1930's Kalamazoo A Style

[gretschbigsby]

I'm a learner, and I'm learning on a Gibson A9 and a Mid-Mo M4... I'd like something older I think, but I don't want to break the bank!

This one looks pretty nice:

http://www.bernunzio.com/cgi-bin/bernunzio/showimg2000?img=037705

How are A style Kalamazoos with a sound hole? I know that every instrument is different, but how would a Kalamazoo compare in tone and construction with a Martin, Vega, Stradolin of the same era?

Thanks!

Bob

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Tough question. I had a flat top Kalamazoo just like the one pictured and it was a nice instrument. The neck had a real good feel, not to skinny or to thick. As far as tone, it will sound much diffrent from the Gibson A9, the flat tops have a bright open sound, similar to some of the bent top Martins and Vegas.As far as construction, they are very #well made" Gibson you know!"Just aquire as many mandolins as you can afford, and you'll have all the variety of "tones" you want #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[fatt-dad]

Dear gretschbigsby,

I have one of these to match my Gibson L-00 (Gibson blues guitar that has the exact same color tone. Actually, I did not buy it for that reason, but hey they look great together.) I love my Kalamazoo oval hole mandolin and the one you linked to is in much better shape. I'm sure that the price is greater than I recently paid for mine, but you do not have the crack on the back, the mac-daddy scratch on the front, and hopefully machines that turn smoothly. Even with these "problems", I pull mine out and play it pretty often. It's great for the fiddle/old time tunes, but have never had it up against a banjo. That said, it would probably do just fine.

Good luck.

fatt-dad