Kalamazoo KHG-14 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1938)
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Item # 11669
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Kalamazoo KHG-14 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1938), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 955D, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black alligator chipboard case.
This is a good playing and sounding example of a fairly rare Kalamazoo guitar, the KHG-14. This was the originally Hawaiian lap-style version of the popular KG-14 flat top, but did not have a square neck nor flush frets and thus makes a very easy conversion to standard play. This one is fully set up for Spanish playing but the neck has not been cut down or altered so retains a very wide chunky V profile.
The 12-fret neck/body junction makes for a different feeling instrument from the standard 14-fret KG-14, with a somewhat richer tone as the bridge is more centered on the ladder-braced top. This one has a nice orange-black shaded sunburst top with the classic 1930s firestripe celluloid pickguard and is quite attractive. The neck is large but fairly comfortable for its size, with a just-under 2" nut width on the unbound rosewood fingerboard. The Hawaiian model KG was only available for a few years in the late 1930's, and is far less common than its standard Spanish-style sister. We think in some ways it is a better instrument, but the KGH-14 is not recommended to a player who requires a narrow nut!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example, somewhat worn in but original except for the conversion work required for standard play. This includes a neck reset and bridge reglue but no other major repair or alteration. The original finish shows typical light checking and some pickwear on the top with scrapes, dings and dents overall. The only touch-up very minimal just around the neck heel and bridge perimeter. The original bridge looks to have been lowered a bit long ago and has a newer saddle.
The back has a sealed crack off the back edge, visible as it was not finished over, and some dings on the edge nearby. The top what looks like a tiny grain split off the back edge of the bridge. The ladder-braced top has some bellying which is normal for these but is completely solid, internally all braces and the small maple bridge plate are original and intact. The frets appear original with very little wear (these were fretted at the factory, not flush-fretted) but the nut is newer. For 85 years on the planet this is a solid and fine sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson-made classic. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a good playing and sounding example of a fairly rare Kalamazoo guitar, the KHG-14. This was the originally Hawaiian lap-style version of the popular KG-14 flat top, but did not have a square neck nor flush frets and thus makes a very easy conversion to standard play. This one is fully set up for Spanish playing but the neck has not been cut down or altered so retains a very wide chunky V profile.
The 12-fret neck/body junction makes for a different feeling instrument from the standard 14-fret KG-14, with a somewhat richer tone as the bridge is more centered on the ladder-braced top. This one has a nice orange-black shaded sunburst top with the classic 1930s firestripe celluloid pickguard and is quite attractive. The neck is large but fairly comfortable for its size, with a just-under 2" nut width on the unbound rosewood fingerboard. The Hawaiian model KG was only available for a few years in the late 1930's, and is far less common than its standard Spanish-style sister. We think in some ways it is a better instrument, but the KGH-14 is not recommended to a player who requires a narrow nut!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
Overall this is a nice example, somewhat worn in but original except for the conversion work required for standard play. This includes a neck reset and bridge reglue but no other major repair or alteration. The original finish shows typical light checking and some pickwear on the top with scrapes, dings and dents overall. The only touch-up very minimal just around the neck heel and bridge perimeter. The original bridge looks to have been lowered a bit long ago and has a newer saddle.
The back has a sealed crack off the back edge, visible as it was not finished over, and some dings on the edge nearby. The top what looks like a tiny grain split off the back edge of the bridge. The ladder-braced top has some bellying which is normal for these but is completely solid, internally all braces and the small maple bridge plate are original and intact. The frets appear original with very little wear (these were fretted at the factory, not flush-fretted) but the nut is newer. For 85 years on the planet this is a solid and fine sounding example of this modest but delightful Gibson-made classic. Overall Very Good + Condition.