In 1946, Lowell Kiesel founded Kiesel Electronics in Los Angeles, California. Three years later, the Kiesel family settled in Covina, California, and began the original catalog business of manufacturing and distributing lap steel guitars, small tube amps, and pickups. The Carvin trademark was derived from Kiesel´s two oldest sons, Carson and Gavin. Guitars were originally offered in kit form, or by parts since 1949; Carvin began building complete guitars in 1956. By 1978, the glued set-neck design replaced the bolt-on necks. The majority of the current guitar and bass models currently feature a neck-through design.
Carvin has always been a mail-order-only company, and offers players a wide range of options on the individual models. Even though they can´t be tried out before they´re bought, Carvin offers a ten-day money-back guarantee. Because Carvin sells factory direct, these guitars are not stocked in music stores. It is suggested that a current copy of their catalog be requested (free of charge) to find out more about the company´s current models and pricing. Carvin also used to have a factory store in Sherman Oaks.
Carvin offers a full range of guitar and bass replacement parts in their full line catalog. The Carvin company also offers mixing boards, power amplifiers, power mixers, P.A. speakers, monitor speakers, guitar combo amps/heads/cabinets, and bass amps/cabinets. Lowell Kiesel passed away on December 28, 2009.
Instruments currently produced in Escondido, CA since 1969. Previous production was located in Covina, CA from 1949 to 1969. Carvin instruments are sold through direct catalog sales, as well as through five factory stores in CA: Covina, Hollywood, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Ana.

CARVIN Electric Guitars Models

CARVIN SC90 Image

CARVIN SC90

- single rounded cutaway alder body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, three-per-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, two Carvin humbucker pickups, four controls (t...

CARVIN DC120/DC-127 12-STRING Image

CARVIN DC120/DC-127 12-STRING

- 12-string configuration, offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-per-side locking Sperzel tuners, two Carvin C22 humbucker pickups, volu...

CARVIN THE BOLT Image

CARVIN THE BOLT

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, bolt-on graphite-reinforced maple neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, maple headstock veneer, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-on-a-side Carvin tuners, chrome hardware, white...

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT3M/CT324M Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT3M/CT324M

- offset double cutaway contoured mahogany body, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret (CT3M) or 24-fret (CT324M, summer 2010-present) ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, matching color headstock with three-per-side tuners, STB, two Classic hum...

CARVIN SH60 Image

CARVIN SH60

- single cutaway Tele-style semi-hollow alder body, two-piece maple top, single f-hole on the bass bout, maple NTB, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, matching finish inline headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic brid...

CARVIN H1 Image

CARVIN H1

- single rounded cutaway alder body, internal acoustic chambers, alder top, set-in alder neck, 25.5 in. scale, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, graphite nut, 2/4 headstock design, locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, tun...

CARVIN AE150 Image

CARVIN AE150

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, blackface peghead with screened logo, 6-on-a-side locking Sperzel tuners, 2 humbucker/1 acoustic bridge Carvin picku...

CARVIN LB20 Image

CARVIN LB20

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, four-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style H50N passive pickups, three cont...

CARVIN BB70 Image

CARVIN BB70

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, two-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style pickups, volume/treble/bass/mix controls, act...

CARVIN B²4 BRIAN BROMBERG BASS Image

CARVIN B²4 BRIAN BROMBERG BASS

- offset double cutaway alder body, AAAA flame maple top, maple NTB, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with 12th fret abalone Bromberg inlay, matching finish flame maple headstock overlay with abalone logo, four-on-one-side tuners, Hipshot A-style...

CARVIN LB70 Image

CARVIN LB70

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, four-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style pickups, volume/blend/bass/mid/t...

CARVIN AE160 Image

CARVIN AE160

- single cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, blackface peghead with screened logo, 6-on-a-side locking Sperzel tuners, 2 humbucker/1 acoustic bridge Carvin pickups, 1 v...

CARVIN BB75 FIVE-STRING Image

CARVIN BB75 FIVE-STRING

- five-string configuration, offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, 3/2-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style pickups, volume/tr...

CARVIN B²4S Brian Bromberg Standard Bass Image

CARVIN B²4S Brian Bromberg Standard Bass

- similar to the B²4 Brian Bromberg Bass, except has a plain top, 12th fret white MOP Bromberg fingerboard inlay, matching finish headstock with plain logo, and standard BL bridge with lock-down saddles, available in various finishes, mfg....

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT4M/CT324M Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT4M/CT324M

- offset double cutaway contoured mahogany body with an Eastern maple top, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret (CT4M) or 24-fret (CT424M, summer 2010-present) ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, matching color headstock with three-per-side tu...

CARVIN DC125 Image

CARVIN DC125

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, single Carvin humbucker pickup, volume contro...

CARVIN SH65 Image

CARVIN SH65

- single cutaway Tele-style semi-hollow alder body, two-piece maple top, single f-hole on the bass bout, maple NTB, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, matching finish inline headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic brid...

CARVIN H2 HOLDSWORTH Image

CARVIN H2 HOLDSWORTH

- single rounded cutaway alder body, internal acoustic chambers, alder top, set-in alder neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, graphite nut, 2/4 headstock design, locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, tune-o-matic bridge...

CARVIN AE185 Image

CARVIN AE185

- single cutaway mahogany body, internal acoustic chambers, AAA Englemann spruce top, through-body mahogany neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, blackface peghead with screened logo, three-per-side tuners, two...

CARVIN SH445 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP Image

CARVIN SH445 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP

- symmetrical double cutaway semi-hollow alder body, carved plain maple top, two f-holes, set mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with abalone dot inlays, matching finish headstock overlay, three-per-side Sperzel locking tuners, tune-o...

CARVIN DC127 Image

CARVIN DC127

- offset double cutaway alder body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, two Carvin C22 humbucker pickups, volume/tone...

CARVIN BB76 SIX-STRING Image

CARVIN BB76 SIX-STRING

- six-string configuration, offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, 3-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style pickups, volume/trebl...

CARVIN CONTOUR 66 (C66) Image

CARVIN CONTOUR 66 (C66)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, flamed maple top and headstock, graphite neck with dual action truss-rod, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, two C22 Humbucking pickups, five-way switch, v...

CARVIN LB70A Anniversary Image

CARVIN LB70A Anniversary

- similar to the LB70 except is 50th anniversary edition, features flamed maple top, five-piece maple/walnut neck-through body, three-piece maple/walnut/alder body, rounded body edges, mfg. 1996-present.

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT6M/CT624M Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA CARVED TOP CT6M/CT624M

- offset double cutaway contoured mahogany body with a 20mm thick flamed curly maple top, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret (CT6M) or 24-fret (CT624M) ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlay, matching maple headstock with 24kt gold plate...

CARVIN HF2 Fatboy Image

CARVIN HF2 Fatboy

- similar to the H2, except features a set neck, thicker body (2.375 in.), floating twin beam suspension, white birch top and back, optional flame maple top, mfg. 2001-present.

CARVIN SH475 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP SYNTH ACCESS Image

CARVIN SH475 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP SYNTH ACCESS

- similar to the SH445 Carved Top, except has a Graphtech Hexaphonic Synth Access pickup, four knobs (two regular knobs for humbucker volume and tone with push/pull, and two stacked knobs for Synth Access controls), a three-way mini switch...

CARVIN LB70W Walnut Image

CARVIN LB70W Walnut

- similar to the LB70 except has California Claro Walnut top, five piece neck-through construction, three piece body, fully rounded edges, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1997-present.

CARVIN DN612 DOUBLENECK Image

CARVIN DN612 DOUBLENECK

- offset sharp double cutaway poplar body, two maple through-body necks in a 12/6 configuration, 24-fret ebony fingerboards with pearl dot inlays, fixed bridges, graphite nut, six-per-side on 12-string neck, three-per-side on six-string nec...

CARVIN DC135 Image

CARVIN DC135

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, six-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, two Carvin S60 single coil and one Carvin C22 humbucker pickup...

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC3M/DC3S Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC3M/DC3S

- symmetrical double cutaway contoured mahogany body, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, matching color headstock with three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, STB (DC3M) or stop tailpiece (DC3S), two C...

CARVIN B4 Image

CARVIN B4

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on graphite-reinforced maple neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlay, Hipshot fixed bridge, graphite nut, four-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, two J-style H50N humbucking pic...

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC4M/DC4S Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC4M/DC4S

- symmetrical double cutaway contoured mahogany body with an Eastern maple top, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlay, matching color headstock with three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge, STB (DC4M) or st...

CARVIN DC145 Image

CARVIN DC145

- offset double cutaway poplar body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, graphite nut, reverse peghead, six-on-one-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, two humbucker and one single...

CARVIN SH550/SH550CE SINGLE-CUT CARVED TOP Image

CARVIN SH550/SH550CE SINGLE-CUT CARVED TOP

- single cutaway semi-hollow mahogany body, curly flamed maple top (SH550) or AAAA western cedar top (SH550CE, new fall 2011), two f-holes, set mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with abalone dot inlays, matching finish headstock over...

CARVIN LB75A Anniversary Five-String Image

CARVIN LB75A Anniversary Five-String

- similar to the LB75 except is 50th anniversary edition, features flamed maple top, five-piece maple/walnut neck through body, three-piece maple/walnut/alder body, rounded body edges, mfg. 1996-present.

CARVIN SH575/SH575CE SINGLE-CUT SYNTH ACCESS Image

CARVIN SH575/SH575CE SINGLE-CUT SYNTH ACCESS

- similar to the SH550/SH550CE Carved Top, except has a Graphtech Hexaphonic Synth Access pickup, five knobs (two regular knobs for humbucker volume and tone with push/pull, and three stacked knobs for Synth Access controls), a three-way mi...

CARVIN DT650 DOUBLENECK Image

CARVIN DT650 DOUBLENECK

- offset single cutaway hard rock maple body, two maple through-body necks in a 12/6 configuration, 22-fret ebony fingerboards with pearl block inlays, bridge/stop tailpieces, six-per-side on 12-string neck, three-per-side on the six-string...

CARVIN DC150 Image

CARVIN DC150

- double cutaway maple body, through-body maple neck, 24-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, three-per-side tuners, black pickguard, chrome hardware, two Carvin M22 humbuckers, volume/tone contro...

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC6M/DC6S Image

CARVIN CALIFORNIA DOUBLE-CUT DC6M/DC6S

- symmetrical double cutaway contoured mahogany body with a 20mm thick flamed curly maple top, set Honduras mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlay, matching maple headstock with 24kt gold plated logo and three-per-s...

CARVIN SH645 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP Image

CARVIN SH645 DOUBLE-CUT CARVED TOP

- symmetrical double cutaway semi-hollow mahogany body, carved AAAA 20mm thick flame maple top, two f-holes, set mahogany neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with abalone dot inlays, matching finish headstock overlay, three-per-side Sperzel loc...