Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel

Subject: Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel
From: Max
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 05:57 PM

Kalamazoo EKE-2472 Electric Lap Steel Guitar

Hi all. My local music store has something that I really want, but am not sure exactly what it is. Know any good web sites that can help me figure it out? Oh.

Anyhow, its a Kalamazoo EKE-2472 Electric Lap Steel Guitar. All black I'm pretty sure. Sure looks vintage, neat early pickup in it. Sounds great, stays in tune, all original stuff, tuning mechanisms seem firm... and its selling for $299.00 US.

I looked on a vintage guitar site, and although it did not have the #, had some useful info to figuring things out. I know Kalamazoo has something to do with Gibson, I heard its a second? I used the info to figure out what the serial # means, but I just can't believe it.

The first E said it was a 1939. The K means Kalamazoo and the last E means electric. Nothing on the 2472. It looks old and all, but 1939? Could it be?

Just trying to get a ballpark on the value and any info anyone has on Kalamazoo. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel
From: Troll
Date: 20 Dec 00 - 06:12 PM

Check with profrets.com. eMail; [e-mail]
Mike Boulware is quite knowledgeable about lap steeles. If he can't help you he can point you toward someone who can. He's a real nice guy and a good friend. Tell him John from the 24th Street Klezmer band sent you.
Kalamazoo guitars were made br Gibson in h 30's. They were not seconds but were a separate, lower priced line. Kinda like Ford and Mercury.

troll

Subject: RE: Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 12:04 PM

Hi. No reason to think it wouldn't be 1939. In Toronto there seems to be a glut of lap steels, mostly Nationals and Rickenbackers. Average price seems to be in the 350 range ('bout 550 U.S.) I don't think I've ever seen a Kalamazoo steel, so I suspect they're fairly rare. I'd grab it.

Rick

Subject: RE: Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel
From: Bert
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 12:41 PM

And if it is 1939 what the hell makes you think that it is OLD!!!!! ;-)

Subject: RE: Year/Value? Kalamazoo Electric Lap Steel
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 00 - 12:59 PM

Sorry Max.....can't find much on dating them. I'd take Troll's advice.....Sounds like a knowledgable character (not Troll...the other guy).

Spaw