Custom Kalamazoo KK31 Mandocello by Gibson Guitars Please Read Description 1937? Sunburst

Greetings to all the fellow Mandocello nuts out there. We had a customer bring this lovely instrument into the store some time ago and we wanted to give the local customers a chance at it. Now that Christmas time has come and gone, we are now offering it up to Reverb and our website followers. 

Here are some details found in the Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide from 2016:  

Kalamazoo KK-31 Mandocello, built from 1935-1941. Archtop, f-hole body, Sunburst. Exc Condition Price Range $3400.00 to $4200.00

Gruhns Guide also offers this: KK-31 Mandocello, Same Style a KK-31 Guitar, 24 3/4" scale, sunburst finish available 1936-1938. 

Condition Listed As Good For the Following Reasons: 

One of the tuning machines is maxed out, the instrument is being tuned to that one key that will only tune up to certain note. A replacement set of tuners would be recommended for playing this at concert pitch, but we would prefer to keep it original for this sale.

Most of the neck is very playable, but it does fret out some notes as the player approaches the 12th fret. You may wish to take it to a Luthier for some fret work or neck adjustments, we will be doing everything we can to preserve this instrument in the condition we got it in. 


As far as the cosmetic condition of the instrument is concerned, it does show some signs of light finish checking and the back of the instrument has a small crack from the bottom, photographed. 

The mandocello is strung with some type of flatwound strings, which gives it a very warm and mellow sound, similar to that of a cello. A set of bronze strings would offer much more volume and brightness. 

An old case, perhaps the original, is included. 

Questions and reasonable offers are welcome. Thanks for looking! 

Product Specs

Condition:Good Make:Kalamazoo Model:KK31 Mandocello BY Gibson Guitars Please Read Description Finish:Sunburst Categories:Mandolins Year:1937?