Kalamazoo KG-14 (1938)

Discover a piece of guitar history: this 1938 Kalamazoo KG‑14, one of the iconic small‑bodied flat‑tops produced under the Gibson umbrella during the Great Depression. Built for affordability, but with a surprisingly honest tone and resilient build, this guitar offers vintage character, “Dust‑Bowl” mojo, and a simple, loud, woody voice that vintage folk, blues and roots players adore.

The KG-14 is famously known as one of only two guitars ever confirmed to have been owned by blues legend Robert Johnson, contributing to its iconic status in American music history.

Ideal as a collector’s piece or a working player, perfect for finger‑style blues and mellow rhythm playing.

Specification Details

Year 1938 (circa — late 1930s) based on headstock and construction style

Body Type / Size Small-bodied flat-top; lower bout ≈ 14¾″ (14 ¾″), comparable in size to a Gibson L-00

Body Depth ≈ 4⅜″ at end‑pin block

Scale Length ~ 24¾″ (approx. 629 mm)

Nut Width ~ 1¾″ (≈ 44 mm)

Neck Profile Typical 1930s-style “V” shaped mahogany neck — thicker and robust, built for string tension without a truss rod

Bracing Ladder‑braced spruce top

Top Wood Solid spruce

Back & Sides Solid mahogany

Fingerboard Rosewood board with simple dot markers

Bridge Rosewood 

Tuners Original open-back, vintage-style tuners (often Kluson-style or similar period hardware)

Truss Rod None — like most Depression‑era Kalamazoo guitars; neck stability is achieved via heftier neck profile.