1934 Kalamazoo KG11 Sunburst
Kalamazoo KG11 1934 | $1950 | (v2345) Gibson's Kalamazoo line, named after the Gibson factory's home town, was created to help the company weather the depression. The Kalamazoo flat topos lacked a truss rod and were ladder braced, allowing for a less expensive guitar. The Gibson name was left off to avoid 'cheapening' the Gibson brand. However, the Kalamazoo line was produced with the same fine materials and craftsmanship as the regular Gibson line.
In the vintage guitar market, the KG11 is somewhat unique because of its truncated upper bout. With less air in the box and ladder bracing, the KG11 produces a voice of its own.
Back and sides are mahogany, and the three-piece top is spruce, set off with the small but beautiful Gibson sunburst typical of that period of production (the 'bursts grew larger as the '30s progressed). The neck is mahogany, with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard (12' radius) and bridge. The head stock is the 'flat' profile, with the Kalamazoo brand in white script. The body measures an L-00-like 14 3/4" across the lower bout. Scale length is ~ 25". The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/2" at the saddle. The neck is carved in the typical mid-thirties Gibson 'V' and is comfortable in the hand.
The guitar is pretty much 100% original, with the exception of the saddle. A previous repair was a seam along the bass side of the top that had opened so it was glued and cleated. We removed one of the cleats below the bridge and replaced it with a longer and studier cleat; we filled one little chipout in the bridge plate between the G and D pin holes; we reset the neck, cleaned and lubed the tuners and leveled and dressed the frets. There are typical nicks and dings from age and use. The guitar is set up very well with action at ~ 6/64"with a fresh saddle.
The KG11 is a pretty unique guitar both in shape and sound. They remain a pretty fair value in the vintage market and seem to have a niche following.
Comes with its likely original soft Geib case, which makes this orignal guitar a nice package.
Check out the sound clip!
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