Carvin Catalog Archive • 1980

1980

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Carvin Catalog Archive

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Highlights

Highlights from this catalog

Key products, features, and themes you’ll see in this issue.

System 16 (Concert / Super Concert System)

The System 16 represents one of the most complete large-format sound reinforcement solutions in the 1980 catalog, built around high-channel-count mixing, rack-mounted power amplification, and horn-loaded speaker architecture. Designed for larger venues and multi-source applications, it combines console-level control with scalable amplification and JBL-based projection systems.

Large-format console integration for multi-channel mixing
Modular rack-mounted power amplification system
Horn-loaded speaker systems for wide dispersion and projection
Designed for stereo or bi-amped system configurations
Scalable architecture for concert and large venue applications
Complete system solution from input to output

Featured models: MX1602 DCA700 DCA300 R520 XC-806 1330-J

SC2000 Bass Amplifier

The SC2000 serves as a dependable power amplifier solution within Carvin’s modular system approach, offering clean output and straightforward integration into PA and instrument systems. It is designed for users who require consistent amplification without the added complexity of advanced rack systems.

Solid-state power amplifier design
Reliable output for speaker and system driving
Straightforward integration with mixers and speaker systems
Suitable for small to mid-size reinforcement setups
Durable construction for consistent performance

Featured models: SC2000

DCA700 Pro Line Power Amplifier

The DCA700 is one of Carvin’s higher-capacity professional rack amplifiers, designed for continuous-duty operation in demanding sound reinforcement environments. It expands on earlier amplifier designs with improved protection circuitry, bridging capability, and integration into large-scale systems.

High-power stereo amplifier for professional applications
Bridgeable output for increased power in mono operation
Thermostatic cooling for continuous operation
Relay speaker protection and short-circuit protection
Designed for rack-mount system integration
Suitable for large PA and concert systems

Featured models: DCA Series Includes: DCA700 DCA300 DCM151 DCM301

770 Stage Monitor

The 770 stage monitor is a dedicated 3-way monitoring system designed to provide performers with clear and focused sound on stage. Its angled cabinet design and multi-driver configuration make it well suited for vocal and instrument monitoring in live performance environments

3-way monitor system with woofer, horn, and tweeter
Angled cabinet for effective stage placement
15" speaker for strong low-frequency response
Clear midrange projection for vocals and instruments
JBL-loaded version available for increased efficiency
Durable enclosure designed for stage use

Featured models: 770-M 770-J CV77

MX1602 Professional Mixer

The MX1602 is one of Carvin’s most advanced mixing consoles in 1980, designed for both live sound reinforcement and recording applications. With expanded channel count, multiple output paths, and integrated equalization options, it serves as a central control system for complex audio setups.

16-channel input configuration
Multiple main and monitor outputs for flexible routing
Optional integrated 9-band graphic equalizers
Phantom power for condenser microphones
Talkback and control-room monitoring functions
Balanced inputs and outputs for clean signal handling
Designed for studio and live system control

Featured models: MX1602 MX1602-EQ A-16

960 Loudspeaker

The 960 loudspeaker system is a compact, full-range reinforcement cabinet designed for clarity and projection in small to mid-size venues. Its multi-driver configuration and horn-loaded design allow it to deliver balanced sound across the frequency spectrum while remaining portable and adaptable.

3-way loudspeaker system for full-range reproduction
15" woofer for solid low-frequency output
Midrange horn and high-frequency tweeter for clarity
Horn-loaded port design for improved efficiency
JBL-loaded option available for higher performance
Suitable for PA systems and instrument amplification
Can be used as standalone or within larger systems

Featured models: 960-M 960-J CAB960 CV95

Catalog Story

Inside the Carvin Catalog

The 1980 Carvin catalog is closely related to the 1979 edition, and it is fair to say that this year is similar to the previous year in its overall direction. Carvin still organizes the catalog around complete live-sound systems, road-ready mixers, rackmount power amplifiers, horn-loaded loudspeakers, stage monitoring, and packaged reinforcement rigs. The cover itself reinforces that balance by placing mixers, amps, guitars, and sound systems together in a single systems-oriented presentation.

What changes in 1980 is the degree of refinement and formalization. Compared with 1979, the mixer line is more clearly tiered and more explicitly professional. The catalog opens with the MX-1202 and MX-1602 consoles, giving Carvin a stronger top-end recording and sound-reinforcement identity than the prior year’s emphasis on the Q1608-led road-board concept. These new MX consoles add five main outputs, optional four 9-band graphics, solo and control-room monitoring, phantom power, talkback, and a stronger studio-class control layout, which makes the 1980 catalog feel more console-forward than 1979.

The midrange mixer line also remains broad, with the S1200, S1800, MP1000, MC1000, SP600, S600, MP600, MC600, and MP410 continuing the modular idea of powered and non-powered boards. Compared with 1979, the 1980 catalog explains circuit design, equalization, and balanced bipolar differential inputs in greater detail, giving the whole front section a more technical and product-development tone.

Power amplification is another major step. In 1979, the ASG600 and related reinforcement architecture were important additions. In 1980, Carvin puts more emphasis on its Pro Line Professional Amplifiers with the DCA300, DCA700, DCM151, and DCM301, highlighting bridging outputs, thermostatic controls, relay speaker protection, built-in crossovers for bi-amping, and 9-band EQ on the monaural models. This gives the 1980 catalog a stronger rack-systems identity and makes the large-format sound-system pages feel more deliberate and expandable.

The loudspeaker section also becomes easier to read as a hierarchy. The 770 monitor, 960 reinforcement cabinet, 1330 horn-loaded bass reinforcement system, and R520 radial horn are all presented with clearer technical positioning. The monitor packages and complete sound-system pages show how these elements combine into step-up systems from compact club rigs through larger JBL horn-loaded setups. The result is that 1980 feels less like a collection of individual pro products and more like a structured reinforcement program.

On the instrument side, the catalog still includes a substantial guitar and bass section, but it remains secondary to the sound-system story. The DC160, DC150, CM140, CM130, DN612, DN640, and LB50 continue Carvin’s handcrafted maple-instrument identity, while the pickup and parts pages keep the company connected to customization and modification. The new double-neck emphasis gives the 1980 catalog a notable instrument-side addition, but the strongest visual and technical weight still sits with mixers, pro amps, loudspeakers, and packaged systems.

Overall, 1980 develops the 1979 catalog rather than replacing it with a new direction. The most notable additions are the MX-1202 / MX-1602 console family, the stronger presentation of the DCA / DCM Pro Line amps, the expanded System 12 / System 16 large-format packages, and the introduction of the new double-neck guitars into the regular product story. That makes 1980 feel more organized, more technically articulated, and more complete as a professional stage-and-recording catalog.

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Carvin Catalog Archive

Continue through the timeline

Jump back to the 80-year timeline, or browse the archive catalog-by-catalog.

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1980

Year: 1980

Brand

Carvin 1980 catalog, Carvin Equipment Catalog 1980, Carvin MX1202, Carvin MX1602, Carvin DCA700, Carvin DCM301, Carvin 770 monitor, Carvin 960 loudspeaker, Carvin 1330 bass reinforcement, Carvin R520 radial horn, Carvin System 12, Carvin System 16, Carvin VT-212, Carvin VTR2800, Carvin Bass Master, Carvin DC160, Carvin DN612, Carvin M22 pickup, vintage Carvin mixers, vintage Carvin sound systems

Keywords

1954 Carvin Catalog, vintage Carvin, guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers, electric Hawaiian guitar, steel guitar, tube amplifier, Baldwin Park California

Models

Carvin Models: MX1202, MX1202-EQ, MX1602, MX1602-EQ, A-12, A-16, S1200, S1800, CV-10M, CV-18M, MP1000, MC1000, CV-10M, SP600, S600, CV-6M, MP600, MC600, MP410, CV-4M, DCA300, DCA700, DCM151, DCM301, A-3, 770-M, 770-J, CV77, 960-M, 960-J, CAB960, CV95, 1330-J, CAB-133, CV130, R520, XC-806, CV520, D16R2470, XC-1200, MONITOR 1, MONITOR 2, MONITOR 3, MONITOR 4, MONITOR 5, MONITOR 6, SYSTEM 1, SYSTEM 2, SYSTEM 2 JBL, SYSTEM 3, SYSTEM 3 JBL, SYSTEM 4, SYSTEM 4 JBL, SYSTEM 5, SYSTEM 5 JBL, SYSTEM 6, SYSTEM 7, SYSTEM 7 JBL, SYSTEM 8, SYSTEM 9, SYSTEM 9 JBL, SYSTEM 9-4EQ, SYSTEM 10, SYSTEM 12, BASIC 12, CONCERT 12, SUPER CONCERT 12, SYSTEM 16, BASIC 16, CONCERT 16, SUPER CONCERT 16, SNK-6, SNK-12, SNK-16, PH15, PH50, XLR25, VT-112, VT-112 JBL, VT-212, VT-212 JBL, B-115, B-115 JBL, CV-112, CV-212, CV-95, FS-11, FS-22, VTX-112 JBL, VTX-212 MagnaLab, VTX-212 JBL, STX-112 JBL, STX-212 MagnaLab, STX-212 JBL, VTX412-M, VTX412-C, VTX812-M, VTX812-C, STX412-M, STX412-C, STX412-M250, STX412-C250, STX812-M250, STX812-C250, CV-H412, CV-H812, CV412, VTR2800, CV-28, BM115, BM115-JBL, SBM215, SBM215-JBL, CV-H115, CV-H215, 115-M, 115-J, CAB115, DC160, DC160L, HC10, AN20, DC150BE, DC150CM, DC150CE, DC150L, CM130CE, CM130BE, CM130CM, CM140B, CM140C, CM140L, CM120, DN612C, DN612B, HC15, DN640B, DN640C, HC16, LB50CM, LB50BE, LB50CE, LB50L, HC14, M22, M22B, KIT 10, KIT-10-M22B, KIT 20, KIT-20-M22B, KIT 30, KIT-30-M22B, P1, P2, K1, S1, S3, S4, L11, I2A, C1, C2, WS1, E2, TB6, N6, TB8, BN6, NE6, NM6, NE4, NM4, JP1, JP2, RL, RXL, R2XL, 3050, M3075, 3080, M6, M6 mini, M6L mini, M4S, M4SL, M4.Third Party Models: JBL E120, JBL E130, JBL E140, JBL 2461, Heppner 440, Motorola 6016, Hammond 4C, RCA 150W transistors, Schaller M6, Schaller M6 mini, Schaller M6L mini, Schaller M4S, Schaller M4SL, GHS 3050, GHS M3075, GHS 3080, Shure 588SB-CN, Shure 588-SAC, Shure 565SD-CN, Shure SM58-CN, Shure SM57-CN, Switchcraft A3M, Switchcraft D3F, Switchcraft 1720, A95UF.

Series

MX Series, Road Mixers, Professional Mixing Consoles, Pro Line Professional Amplifiers, DCA Series, DCM Series, Monitor Systems, Sound Systems, Basic 12, Concert 12, Super Concert 12, Basic 16, Concert 16, Super Concert 16, Bi-Channel Series, VTX Series, STX Series, Tube Amplifiers, Bass Master, Super Bass Master, Double Neck Guitars, Guitar Electronic Features, Carvin Guitar Features, Pickup Wiring Kits

Technology

balanced bipolar differential input, common mode rejection, phantom power, solo system, control room monitoring, 3 band active EQ, 7 band graphic EQ, 9 band graphic EQ, 10 band graphic EQ, one octave filters, Gyrator simulated inductors, Hammond 4C reverb tank, talkback system, headphone monitoring, channel interrupt, direct channel outputs, pre-fader send, bi-amping, Butterworth active crossover, bridge mode, relay speaker protection, thermostatic controls, short circuit protection, LED output ladder, clip indicator, balanced XLR outputs, balanced XLR inputs, rack mount power amp, horn loaded port, front horn loading, passive crossover, bi-amp crossover, piezo tweeter, die-cast horn, removable diaphragm horn, stereo guitar wiring, dual to single coil switching, phase switching, glued in neck, ebony fingerboard, brass bridge, brass tailpiece, Schaller machine heads, copper foil shielding, hardrock maple construction, marine plywood cabinet, Tolex covering, vinyl cover, Anvil flight case

Search Tokens

Carvin 1980, MX1202, MX1602, MX1202-EQ, MX1602-EQ, S1200, S1800, MP1000, MC1000, SP600, S600, MP600, MC600, MP410, DCA300, DCA700, DCM151, DCM301, 770-M, 770-J, 960-M, 960-J, 1330-J, R520, XC806, XC1200, Monitor 4, System 6, System 8, System 10, Basic 12, Concert 12, Super Concert 12, Basic 16, Concert 16, Super Concert 16, VT-112, VT-212, B-115, VTX412, VTX812, STX412, STX812, VTR2800, BM115, SBM215, DC160, DC150, CM140, CM130, DN612, DN640, LB50, M22, M22B

Additional searchable lines

Example: Electric Spanish Guitar kits, Alnico pickups, accordion pickup, mid-century musical instruments.
Example: Electric Spanish Guitar kits, Alnico pickups, accordion pickup, mid-century musical instruments.