1940 Kalamzoo KG-12 shade top

The shade top Kalamazoo KG-12 is a bit of a rare bird and was worth the time it took to find a good one.  You'll more commonly see the natural finished version called the KG-12N or Oriole.  Those have the Oriole decal on the headstock.  The shade top version was devoid of the Oriole but received an attractive sunburst and darker natural stain on the back.  This time period at Gibson is known for great craftsmanship and is considered the peak of the golden age of lutherie.

This model is constructed of an Adirondack Spruce top, solid flame Maple sides and a laminate flame Maple back.  The neck is made of Honduran Mahogany, the fretboard and bridge of Indian Rosewood and the nut of hard Ebony.  This model is one of the few branded Kalamazoo that has a hidden truss rod that's adjustable at the heel of the neck.   The top bracing is standard ladder bracing adding to the bluesy, boxey tone these are known for.  The Maple rounds out the package with nice sparkly top end.

This particular guitar

required a neck reset and a bridge reglue to be back in tip top shape.  I asked my luthier to add an access hole in the block so the truss rod could be adjusted after the neck was reset.  The hole is not visible unless the guitar is held at just the right angle.  Suffice it to say that you won't find it unless you know where it is and what to look for.    My luthier only needed to freshen the hide glue under the bridge and reclamp to reattach it to the top.  I like this method since it doesn't require removing the bridge from the top and leaves almost no signs of the repair.  

Rarity

It took about a year for me to find this guitar.  They aren't the rarest Gibson or the most desirable but something about the combination of rare features and how few I've spotted in the wild drove me to seek it out.  I have no hard of evidence of its rarity other than my own opinion.  This guitar was worth the wait.  There's something about sitting on the couch with this gem and lightly fingerpicking a tune or two.  The top takes very little drive to have sweet tone and good volume.  The sunburst, flame Maple and tortoise shell binding are ever so aesthetically pleasing.  The lacquer is lightly checked but still smooth and glassy to the touch.  The original Geib soft shell case with leather handle and purple interior complete the time capsule feel I get every time I open the case.  

Rare Amplifiers: The DeArmond R5T

The 1959 DeArmond R5T

may be the perfect recording amplifier if you are looking to compliment the tone of your guitar.  You could gig it but you aren't going to be blowing out your local amphitheater or even small club with it.  These were made by Rowe industries in Toledo, OH from 1959 to 1961.  It features a 5 watt "Champ" style circuit with a 10" Jensen C-10.  They came stock with a Tung-Sol 6X4 rectifier tube, a Magnavox 6V6 power tube and an Amperex "Bugle Boy" 12AX7 preamp tube.  The T versions included a tremolo circuit with another Bugle Boy 12AX7 to run it and a foot switch to toggle it on and off on the fly.  

This particular amp was not played very much before it was put aside for many dormant years.  The owner bought it and a 3 pickup Kay Style Leader guitar but never really got into it.  Eventually the owner passed and the new owners had no use for it.  It wound up at my house in all original condition.  The cord had all but disintegrated so I replaced it with a proper grounded cord.  I don't like getting electrocuted.  Call me new fashioned.

Amperex Bugle Boy 12Ax7

There may not be anything magical about these Holland made gems but I can understand why you may think so considering the price for a good NOS matched pair.  They are well made tubes and I enjoy having them in my amp.  Don't ask me to pick them out from the tone over another well made 12Ax7 though.  That little dude is playin' the hell out of that bugle!