Kalamazoo KGN-12 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1941)
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Kalamazoo KGN-12 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1941), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 3009G-16 (FON), natural lacquer finish, maple body, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a worn-in but fairly rare Kalamazoo KGN-12, a late production variation of the Kalamazoo KG-14 flat-top, Gibson's best "budget" guitar for the Depression era. This 1941 model is built with a laminated maple body instead of solid mahogany, a new idea for Gibson at the time. The top is still solid spruce and finished in natural overall this was a very attractive and good sounding flat-top at an affordable price. Some of these were shipped with an "Oriole" decal on the headstock, but this one does not have that extra decoration. This guitar does have some extra special decoration; it was formerly the property of an entertainer called "Tiney" as that name is very attractively marked across the lower bout in red script.
KG-14's in general were the larger of the Kalamazoo flat-tops and offered excellent value for the dollar, popular among pro and semi-pro players beyond Gibson's intended student market. The KGN-12 used the same design as the KG-14; the 14 3/4" wide narrow-waisted body and 24 3/4" scale neck derived from Gibson's L-00. To lower the cost the spruce top is ladder-braced and there is no adjustable truss rod. The neck on this 1941 example has a comfortably rounded and surprisingly modern profile; earlier KGs had a sharp "V" style many players now find uncomfortable. The top is finished in natural with tortoise celluloid binding, an unusual look seen only on the later examples. The soundhole has the outer edge bound in white celluloid, the pickguard is Gibson's attractive "Firestripe" faux tortoise Celluloid, particularly attractive on a natural top.
Less expensive guitars like this were a major factor in Gibson's survival during the worst years of the great Depression but were phased out shortly after the US entered WWII. This late production 1941 blonde model is a fairly rare find compared to earlier examples built throughout the 1930s. It shows al lot of wear but has remained in more solid condition than many and plays well with the typical punchy midrange tone these KGs are known for.
Overall length is 40 in. (101.6 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
A nicey original if well-worn guitar, this fairly rare maple Kalamazoo is bit scruffy looking with the finish darkened with age and checked but has a very cool vibe. There is a noticeable "smoked' patina and extensive play wear over the entire instrument with dings, dents, scrapes etc. Apart from ine tight split in the upper side waist there are no cracks or major repairs.
The bridge has been lowered and likely reglued long ago with a low but functional saddle. The neck is not absolutely straight but servicable, the original frets have been crowned and polished. There is some typical bellying to the top but stable and quite playable, offering a good chunky sound for this model. This is really a cool old guitar, a bit of a "Junkyard dog" with a lot of character. Very Good + Condition.
This is a worn-in but fairly rare Kalamazoo KGN-12, a late production variation of the Kalamazoo KG-14 flat-top, Gibson's best "budget" guitar for the Depression era. This 1941 model is built with a laminated maple body instead of solid mahogany, a new idea for Gibson at the time. The top is still solid spruce and finished in natural overall this was a very attractive and good sounding flat-top at an affordable price. Some of these were shipped with an "Oriole" decal on the headstock, but this one does not have that extra decoration. This guitar does have some extra special decoration; it was formerly the property of an entertainer called "Tiney" as that name is very attractively marked across the lower bout in red script.
KG-14's in general were the larger of the Kalamazoo flat-tops and offered excellent value for the dollar, popular among pro and semi-pro players beyond Gibson's intended student market. The KGN-12 used the same design as the KG-14; the 14 3/4" wide narrow-waisted body and 24 3/4" scale neck derived from Gibson's L-00. To lower the cost the spruce top is ladder-braced and there is no adjustable truss rod. The neck on this 1941 example has a comfortably rounded and surprisingly modern profile; earlier KGs had a sharp "V" style many players now find uncomfortable. The top is finished in natural with tortoise celluloid binding, an unusual look seen only on the later examples. The soundhole has the outer edge bound in white celluloid, the pickguard is Gibson's attractive "Firestripe" faux tortoise Celluloid, particularly attractive on a natural top.
Less expensive guitars like this were a major factor in Gibson's survival during the worst years of the great Depression but were phased out shortly after the US entered WWII. This late production 1941 blonde model is a fairly rare find compared to earlier examples built throughout the 1930s. It shows al lot of wear but has remained in more solid condition than many and plays well with the typical punchy midrange tone these KGs are known for.
Overall length is 40 in. (101.6 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
A nicey original if well-worn guitar, this fairly rare maple Kalamazoo is bit scruffy looking with the finish darkened with age and checked but has a very cool vibe. There is a noticeable "smoked' patina and extensive play wear over the entire instrument with dings, dents, scrapes etc. Apart from ine tight split in the upper side waist there are no cracks or major repairs.
The bridge has been lowered and likely reglued long ago with a low but functional saddle. The neck is not absolutely straight but servicable, the original frets have been crowned and polished. There is some typical bellying to the top but stable and quite playable, offering a good chunky sound for this model. This is really a cool old guitar, a bit of a "Junkyard dog" with a lot of character. Very Good + Condition.