Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers

Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Identification
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Kalamazoo KG main page | 1966 Kalamazoo KG2a | 1966 Kalamazoo KG1 | sound clips

The 1960s Gibson serial numbering system is famous for it's peculiarities; this guitar has two quite different numbers, one over the top of the other. The wiring loom used for the Kalamazoo KG1 and KG2 guitars were identical to single and double pickup Melody Maker guitars; a volume and tone control for each pickup, and a three way pickup. Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989. Since 1989, all Gibson acoustics are built in Bozeman, MT and all Gibson electrics are built in Nashville or Memphis. Find the current Blue Book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. Gibson serial numbers 1952 to 1961, solidbody model. A number stamped with ink on the back of the headstock. Gibson's solid bodys were released in 1952. Gibson did not use serial numbers at that time but started in 1953. The first digit of the series number is the last digit of the year. Left: The 'inked on' serial number on a 1955 Les Paul standard solidbody guitar. This style serial number was used on all 1953 to 1960 solidbody Gibson guitars. Right: The 'inked on' serial number on this 1959 Les Paul Junior has no space between the '9' digit (year) and the rest of the numbers. This happened only in 1955, 1956, 1959 and 1960.

Pickups: One single-coil Gibson Melody Maker pickup

Body: Pressed board body. 16 1/2' long, 11 3/4' wide, 1 5/16' thick.

Neck: Maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard. Adjustable truss rod. 22 frets.

Hardware: 1 volume and 1 tone control. Gibson TPBR bridge. Open gear strip tuning keys.

The Kalamazoo KG1 was Gibson's attempt to compete with the likes of Fender for the mid 1960s student guitar market. Previously Gibson had only offered students 3/4 size versions of relatively expensive hollow bodies, under the Gibson brand. But now, under the name Kalamazoo it was producing very simple guitars, but well-made, and with above average components.

There were no labour intensive nitrocellulose finishes, no expensive hardwood bodies, no glued-in neck joints requiring skilled woodworkers, and easily assembled electronics pre-wired on a scratchplate. Assembly was just a matter of screwing it all together; but the result was a cheap, popular and highly playable guitar.

Similar Models

The KG-1 had a December 1966 list price of $89.50 - compared to $149.50 for a single pickup Gibson Melody Maker, or $126 for a single pickup Fender Musicmaster.

The solid body Kalamazoo KG guitar range consisted of four models: the KG1 and KG2; equipped respectively with one or two pickups, and the KG1a / KG2a which had an added Maestro vibrola. This guitar, with one pickup and no vibrola is the KG1.

From the 1966 Kalamazoo catalogue

Distinctively styled, superb quality solid-body guitars of rugged, lightweight design. Available in brilliant Flame Red, Glacier White or Las Vegas Blue, one or two pickups, with or without Vibrola. Slim neck, streamline styling in an economically priced guitar for years of rugged use

This guitar is one of 1020 Kalamazoo KG1 guitars in Flame Red produced in 1966, and one of just 1908 KG1s produced in total - see the Kalamazoo KG shipping figures for more details.

The Kalamazoo KG1 came in three finishes; the guitar pictured here is in Flame Red. (See also a Las Vegas blue KG2a and a Glacier White KB1)

Gibson kalamazoo guitar serial numbers lookup

Unpainted maple necks were bolted onto pressed board bodies

In order to reduce production costs, the unassembled guitar bodies were identical, irrespective of pickup configuration and tailpiece

White plastic control knobs were fitted to all Kalamazoo electrics. The KG1 has just one volume and one tone control

Hardware included two very widely used Gibson parts; the single-coil Gibson PU380 Melody Maker pickup and Gibson TPBR 8513 combined bridge/wraparound tailpiece, both of which appeared on many lower end Gibson instruments throughout the 1960s

This guitar comes with simple cream plastic strap buttons

Firebird-style headstock and open gear strip tuning keys

The scripted Kalamazoo logo is engraved into the wood of the headstock

Six digit serial numbers are impressed into the back of the headstock in typical Gibson style

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Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers Identification

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