fiddlinfool
Oct-05-2006, 8:24am
My Kalamazoo arrived yesterday. Here is its story.
Having MAS in Canada can be an expensive proposition. I not only have to deal with currency conversions and shipping prices from abroad but for my latest purchase the wife had to pay $80 in customs fees to the postman before he'd let her take possession of it.
All that being said my Kalamazoo arrived yesterday and so far I am thrilled. I have never owned a Gibson mandolin before and, as I am on a budget, I decided to try to find a nice original Kalamazoo to get a taste for the good stuff (my interest in antiques also plays a factor here) before I can get the funds together to purchase a "Real" Gibson.
What I found was a Kalamazoo A style - I am not sure of the model number (maybe K12?) as there is nothing stamped on the back of the headstock (where I understand the model number is usually located) and no paper label inside (just the numbers 1362 ink stamped) but it is almost identical to a Gibson A40 but in tobacco burst. The headstock is unattractively shaped like a flat ended canoe paddle.
Anyways - so the story goes - this mandolin came from the original family in the US that first purchased it in the 1930s. It hasn't been played for many years (until now). Here's my impressions:
When I first opened the box (after work yesterday) and pulled it from the case I was immediately surprised by how light (in weight) it was. In fact it reminded me of holding a fiddle instead of a mandolin. The old strings were green with age and the inside of the instrument was a haven for cobwebs.
The finish shows its age (very nice patina) and the finger board from the 2nd to 5th frets is scalloped from years of playing (at least I know it's played in). The frets are in good shape. Nice, straight thick V'd neck.
After cutting off the old strings, oiling the original tuners, blowing out the dust and cobwebs with an air compressor and cleaning the entire instrument I was ready to string it up. I used J62s as I wanted to slowly bring the poor old girl back to life and I assume J62s will create less tension than J74s (no truss rod remember). After I play her with J62s for a bit I may switch to J74s.
After tuning, tuning and more tuning so more she was ready to play. I had to adjust the thumb wheels on the bridge a bit to eliminate string buzz and it was all set.
What a sound!
As I said before I have never played or owned a Gibson and was not really prepared for the tone and volume of this little beauty. It's much louder than my Washburn F style and the notes ring clear and crisp.
As mentioned the only numbers I've been able to find on the instrument are ink stamped on the inside of the body: 1362. Is it possible to date this Kalamazoo using these number?
I'll post some photos tonight once I clean and re-install the pick guard.
Thanks for letting me share.
Having MAS in Canada can be an expensive proposition. I not only have to deal with currency conversions and shipping prices from abroad but for my latest purchase the wife had to pay $80 in customs fees to the postman before he'd let her take possession of it.
All that being said my Kalamazoo arrived yesterday and so far I am thrilled. I have never owned a Gibson mandolin before and, as I am on a budget, I decided to try to find a nice original Kalamazoo to get a taste for the good stuff (my interest in antiques also plays a factor here) before I can get the funds together to purchase a "Real" Gibson.
What I found was a Kalamazoo A style - I am not sure of the model number (maybe K12?) as there is nothing stamped on the back of the headstock (where I understand the model number is usually located) and no paper label inside (just the numbers 1362 ink stamped) but it is almost identical to a Gibson A40 but in tobacco burst. The headstock is unattractively shaped like a flat ended canoe paddle.
Anyways - so the story goes - this mandolin came from the original family in the US that first purchased it in the 1930s. It hasn't been played for many years (until now). Here's my impressions:
When I first opened the box (after work yesterday) and pulled it from the case I was immediately surprised by how light (in weight) it was. In fact it reminded me of holding a fiddle instead of a mandolin. The old strings were green with age and the inside of the instrument was a haven for cobwebs.
The finish shows its age (very nice patina) and the finger board from the 2nd to 5th frets is scalloped from years of playing (at least I know it's played in). The frets are in good shape. Nice, straight thick V'd neck.
After cutting off the old strings, oiling the original tuners, blowing out the dust and cobwebs with an air compressor and cleaning the entire instrument I was ready to string it up. I used J62s as I wanted to slowly bring the poor old girl back to life and I assume J62s will create less tension than J74s (no truss rod remember). After I play her with J62s for a bit I may switch to J74s.
After tuning, tuning and more tuning so more she was ready to play. I had to adjust the thumb wheels on the bridge a bit to eliminate string buzz and it was all set.
What a sound!
As I said before I have never played or owned a Gibson and was not really prepared for the tone and volume of this little beauty. It's much louder than my Washburn F style and the notes ring clear and crisp.
As mentioned the only numbers I've been able to find on the instrument are ink stamped on the inside of the body: 1362. Is it possible to date this Kalamazoo using these number?
I'll post some photos tonight once I clean and re-install the pick guard.
Thanks for letting me share.