1930s Kalamazoo KG-11, Sunburst
Regular price
- Unit price
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Summary
Model: KG-11
Year: Early '30s
Finish: Sunburst
Modifications: None
Repairs: None
Weight: 1.25
Case: HSC
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Tuners: Correct 3-a-side
Pickups: NA
Neck Profile: Big V
Nut Width: 45
Neck Depth 1: 25.3
Neck Depth 12: 31
We are not box shifters, we take your packing and shipping very seriously..!
We have to. You're considering spending a lot of money with us and you would obviously like your valuable musical instrument to arrive at your door, without drama, fuss or damage.
We have many years (stretching way back in to the last century) of packing and shipping fragile musical items all over the world - in fact the number of sometimes priceless, vintage instruments we have shipped is in the thousands.
When you buy a vintage or second hand item from us, it will be hand packed by one or more of our specialist, in house staff and then shipped in our own custom made cardboard boxes (If applicable).
We normally ship via our preferred carriers UPS, DPD, Parcelforce and Royal Mail for smaller items such as straps and leads. Tracking numbers are always provided.
Shipping prices vary by item and by location, please see the individual products for details but as a guide, prices for a guitar is usually:
UK - £50
Mainland Europe - £75
USA - £200
Rest of World (rates can vary a lot depending on country) - £250
How can I pay?
All our base prices are in £GBP Sterling and exclude delivery.
Payments can be made by bank transfer (up to any amount) or credit/debit card through our website (up to £10,000.) Due to fraud risks we do not take payment by phone. We accept and use many online payment services that work by way of bank transfer and recommend Wise.com who will in generally offer far better exchange rates than banks.
Do your prices include VAT?
All prices include UK VAT but most used or vintage guitars are sold under the UK marginal scheme for secondhand goods which means you will not get an invoice with the VAT amount shown separately, neither will you be able to claim this VAT element back if you are VAT registered, and the VAT element cannot be deducted for export sales.
For new items such as some guitars, pedals, straps, cables etc 20% UK VAT is included and if you are in an export country, which since Brexit now includes Europe and of course the US, this 20% VAT will automatically be deducted at checkout for you. You may have to pay local taxes and duties when your goods arrive in your home country, we advise you to check with your local customs office to be sure.
Can I reserve or put an item on hold?
Yes you can. Items can be put on hold for a deposit payment of 10%. This will hold the item for up to 30 days but this deposit payment is non refundable in the event of the buyer failing to complete the sale.
A further 10% payment at the end of the initial 30 day period will extend this period for another 30 days and subject to individual approval, this arrangement can be extended at our discretion. ATB Guitars holds title to the goods until paid for in full and if the buyer should change his/her mind for any reason, a restocking fee equivalent to to 15% of the total purchase price will be deducted from any refund given.
Do you have a mailing list?
The best way to get on our mailing list is to submit the form at the bottom of every page on our website. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ATBguitars as most new items are posted there as soon as we buy them and before they go on the website. If you are searching for a specific guitar then send us an email and we will attempt to alert you once one has been found.
1930s Kalamazoo KG-11, Sunburst
Regular price
- Unit price
- / per
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1930s Kalamazoo KG-11, Sunburst
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Description
The Kalamazoo KG-11, built in the 1930s by Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is one of the most charming Depression-era guitars you’ll come across. This example, serial number 292 with factory order number 1028, features the distinctive small sunburst Spruce top paired with Mahogany back and sides. It’s a classic KG-11 spec with bound top and unbound back, ladder bracing, solid kerfing, dot fingerboard markers and the correct three-on-a-plate tuners with black buttons. Everything here is original down to the Ebony nut and what appear to be the factory frets - a rare survivor from a period when these guitars were inexpensive working instruments, often played hard and seldom preserved.
Condition is remarkable for its age. The finish retains a strong burst with only light pick wear from the lack of a guard, the geometry is good with saddle height remaining for further adjustments in the future. The neck shows just a touch of relief and overall it plays very well for an instrument of this age. The tuners are slightly stiff but function as intended, the frets are low but quite usable, and overall this is one of the cleanest KG-11s you’re likely to find. At just 1.25 kg it’s feather-light in the hands.
In terms of playability, this guitar has a wonderful big V-profile neck with a 45mm nut great for fingerstyle players who like a bit of room for the left hand. Alignment is good with room at the saddle for further tweaks if desired, and up the neck it remains very playable. Tonally it has the dry, jangly character these ladder-braced Kalamazoos are loved for, with a sweet highs, an 'earthy' midrange and a quick, direct response that works beautifully for blues, ragtime and roots styles.
The KG-11 sits in a fascinating chapter of American guitar history. Introduced by Gibson under the Kalamazoo brand as an affordable alternative during the Depression, these guitars were marketed as no-frills but well-made instruments. The smaller body shape of the KG-11, with its tight waist and compact outline, gave it a distinctive look compared to the KG-14 and other contemporaries. Despite being budget guitars, they were built with solid woods and excellent craftsmanship, making them far more enduring than many competitors of the era. Today, they’re prized not only for their unique tone but also for their association with a time when music was a solace in hard times. Survivors in this condition are few and far between, making this example a true collector’s piece as well as a highly inspiring player.
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Summary
Model: KG-11
Year: Early '30s
Finish: Sunburst
Modifications: None
Repairs: None
Weight: 1.25
Case: HSC
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Tuners: Correct 3-a-side
Pickups: NA
Neck Profile: Big V
Nut Width: 45
Neck Depth 1: 25.3
Neck Depth 12: 31
We are not box shifters, we take your packing and shipping very seriously..!
We have to. You're considering spending a lot of money with us and you would obviously like your valuable musical instrument to arrive at your door, without drama, fuss or damage.
We have many years (stretching way back in to the last century) of packing and shipping fragile musical items all over the world - in fact the number of sometimes priceless, vintage instruments we have shipped is in the thousands.
When you buy a vintage or second hand item from us, it will be hand packed by one or more of our specialist, in house staff and then shipped in our own custom made cardboard boxes (If applicable).
We normally ship via our preferred carriers UPS, DPD, Parcelforce and Royal Mail for smaller items such as straps and leads. Tracking numbers are always provided.
Shipping prices vary by item and by location, please see the individual products for details but as a guide, prices for a guitar is usually:
UK - £50
Mainland Europe - £75
USA - £200
Rest of World (rates can vary a lot depending on country) - £250
How can I pay?
All our base prices are in £GBP Sterling and exclude delivery.
Payments can be made by bank transfer (up to any amount) or credit/debit card through our website (up to £10,000.) Due to fraud risks we do not take payment by phone. We accept and use many online payment services that work by way of bank transfer and recommend Wise.com who will in generally offer far better exchange rates than banks.
Do your prices include VAT?
All prices include UK VAT but most used or vintage guitars are sold under the UK marginal scheme for secondhand goods which means you will not get an invoice with the VAT amount shown separately, neither will you be able to claim this VAT element back if you are VAT registered, and the VAT element cannot be deducted for export sales.
For new items such as some guitars, pedals, straps, cables etc 20% UK VAT is included and if you are in an export country, which since Brexit now includes Europe and of course the US, this 20% VAT will automatically be deducted at checkout for you. You may have to pay local taxes and duties when your goods arrive in your home country, we advise you to check with your local customs office to be sure.
Can I reserve or put an item on hold?
Yes you can. Items can be put on hold for a deposit payment of 10%. This will hold the item for up to 30 days but this deposit payment is non refundable in the event of the buyer failing to complete the sale.
A further 10% payment at the end of the initial 30 day period will extend this period for another 30 days and subject to individual approval, this arrangement can be extended at our discretion. ATB Guitars holds title to the goods until paid for in full and if the buyer should change his/her mind for any reason, a restocking fee equivalent to to 15% of the total purchase price will be deducted from any refund given.
Do you have a mailing list?
The best way to get on our mailing list is to submit the form at the bottom of every page on our website. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ATBguitars as most new items are posted there as soon as we buy them and before they go on the website. If you are searching for a specific guitar then send us an email and we will attempt to alert you once one has been found.
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