it was never presented the same as other models - usually, it was just a footnote on the DC200 pages. In 1991, it got the full treatment. Construction was the same as other models, with poplar body sides and rock maple neck, ebony fingerboard with MOP block inlays standard, and 6X6 traditional headstock. The 12-inline headstock was optional. Base price on the DC120 was $729, plus $70 for the HC10 hardshell case. The catalog photo showed the DC120 in Pearl Blue with gold hardware.

The DC150 reappeared in 1991, after a one-year hiatus from the catalog. Although the body shape and construction was the same as before, it was no longer stereo wired, and was reduced to single volume/tone controls, versus dual controls. M22N and M22T pickups were standard. The A500G active electronics package was optional. Base price on the DC150 was $499, or $599 with tremolo. The DC150 was shown in Jet Black with chrome hardware.

The Ultra V remained unchanged, but was treated to a two-page spread in the catalog, with the X220 inset on the same page. On both models, the M22T pickup replaced the M22 that was used in the neck position in 1991. M22SDs were still used in the bridge position. Coil splitters were still optional, but the A500G active electronics upgrade was not offered. All other options were available. Base price on the Ultra V was unchanged at $529, or $629 with tremolo. The X220 was also priced the same, at $569, or $669 with tremolo. The HC19 hardshell case for either was $80.

All new for 1991 was the LS175. Presumably, like 1991's BC130, this new model was not well-received, because it only lasted one year. Like the quick-to-exit BC130, the LS175 gave guitarist something totally different than all of Carvin's other models - in this case, a 25 1/2" scale, 22-fret fingerboard, similar to a Fender Stratocaster. Even the pickup arrangement was similar to the Strat, with the bridge pickup mounted at an angle. Whatever the reason for the hasty exit, it was an innovative gamble, whether it succeeded or not. Base price on the LS175 was $569, or $649 with Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo. The HC10 hardshell case was $70. The catalog showed the LS175 in Classic White with Carvin Floyd Rose tremolo and chrome hardware.

The DN612 & DN640 (not shown in the catalog) were unchanged from 1990. As in previous years, only the DN612 was shown, not the DN640 or DN440. The price jumped significantly, to $1399 for any model, Plus $90 for the HC15 case.

The ad in the Catalog Gallery above of Jason Becker with his DC200 appeared in a 1991 issue of Guitar World.


1991 BASSES

The passive LB20 remained Carvin's lowest-priced bass. The catalog showed a Pearl Blue LB20F fretless, with white fretlines on the fingerboard. Behind it is the standard LB20 in Classic White with matching headstock. Base price on this was $519.

The LB70 was basically unchanged, except for the Wilkinson bridge, and the removal of a pickup selector switch; instead, it simply used the volume controls for this function. These basses started at $599. Shown in the catalog was a fretless LB70F in koa, and a standard LB70 in translucent Cherry Sunburst on flamed maple with matching headstock.

Carvin LB70 'Cherry Pie' Bass 1991 LB70 previously owned by Jerry Dixon of Warrant

The LB75 was now a mainstay of the line, as 5-string basses became more popular, and had the same changes at teh LB70. Base price on the the LB75 was $649. The catalog showed an LB75 in translucent Vintage Yellow on flamed maple with matching headstock, and an LB75F fretless in Jet Black.