1933 Kalamazoo KG-11 Natural

From 1933 to 1942, Gibson used the "Kalamazoo" name to sell a line of low-cost, no-frills department-store guitars. Similar in size to the Gibson Nick Lucas, the Kalamazoo KG-11 has developed a cult following as one of the more inspiring, depression-era guitars. With its squat shoulders and ladder bracing, the KG-11 is a quintessential blues guitar. When we came across this particular KG-11, we could tell it had a ton of potential, and we have been oh so rewarded! The neck block is stamped with factory order number 709—a line of KG-11s made in 1933. This FON corresponds to later in the year, and that makes sense because this one has a proper full-size square neck block, instead of the problematic wedge neck block that rolled out with the first batch.  Since this one dates to '33, it would've originally had the dark "pumpkin" sunburst you expect to see on a Kalamazoo. But at some point along this way, the finish was stripped, and this KG-11 was given a clear coat of lacquer. As far as w