Jack M. Frost Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I have just acquired a ladder braced Kalamazoo acoustic which I believe dates back to the 1930's.I believe the shape indentifies it as a KG-11, as does the pick guard placement and shape. But I'm wondering if it has been re-necked at some point, or if I'm missing something on the ID process. It has 14 frets clear of the body and a "roof-top" peghead. The literature I have seen says the following: Regular acoustics from that period were indeed 14-fret guitars but had squared off peg heads Guitars set up for Hawaiian had the rooftop shaped pegheads but were 12-fret guitars. So what I have seems to be a hybrid unless I'm missing something. Any advice? I've attached a picture.. Thanks, Jack M. Frost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 No advice, just praise. That's a beauty. Bet it sounds dry and warm. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Where did you read ". . . Regular acoustics from that period were indeed 14-fret guitars but had squared off peg heads. . ." ? The headstock of your KG-11 looks identical to that of the '36 KG-31 I had, and similar to other KG-11's from the period. Did you take a look for a letter stamped with the Factory Order Number stamped inside. 1935 would be an "A", a '36 would have a "B", etc, up to 1940. What are you going to do with the ladder braced guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) Congrats! You are pretty safe in saying your guitar dates from the 1930s as Kalamzoos were built from 1933 into the early 1940s. Structurally they are the identical to Cromwells, Grinnells, Recording Kings, Capitals and others. Three different headstocks were used on Kalamazoos. The earliest guitars had a squared headstock The very first ones built in 1933 are also identified by a rope binding around the soundhole. My 1933 Recording King has the squared headstock while my 1935 Capital has the peaked headstock so as 62burst noted, the peaked headstock on your guitar is the second style so would date the instrument from 1935 to maybe 1938. Again, though everything is variable as Gibsons did not change specs at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the year. You will always find some overlap. Edited October 13, 2019 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpbiii Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 19 minutes ago, zombywoof said: Congrats! You are pretty safe in saying your guitar dates from the 1930s as Kalamzoos were built from 1933 into the early 1940s. Structurally they are the identical to Cromwells, Grinnells, Recording Kings, Capitals and others. Three different headstocks were used on Kalamazoos. The earliest guitars had a squared headstock The very first ones built in 1933 are also identified by a rope binding around the soundhole. My 1933 Recording King has the squared headstock while my 1935 Capital has the peaked headstock so as 62burst noted, the peaked headstock on your guitar is the second style so would date the instrument from 1935 to maybe 1938. Again, though everything is variable as Gibsons did not change specs at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the year. You will always find some overlap. What woof said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vw1300 Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Congratulations on the new guitar! The headstock looks the same as my KG-11. It's a great little guitar and surprisingly loud and punchy for its small size. I attend a bluegrass jam in Baltimore, and a guy there plays one - you can hear it better than some of the bigger acoustic dreads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) I have a question for the Gibson gurus out there. I have never seen a Kalamazoo, et al that did not sport a spray burst finish. In 1932, however, Gibson was still applying hand rubbed finishes. Could the Kalamazoos have been the catalyst to go with the spray finishes which were less labor intensive and therefore involved less labor costs. Edited October 14, 2019 by zombywoof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 14 hours ago, vw1300 said: Congratulations on the new guitar! The headstock looks the same as my KG-11. It's a great little guitar and surprisingly loud and punchy for its small size. I attend a bluegrass jam in Baltimore, and a guy there plays one - you can hear it better than some of the bigger acoustic dreads. I do know one guy who plays in a bluegrass band in CA and he plays a Harmony Sovereign. One of the things that is surprising about the Kalamazoos is the large neck blocks - heavier than any Martin dread. I agree that they are punchy and responsive guitars but also lack bottom and headroom which is pretty typical for the breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 37 minutes ago, zombywoof said: I have never seen a Kalamazoo, et al that did not sport a spray burst finish. I always liked this one: https://www.google.com/search?q=kalamazoo+oriole+guitar+images&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=XCaDFNmuaEdv2M: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 4 hours ago, 62burst said: I always liked this one: https://www.google.com/search?q=kalamazoo+oriole+guitar+images&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=XCaDFNmuaEdv2M: Not sure what guitar you are referring to although based on what popped up I assume you mean a KG12 Oriole. If so, I agree these are the best of the Kalamazoo flattops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, zombywoof said: Not sure what guitar you are referring to although based on what popped up I assume you mean a KG12 Oriole. If so, I agree these are the best of the Kalamazoo flattops. Yes, 'was on the mobile at the time... but: Figured maple back & sides, ladder. $15 when new. Blasphemy, for sure, but one of these in cross-braced form would be very interesting, too. And other Gibson bird lovers got shorted on some potentially cool headstock art: Edited October 14, 2019 by 62burst 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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