1998 GUITARS

The Bolt got a new catalog photo (although one of the guitars appeared to be the same as '97). Apart from that, everything was the same. The price rose slightly, to $459, and the Bolt-T, with Wilkinson tremolo, had a base price of $519. The Spring catalog photo showed a Bolt in Classic White, with red tortoise pickguard and chrome hardware, and a Bolt-T in translucent blue, with maple fingerboard, Sperzel tuners, white pearloid pickguard, C22 bridge pickup and gold hardware. The inset photo showed a Bolt-T with Wilkinson tremoloin Ruby Red Stain on quilt with matching headstock, black pearloid pickguard and black chrome hardware.

The DC127 and DC135 were unchanged for 1998, and the same photo was used from 1996/97. The prices dropped slightly, starting at $539 for the DC127 and $569 for the DC135. The Spring catalog showed the DC127 in tung-oiled koa with matching headstock and rounded body sides, Wilkinson tremolo and gold hardware. The DC135 was shown in Cherry Sunburst with alder neck, matching headstock and rounded body sides, chrome hardware, and Wilkinson tremolo.

The TL60 was also unchanged for 1998, and the same catalog photo that had been used for several years was used again. Base price dropped slightly on the hardtail model to $539, and remained the same at $599 with Wilkinson tremolo. The Spring catalog photo showed a TL60 in Jet Black with chrome hardware, M22 bridge pickup and Wilkinson tremolo, and in Tobacco Sunburst on quilted maple with gold hardware.

The SC90 was unchanged, and the same catalog photo was used as in '97. Prices remained the same, at $579, while the SC90T with Wilkinson tremolo remained $629, and the SC90C, with Floyd Rose tremolo, remained $669. The Spring catalog showed an SC90 with the Custom Flame Package (Ruby Red Stain), with gold hardware and cream pickups, and an SC90 in classic sunburst with alder neck and body, rounded body sides, cream/black pickups and chrome hardware.

The DC200 and DC400 were again unchanged, with the exception of the new active/passive guitar module. The same catalog photo was used, showing the DC120 and DC400, but not the DC200. The price on the DC200 hardtail remained $679, and rose to $739 with the Wilkinson, $779 with the Floyd Rose). The DC120 12-string rose slightly to $779. The DC400 hardtail dropped slightly to $899 for the base model, or $959 and $999 with the Wilkinson or Floyd Rose tremolo, respectively. The inset photo showed the DC400A Anniversary model, which was a highly upgraded DC400, with 5-piece maple/koa neck, flamed maple top and matching headstock, and 3 piece alder/koa/flamed maple body. It was available as a $200 upgrade to the DC400, DC400T or DC400C. The Spring catalog photo showed the DC120 in Jet Black with rounded body sides, and the DC400 in Vintage Yellow on flamed maple with Wilkinson tremolo and gold hardware.

The Holdsworth H1 and H2 were unchanged for 1998, but the prices rose a bit after the substantial drop of '97. Base price on the H1 was $749, or $799 with Wilkinson tremolo, and the H2 was $799, or $849 with Wilkinson tremolo. The Spring catalog showed the H1 in Jet Black with Wilkinson tremolo and black hardware, and the H2 in clear gloss on quilted maple with matching headstock, coil splitters and gold hardware.


1998 ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITARS

The AE185 and AE185-12 were unchanged for 1998. The base price of the AE185 remained $799, and the base price of the AE185-12 was $849. The Spring catalog showed a AE185 in flamed koa with matching headstock, body binding, coil splitters and phase switches and black hardware, and an AE185 in Classic White with coil splitters and phase switches and gold hardware. The inset photo showed an AE185-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock and gold hardware.

The AC175 and AC275 remained the same, but a 12-string version of the AC275 was added, the AC275-12. Base price on the AC175 was the same as '97 at $699, and base price on the AC275 dropped to $749. The AC275-12 was $799. The Spring catalog showed an AC175 with natural spruce top, gold hardware, and inline headstock. The AC275 was shown in Classic Sunburst on flamed maple with body binding and chrome hardware. The inset photo showed the AC275-12 in clear gloss on flamed maple with matching headstock, body binding and black hardware.


1998 BASSES

This year, Carvin introduced a bass for Everyman - the B4 and B5. This was an entry-level, bolt neck bass, but what made this stand apart from other bolt basses was that it was offered with all the options and features of Carvin's high-end models. Most other manufacturers only offered a handful of colors, and maybe chrome or black hardware, but with the B4, and its 5-string counterpart, the B5, you could choose from over 20 colors, plain, flamed, quilted and other figured tops, black, chrome, or gold hardware, active or passive electronics, and much more. The B4 started at a very reasonable $469, and the B5 started at $599. The HC17 ABS case for either model was $78, and the HC18 vintage tweed hardshell case for either model was $108.

The LB20 and LB70 sported the new Hipshot bridge, as well as new active electronics on the LB70. Colors, woods and most everything else remained the same as '97. The base prices of the LB20 was $579, and the LB70 was $649. The HC17 ABS case for either model was $78, and the HC18 vintage tweed hardshell case for either model was $108, although the HC17 was offered for free with any Custom Shop order. The LB75 was unchanged as well, except for the new electronics and Hipshot bridge. The price on the LB75 was $719. The HC17 ABS case for either model was $78, and the HC18 vintage tweed hardshell case for either model was $108. The free HC17 was also available for free with any Custom Shop order.

The LB76 was also unchanged, with the exception of the items noted on the LB70 & LB75, and the catalog had a new photo for these models. The price on the LB76 was unchanged at $819, and it had the same case options as the other models.

The LB76A and its 4 and 5-string counterparts were also unchanged, and despite the passing of the 50th anniversary, the model continued to go strong. Prices on these models were also unchanged from 1997, at $1129 (LB70), $1199 (LB75) and $1299 (LB76). The HC17 ABS case for either model was $78, and the HC18 vintage tweed hardshell case for either model was $108.

The Bunny Brunel Signature BB70 finally got some representation, alongside the BB75. These models also sported the new features that were available on the LB series basses (with the exception of the 2-Tek bridge). The base price on the BB70 was $749, and the base price on the BB75 was $819. The case options were the same as the LB series basses.

The AC40 and AC50 acoustic/electric basses continued to make their mark, and were unchanged for 1998. The prices and case options on these models were unchanged from the previous year.