Kalamazoo Mandolin....

**the57thbeatle** · Sep-29-2010, 11:12am

Hi,

New here...
Looks like the best place to find out a bit more about my Kalamazoo Mandolin:

There is no serial number on the back of the head stock, just the wording "Made In The U.S.A.":

And inside there's a sticker saying "Made in U.S.A. by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich.":

The tail end:

I would really appreciate it if any of you could tell me a bit more about this instrument, when it was built, if it is any good, etc.
I bought it at a flea market here in The Netherlands a year ago and since then I've started playing it for a bit, it's a nice sounding instrument really.

Thanks,
Ed

**Keith Erickson** · Sep-29-2010, 11:33am

Oh my goodness

This is one beautiful mandolin. I saw one here in El Paso with a cracked top and it sounded and played outanding. I believe they were manufactured by Gibson but I'm not too sure. Before I make a complete fool of myself, I would like to let someone who knows what they're talking about take over from here......

......oh yes.......for me this was the one that got away

I wish you many years of joyful picking!!!!!!

**barrangatan** · Sep-29-2010, 11:37am

Hi - welcome to the cafe. The mandolin looks like a beauty. Here's a old thread that has some info you're looking for:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...amazoo-history

**the57thbeatle** · Sep-30-2010, 7:47am

Thanks guys.

So, am I correct in assuming this is a KM-21 model and that these were produced between 1933-1936 ?

**MikeEdgerton** · Sep-30-2010, 8:04am

Your mandolin is a Kalamazoo KM-21. It was made for export out of the USA, thus the made in The USA and the tag inside it. If it was made to be sold domestically the imprint and the tag wouldn't be there. It makes sense because of where you bought it. I'm not totally sure the pickguard is original either, I'll have to check my books when I get home. Beyond that it looks great. Take a look at the thread that was linked in the message above for some more information on Kalamazoos. They were produced between 1935 or 36 and the entry of the US into WWII. Again, I need to check my books at home.

**F-2 Dave** · Sep-30-2010, 8:19am

Really cool. Nice little mando.

**jmpullen** · Oct-02-2010, 5:39pm

Re: Kalamazoo mandolins -- Many years ago, I remember Carl Stump commenting on them, as I recall, he used to see some of them up north. One thing he said has always
stuck with me : He said he had heard some of them Kalamazoos that would " get on them old F-5s." So, I hope some people who have picked and heard them will chime in !