vintage KALAMAZOO archtop acoustic guitar KGN-32 . . . . . . This cool vintage guitar was made by Gibson circa 1941 in their factory in Kalamazoo, MI.  The \"Oriole\" instruments were the top-of-the-line of the Kalamazoo budget brand, rare birds since most Kalamazoos feature top craftmaship but spartan looks and finishes, while the Orioles sport flashy natural finishes showing off high quality wood and fancy figured maple bodies.  This one is no exception, check out the stunning quilted flame maple on the back, not what you see on a typical \"budget\" guitar!  The sides also have very nice birds-eye figuring, there is nice contrasting tortoise binding, a natty checker-bound pickguard, and you gotta love the little Oriole birdie decal on the headstock!  The KGN-32 shares the same body size as the Gibson L-50, though it lacks an adjustable truss rod (though I believe the Orioles do have a non-adjustable rod only visible if the neck is removed).  This guitar also has the wonderful early-40s Gibson rounded \"C\"-profile neck, a great playing neck that feels faster and more \'modern\' than the older huge \"V\" necks.

This guitar is in VG/Excellent shape with some just some light wear and dings but no major problems.  The frets were recently gone over by a top NYC luthier who set it up and it plays beautifully with nice low action and clear notes all over the neck.  I just put a fresh set of T-I Spectrum strings on, its very lightweight and resonant, I will miss playing this one!  There is some light tarnish/rust on the metal parts but nothing too bad.  I believe it is all original including tuners, except the bridge has likely been replaced.  On the back of the headstock near the top there are two tiny holes, I believe an added guitar strap hook was once there.  Inside one of the F-holes there is visible a very faded stamped FON (factory order number) : 97 (and possible the ghost of a 3rd digit but I can\'t make anything out and it may be just the wood grain), followed by a red penciled 1 9(?).  Not sure of the exact date but almost certainly 1940 or 1941, one of the last pre-war Kalamazoos.  The guitar ships in a modern snug-fitting hardshell case.  

! Winner pays $60 shipping in the USA, $90 for Canada.  Europe will be $110-125, $125-475 for the rest of the world, please inquire for rate to your country, the default rate is set at $475 but if you are in Canada or elsewhere outside the USA wait for my revised invoice with proper shipping before paying.  PLEASE NOTE:  The case is slightly oversized and CANNOT be shipped to Australia and some other countries due to size restrictions.  If you are interested in the guitar please inquire, I may be able to ship in a smaller gig bag with lots of padding, but it is VERY expensive to ship to Australia and certain other far away countries, sorry!   Paypal is always accepted, inquire for other payment methods. Please note that I must collect tax on New York state sales. Winner must send payment within 5 days of notification. Be sure to click here to see my other sales. Also click on \'about me\' symbol above or here to learn about my site with out-of-print comic-related books and pulps.