Up for sale, a 1942 Kalamazoo KG-31 in excellent, crack-free condition, complete with the original chipboard case. Crafted at Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan factory and a product of the economic realities of the Great Depression, the Kalamazoo brand (and a host of others) were utilized by Gibson to produce finely crafted instruments that were able to be sold at lower price points to keep the company afloat during the lean Pre-War years.

This KG-31 has that powerful presence and detailed tone indicative of a '30s Gibson, perfect for complex Jazz voicings, early Blues, and a host of other genres. Tonewoods include a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a substantial mahogany neck capped with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard. The instrument offers ample projection and rich midrange chop and bark, with a clear, snappy overarching sound, sparkling, punchy trebles and a focused, clear bass register. The guitar weighs 4lbs 12oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.

The one-piece Honduran mahogany neck has a substantial “baseball bat” C-shaped profile carve with full shoulders and ideal heft, measuring .910" deep at the 1st fret and 1.010" at the 9th. The original slender frets have been leveled and crowned, and while quite low, the frets show no wear and play cleanly in every register up the straight neck and 24 3/4" scale. The nut measures 1 11/16" in width and is carved from bone. The headstock has a version of Gibson's iconic "open book" shape, with clean Kalamazoo silkscreen text and a set of vintage Kluson Deluxe single line tuners from the 1950s. A previous owner's ID number is also lightly scrawled onto the back of the headstock near the top.

The body has an excellent arch to the top with no sinking, and the original Brazilian rosewood floating bridge is intact. The neck set is ideal, and there's room for future adjustment on both bridge thumbwheels. The unique and original stamped metal trapeze tailpiece is also present, of a style rarely seen, but documented on other KG-31 models. The original Factory Order Number is stamped inside the body with an H suffix, denoting production near the very end of the KG-31 model's production in 1942.

The original Sunburst gloss nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting light buckle worming at the bass-side waist on the back, and some additional light scuffs and minor marks on the back and rims as well. Wear on top is limited to light pick scuffing across the strum path, and some small nicks on the lower bout. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss finish as well, and a strap button has also been added to the neck heel.

The original black chipboard case with purple interior is included, retaining its stock (worn) handle and two of the original latches.