Kalamazoo KG-21 (Gibson) 1938

A rare 1938 Kalamazoo KG-21, built by the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson developed the Kalamazoo line as a more affordable alternative to its higher-priced Gibson models. Today, these early Kalamazoo models have become highly sought-after pre-war instruments.

This relatively compact archtop features a solid spruce top with double binding and a curved mahogany back and sides. The body has the L-00-style shape characteristic of Kalamazoo and is finished in a beautiful dark sunburst. The mahogany neck has a fairly substantial V-shape and a rosewood fingerboard.

The Kalamazoo is completely original. Naturally, over the course of its nearly ninety years, the guitar has accumulated the usual signs of wear. In the past, the side had a crack that was expertly repaired; see photos. Cleats have also been added to the inside.

Even the frets are original. They’ve worn down quite a bit by now, and a refret would certainly be worth considering in the future. For now, we’ve decided to keep the original frets. The guitar is well-adjusted and has a nice low action, which makes it play surprisingly well and comfortably despite the worn frets.

Despite its compact size, the KG-21 has a surprisingly full sound. It has a direct response and that typical dry, warm pre-war sound that really shines in blues, roots, fingerstyle, and other traditional American music styles.

This Kalamazoo comes with the (well-worn) original case from the period when the guitar was first sold. It also includes a few old string packages, which give the whole thing just that little bit of extra vintage character.