1935 Kalamazoo KG11 – £1849

NEW ARRIVAL  Gibson’s Depression era Kalamazoo line of guitars are gaining respect in the vintage guitar world, and provide great intrinsic value considering the relative cost. While built as a less expensive alternative to the “Only A Gibson Is Good Enough” flat-tops during the Great Depression, Kalamazoos were constructed by the same factory workers that built the standard Gibson line of guitars. Built very light, the Kalamazoo flat tops are punchy and resonant, and this one is a great sounding example. The KG-11 body shape is the only Gibson-made instrument to sport this particular form, with a lower bout echoing L-00’s of the period, and a unique, truncated upper bout dimension. This example is from 1935, and in good condition for it’s age – with several repaired cracks – the oversprayed sunburst top is vivid, and the pickguard is stunning. The Adirondack top gives the guitar surprising volume, and the Brazilian fingerboard feels very responsive. Acknowledged by both players and collectors (and Tommy Emmanuel) as one of the best depression era finger picking guitars ever made. The guitar is just back from a neck reset and refret, so it plays like a dream, and comes in a non original hard case.