Gibson's Depression era Kalamazoo line of guitars is 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, and generally ladder braced, the Kalamazoo flat tops are punchy and resonant, and this one is a great 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. The sound of this particular Kalamazoo belies its smaller size, and comes close to a standard L-00 in timbre, with just a hint of ladder-brace bite.
The three piece top is sunburst Adirondack spruce with a well-defined 'firestripe' pickguard, the sides and back are mahogany. The upper bout measures 9 7/8", and the lower bout 14 11/16". The mahogany, 19-fret neck has a comfortable V-shape, and no truss rod. Scale length is 24 7/8". The fingerboard is Brazillian rosewood, showing only slight evidence of playing wear and the frets are in pretty good condition. The neck/heel joint is undisturbed. The joins in the three piece top are visible through the sunburst, but stable - the only crack is along the side of the pickguard running from the soundhole and is not in need of repair. There is a patch of heavy playwear on the back of the guitar, but nothing that goes through the wood. All in all it's a very strong 76 year old guitar, with masses of vintage vibe, and is seriously cool. The action is on the high side, but the authentic blues tone this guitar generates makes it well worth the extra effort - plus it works very well for slide play. It comes in a non original hard case.