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Post new topic Kalamazoo Lap Steel
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Author Topic:  Kalamazoo Lap Steel
Warren Morrisett


From:
Connecticut, USA
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 10:33 am    
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Howdy all. I've been lurking mostly here, learning a whole lot from all you all. Now I have a question. I recently acquired (was given) a Kalamazoo lap Steel, Serial Number F7311-56 and I'd love to learn anything about that y'all would be kind enough to share. I've uploaded some pics for your perusal. Thanks boys and girls!

Warren







The Bronx Cowboy
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Richard Shatz


From:
St. Louis
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 11:10 am    
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Very nice score.
You probably know that Kalamazoo was a second line made by Gibson.
That Kalamazoo lap steel was the last prewar model. The pickup is the same as the Gibson EH-125 and last version of the EH-150.
The control knob looks like a Rickenbacher "flying saucer" knob of the same era.
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James Kerr

 

From:
Scotland, UK
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 11:49 am    
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Warren,
You will find most of the info you need listed here :- http://www.well.com/user/wellvis/donhelms.html

Look at the list on the left for all you need to know.

James.
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Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 1:09 pm    
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It's a Kalamazoo KEH "Oriole" lap steel from between 1939 and 1941. The volume knob appears to be a replacement.
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A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 6:44 pm    
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That one appears to be in very good condition. Researching some pictures may help finding the correct knobs for it. That volume knob is obviously a Rickenbacker part.
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Warren Morrisett


From:
Connecticut, USA
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 6:51 pm    
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Richard Shatz wrote:
Very nice score.
You probably know that Kalamazoo was a second line made by Gibson.
That Kalamazoo lap steel was the last prewar model. The pickup is the same as the Gibson EH-125 and last version of the EH-150.
The control knob looks like a Rickenbacher "flying saucer" knob of the same era.


Thanks so much for the information. I may be selling it on Ebay in the near future.
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Warren Morrisett


From:
Connecticut, USA
Post  Posted 7 Oct 2009 6:52 pm    
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James Kerr wrote:
Warren,
You will find most of the info you need listed here :- http://www.well.com/user/wellvis/donhelms.html

Look at the list on the left for all you need to know.

James.


Thanks James that web site was very helpful. I'm afraid there isn't alot of info on the web, or at least, I haven't been able to Google it.
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Matt Berg


From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2011 7:37 am    
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Bill Creller wrote:
That one appears to be in very good condition. Researching some pictures may help finding the correct knobs for it. That volume knob is obviously a Rickenbacker part.


Odd to be replying 2 years later, but I came across this listing for a Kalamazoo Oriole, and, never having heard of the model, searched it out on SGF.

This listing shows a somewhat different guitar, ID'd as an Oriole by the headstock decal.

http://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-kalamazoo-oriole-1940-yellow-burst
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