Kalamazoo KH11 1936 | SOLD | (vbg #1729) Gibson's Kalamazoo line was created to help the company weather the depression. The Kalamazoo flat tops 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. The KH model was designed and produced for the Hawaiian lap-style of playing. It differs from its KG sibling in that the KH has a 12-fret neck, bridge located lower in the bout, a straight-cut saddle slot, a wider neck and heel. That said, the Kalamazoo line of guitars was produced with the same fine materials and craftsmanship as the regular Gibson line.
In the vintage guitar market, the KH/KG is somewhat unique because of its truncated upper bout. With less air in the box, the KH11 produces a voice of its own and and the wider neck and 12-fret neck make it popular with many players today.
Back and sides are mahogany, and the 2-piece top is spruce, set off with the typically beautiful Gibson sunburst. The neck is mahogany, with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The body measures an L-00-like 14 3/4" across the lower bout. Scale length is 24 13/16", the fingerboard measures 1 15/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 5/8" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in the typical mid-thirties Gibson 'V' and is comfortable in the hand. The 'B' stamp in the FON indicates a 1936 date of construction.
The guitar is in overall very good condition, with a lot of sparkle to the finish and a rich sunburst. The bridge has been replaced with an appropriate replica but with a compensated saddle. The neck was recently reset and the frets leveled and dressed. There is a repaired 3" crack in the lower part of the back and the heel shows some finish loss from steam during the neck reset. The tuners have been replaced with StuMac Kluson replicas. The guitar had apparantly stood on a damp floor at one point because there is a bit of finish loss at that contact point on the bottom. Otherwise, solid and good looking guitar.
The action is set at 5 & 6/64" and the guitar plays easily. The sound seems a bit more robust than some of the other KG11s we've had. The probable cause is that the bridge location on the 12-fret Gibsons places it lower in the bout thereby affecting the tone produced. A real nice fingerpicking guitar.
Comes with its likely original soft case in poor condition (lower bout of case damaged from moisture, some missing).
Check the sound clip!
In the vintage guitar market, the KH/KG is somewhat unique because of its truncated upper bout. With less air in the box, the KH11 produces a voice of its own and and the wider neck and 12-fret neck make it popular with many players today.
Back and sides are mahogany, and the 2-piece top is spruce, set off with the typically beautiful Gibson sunburst. The neck is mahogany, with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The body measures an L-00-like 14 3/4" across the lower bout. Scale length is 24 13/16", the fingerboard measures 1 15/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 5/8" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in the typical mid-thirties Gibson 'V' and is comfortable in the hand. The 'B' stamp in the FON indicates a 1936 date of construction.
The guitar is in overall very good condition, with a lot of sparkle to the finish and a rich sunburst. The bridge has been replaced with an appropriate replica but with a compensated saddle. The neck was recently reset and the frets leveled and dressed. There is a repaired 3" crack in the lower part of the back and the heel shows some finish loss from steam during the neck reset. The tuners have been replaced with StuMac Kluson replicas. The guitar had apparantly stood on a damp floor at one point because there is a bit of finish loss at that contact point on the bottom. Otherwise, solid and good looking guitar.
The action is set at 5 & 6/64" and the guitar plays easily. The sound seems a bit more robust than some of the other KG11s we've had. The probable cause is that the bridge location on the 12-fret Gibsons places it lower in the bout thereby affecting the tone produced. A real nice fingerpicking guitar.
Comes with its likely original soft case in poor condition (lower bout of case damaged from moisture, some missing).
Check the sound clip!