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Topic: What does the oriole decal on a Kalamazoo signify? |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2022 10:17 am |
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Most are aware that Gibson, Inc. produced many budget instruments with Kalamazoo branding intermittently during the 20th Century, from banjos in the 1920s to electric guitars in the 1960s. Some of the prewar instruments had a decal of an oriole on their headstocks, such as on this 1940 KEH-7:
Does anyone know the significance of the "Oriole" moniker? |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 23 Feb 2022 10:55 am
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| Gibson toyed with using "Oriole" as a cheaper sub-brand in the mid '20s, years before they stared using Kalamazoo and Cromwell (and before they made electric instruments). Paul Fox says in his book that the name may be derived from the Oriole Orchestra. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2022 8:01 am
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Thanks, Noah. I do remember reading something about the Oriole Orchestra affiliation in the Fox book, but my copy is at home in Colo, and I'm presently wintering with my dad in southern AZ.
The Oriole Orchestra had regular work in both Detroit and Chicago in the 1920s, and many of their residencies were broadcast over the radio. The Orioles prominently featured a banjoist. Most likely the powers that be in Kalamazoo -- which lies about halfway between the two metropolises -- were well aware of the Oriole Orchestra's popularity, and were more than happy to take advantage of the Oriole name to help market their new banjos. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 24 Feb 2022 9:11 am
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I believe the Kalamazoo Orioles were intended as a somewhat Deluxe type version of the Kalamazoo line. I've had a few Kalamazoos, including an Oriole, and the Oriole was definitely a step up in terms of cosmetics. Nicer wood, nicer appointments, etc. The one I had dated around 1940, and I think this was a line that was made just at the end of the pre-war period. My Kalamazoos were acoustics, not lap steels, but I think the concept went across the line. And I don't think a lot of Orioles were produced, relative to the full Kalamazoo line.
One of the dumber decisions I made was to trade the late 30s Kalamazoo KHG-14 I picked up at an antique mall 10-12 years ago or so. What a bonehead move that was. I believe it is this one - the guy I traded to is the one that converted it to non-Hawaiian playing, NOT ME!. And I know he sold it to someone from NYC. I shoulda' known.
https://reverb.com/item/42835939-kalamazoo-khg-14-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1937-ser-1242c-fon-chipboard-case
This made the ultimate acoustic slide guitar, but I wasn't so focused on that at the time. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2022 10:05 am
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According to the late David Edwards in his fascinating little book The World Don't Owe Me Nothing...
...both he and his pal Robert Johnson favored Kalamazoo flattops. And we all know how Bob's sounded. Can't help but wonder if either of 'em played Orioles. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2022 10:20 am
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The KEH-7 Oriole pictured here and above would appear to fit Dave's description of a "Deluxe" Kalamazoo. It's most likely also a 1940 model due to its F-prefixed batch number. It has both top binding on its one-piece maple body (hard to see in the pic below, but it's there), and upgraded metal-buttoned tuners, both of which were unusual features for that era KEH (Kalamazoo Electric Hawaiian).
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 24 Feb 2022 11:41 am
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| Quote: |
| ...both he and his pal Robert Johnson favored Kalamazoo flattops. |
Yeah - in fact, it is generally agreed that 'the photo booth' Robert Johnson guitar was a KG-14 - i.e., 14-fret, not 12-fret, and non-Hawaiian:
Again, trading that KHG-14 was definitely one of the more boneheaded guitar moves I've made, and I've made a bunch - as anybody who has, over the years, handled a fair amount of vintage guitars also has. Worse than that, I can't even remember what I traded it for. I hope it was something real good!  |
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