Gibson C-1 mandolins

[dustyamps]

1931-33 era Gibson C-1 mandolins

[brunello97]

Thanks, these look very nice... Do you have any images of the backs and necks?

Mick

[F-2 Dave]

I like 'em. I suppose the only thing more unusual than having one of these is having two of these. Painted on pick guards. That's just crazy.

[MikeEdgerton]

Was the rosette and binding painted on these as well? I don't have books with me here. I'm really surprised Gibson put their name on these. On similar guitars they didn't.

On closer look the binding looks like it might be real binding. No truss rod. These have all the trappings of a Gibson second line instrument like the Kalamazoo's and Kel Kroydon's.

[dustyamps]

The model C-1 was in response to the economic times of the early 30's and the only Gibson model without a truss rod. The Kel Kroydon model was very similar to the C-1, the painted on pickguard was omitted and the top of the headstock was squared off but otherwise, the same construction and natural top I believe. My 33 Kalamazoo KM-11 is also of similar construction but features a beautiful sunburst top with a glued on pickguard. I like the sound of the Kalamazoo the best, it's one that just has a sweet ring to it. I've included photos of the back of a C-1. I've seen several variations of the C-1 also with different headstock shapes and style of logos.

[brunello97]

Thanks for the additional photos… The mahogany back sure brings the Kalamazoos to mind. I've had a couple KM11s and really liked them, particularly the neck profile--perfect for my hands. I've never seen a C-1 in person but look forward to it one day.

Do I understand that prefer the sound of your KM11 to the C-1s? I need to check Joe's book tonight, I'd like to know the timeline and scope of production for these.

'30s Gibson fans probably saw this Capitol mandolin go by on the ebay:

Gibson Capitol

<$200 seems like a pretty good price for what looks a lot like a KM.

I find this a pretty interesting decade of work. From my limited experience, Gibson kept a lot of (relative) quality in while clearly cutting a lot of costs.

Mick

[MikeEdgerton]

Whoever got that Capitol did all right. That was a Gibson second line instrument, basically a Kalamazoo KM-21. As far as the C-1's are concerned, the entire Gibson second line group of instruments, and there were dozens were all an attempt to stay in business through the depression. The Kel Kroydon line started as a line of pull toys, the instruments came along later. The C-1 is unique as they actually branded it Gibson. I think the toy line was an attemp to make money from scrap wood. The instruments probably showed them they had a market for less expensive instruments and could sell through different dealers than the premier Gibson dealers. This page from Paul Fox Guitars website has many of the Gibson second line brands shown, including Capitol.

[dustyamps]

1933 C-1, FON 461. Group photo, this C-1 along side my 33 KM-11, FON 719.

[Paul Busman]

Was the rosette and binding painted on these as well? I don't have books with me here. I'm really surprised Gibson put their name on these. On similar guitars they didn't.

Not only were the pickguard, rosette and binding painted on, the strings were painted on as well. This didn't do much to improve the sound but hey, times were tough...

[dustyamps]

Real binding on these and a simple rosette. Only the pickguard is painted on.

[mandolinstew]

they had good paint in those days,full of lead

[Jake Wildwood]

Always wanted one for whatever reason -- and always wanted to slap some celluloid in the same shape down "first-thing."

[MikeEdgerton]

Always wanted one for whatever reason -- and always wanted to slap some celluloid in the same shape down "first-thing."

Oh yeah. I'm with you on that.

[dustyamps]

Here is an unusual C-1 with binding on the front and back. Otherwise, similar to the catalog features. I replaced one missing dot on the neck and sanded the bridge down about 1/16" and reslotted it to lower the action. No FON number stamped on the neck block.

[dustyamps]

Here is a Kel Kroyden branded mandolin identical to the C-1. First one I've seen.

[MikeZito]

Here is a Kel Kroyden branded mandolin identical to the C-1. First one I've seen.

How does the Kroyden sound and play?

Did Gibson make these low-line mandolins with different brands on them?

[MikeEdgerton]

Gibson had a whole slew of Second line brands they made for themselves and other people. The Kel Kroydon line started out as a line of wooden toys. Gibson had Kalamazoo, Oriole, and a few others they owned and they built for a slew of other people including Montgomery Ward. Paul Fox has a book on the Gibson Second Lines. It's also good to take a look at the Gruhn Guide as it lists the brands and describes most of the models.

The primary difference between the second line instruments and the regular Gibson line was the truss rod. The second lines generally didn't have one. The second lines also generally had an odd mixture of parts like they were seeping the floor in the warehouse and looking to use what was left over from previous years production.

The Kel Kroydon guitar and mandolin was a little different. They were extremely light weight and they didn't last as a brand name for very long. That and nobody knows where the name Kel Kroydon came from.

[Joey Anchors]

I love these flat-tops!

[William Smith]

Don't forget the Cromwell's just to name another budget Gibson.