1940 Kalamazoo KGN-12 “Oriole” X Braced

The Kalamazoo KGN-12 “Oriole” was only manufactured 1940-1941. Built on the same body as the ladder braced KG-14 and X braced L00. This example was made in 1940 according to the legible FON 1423 F.

Solid flamed and birds eye maple sides and flamed – quilted veneer back with Adirondack spruce top in natural finish bound in nitrocellulose tortoise-shell, Gibson-style “open book” peg head shape with Kalamazoo stencil and orange Oriole bird silk-screened. Natural finished mahogany neck with the very comfortable “C” profile that is mostly seen on early thirties L series Gibsons.

This guitar was X braced by David Sheppard in 2008 and I recently took in trade from a friend of Vintage Licks. It’s otherwise all original sans re buttoned original Kluson tuners and a bone nut instead of the ebony, which is in the case.

I’ve let it be known on the forums that I’m personally not fond of X braced conversions of Kalamazoo flat tops. (Yes, we did one to see what it’s all about, sure)… BUT… This guitar is truly amazing! The set up is exceptional and the guitar is crack free and the X bracing has rung the bell!!

We believe it’s the maple. This guitar sounds better than many of my L00s I’ve had and honestly, no joke … it rivals the sound characteristics of a same body size maple Nick Lucas Special.

The sustain is absolutely sensational. This is truly a soloists guitar.

Big Bang for the money.

Proper fitting TKL Hard Case