1934 Kalamazoo KG-11 (Gibson) 00-Size Guitar

This beaut appears to be a '34 KG-11 per its features and factory order number at the neckblock. It's got the small sunburst pattern and flattened headstock for the "early years" of this model but it also originally had the K'zoo-style pickguard in place. The "checker" or "rope" soundhole binding is also a nice touch that's only found on the first couple years of production, too.

Much work was done to get this going and both Ancel and I tag-teamed this one in different aspects of the repair process. It's fit to serve, now, with spot-on action and all of its concerns addressed. It's not a clean guitar, but it is lovely and played-the-heck in.

This particular guitar has a woody, mellow voice that I like quite a bit. The earlier KG-11s have tops that are just a hair lighter and bracing that's just a hair thinner than the later ones and it gives them a warmer, sweeter sound compared to the more aggressive, louder, and snappier sound of late-'30s versions of the same model. I feel like flatpicked chord-thumping sounds a little more engaging with a KG-11 of this sort-of sound -- it will do old-time backup-style stuff breezily and lead and fill work will punch in a snappy sort-of way.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, brace reglues, side dots, new rosewood bridge, new bone saddle, new ebony bridge pins and endpin, total back reglue, crack repairs to the back, much cleaning, and setup work.

Weight: 3 lbs 3 oz

Scale length: 24 7/8"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Neck shape: medium-bigger soft V

Board radius: 10"

Body width: 14 3/4"

Body depth: 4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 52w, 40w, 30w, 22w, 16, 12

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: it's missing its pickguard but that can be replaced if desired (it sorta looks cool without it, so I'm leaving this up to the next owner -- we have a variety of materials). There are smaller scuffs, dings, scratches, and dents here and there throughout the guitar. The finish has weather-checking and is rubbed-down here and there. The bridge, bridge pins, saddle, and endpin are replacements. The rest is original. There are smaller cracks that have been repaired/cleated on the back and then a cluster of small cracks just south of the neckblock on the back that have also been repaired. The back was almost entirely off on this for a long period of time so when it was reglued (here), the back/side seams did not match perfectly. We've trimmed and then touched-up the edges as best as possible.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: A26