ca 1940 Gibson-Kalmazoo KG-12

Gibson – Kalamazoo KG12, red spruce top with mahogany back and sides. Rare in the series of Kalamazoo flat tops… these KG-12s came at the end of the production, but in our opinion, they are some of the best sounding examples of the entire line. Gibson certainly had these ladder braced beauties all figured out by the early 1940s and the sound of this one proves it! Similar to its sisters, the KGN-12 and the Orioles, these examples have the red spruce tops, but have the light stained mahogany back, sides and neck rather than maple. The sweet finish is similar to Martins ice tea shading with the nitrocellulose tortoise shell binding.

A stunning finger style / slide blues picker based on the Gibson L-00 body. This one also sports the real deal L00 comfortable oval neck as seen on the early 30s productions with the Gibson headstock shape to boot.

Recent pro neck set, all new frets with Willi Henkes bridge pins from Germany and a stunning set up. All marvelous workmanship by David Hatchard.

This is a fine sounding and playing example with just the right amount of honest Mojo!

All original including the Kluson tuners. Ink stamped on the neck block 7267H with a red pencil 24. The nut width is 1 3/4″ and action set a 3-2 with proper string break over the new bone saddle and perfect intonation. Clean divot free Brazilian rosewood fretboard and the always cool just to stare at nitrocellulose fire stripe pick guard.

The original finish has that depression era Gibson crazing both top and back but no glaring blemishes and crack free sans a minor backside well repaired hairline, yet it does have some honest pick and capo rash because it’s 70 years old and the real deal.

This is a rare bird for sure and we should know because we search for and find the best sounding Kalamazoo flat tops in the country!

Enjoy the videos by Danielle Miraglia and Bob Halperin.