If you want a DC127, last call…

[spudmunkey]

As of January 1st, DC127 is being discontinued.

"We just don't sell enough of them to keep it around anymore."

It is still a current catalogue item, so if you ordered one through the end of the year, it would still have the 10 day trial.

If history is anything to go by, you may still be able to order one for a little while, you would just need to pay in full and there would be no 10 day trial.

[spudmunkey]

If I had to guess, the LB is also on the chopping block. Even last year, Jeff said it was basically one customer keeping the model afloat.

[amispy]

It breaks my heart to see the last of the classic DCs leave the lineup. I grew up in the 80's and 90's drooling over Carvin catalogs. I spec'd out (in my head) more DC127s, DC200s, DC400s, and DC160s than I can count. I'm glad I have my DC200T and DC200K. Sad day.

[ElfDude]

It breaks my heart to see the last of the classic DCs leave the lineup. I grew up in the 80's and 90's drooling over Carvin catalogs. I spec'd out (in my head) more DC127s, DC200s, DC400s, and DC160s than I can count. I'm glad I have my DC200T and DC200K. Sad day.

I know, right?

[DannyB819]

Does feel a bit melancholy, yeah. With other companies that have legacy designs like Ibanez with the RG, Jackson with the Soloist, Music Man with the Silhouette, it's a shame the DC127 couldn't be evolved and stick around. I like the idea of the DC127 being the "catch-all" for the DC line (rolling in the 135, 125, 145, etc), but letting it go altogether is a bummer.

Like others, I grew up in the 90s and would mentally configure all kinds of combinations when the catalogues came. I even had one back in 1991 to be my first "professional" quality guitar - it was white, with black hardware, tung oiled neck, and a reverse headstock. I still kick myself for trading it with my guitar teacher for an Ibanez RG570 (that was way more comfortable for my hands at the time), a Boss CE-2, and a Boss OD-1.

That said, RIP to the DC127. Here are some nostalgic photos to help remember the better times.

[helldorado]

With the DC127 being my first Carvin, it's easy to get nostalgic, but I honestly can say I wouldn't have bought another one. If anything, it would be cool to see the rounded body sides and control schemas make their way to the current DC lineup, but I don't expect them to.

But I think in another 4-5 years, we'll have see all the models Mark designed replaced with models designed by Jeff, and not necessarily with equivalent replacements. The neck-thru slab designs will be phased out and the 25" scale as well. I would imagine it's as much about which models sell. which is also a direct result of which models Jeff puts effort into marketing.

[Quivering Wrist]

1980's and very early 1990's Carvins will always have a special place in my heart.

[spudmunkey]

5 years ago, this thread would have had 100 replies by now, and one user banned.

I never had any sort of nostalgia for the DC127 beyond what it is, subjectively. I do prefer it to the DC600. But it's less about the shape, and almost purely about the edge detail (both the standard, and the rounded). It look a looooooong time, though, to warm up to the rounded body sides. It took seeing a few specific builds for it to "hit" just right for me.

I think if they had made direct-mount pickups standard, and made the edge chamfer a little swoopier, that could maybe have helped it along but maybe not...

[amispy]

5 years ago, this thread would have had 100 replies by now, and one user banned.

I'm laughing so hard at this comment. It's so very true!

[ElfDude]

5 years ago, this thread would have had 100 replies by now, and one user banned.

I'm laughing so hard at this comment. It's so very true!

It's a much easier time to be a moderator, that's for sure.

[helldorado]

5 years ago, this thread would have had 100 replies by now, and one user banned.

I'm laughing so hard at this comment. It's so very true!

Well, we have the facebook group to cover all those bases now. Literally watching boomers vs millenials duke it out over the DC127 right now.

And I'm like...

It's a much easier time to be a moderator, that's for sure.

Unless you moderate the facebook group, lol.

[amon]

With a few more options on the Aries neck-thru, they could also eliminate the rest of the DC line.

[relias7505]

I think eventually the only "old" school guitar that will be left will be the JB200C. When the old school guys go "Hey Jeff there is no more old school Carvin's anymore", he'll say "Sure there is, we still offer the JB200". Oh well, I am glad I got all the guitars I wanted before Jeff gave them the boot.

[amispy]

I am glad I got all the guitars I wanted before Jeff gave them the boot.

+1 I'm right there with you.

[Wizdum]

I wont lie, I am bummed out about this.
I am not being melodramatic, this feels like a death in the family.
I cant wrap my head around why the DC127 is not a leading model.
25" scale...perfect.
Neck Through....perfect.
Classic time-tested body shape...perfect balance, perfect height off the lap..
Rounded body edges...perfect. Proof? God didn't put any sharp corners on a woman. Why? Curves are more comfy to hold.
My first DC (200) had the sharp edge and, over the years, it made a notch in my sternum. NO foolies.
Anyone relate?

Granted, my opinions are subjective.
But, I have been a DC Carvin / Kiesel player exclusively since 1989.
So, there is a formidable nostalgia here.
But so is practicality, there is no guitar on the planet that fits me like a DC127 w/ RB.

I put a build in 4 weeks ago. So, I guess that's a positive.
With 2020 being so wacky with politics and pandemics, I did not expect the last week to end with a kick in the balls.
~D

[Quivering Wrist]

It might be a way of completely handing over the torch to his son; get rid of all the models his dad made.

[ElfDude]

When they say it's due to lack of sales, I believe them.

In the days that I first became interested in Carvin, the DC127 (and its varieties) were very modern guitars.
These days, not so much.
But this company does best with "modern" guitars. The sales of headless and multi-scale stuff is through the roof.
And so far they're still hanging onto some models for us old-school guys like the CS and the SH550.
But the DC127 doesn't really fit in either category anymore and its sales are waning.
It's sad to see the end of an era.
And I'm really grateful I've got mine with the rounded body edges.
Still a super-cool and way comfy guitar!

[relias7505]

I think the old school models left are the JB200C and the V220. Ultra V came out in the 90's I think...

[relias7505]

And actually the FG1 is based on the old SH645 and the Greg Howe is really based on the old Bolt guitar. So there are some old school guitars left.

[spudmunkey]

It depends what you mean by "old school"...the SH445/645 came after the Sh550 which was 2007. To me, "old school" would basically be anything before the CT. Of course it'll mean different things to different folks, but I suspect that's where the most vocal against the DC127 discontinuation. would probably say at least "pre CT", if not the previous 24.75" versions with the similar body style but with Kahlers, black pointy headstocks and large logos, and then for others it's the the Les Paul Jr-ish DC150/160, stereo guitars era...