2007 GUITARS

The original V220 was introduced in 1984, and lasted for 5 years, when it was replaced by the X220, which itself only lasted until the early 90s. However, in those days, the available options weren't nearly as broad as they were in 2000, so customers ordering a reissue V220 could choose from a huge selection of colors, woods, pickups and other options. The standard configuration of the V220 was alder body sides, a neck-through maple neck, V headstock, M Series bridge and C22 pickups. The only other bridge that was offered was the Floyd Rose tremolo. Base price on the V220 with M bridge was $899.

Carvin V220 Reissue Guitar

The reissue Ultra V was based on the second-generation Ultra V model, which were originally produced from 1988 through 1993 (the original Ultra V, released in 1987, had body edges similar to the V220, versus the more sculpted edges of the 2nd generation model). Features were the same as the reissue V220, except that the pointed inline headstock, similar to the 90-91 headstock, was standard. Like the V220, the M Series bridge was standard, and the Floyd Rose tremolo was optional. Base price was $899, same as the V220.

Carvin Ultra V Reissue Guitar

The NS1 was something entirely new from Carvin. It was the first ever MIDI synth access guitar they produced, and it was created in conjunction with jazz guitarist Steve Oliver. Although a sneak peek was given at Carvin's 60th Anniversary celebration in August '06, it didn't officially join the lineup until the spring of '07. Everything about this instrument was totally different from anything Carvin had created in the past - from the chambered mahogany body with mahogany neck-through, to the Graphtech Hexaphonic pickup and electronics, to the dual 1/4" and 13 pin MIDI outputs. The 1/4" allowed the NS1 to be used as a traditional nylon-string classical, while the 13 pin MIDI output allowed connection to synth controllers from such companies as Roland and Axon. Controls consisted of stacked volume controls for MIDI and piezo, stacked mid cut/boot and mid sweep (similar to the controls released in 2006 with the Icon bass), stacked treble and bass cut/boost, and a mini switch for scrolling through MIDI patches. Standard features included a 4A flamed maple top with natural body binding (as on the CT6) with matching headstock, gold hardware and gold Carvin logo, and 20" radius ebony fingerboard with no inlays. Base price on the NS1 was $1399, and it's still available today from Kiesel Guitars, right here. The similar CL450 nylon string classical guitar was unchanged from 2006.

Carvin NS1 Midi Synth Guitar

The California Carved Top series continued to enjoy huge success, becoming one of Carvin's most popular models. There were no significant changes to the CT models, other than the new options that were being offered.

The DC200 & DC400, and the DC400A and DC400W were unchanged from 2006. Other DC Series models - the DC127, DC135, DC145 and 7-string DC727 & DC747, were also unchanged from the previous year's models. The DC120 12-string (based on the DC127) was re-christened as the DC127-12 (below), to be consistent in naming with the AE185-12. It also sported a new standard headstock, which was based on the CT headstock. This new design allowed the tuners to be closer together, thereby reducing the overall length of the instrument, as well as slightly reducing the neck weight.

Carvin DC127-12 12-String Guitar

The SC90 and TL60 models were unchanged, although the catalog did show a TL60 in the new White White finish.

The Allan Holdsworth Signature H2 and HF2 Fatboy were unchanged from 2006.

The popular Contour C66 did get a much-requested upgrade in 2007 - the addition of a SSH pickup configuration (single coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, and a humbucker in the bridge position). Also added was the M Series bridge, which had proven quite popular on other Carvin models. The Bolt/Bolt-T models were unchanged, and although not pictured, the Bolt Plus was still available.

Because catalog space was needed for the new NS1 and V220/Ultra V reissues, Carvin's acoustic/electric models were condensed to a single page. All the models from 2006 were still offered, but only some were shown in the catalog. Other than the new 12-string headstock on the AE185-12 and AC275-12, there were no changes to the lineup.

Carvin's import series Cobalt guitars remained popular, and were offered in 8 different models, with no customization available. These were available in jumbo, dreadnaught, and single-cutaway dreadnaught styles, ranging in price from $449 to $919.


2007 BASSES

The Icon Series basses were an immediate hit upon their introduction in 2006, and there were no significant changes to them in their sophomore year. The Icon models immediately became Carvin's flagship basses, and were featured heavily in magazine ads and other promotional materials. The Icon basses were arguably one of the most important instruments in Carvin's history, as they were designed from the ground up as original instruments, and not based on other, pre-existing models such as the Les Paul, Stratocaster or Telecaster.

Carvin Icon IC4 Bass

Likewise, the Bunny Brunel Series 4, 5 and 6-string models had no changes from 2006.

The LB Series basses, which included the extended-scale XB Series 5 and 6-string models and the Timothy B. Schmit Signature TBS4, were also unchanged from the previous year, but the TBS4 was no longer shown in the catalog.

The entry-level bolt neck B4 and B5 basses were unchanged from 2006.

Like other Carvin basses in 2007, the acoustic/electric AC40 and AC50 were unchanged.