Gibson Kalamazoo Guitar Serial Numbers

Sqlite browser for mac. 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. Virtual turntables download free. 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 selector switch for the KG2.

Here is the info on Kalamazoo/Gibson factory order numbers. E definitely corresponds with the year 1939:'F O Ns for the years 1935-1941 usually consisted of the batch number, a letter for the year and the instrument number. Examples are as follows:Code Letter and YearA 1935B 1936C 1937D 1938E 1939F 1940G 1941'For more info, go to this link:As to the value of your instrument, Kalamazo archtop mandolins had tops that were pressed, rather than carved, so they are worth less than a Gibson A40 or A50 of the same era. This is actually a KM-22, not a KM-21. They were built from 1939 to 1942. The pickguard is probably original as the KM-22 had a bound pickguard and fingerboard.

The headstock shape puts it in those years as well. The description is:A Style body, f-holes, maple back and sides, clamshell tailpiece cover, bound top and back, bound pickguard, bound fingerboard, dot inlay, sunburst finish.None of the Gibson 2nd lines had truss rods (although I did see one later Kalamazoo that did have one). The top and back were pressed and not carved as mentioned above.As for value, on a good day it might get between $400.00 and $500.00 on that well known auction site, on a bad day it might get less.

The Bluebook would list it higher, George would appraise it higher. I will say one thing, it looks to be in great shape. I'm surprised they would stamp a FON on the outside, it isn't their usual way of doing things.

I've never seen a Kalamazoo that was serial numbered though. I am bumping this thread as, for some reason, I took a notion to peer into my Kalamazoo with a flashlight, and found '793011' stamped inside. This was sold to me as a 1942 KM-12.

Any thoughts?(Actually it is this one:, sold to me thru a third party).7931H (it's a FON) is a 1942 KM-12. I'm pretty sure that 11 is actually an H. It should be in the 43 year or greater. I don't find any listing for a KM-12 or any other Kalamzoo mandolins with the open book headstock but Gibson was known to sweep the floors for parts for their second line instruments. Whatever they had available they used.The pickguard should be unbound. I suspected it might be a KM-22 but the fretboard is unbound.