Throughout the 1930s, Gibson produced a range of budget branded instruments sold through major US catalogues under names such as Kalamazoo and Recording King. These instruments were based on Gibson’s core designs of the period, offering more affordable alternatives while still retaining much of the company’s construction approach and styling cues. The Kalamazoo line in particular closely followed Gibson’s archtop designs, providing accessible versions of their more premium carved top instruments.

This 1930s Kalamazoo KG-31 is a 16 inch archtop model featuring a double bound body, spruce top with X bracing, and f hole construction. It is built with mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and 19 frets. The guitar is fitted with a trapeze tailpiece and adjustable rosewood bridge.

The instrument shows a number of typical period correct specifications for Gibson made budget archtops, including its carved style construction and traditional wood pairing. The original pickguard is present, as are the original tuners and trapeze. 

This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.