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- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Chart
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Search
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Identification
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Free
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers For Sale
- Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers
Y ou may have heard of Epiphone as Gibson’s budget brand of guitars, but before Gibson bought out this competitor, the brand produced budget brand guitars under the moniker of “Kalamazoo.” From 1933 to 1942, Gibson produced archtop and flattop acoustic guitars, lap steels, banjos, and mandolins under the Kalamazoo name. During the guitar boom of the late 60’s when Rock ‘n’. Guitar by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, 1939. Recording King Jumbo Guitar (551 C 1027) model (16″). Serial number EW-1683. Barmeyer Collection, 2007. Note: Click on any image below to see a larger image. The Recording King brand was applied to the stencil-line guitars made by several American manufacturers to be sold.
The Kalamazoo brand of musical instruments was marketed as “The World’s Greatest Value,” with the quality of Gibson's manufacturing at Great Depression era prices. Most of the Kalamazoo instruments were less than half the price of their Gibson cousins. The Kalamazoo Guitar or model 'KG' was introduced in 1933 and later renamed the KG-11. So were the Kalamazoo Tenor Guitar (later called the KTG-11), the Kalamazoo Mandolin (later called the KM-11), the Kalamazoo Tenor Banjo (KTB), Kalamazoo Plectrum Banjo (KPB), Kalamazoo Regular Banjo (KRB) and the Kalamazoo Mandolin-Banjo (KMB).
Many of the dealers who carried Gibson-branded instruments also carried the Kalamazoo line, including several international dealers. Gibson's goal was to offer a quality instrument at prices that were equivalent to many cheaper brands available at the time like Harmony, Kay, and Regal.
Probably the most well-known model was the KG-14, which was almost exactly like Gibson’s legendary 1930’s flat-top model L-00, but with a 'ladder-braced' top and no truss rod. Gibson-branded flat-top guitars had X-braced tops and truss rods, so Gibson was able to save manufacturing costs by eliminating these features on the Kalamazoo guitars. However, the Kalamazoo flat-tops were all made out of solid wood until 1940, which makes them more valuable in today’s market compared to the arch-top guitars and most 1940-43 flat-top guitars, which had plywood veneer backs.
The Gibson Kalamazoo KTG-11 Flat-top Tenor Guitar was produced from 1933 to 1940 with the same body as the KG-11, but with a four-string tenor guitar neck and headstock. It had a short 22 3/4” scale length, a 1 ¼” nut, and a 14/19-fret neck. Its dimensions were 36 ½” overall length, 17 ½” body length, 14 ¾” lower bout width, and a depth of 4.” It had an ivoroid-bound top, an unbound back, and dot inlay, with Grover banjo-style friction tuning pegs. The flat-topped peghead had the white Kalamazoo logo, the rosewood fretboard and bridge featured an ebony nut and a bone saddle, and a glued-on celluloid pickguard following the body contour [like this one] was introduced in 1936. The finish was dark brown on the solid mahogany back, sides, and neck, while the solid spruce top featured a black sunburst finish. [C’f page 343, Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars.]
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Chart
Some 1933-1937 Kalamazoo models had a factory order number (FON) ink-stamped inside the body, usually on the neck block [like this one]; 1938-1940 Kalamazoos had a serial number starting with a letter prefix, followed by 4 numbers, stamped on the back of the head stock. I have found no authoritative correlation of the Kalamazoo FONs with actual dates of manufacture, so I can’t tell you what the fairly clear number (“1301”) on the neck block means. However, since it has this number ink-stamped inside the body as on the 1933-1937 models, and since there is no number on the back of the headstock as on the 1938-1940 models, and since it has the contoured celluloid pickguard introduced in 1936, this guitar was clearly produced in late 1936 or 1937. I think.
I have been assured by my luthier that all structural issues on this guitar have been addressed, either by him or by some luthier in its previous 75+ years. Every actual crack—and there are several--has been glued [and cleated where appropriate], including a long crack extending along the treble side of the lower bout. The exception is a hairline crack in the bridge between two of the pegholes: he said the crack wasn’t going anywhere and he suggested that we leave it to the next owner to mess with the original part. There is a segment of the back lower bout edge which may not be original, but if it’s not, it’s an awfully good repair. Regardless, if you can live with the small nut, it plays really well, with the action at a bit over 3/32” at the 12th fret D, and of course the sound is full, vintage, and “woody.”
Cosmetically, of course, it’s rough and rugged, as you can see. The finish is heavily crazed (“to let the sound out,” as my luthier says). There are dents, scratches, and dings all over, including the back of the neck. The Grover friction pegs are fully functional and I believe original [although one knob looks newer than the others]. The finish is original, but it’s over 75 years old, and pretty much looks it, and there’s of course no telling what three generations of owners might have done to it. I must admit, it's got a bit more mojo than most guitars--some folks would say it's downright homely--but I'm 73 and it's older than I am so it's got a right to look 'experienced.' One thing one of those owners did: he scratched his initials [“HDB”] just above the sound hole; if your name happens to be oh, say, Harry Dubose Beauregard, you’re good to go. If not, they still look cool. Generally, the pictures tell the story, but if you have any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.
I don’t usually quote other folks in my descriptions, but this guy on Worthopedia really expresses the joys of playing this little guitar about his own Kalamazoo: “Vintage ca. 1930s Gibson-made Kalamazoo KTG-11 TENOR GUITAR. Nice player's tenor guitar -- great for the mando player or tenor banjo player seeking a bit of an escape...! Great for lead work, fancy all-over-the-neck chords, modal backing chords for folk, fiddle tunes, you name it! It's a terrific, pretty loud, punchy, and sweet-sounding instrument -- with that big ladder-braced open tone. It's got an almost mellow jazzy sound when playing lead work but has plenty of snap for fiddle tunes, warmth for Celtic, etc. All-around nice'n with a perfectly balanced tone -- not too bassy, not too trebly. It's also VERY lightweight and fits well in the lap. Neck is really fast and really easy. I really love the feel of this guitar -- can play most of my mandolin licks on it right off the bat (I have it tuned in 'Celtic' octave mando tuning -- GDAE below fiddle -- at the moment) and this guitar keeps pace in a group setting. These Gibson-made tenors are a super value instrument -- and they're perfect as gigging workhorses as they feel so good to play. This guitar is a super slick player and feels GREAT. Tone is nice and big and open with plenty of sustain and mellow richness. Great balanced tone for fingerpicking, flatpicking, you name it... and it sounds nice played loud or quiet, too.”
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this vintage guitar with scrupulous accuracy. Please read the description carefully, check out the pictures [more are available upon request], and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase this instrument. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this cool guitar.
Randall Sinnamon, Southern piano bird, circa 2004, mixed media including piano keys, height 65 cm, ex. Robin Gibson
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers
American twelve string acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model B-4512 serial number 121068, Michigan, circa 1961, Gibson decal to headstock with mother-of-pearl inlay, 'Deluxe' tuning keys, the serial number impressed to verso of headstock…
American archtop guitar, by Gibson, model ES175, serial number a 23352, Kalamazoo, circa 1956, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to headstock and to the fingerboard, mounted with a scratch plate, 105 cm long
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number a 18517, Kalamazoo, circa 1954, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and insets to the fingerboard, with 'Custom' engraved to the truss rod cover…
American century acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 37, Kalamazoo, circa 1930, the Gibson logo inlaid to headstock, the fingerboard veneered in a celluloid plastic (pearloid) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl…
American century sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 623, Kalamazoo, circa 1933, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, the fingerboard veneered in celluloid plastic (pearloid) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, 102 cm long
American sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L12, serial number Ea 5098, Kalamazoo, circa 1939, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and inset to the fingerboard, the serial number stamped verso to the headstock…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number 95282, Kalamazoo, circa 1938, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, and to the fingerboard, and paper label to interior, 106 cm long
American sunburst 'Charlie Christian' guitar, by Gibson, model ES150, serial number Eg 8465, Kalamazoo, circa 1939, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock and serial number stamped to verso…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 87040, Kalamazoo, circa 1928, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, 'Patented July 19.1910' engraved to tailpiece, and paper label to interior, 103 cm long
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 88986, Kalamazoo, circa 1929, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock, and inset to the fingerboard, 'Patented July 19…
American super 400 acoustic guitar with original fittings, by Gibson, serial number 94202, Kalamazoo, circa 1937, the whole in a sunburst finish…
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 93168, Kalamazoo, circa 1936, the Gibson logo inlaid to the headstock, fingerboard inset with mother-of-pearl, model number impressed to the tailpiece, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic guitar with extra set tuners, by Gibson, model L5, serial number 92035, Kalamazoo, circa 1934, the Gibson logo inlaid to headstock, the fingerboard inset with mother-of-pearl, and paper label to interior, 105 cm long
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number 91856, Kalamazoo, circa 1934, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of -pearl to head stock and to the fingerboard, mounted with a faux tortoiseshell pick guard, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic sunburst guitar, by Gibson, model L10, serial number 95771, circa 1938, the Gibson logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock and to the finger board, inlay to the edges with a pierced metal tailpiece, and paper label to interior…
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L7, serial number a 505, Kalamazoo, circa 1935, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to the headstock and to the finger board, paper label to interior, 107 cm long
American acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model L1, serial number 31425, Kalamazoo, circa 1916, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to headstock, patent stamps to tailpiece, pick guard mount, and pick guard, and paper label to interior, 98 cm long
American O style acoustic guitar, by Gibson, serial number 42111, circa 1918, with an intricate ring of marquetry to the sound hole, the headstock inlaid with a mother-of-pearl fleur de lis…
American super 400 sunburst acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model A1798, serial number 94202, Kalamazoo, circa 1937, the Gibson logo inlaid with mother-of-pearl to headstock, the pierced metal tailpiece engraved 'Super 400', Kluson tuning keys…
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Search
A rare American limited edition acoustic guitar, by Gibson, model J2000, serial number 91342022, circa 2000, finely inlaid with abalone shell to edges, around sound hole and fingerboard, with decorative parquetry inlay to verso…
American tenor acoustic guitar, by Gibson, Kalamazoo, circa 1950s, the spruce front in a sunburst finish, the sides and back crafted from rosewood. Gibson decal to headstock, 108 cm long
American archtop tenor hollow body guitar, by Gibson, Kalamazoo, circa 1950s, the spruce front in a sunburst finish, the sides and back crafted from rosewood. Gibson decal to headstock, 102 cm long
American flat top tenor guitar, by Gibson, model Tg-25N, serial number 159705, Kalamazoo, circa 1964, the Gibson decal to headstock with the serial number stamped to verso, paper label to interior, 96 cm long
American harp guitar, by Gibson, Orville model, Kalamazoo, circa 1910s, 'The Gibson' logo inlaid in mother-of-pearl to the headstock, the oval sound hole has a decorative ring of mother-of-pearl diamonds in black mastic, paper label to interior…
American pumpkin top mandolin, by Gibson, model A1, serial number 6987, Kalamazoo, circa 1915, painted decal to headstock and impressed mark to tailpiece, paper label to interior, 68 cm long
American mandocello, by Gibson, serial number 2763, circa 1912, inlaid 'The Gibson' to headstock with Fleur de Lis in mother-of-pearl. Paper label to interior, 98 cm long
Australian F hole archtop acoustic guitar, by Stephen Gilchrist, model 18, serial number 94275, circa 1980s, with abalone shell inlaid detailing to the fingerboard and headstock which also bears the 'Gilchrist' logo…
American ukulele, by Gibson, Michigan, circa 1930s, parquetry inlaid around the sound hole. Mother-of-pearl inlay to fingerboard, 53 cm long
American ukulele, by Gibson, style 2 model, Michigan, circa 1930s, stamped Dg-2900 / made in the Us', to the verso of headstock, 53 cm long
American ukulele banjo, by Gibson, Ub-1 model, Michigan, circa 1920s, 'The Gibson' decal to headstock, 49 cm long
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Identification
Jeff Thomson, Gibson', 'Sculpted Corrugated Iron Guitar', approximately life-size, vintage paint remaining, strung with six strings. Signed, dated 2014 and inscribed to the reverse 'George Harrison' 'Gibson Les Paul'. Length 117.5 cm.
Vintage Gibson American acoustic guitar probably 1960s Gibson acoustic guitar, marked, 'Made in U.S.A' and to verso of headstock and interior label 'Made in the U.S…
Gibson SG timber guitar, having a mahogany body and neck and a rosewood fingerboard and 24 frets, length 100 cm
Gibson S1 Guitar in case, having a maple body, neck and fingerboard with three single-coil pickups, dot inlays, two control knobs, three-way pickup selector, white pickguard, stopbar tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge, triangular headstock, length 101 cm
A Gibson L4CES 'Black' electric guitar, 1992, American made, serial number 91352494, six gold plated 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads, bound laminated maple body, mahogany neck…
A Gibson Es-150 'Sunburst' electric guitar, 1955, American made, serial number 53128, nitrocellulose 'Sunburst' finish, hollowbody construction, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and 'Dot' pearl inlays…
A limited edition Gibson Elvis Presley 'The King' J-200 'Black' acoustic guitar, no…
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Free
A Gibson SST-6 Chet Atkins 'Cherry Red' acoustic/electric guitar, 1990, American made, serial number 92750526 'Promotional not for resale' stamped to rear of headstock, six 'Mini Schaller' die-cast machine heads, gloss cherry finish, solid spruce top…
A Chet Atkins SST twelve-string natural acoustic/electric guitar, 1989, American made, serial number 83429548 'Promotional not for resale' stamped to rear of headstock, twelve 'Mini Schaller' die-cast machine heads, natural gloss finish, solid spruce top…
A Gibson Les Paul custom ebony electric guitar with OHSC, 1969, American made, serial number 565197 stamped to rear of headstock, six gold 'waffle back' machine heads, deluxe bound mahogany body and neck, ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays…
A Gibson ES-335 'Cherry' electric guitar, 1968, American made, serial number 873256 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Orange Oval' printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers, six nickel 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads…
A Gibson ES-340 Blonde electric guitar with OHSC, 1969, American made, serial number 563266 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Orange Oval' printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers, six nickel 'Kluson Deluxe' machine heads…
A Gibson ES-335 'Cherry' electric guitar, 1972, American made, serial number 752661 stamped to rear of headstock, 'Norlin' white rectangular printed maker's label to interior inscribed with model and serial numbers…
A Gibson SG electric guitar, 1972, American made, serial number 700432 stamped to rear of headstock, six chrome plated machine heads, mahogany body and neck with walnut lacquer finish, East Indian rosewood fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays…
Les Paul Gibson Deluxe Guitar USA impressed stamp '399018 made in USA'. In original hard case, length 99 cm
Cased Gibson Junior mandolin. Label to interior indicates maker as Gibson mandolin Guitar Co., Kalamazoo. Mich USA. Style A-Jr. #84355.
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers For Sale
Gibson long necked banjo, purchased in Syndey in 1962 from an American draft dodger, in original hard case. Provenance: The Alex & Annette Hood Collection, NSW
Gibson Les Paul Custom 1988 electric guitar, manufactured in Nashville U.S.A. with original hard case. One piece mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard and block mother of pearl inlays. Mahogany body with carved maple top in an Ebony finish…
Gibson Custom Barney Kessel Hollowbody electric guitar
A 1970s 'Made in Japan' Yamaha AE18 hollow body arch top electric guitar. Spruce top, beech back and sides, two piece figured maple neck with ebony finger board, mother-of-pearl inlays, AE18 Humbucking Pick-ups. In vintage gold plush lined hard case…
Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers
A Gibson semi-acoustic six string guitar, style Cl-35 Deluxe, in original purple velvet lined case