In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
The earliest versions of the Vox Stroller were actually copies of an early Japanese electricguitar, the Guyatone (also sold under the brand Antoria) LG50. These Strollers, although short-lived did undergo a few changes before taking on the more familiar Strat influenced style of many mid-sixties UK-built Vox guitars. The biggest difference between early and late LG50-style Strollers (and the two pickup version, the Shadow) was the larger pickup, a shade longer, but noticeably wider used in the very first Vox guitars. Compare this early Vox to a 1963 Stroller with the later V1 pickup. For more information about Vox guitar pickups in general, see the Vox guitar pickups page.
I have a Kalamazoo bass that I used as a kid. My guess it's somewhere between a 1966/67 bass. Well it's been in a state of disrepair for many years and recently I have decided to bring it back to life. My question is how was the pickup mounted to the guitar; Does it mount to the pickguard or is it attached to the guitar body somehow? The reason for asking this is most of the original screws are missing and I'll have to order new ones to replace them. And I'd like to make sure I'm on the right track!
Jules, Thanks, this really helps! From looking at your picture it appears that some work has been done to the electronics. I see there is an additional capacitor in the tone circuit and a new input jack. Just curious if there are some things that can bring out better tone in this bass.
Jules, Thanks, this really helps! From looking at your picture it appears that some work has been done to the electronics. I see there is an additional capacitor in the tone circuit and a new input jack. Just curious if there are some things that can bring out better tone in this bass.
I think I have a twin brother. I too, have the exact same model (firebird red, I believe) and played it as a kid in the 60's. I'm trying to find its value (if any). Don't know a whole lot history behind the Kalamazoo bass, but it's the model similar to the Fender Mustang, a pretty little thing. The guitar is in excellent condition because it was rarely used. It even has the original strings if you can believe that. The only numbers that I can see are on the top of the neck, which are 560477. If you had half as much fun as I did, those days will never be repeated. Cherish them as much as you can!!!
I think I have a twin brother. I too, have the exact same model (firebird red, I believe) and played it as a kid in the 60's. I'm trying to find its value (if any). Don't know a whole lot history behind the Kalamazoo bass, but it's the model similar to the Fender Mustang, a pretty little thing. The guitar is in excellent condition because it was rarely used. It even has the original strings if you can believe that. The only numbers that I can see are on the top of the neck, which are 560477. If you had half as much fun as I did, those days will never be repeated. Cherish them as much as you can!!!
you are probably looking at around $350-$500 -they are cool basses, but not super valuable. The fact that the components (pickup, tuning keys and bridge) are all Gibson bass parts, means they will always be desirable, if only for those parts.
The picture of the KB pick guard electronics is exactly how mine looks, right down to the black tape. Has anyone figured out how to date these guitars. The numbers on the head of mine are so faint they are hard to read. I don't even know how many numbers should be imprinted into the wood. Any help from anyone? I have the Mustang style with the Thunderbird- style head. I believe the original color was red.
Last edited by Blue Kalamazoo; 12-26-2012 at 10:41 PM.
Usually six digits - stamped into the back of the headstock. I've seen examples with different (new) serial numbers stamped over the original number too. The SG body style was available by the Summer of 1967, Mustang-shaped bodies on Kalamazoo basses are therefore almost always from 1966.
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In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
The earliest versions of the Vox Stroller were actually copies of an early Japanese electricguitar, the Guyatone (also sold under the brand Antoria) LG50. These Strollers, although short-lived did undergo a few changes before taking on the more familiar Strat influenced style of many mid-sixties UK-built Vox guitars. The biggest difference between early and late LG50-style Strollers (and the two pickup version, the Shadow) was the larger pickup, a shade longer, but noticeably wider used in the very first Vox guitars. Compare this early Vox to a 1963 Stroller with the later V1 pickup. For more information about Vox guitar pickups in general, see the Vox guitar pickups page.
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Kalamazoo Restoration KB bass
Originally Posted by sparky57
