Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,695

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

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Description

The Kalamazoo KG-14 is a celebrated piece of musical history, bringing vintage charm to the modern guitarist. Originally crafted in the 1930s, this steel-string acoustic guitar is known for its warm, resonant tones and remarkable playability. The KG-14 features a solid spruce top, providing enhanced sound projection and a balanced tonal output, perfect for both fingerpicking and strumming.

Paired with mahogany back and sides, this guitar delivers a rich, full-bodied sound that has been cherished by blues and folk musicians for decades. The combination of these woods not only contributes to its distinct sound but also ensures enduring durability. With its classic body shape and understated aesthetic, the KG-14 remains a favorite for those seeking a vintage-inspired acoustic guitar that stands the test of time.

The neck of the KG-14 is crafted from mahogany, providing a smooth and comfortable playing experience, while the rosewood fretboard adds a touch of elegance. Simple yet efficient, the guitar's dovetail neck joint ensures stability and longevity, making it a reliable companion for any music journey.

Key Features:

  • Solid spruce top for enhanced sound projection
  • Mahogany back and sides for a warm, full-bodied tone
  • Mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard for comfortable playability
  • Dovetail neck joint for added durability
  • Classic body shape, ideal for blues and folk genres

Product specs

Brand Kalamazoo
Model KG-14
Finish Sunburst
Year 1936 - 1943
Made In United States
Categories Parlor Guitars
Active Preamp No
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Parlor
Color Family Orange
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 19
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What is the body shape of the Kalamazoo KG-14?

The Kalamazoo KG-14 features a parlor body shape, known for its compact size and balanced tone, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing and intimate performances.

What materials are used in the construction of the Kalamazoo KG-14?

The Kalamazoo KG-14 is constructed with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fretboard, providing a warm and resonant sound typical of vintage acoustic guitars.

Does the Kalamazoo KG-14 have any pickups or electronics?

No, the Kalamazoo KG-14 does not come with pickups or built-in electronics, making it a purely acoustic instrument.

How many frets does the Kalamazoo KG-14 have?

The Kalamazoo KG-14 has 19 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes suitable for various playing styles.

Is the Kalamazoo KG-14 suitable for beginners?

The Kalamazoo KG-14 can be suitable for beginners due to its comfortable parlor size and straightforward design, though its vintage nature may appeal more to enthusiasts and collectors.

Bernunzio Uptown Music

Bernunzio Uptown Music

Kalamazoo KG-14

Video thumbnail for Kalamazoo KG-14 by Bernunzio Uptown Music

Kalamazoo KG-14

Bernunzio Uptown Music

Bernunzio Uptown Music

Video thumbnail for Kalamazoo KG - 14 acoustic guitar by Gibson 1930's by Paul Brett's Vintage Guitars

Kalamazoo KG - 14 acoustic guitar by Gibson 1930's

Paul Brett's Vintage Guitars

Paul Brett's Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for Kalamazoo KG-14 (c.1936) | Elderly Instruments by Elderly Instruments

Kalamazoo KG-14 (c.1936) | Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Elderly Instruments

Video thumbnail for Bob Tekippe Plays a 1938 Kalamazoo KG-14! by Vintage Guitar

Bob Tekippe Plays a 1938 Kalamazoo KG-14!

Vintage Guitar

Vintage Guitar

Video thumbnail for 1937 Gibson-made Kalamazoo KG-14 flattop guitar by Jake Wildwood & Co

1937 Gibson-made Kalamazoo KG-14 flattop guitar

Jake Wildwood & Co

Jake Wildwood & Co

Video thumbnail for 1936 Gibson-made Kalamazoo KG-14 flattop guitar by Jake Wildwood & Co

1936 Gibson-made Kalamazoo KG-14 flattop guitar

Jake Wildwood & Co

Jake Wildwood & Co

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kalamazoo KG-14.

Comparisons

  • The KG-14 inspired the Collings Waterloo WL-12 and WL-14 models, reflecting the vintage aesthetic and build style of 1930s guitars.

    Source
  • The KG-14 is essentially a Gibson under a different name, offering similar build quality without the ornate features of higher-end models.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The "14" in KG-14 likely refers to the 14-fret neck design, a detail mirrored in the Collings WL-14 model.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar, despite its age, performs well with slide guitar blues, and a long-term owner appreciates its versatility in standard tuning.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A slide is used effectively with the KG-14 without restricting finger movement, enhancing its playability for blues styles.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Kalamazoo KG-14 typically features a tiger stripe pickguard and lacks a truss rod, emphasizing its vintage aesthetic and simplifying maintenance concerns.

    Source
  • Kalamazoo guitars, including the KG-14, were part of a budget line produced between 1933 and 1942, focusing on simplicity due to economic constraints.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Identifying specific models like KG-14 can be challenging due to faded ink stamp batch numbers and lack of truss rods.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Robert Johnson uses Kalamazoo KG-14

Robert Johnson

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

"In the first photo the world saw of Johnson, discovered in the late ‘70s by Steve LaVere and published in Rolling Stone magazine in 1986, the guitarist sits for a photo booth self-portrait, a cigarette dangling from his lip, a Kalamazooo KG-14 flat-top guitar in his hand. Zeke Schein, who works for Matt Umanov Guitars in New York City, says the identifying features of the KG-14 are “14 frets to the body, five dot markers, a single layer of binding inside the sound hole, and a black ebony nut," reads this article, by American Songwriter.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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