WTB: Kalamazoo or Sovereign Harmony (where are all the OLD guitars? *grins)

[sigurdd48]

I'm on a low end blues box bender!

Looking for a Kalamazoo Oriole
circa '40 ... the L-00 size box
or KG-14 (I ran down a KG-11 already)

also curious about the Harmony Sovereign -- specifically the 1203 model
which is closer to a concert/000 than the might JUMBO sovereigns
(as long as the neck is somewhat playable)

mstuartev@tds.net

grazie!
I'm in Wisconsin!

[ronmac]

There are lots of low end "projects" on Ebay, but the cost of shipping can be challenging when you are scouting for a gem.

Have you scouted pawn shops, used musical instrument stores, etc? Another good resource is your local music store. Tell them what you are looking for and they may have it out back, stashed away waiting for some time to bring it back to life. They also get a godzillion requests to take some of these in on trade. Maybe they will put you on a call list when they see one.

[dberch]

Buffaloe Brothers has/had a sweet looking KG-14.  Don't know if it's still available.  I was intereseted in it but can't swing the price.  Even the 'low end' vintage blues boxes aren't cheap any more unless you find a basket case.

http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/images17000-17999/ugb17822-kalamazookg14/

Good luck!
David

[Ratishna]

I've got three projects currently running on ebay.  Actually two, since one sold on a 'buy it now' yesterday.  But the shipping issue is real because these junkers that are worth 25-50 dollars are hard to sell when you have to add another 40 or so in shipping.

E. Shoaf

[BrentNelson]

Greetings:
I think we've actually exchanged some personal emails on this.  I'm in Madison, Wisconsin and have a great old Sovereign 1203 that I adore.  Not for sale, but you're MORE than welcome to come kick the tires on it to see if it's the box you're looking for.  After owning a lot of high-end handmades and such, I too have become smitten with these old catalog boxes.  Some of them are great bang for the buck!! (my Sovereign being an example).

I do have an old Kay made (I believe) Silvertone from the late 50s--a HUGE box and likely not what you're looking for--that I'm looking to part with.  It's identical to the one presently available at Buffalo Bros (http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/images19000-19999/ugb19657-silvertonejumbo/index.html)....but mine is cosmetically MUCH much better (as good as I've ever seen on a 50s box), and MUCH much less expensive.  You're welcome to come kick the tires on that one as well.  GIANT old box, but tonally great and does a number of things reasonably wel.

Drop me a line if you're interested.  You're welcome anytime.  Bring one of those old Kalmazoos!  ; )  Used to have one of those too...VERY cool!
Cheers.
Brent

[sigurdd48]

Brent:

Indeed... it is Mark from Madison, the very same... just widening my net a little
It looks like the deal for the Oriole is falling thru. I'm sticking to my price point, and the seller is sticking to his and his payment options. So it goes. One has to control oneself or it gets out of control. I would rather deal and see how BAD the seller wants to sell... without being cheap.

Yeah, after trolling around Google and places, the 1203 keeps coming up as a great middle ground for blues/fingerstyle stuff. The bigger, more IMPRESSIVE Soveigns look cool and get high marks, but seem to be more dreadnaught like in tone... I like that mid-range honk. But I might want to 'kick the tires' on your two guitars anyway and see how BIG that Silvertone really is; I've always found the big lower bouts of guitars to be a bit distracting to me -- and my right arm

. I have my daughter with me for the next week or so, meaning nights and weekends are tight. After Next week, we will set an evening or a couple hours aside and I would like to drop in.. I'll bring a couple Capitals if you are into that sort of thing. Plus I'll bring the K-Zoo KG-11 and even the H-165 Harmony and a slide. Sheesh! Where did all my high-end guitars go??

[EastPodunk]

I've got a '72 Sovereign "Jet Set" 1204 (I'm pretty sure it's essentially a black 1203) with solid spruce top, which I may be willing to sell.  I've owned it since '78. 

Unrelated to mine:
One just went on Ebay for $259 http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Harmony-Sovereign-Acoustic-Guitar-Solid-Top-NR_W0QQitemZ7377861999QQcategoryZ85851QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...and there is currently another up for auction...current bid price is only $25, but I've been seeing them go for up to $350: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HARMONY-SOVEREIGN-JET-SET-ACOUSTIC-GUITAR-NR_W0QQitemZ7379387906QQcategoryZ85851QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem