Kel Kroydon

Kel Kroydon KK-1 (c. 1930)

$6,500.00

Pickup available at 165 Showroom

Usually ready in 1 hour

Expedited Shipping Required

Product information

The sound of this guitar is prototypical Kel: airy, woody, and open with beautifully colorful overtones and a three-dimensional depth.

This Kel Kroydon KK-1 was acquired from the estate of its longtime owner. As best we can tell from paperwork his family had recovered, he'd purchased the guitar sometime in the early 1990s (and while we think he was the second owner, there's no way to confirm that fact).

Kel Kroydons are an "if you know, you know" vintage guitar; and this one's most recent owner definitely knew. The Kel Kroydon brand was introduced (by Gibson) to offer a budget-friendly guitar during the Great Depression. In many ways, they're identical to a Gibson L-1 from the same period, though they lack an adjustable truss rod and a Sunburst finish. And their build structure is even lighter. These are guitars that can distort easily if not strung and maintained properly--and this particular guitar was serviced often and played with extra-light strings for the last 40 years.

The sound of this guitar is prototypical Kel: airy, woody, and open with beautifully colorful overtones and a three-dimensional depth. These instruments invite a certain style of playing. They're not guitars that love to be hammered aggressively, but they reward a nuanced touch (fingers or flatpack) with a unique blossom and a super-pleasing responsiveness.

This Kel's geometry is very healthy, and displays little in the way of top belly. It's remarkably free of significant cracks (there's evidence of an older repaired center seam separation). The insides are very clean, with all components intact and original. There's plenty of playwear and scratching across the guitar's exterior surfaces--the marks of a well-traveled, heavily played guitar. Our shop has installed a new nut, saddle, and frets. Interested parties are encouraged to call us for an in-hand description! Priced with the previous owner's leather gig bag. We can assist potential buyers with the procurement of a proper hardshell case.

Materials
Top
Red Spruce
Back & Sides
Mahogany Fingerboard
Rosewood
Bridge
Rosewood
Tuners
Golden Age (Replaced)
Construction
Hide Glue and Dovetail neck joint
Finish
Original Lacquer

Neck Specs
Profile
Medium C
Nut Width
1 3/4"
String Spacing
2 5/16"
Scale Length
24 7/8"
Inlays
MOP Dots
Headstock
Silkscreened "Kel Kroydon" logo

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Glenn Nichols, Repairs & Restorations

Tasteful Restoration

When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.

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