early '80s Carvin DC400 KOA....

Jbird

Jbird

Kick Henry Jackassowski
...is it worth $1k ???



drool0

Based on what I think the serial# looks like in some of the other pics (13000's) it's probably a 1982? (My late 1984 DC160 is in the 17000's). Also the bridge makes it <1984, I think.

Not up on my DC200/400's either. I thought the 400's had block inlays & stereo, the 200's were non-stereo. But this has dot inlays and is stereo....maybe a 200 w/upgrade?
 
Mine is from the 90's but I'll sell it for $750 shipped. I think it's a DC127. It's not stereo.

 
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I wouldn't think any non-late 2000's+ is worth that cash. They have nearly zero vintage value appreciation. Quality guitar though, for sure.
 
Go to guitarcenter.com's website and check out the used section for Carvin. There are a few older Carvin's for sale.. They have a dc200 in koa for $899(a bit high)
 
mystixboi1 said:
Go to guitarcenter.com's website and check out the used section for Carvin. There are a few older Carvin's for sale.. They have a dc200 in koa for $899(a bit high)
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Thanks, Mystix :)

I just checked, and it's in Canton, MI, about an hour and a half drive from me. I might just drive over there and check it out. I have tonight off, so a 3-day weekend :)
 
It's a lovely guitar, but that price is way steep. Unless you can find consistent precedents for such a high price...which I can't imagine you will. Of course it's worth what you're willing to pay, but that guitar probably cost $400 or so when it was new and Carvins are HIGHLY uncollectable regardless of quality.

I'd love one with the next phase Schaller bridge with the fine tuners, but I'd prefer your DC160.:thu:
 
Dogsinotpalc said:
It's a lovely guitar, but that price is way steep. Unless you can find consistent precedents for such a high price...which I can't imagine you will. Of course it's worth what you're willing to pay, but that guitar probably cost $400 or so when it was new and Carvins are HIGHLY uncollectable regardless of quality.

I'd love one with the next phase Schaller bridge with the fine tuners, but I'd prefer your DC160.:thu:
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Koa Carvins go for more. Usually in the $600 - $800 range. Also, the CS and CT series command a premium. I bought my CS-4 for $600 on ebay. I got an exceptional deal from someone who had to sell it quickly. Usually they are in the $800 - $1200 range used. It's one of the best LP type guitars I've ever played. It's easily as nice as my Heritages.





 
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Jbird said:
Thanks, Mystix :)

I just checked, and it's in Canton, MI, about an hour and a half drive from me. I might just drive over there and check it out. I have tonight off, so a 3-day weekend :)
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DO EEET.... DOOO EEEEEEEET!!!!!
 
It's a transparent black stain covered in clear satin. The neck is finished with tung oil. The switch is a kill switch.
 
PunkKitty said:
Koa Carvins go for more. Usually in the $600 - $800 range. Also, the CS and CT series command a premium. I bought my CS-4 for $600 on ebay. I got an exceptional deal from someone who had to sell it quickly. Usually they are in the $800 - $1200 range used. It's one of the best LP type guitars I've ever played. It's easily as nice as my Heritages.





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But this is for recent used Carvins. They had a much higher price and when in good condition are the equivalent of buying a new Carvin for up to 50% less than custom order price. "Vintage" Carvins are niche at best, not highly collectible. They are great guitars and were great values new and decent values used when you consider the quality and the rate of inflation.
 
Chad said:
I would not pay $1000 for it. Maybe half that.
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Yeah, there's a natural maple finished one and a "newer" red one with the block inlays (and the Schaller bridge that I mentioned previously) on ebay, both asking for $300-400 less than this one. I don't think the koa is worth that extra money.

I'd love to play it and if it sounded good, I'd even like to own it, but not at that price.
 
Doing a little research on carvinmuseum, the guitar (DC200K) in the OP is an '81-'83, based on the tailpiece. The '80 had a smaller, symmetrical tailpiece, and the '84s went to the Schaller bridge that Dog spoke of.

Original price $469 + $60 for the hard shell case + $20 shipping = $549

Gold hardware was +$50, and abalone block inlays were +$60



The one Mystix found on the GC website is an '84-'87. It has the Schaller bridge, but still has the set-neck. Original price +$10 more than the '81-'83 model ($479 + extras).

In '88 Carvin went to the neck-thru and 15'" radius, but still kept the 24.75" scale and 1 5/8" nut-width until about mid-'92 when they changed to the 25" scale and 1.69" nut-width.


No idea what the DC200K's should go for, but the guys at the carvinmuseum forums had a thread about the DC160K (the Koa version of my old Carvin) and think the DC160K are around $800-$1000 nowadays. Remember that the DC160K had figured Koa wood, whereas the DC200K was 'plain' Koa.
 
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