✅ SOLVED Guitar at Goodwill should I buy it?

[Bigcypresshunter]

Kalamazoo looks original.

 

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[myrtlebeach]

Kalamazoo looks original. $20. View attachment 1327475

If it's a true Kalamazoo Sunburst it could be worth a good amount. At $20 I would take the chance. Good luck

 

[duggap]

That case is worth $20.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes I bought it. And yes it appears to be original. I apologize I will send more pics later. I'm on my cellphone out of data. Its getting harder and harder to make good buys at goodwill but I think I got one today.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

1930's Kalamazoo Sport Acoustic Guitar | eBay

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Its about time. The last 10 times I was at this location, I got nothing. I'm eating out at this moment. I will post more pics when I get home and maybe we can positively ID it. Thanks everybody. It may be a happy day.

 

[tamrock]

Good move.

 

[Bruce R]

If ya can't play it, what's the point ? If you can play it your ability transcends the value of the instrument.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If ya can't play it, what's the point ? If you can play it your ability transcends the value of the instrument.

LOL your funny. Well the answer is yes I can play guitar. But Im in a bad financial situation. I went from living in a tent, to a camper in the swamp, had an eye injury and now I have a very small efficiency apartment. I would love to keep it or give it away to another musician that would appreciate it but unfortunately the point here is that I want to properly identify it first and only then I may consider selling it. And yes it appears to be playable but a very long time since I played in a band.. Even if I cant play it, I can sell it and I believe it has monetary value.

I guess the point is: treasure is where you find it and this is a treasure site to share finds. Treasure can be found on the beach, in the trash, yard sale, flea market or Goodwill store with or without a metal detector.. This is what I do for a living, my only source of income in the summer, when Im not working and I was feeling sad today, but now I think I found a little bit of happiness. Every little bit helps and Thank you God.

 

[Oregon Viking]

Nice!!
More pics please. I have a huge guitar serial number data base so post a number and we will date it, and get a model number.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice!!
More pics please. I have a huge guitar serial number data base so post a number and we will date it, and get a model number.

Really? Thats cool. More pics. Im having some trouble posting. Serial number EK-1335 I believe Kalamazoo was made by Gibson.

View attachment 1327564

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Kalamazoo EK-1335

View attachment 1327570 View attachment 1327571

 

[AU Seeker]

Nice score, it's from the early years and you will make nice profit, I believe it's worth at least $1000 unless it needs lots of repair, in good condition maybe double that.

Nice!!
More pics please. I have a huge guitar serial number data base so post a number and we will date it, and get a model number.

Early Kalamazoo guitars didn't have serial numbers or model numbers only FON numbers (Factory Order Number) starting with a letter/s, but the year should be easily determined by which letter/s the FON numbers starts with, the model of these guitars can only be determined by measurements and design features.

In the case of this guitar, the FON number starting with EK, puts it being made in 1939

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html

http://www.guitarattic.com/Gibson Serial Numbers.htm

http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/kalamazoo/

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The more I look I realize this is a nice guitar. the entire neck I think is Rosewood.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I had a pre cBs Fender Jazzmaster when I played in the 70s. I vaguely remember Kalamazoo but I was not a Gibson guy. And I think Kalamazoo were considered cheap. To think I almost didnt buy it. Im glad I did.

I hope the case is original. I will try to post pics. It got wet and the bottom warped , I guess in storage somewhere and I have some weights on it now as its drying. The guitar shows no water damage.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice score, it's from the early years and you will make nice profit, I believe it's worth at least $1000 unless it needs lots of repair, in good condition maybe double that.



Early Kalamazoo guitars didn't have serial numbers or model numbers only FON numbers (Factory Order Number) starting with a letter/s, but the year should be easily determined by which letter/s the FON numbers starts with, the model of these guitars can only be determined by measurements and design features.

In the case of this guitar, the FON number starting with EK, puts it being made in 1939

http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson.html

guitarattic

Vintage Kalamazoo Guitars

Thanks Im studying those links. I think its possible to find out who originally purchased it from the factory records.

I need to buy some tuning keys to replace the broken ones. They look like plastic or bakelite. Anyone know where?

Here are some more pics

PAT. 2132792 1938 appears to be all original.

View attachment 1327605 View attachment 1327606 View attachment 1327607

 

[Peyton Manning]

LOL your funny. Well the answer is yes I can play guitar. But Im in a bad financial situation. I went from living in a tent, to a camper in the swamp, had an eye injury and now I have a very small efficiency apartment. I would love to keep it or give it away to another musician that would appreciate it but unfortunately the point here is that I want to properly identify it first and only then I may consider selling it. And yes it appears to be playable but a very long time since I played in a band.. Even if I cant play it, I can sell it and I believe it has monetary value.

I guess the point is: treasure is where you find it and this is a treasure site to share finds. Treasure can be found on the beach, in the trash, yard sale, flea market or Goodwill store with or without a metal detector.. This is what I do for a living, my only source of income in the summer, when Im not working and I was feeling sad today, but now I think I found a little bit of happiness. Every little bit helps and Thank you God.

yeah me too, haven't played in a band since I played with john isley and jack sonni

 

[Oregon Viking]

Here you go. I believe it is a 1939 KG-11, get out your tape measure!

KG-11 - Flat-top Guitar - 1933-1939
Small body: 14 ¾”W x 17 ½” L
Mahogany B&S and Spruce Top
Rosewood fingerboard & bridge
Flat peghead shape with Kalamazoo logo
14-fret mahogany neck
Early versions had "zipper" sound hole binding ('33-34)
Most had single ivoroid SH binding ('35-38)
Flat-topped peghead shape with Kalamazoo logo

 

[Oregon Viking]

Thanks Im studying those links. I think its possible to find out who originally purchased it from the factory records.

I need to buy some tuning keys to replace the broken ones. They look like plastic or bakelite. Anyone know where?

Here are some more pics

PAT. 2132792 1938 appears to be all original.

View attachment 1327605 View attachment 1327606 View attachment 1327607 View attachment 1327609

Scroll down to set 305 click on the pic. If those are not the right tuners there are a lot more to check out.
Steven Kovacik-Luthier"

Scroll down to the Kalamazoo section, ALOT of info!
http://www.fox-guitars.com/Gibson-Made_Brands.html

 

[AU Seeker]

Thanks Im studying those links. I think its possible to find out who originally purchased it from the factory records.

I need to buy some tuning keys to replace the broken ones. They look like plastic or bakelite. Anyone know where?

Here are some more pics

PAT. 2132792 1938 appears to be all original.

View attachment 1327605 View attachment 1327606 View attachment 1327607 View attachment 1327609

I would recommend getting a good quality set of tuners, Golden Age makes some that should fit it perfectly, probably run you more than you paid for the guitar, maybe $50.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Gol...e&ie=UTF-8#q=Golden+Age+relic+tuners&tbm=shop