canadaguitar Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 I have recently come accross a 1930's Gibson Kel kroydon guitar that is need of some repair. Just wondering if anyone on here has come accross one of these and would it be worth while restoring? Thanks for you help in advance...
j45nick Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 I have recently come accross a 1930's Gibson Kel kroydon guitar that is need of some repair. Just wondering if anyone on here has come accross one of these and would it be worth while restoring? Thanks for you help in advance... Depends on the repairs it needs. Generally speaking, the same repair will cost the same amount on a $500 guitar and a $4000 guitar. Pictures and a summary of condition would be helpful.
rustystrings Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 Go trawling through the archives of the vintage section at umgf.com - Kel Kroydons were VERY lightly built, with no truss rod. They're highly regarded by guys who know really obscure older guitars, and I suspect they have a cult following. My memory is that they are X-braced, and quite a different animal from the non-Gibson Gibsons built later during the Depression. Be picky about who repairs it and how.
rar Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 I have recently come accross a 1930's Gibson Kel kroydon guitar that is need of some repair. Just wondering if anyone on here has come accross one of these and would it be worth while restoring? The short answer is "yes". Kels are undervalued relative to Gibsons -- so the dealer price for well-repaired, pretty much original Kel is only somewhere in the $2000-$2500 range -- but they are simply great guitars. And pretty consistent, for some reason. Kel fans G. E. Smith and Roy Book Binder have both told me that they've never played a bad one, and these are two guys who have checked out a lot of 'em. It is really important that the repairs be done by someone who is familiar with this model. They're extremely lightly built -- mine weighs in at about 2 lb, 10 oz. -- and some repairs that would be perfectly appropriate for a sturdier guitar would degrade a Kel. Since you're in Canada, you might want to check with Folkway in Guelph about what needs to be done -- they know their Kels. -- Bob R
onewilyfool Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 The short answer is "yes". Kels are undervalued relative to Gibsons -- so the dealer price for well-repaired, pretty much original Kel is only somewhere in the $2000-$2500 range -- but they are simply great guitars. And pretty consistent, for some reason. Kel fans G. E. Smith and Roy Book Binder have both told me that they've never played a bad one, and these are two guys who have checked out a lot of 'em. It is really important that the repairs be done by someone who is familiar with this model. They're extremely lightly built -- mine weighs in at about 2 lb, 10 oz. -- and some repairs that would be perfectly appropriate for a sturdier guitar would degrade a Kel. Since you're in Canada, you might want to check with Folkway in Guelph about what needs to be done -- they know their Kels. -- Bob R Bob...You've been holding out on us!!!! Do you have any pics or sound samples of your guitar that you can post?? My friend has the one with the Hawaiian scene on it (which I don't like that much) HOWEVER....I would take that scene and all just to get the sound of that thing!!! Feather light and just vibrates against your chest when played....I really like them!!!
jt Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 Bob, Yes, we need pics and soundclips of you Ke1! I've played several Kels, all great, all built very lightly. The only Gibsons built more lightly that I've encountered are the 1931 gold sparkle L-2s.
Jerry K Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 I had a chance to play Bob's Kel Kroyden fairly extensively and it is a monster! It's like an L-00 but very, very, very thin. Feather light. You just have to touch a string gently and it resonates out quite loudly and richly. Quite possibly the most responsive steel string I've ever played. It magically combines with your spirit to make better music. I really must find one of those.
J-1854Me Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 This is Ren Ferguson examining Bob's Kel Kroydon guitar, at the 2010 Homecoming: That guitar was so light, the slightest little breeze would lift it up out of your hands! Fred
onewilyfool Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Man, that guitar is in GREAT shape....did it have a pick guard before??..Looks a little darker in that spot...
onewilyfool Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Bob....where did you find that guitar????
Martin.Cohen Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 I've had a couple of Kel Kroydons -- one that was very good, one that's wonderful. But because they're so lightly built, expect lots of repairs, certainly a neck set and refret to get started if none of that has been done before. My current one is in the shop to address a growing belly, and one thing I've learned is that the next strings will be 10-47s not the 11-52s that were on there for the past couple of years. Tony Klassen of New Era guitars, who has owned and worked on a bunch of Kels, recently built me an exact replica, using the same tiny braces, thin top, etc. (but with a truss rod), and he completed it with the amazing double volcano paint job that a few of the originals had. I'm trying to get a pic to load up to this board, but it doesn't seem to like the host url or something, so I haven't been able to insert it here. I think this link should work if you want to have a look: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lEZbF6KtUpg/TrWHy_U9tJI/AAAAAAAAAAs/ho4QYAZSSMY/s640/DSCN0925.JPG
onewilyfool Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Martin...nice job...how does it sound compared to thr original Kels?
Martin.Cohen Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Sounds about as good as a new guitar can -- better than any of the L-00 reissues I've played. We'll see how they stack up in about 70 years... MRC
jt Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Bob, That's a gorgeous Kel! Can you share more pics? Martin, I'm a big fan of Tony and his guitars. Thanks for sharing that one with us.
Martin.Cohen Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Here's a link to a few more pics of the Kel Klassen (sorry, not the greatest pics): https://picasaweb.google.com/106264651024661693032/KelKlassen?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP-Jj8z27faikgE&feat=directlink I see you're writing a book on Banners. I have a '43 SJ, pretty nice, here's a pic in case you're interested: https://picasaweb.google.com/106264651024661693032/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJuh_IbdraOLDQ&feat=directlink Marty
jt Posted November 6, 2011 Posted November 6, 2011 Here's a link to a few more pics of the Kel Klassen (sorry, not the greatest pics): https://picasaweb.google.com/106264651024661693032/KelKlassen?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP-Jj8z27faikgE&feat=directlink I see you're writing a book on Banners. I have a '43 SJ, pretty nice, here's a pic in case you're interested: https://picasaweb.google.com/106264651024661693032/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJuh_IbdraOLDQ&feat=directlink Marty Marty, Great SJ! Thanks. Do you know the FON? Would you be willing to have the guitar listed on my Banner Gibson registry? I think that Banner SJs are about as perfect a guitar as has ever existed. Here's my 1943 and another that visited my house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb-mGfC-vfI
Martin.Cohen Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Sure, put me in the registry, though maybe you need more/better pics for that. Mine is #3317 on the neck block, but it's smudged, so it might be 8317, after which there is a red pencil 5. It's Mahogony, with 4-piece Spruce top, maybe an Ebony rod? Original neck set is still excellent, and the rest is untouched and crack-free as far as I can tell. And sounds heavenly.
rar Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 That's a gorgeous Kel! Can you share more pics? I'd be happy to! These excellent photos are courtesy of the fine folks at Folkway, which is where I got it. I don't have any sound files, but I'll see whether I can come up with something not too embarrassing. -- Bob R
jt Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Bob, Thanks! That's the most beautiful Kel I've ever seen. Looking forward to those audio/video clips.
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