| Comments | During the Great Depression, Gibson did whatever it could to produce instruments people could actually buy. To this end, several new ‘brands’ were created, including Kalamazoo. These were produced in the Gibson plant on Gibson machinery, but with less expensive materials and finishes and without adjustable truss rods.
Kalamazoo guitar models were identified as ‘KG’ with a model number. In 1936 a ‘Hawaiian’ model was introduced with a wider neck and higher action, intended for lap-style steel playing; these were designated as KHG and given a 12-fret neck since access to the upper frets was really not an issue. The 1939 Kalamazoo KHG 14 is very much like the Gibson L-00, but without the truss rod. It’s had its bridge replaced, cracks have been repaired, and has been converted from Hawaiian setup to ‘standard’ fingerstyle. It plays well and has a very cool, vintage tone. It also features a soundhole label reading ‘Made in USA by Gibson Inc. Kalamazoo Michigan’. |
| Serial Number | No serial number, but the back of the headstock has FON (Factory Order Number) EK-3618, and the E represents 1939 with the K being the Kalamazoo range. This instrument was built in the 1939 at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. |
| Pricing | $999.99 CAD with newer Japanese hardshell case. SOLD |
| Neck | Mahogany neck with unbound rosewood fingerboard, mother of pearl dot position markers. 12 frets to the body. |
| Frets | Minor fretwear. |
| Body | The body is very similar to the 1930s Gibson L-00 body and decoration, with spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Bound top and soundhole. Firestripe pickguard, and a replacement rosewood bridge. |
| Finish | Original nitrocellulose lacquer finish in good condition. |
| Hardware/electronics | Bone nut and saddle, original Kluson strip tuning gears with black buttons. |
| Playability/Action | Plays well; converted from Hawaiian. |
| Case | Newer Japanese hardshell case included. |
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