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Thread: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

  1. #1
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/3000838977.html

    It looks very clean. They're asking $500. Is it worth that?
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    It's late 30's, I could probably get closer by features if I had my books here. They usually sell from 400-500. I bought one a few years ago for a little less.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    I don't know about the price... I am sure you can bargain some. Seems fair to me, tho. The only thing not original seems to me to be the bridge. This one looks original.
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    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    Wow, that looks like a really nice instrument for the price range.
    Mike, what's the tone and playability like on these?
    That can't be the original bridge/saddle, right?
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    Jim, I think they went to an adjustable bridge in the late 30's. I can check that when I get home. Ed, I had one from the first year they made it and the neck was the best neck I've ever played on any mandolin and the tone was sweet, not bluegrass bark, sweet. These were actually nice little instruments.

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    Registered User Vernon Hughes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    One just sold on feebay within the last 30 days for around 275.00..looked very original w/ case and all.
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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    Regarding the bridge, Frank Ford has the one below in the Museum on www.frets.com. Same bridge, I think it's original.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    Quote Originally Posted by vhughes2000 View Post
    One just sold on feebay within the last 30 days for around 275.00..looked very original w/ case and all.
    It is the same model as this, same bridge as well. It's a late 30's KM-11. You'll also see that one sold for 500.00 just before the one you referenced. If you want to really mix it up I bought one for 125.00 a few years back. That's the joy of eBay. The one you referenced had some finish problems, a hole in the heel for a strap button, and cracks in the back as well. The tailpiece cover on the eBay one is in better shape though.

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    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    I had one of these, enjoyed it a lot. Mine had tuner problems and the sound/tone, while just fine, was second place to my Flatiron 1N (also a pancake). Yeah, the Gibson had antiquity and a cool vibe, but I've had no regrets over time going with my Flatiron. I sold mine for $400.00 about 6 years ago. I'd think $500.00 to be in the range, neither too low or too high. Not a great deal though. . .

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    You may very well be right. I did an image search and got a lot with the nonadjustable smaller bridge and an equal amount with this adjustable one. Going from the era I, Gibson seemed to make the lighter part of the sunburst get bigger as the decade (1930s) progressed -- at least that is certainly the case with the L-00 guitars. So that would indicate that the adjustable bridge was used in the later part of the 1930s.
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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    Hey guys, don't forget, you get a book of Joyful Party Songs with the mando...

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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    I've had a couple of these, both mid 30s without the adjustable bridges. I'd agree with F-D, they are pretty agreeable mandolins-the sound is pretty okay and the playability was quite good, at least for my large size hands.

    $500 for one in good shape--check the top as they are prone to sinkage--may seem like a lot if you are used to seeing them go for half of that. I think I got mine in the $125-50 range, but they were well under the radar. KZoo prices appear to have climbed a bit, so while this might not be a 'deal' it probably is a 'value'. You're not going to not like the mandolin.

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    Default Re: Oval hole Kalamazoo on S jersey Craigslist

    If as described and pictured it seems a fair price to me.... Less than a new Big-Muddy but with a whole lot more Mojo. If I had the extra cash I think I would consider it at that price. But I would hate to play it if in that good a condition.
    Bart McNeil

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