Bigcypresshunter
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- Dec 15, 2004
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But these are the original tuners. Shouldnt I keep it all original? Only 3 of the plastic knobs are broken or rotted away. There are some pieces in the guitar case but broken. I figure I just replace the plastic knobsI 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
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"
After seeing your pics....Set 331
Scroll down to the Kalamazoo section, ALOT of info!
Gibson-Made Brands
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
Truthfully I havent played since the 70s and Im not going to now. I purchased it simply for profit. Should I feel bad about profitting from a Goodwill store? They put the price on it, not I. ....I paid what they were asking.yeah me too, haven't played in a band since I played with john isley and jack sonni
Yea the asking prices on eBay mean nothing. Im going to do a search of sold listings to see what the actual value is. Yea the crazing is fine. I would like to just replace the plastic knobs, if I can find replacements that fit. Shouldnt be too hard. Surely someone must make them? The frets look great. It appears the pre war/depression era Kalamazoos used good wood. The 60s guitars used cheaper material.Ok, Gibson made them and yes that is a 1939 model. Gibson's mid priced guitar was Epiphone and they wanted a cheaper guitar brand. So they created Kalamazoo. They are decent guitars and yours looks solid. $20 is a steal. Having said that, the guy on ebay is way off in price. They sell in the real world for between $500-$600 at most. There are a lot around and condition is everything. Check your bindings and the top for damage, the frets and especially the neck. I played guitar in a band on Fri. and Sat. nights and sometimes Sunday for 35 years. High school days, college nights and music to relax. You did well on your purchase and may even be able to get more for it. By the way, the crazing on the top doesn't affect the price...
Truthfully I havent played since the 70s and Im not going to now. I purchased it simply for profit. Should I feel bad about ripping off a Goodwill store? They put the price on it, not I. ....I paid what they were asking.
Do you think this is the original case?
View attachment 1327635 View attachment 1327636
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
14 ¾”W x 17 ½” L is correct but I have more than 14 frets (the picture doesnt show them all). And the entire neck with frets is one solid piece of what looks like rosewood
View attachment 1327641 View attachment 1327642
Yes!Are my photos disappearing for anyone else? I hate that.
Set 331: 1930s steel plate open gear strip tuners with black buttons, tuners like this were found on some Gibson L model guitars as well as some Kalamazoos, other brands as well. Look like they are probably made by Waverly but there’s no marking. The plates show corrosion but the tuners function fine, original buttons and gears, 12:1 ratio and 7/32” barrels. The bushings are of a type that was often used with this sort of tuner but they are not original to the set, the mounting screws are modern replacements.
View attachment 1327639
I buy from Steven Kovacik because he usually has the original tuners I need. If the original tuners had floral engraving and ivory or bone buttons, like Martin and Gibson...I buy them. Makes the purists pocketbooks open easier.
Steven Kovacik-Luthier"