1968

Pages 6-11 position Carvin as a forward-looking solid-state builder, stressing transistor clarity, cooler operation, reliability, and substantial clean output. The product line scales from portable concert combos to large-format bass and show rigs using Jensen and Lansing drivers, reflex enclosures, horn tweeters, and Hammond reverb.

• Pro Series amplifier overview with all-transistor design, tremolo, optional or integrated reverb, and dual-channel controls
• Concert Series amps: Mark II and Mark VI
• Solo Performer with Lansing D130 speaker
• Bass Reflex Cabinet model VR201
• Standalone amplifier heads: B-10, T-15, T-20
• Bass Master model VB-410
• Twin Master model VT-215
• Band Leader model VL-620
• Repeated emphasis on distortion-free RMS output, wide frequency response, rugged cabinetry, and pro-use durability

Pages 3-5 and 19 present Carvin’s thin acoustic-electric line as violin-influenced, maple-and-spruce instruments with removable necks, adjustable pole pickups, and optional Bigsby vibrato.

Joe Maphis was one of the most influential electric guitarists of the early country and western music era. Known as the “King of the Strings,” he became famous for his extraordinary speed, double-neck guitar performances, and television appearances on programs such as Town Hall Party. Maphis frequently demonstrated Carvin guitars and amplifiers in live performances, helping establish the brand’s reputation among professional country musicians during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Harold Hensley appears in the 1968 catalog as a professional steel guitarist endorser, reinforcing Carvin’s credibility in the pedal steel and console steel market segment. His inclusion is strategic: Carvin is not just selling entry-level instruments, but positioning its steel guitars as stage- and studio-worthy tools used by serious players. Hensley’s presence aligns with Carvin’s push into professional country and western swing markets, where pedal steel guitar was a defining sound. By associating with a recognized steel guitarist, Carvin validates its engineering—particularly around pedal mechanisms, tuning stability, sustain, and pickup clarity.

Larry Collins was a guitar prodigy who gained national attention as one half of the Collins Kids, a country and rockabilly duo with his sister Lorrie Collins. Performing regularly on Town Hall Party and other television programs, Collins became known for his energetic stage performances and rapid-fire electric guitar playing. His association with Carvin instruments helped connect the company with younger performers and the emerging rock-influenced country sound of the early 1960s.

Billy Mize was a respected country singer, songwriter, and guitarist who worked extensively in the California country music scene. He performed alongside artists such as Merle Haggard and Buck Owens and later hosted the television program The Billy Mize Show. Mize’s endorsement of Carvin guitars and amplifiers reflected the brand’s strong presence among professional musicians working in West Coast country and honky-tonk venues.

Pua Almeida was a prominent Hawaiian steel guitarist who helped popularize electric steel guitar music throughout the United States during the mid-20th century. Known for his smooth melodic playing and distinctive vibrato style, Almeida toured extensively and recorded numerous albums of Hawaiian music. His association with Carvin steel guitars highlighted the company’s strong connection to the steel guitar tradition.

Ernie Ball appears in the catalog not as a direct equipment endorser in the traditional sense, but as a pedagogical and ecosystem authority—connected through instructional materials and steel guitar education. His inclusion signals Carvin’s intent to be more than a manufacturer: a complete player-support system.