Up for sale, a 1930's Kalamazoo KG-31 archtop acoustic guitar in excellent condition. Crafted at Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan factory during the Great Depression, the Kalamazoo brand (and a host of others) were utilized by Gibson to produce finely crafted instruments that were able to be sold at lower price points to keep the company afloat during the lean Pre-War years. This KG-31 has that powerful presence and detailed tone indicative of a '30s Gibson, perfect for complex Jazz voicings, early Blues, and a host of other genres. Providing much more than a pleasing midrange chop, this Kalamazoo has great dynamic range, and with the flatwound 12-52 strings currently on the instrument, it has a host of smooth and snappy tones. The guitar boasts a full 16" lower bout, spruce top, and solid mahogany back and sides, and the tone is a notably superior in terms of performance and low end response when compared to less expensive maple back/sides Kalamazoos. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this Kalamazoo has been carefully inspected to insure comfortable action and excellent playability.

The one-piece mahogany neck has a generous, deep V profile, and it's the kind of substantial shape that really adds to the sustain and resonance of the instrument, while still being very manageable to chord. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard plays cleanly in all positions, with a partial refret with vintage-size wire on frets 1-7 and original frets further up the neck. Whomever played this guitar in the past really didn't venture beyond the 5th fret, so all existing fretwear is relegated to frets 1-3 with moderate wear beneath all strings, but more pronounced on the treble side. Beyond that, there is virtually no fretwear to report! Of particular note, the scale length on this Kalamazoo is a full 25". The original hand-carved bone nut measures 1 3/4" in width and provides ideal spacing for accurate chording and lead work. The headstock retains the original open back tuners and a clean "Kalamazoo" silkscreen logo on the headstock face.

The neck angle is ideal, and this guitar has never required a neck reset, with plenty of room for adjustment on both the bass and treble side thumbwheels on the bridge. The action is currently set at a hair under 3/16" at the 12th fret on both fretboard edges.

On the body, the original hardware is intact including the carved rosewood bridge, nickel trapeze tailpiece, and bound tiger stripe tortoise pickguard. The top and back have a consistent arch, and all original braces are present and well secured. The top and back are crack-free, and there is only one very slender and cleanly repaired crack on the bass side waist of the body parallel with the grain of the mahogany and very tight. There is prominent lacquer checking on both the top and back of the guitar, with an assortment of small nicks and scuffs as well as wear down to the bare mahogany central to the V on the neck profile, but no wear of real significance. This is a very well-kept Kalamazoo that has weathered the decades with style, retaining its original nitro lacquer sunburst finish, a perfect neck angle, and all of its original hardware!

A chipboard case is included.

Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.

Shipping in the continental USA will be $70, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.

International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.

We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!