1930s Kalamazoo (Gibson) KTG-11 Tenor Guitar

The Gibson factory order number (yep, these were made by Gibson as "second line" instruments) is illegible on this but, having worked on a lot of these, I would guesstimate its build year to be around 1937. That would be about right for the look of the sunburst and the mix of features.

I have a weakness for KG-11s and I think that these tenor models are some of most fun tenor flattops from the period to own and play. They've got a woody punch to them that makes them stand-out in a jam or band situation but they're not quite as snappy/dry as their "big brother" KTG-14 models with the L-00 body shape. They've got a bit more warmth and mellowness that suits a wider range of tunings. 

Aside from a number of previously-glued-up hairline cracks on the top, it arrived in pretty decent shape for its age. It needed all the usual work to get it going, but now that it's done, it plays spot-on. I've got it setup for GDAE (Celtic/octave mandolin) tuning at the moment but it can certainly be restrung and adjusted for any other tenor tuning the next owner wants. Jose and I did the work on this guy tag-team style and we fit a set of modern tuners on it so that the next owner won't have to fuss with the old friction pegs that it came with (dreadful things).

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, side dots added, new bone saddle, new tuners, new bridge pins, cleaning, and setup work.

• Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 22 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/16"
• Neck shape: medium V
• Board radius: flat
• 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: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 42w, 32w, 20w, 12 for GDAE tuning
• Truss rod: no
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: the tuners, nut, saddle, pins, and side dots are unoriginal but it's original otherwise. There are a number of longer hairline cracks on the top that were previously repaired. I have stuck cleats where I can but there is some glue seep to the underside from the old repairs which limited my ability to put them everywhere. They're holding-up fine, though. There's also a repaired hairline crack on the side that's in good order. All of this stuff is pictured. Both the nut and saddle are new, bone ones. There are little paint pinprick splatter things here and there in the finish throughout. There's general mild usewear/scratches/etc. throughout, too.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: RRY