Kalamazoo Sport Model Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1938, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, mahogany back sides and neck, spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case.
This very cool little 3/4 guitar was a relatively late addition to Gibson's budget Kalamazoo line, available from 1937-41. Built on the body pattern of 1920's TG-1 tenor guitar, the just over 12" wide "Sport Model" is a dainty tight-waisted design compared to the more familiar and rather stumpy body of the far more common Kalamazoo KG-11. The neck is very slim with a fairly sharp "V" profile and an ebony nut. The center-peak peghead is fitted with early Kluson strip tuners and adorned with the standard Kalamazoo silkscreen logo.
The top "sports" a typically nice late-30's wide sunburst, with single binding on the edge and soundhole and a small firestripe celluloid pickguard. The sound is bright and tight�this is a cool little blues picker and would make a great high-strung "Nashville" tuned guitar. While likely intended for young students this is still a nicely made instrument fully the equal of other Kalamazoo instruments, and represents an unusual value in a pre-WWII "travel guitar" with full Gibson appointments. A fairly rare small-body Gibson design and dare we say an awfully cute little guitar.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). Some wear overall; signs of an old neck set including a visible repair to the top/fingerboard edge on the treble side and bit of fill by the heelcap. Otherwise general wear, no other repair except a a small patch to the top of the bridge by the low E string and a short back crack on the upper treble bout. A good player, very bright sound; includes the rare OSSC. Overall a strong Very Good + Condition.
