I am always paying attention to used Carvin listings, specifically hoping to see some from 1988-89 with the “jackson” style pointy headstock, so when this popped up for sale I just had to have it.
It’s a DC200, which means it has the usual DC series features of this era (neck through body construction, ebony fingerboard, mother-of-pearl inlays, Carvin M22 pickups) but with a few special additions like standard block inlays, and a unique control layout. The default configuration has both volume and tone for each pickup (like a Les Paul), a 3-way pickup selector switch, and a separate coil tap switch per pickup. The last switch closest to the input jacks, which are stereo outputs, is a phase switch. The phase switch is only really noticeable when both pickups are in use, but it gives some really unique tones especially when combined with the coil splitting of either one or both pickups.
This particular DC200 Koa was ordered with gold hardware (an additional $40) and with the Kahler Pro tremolo. Since I currently have another DC125 with an Original Floyd Rose, it’s pretty cool to have both of the tremolo bridge options (a fixed bridge was also available). This would’ve been priced at $819 back in ‘88 and the most amazing thing I noticed out of all of this is that the UPS Shipment cost for this guitar, in a case, was $10. Wow!
Of course, the highlight feature is the Koa wood body wings on either side of the one-piece maple neck through design. Even better, the beautiful, glossy clear finish really showcases the fine grain of these woods and the unplugged tone is exceptional. Here are some pictures, and of course many more on this guitar’s page over in the collection gallery here:
