1929 Kel Kroyden KK-2 “Twin Volcano”
Light as a feather and rare as hen’s teeth, this guitar is perfect for everything from Island hopping to Singing the Blues.
1929 Kel Kroyden KK-2 FON 9500 flat top guitar. For everyone from the most sophisticated guitar collector to the street musician with a tropical aesthetic, there is no guitar any cooler than the twin volcano island scene Kel Kroyden. Kel Kroyden was, of course, one of a dizzying array of budget brands created by Gibson during the 1930s in an effort to appeal to a depressed market without compromising the price of their house brands. This KK is essentially built on the body of a 1929 Gibson L-0 (and who wouldn’t want one of those these days!) but with bling on a budget: A fancy look with a commanding sound, for a price that could even be saved up in the busking hat on the street. Gibson released the Kel Kroyden line of guitars, banjos and mandolins in 1930 and this one is from one of the first batches of guitars made in 1929. No one seems to know where the name came from, but I guess that is not that important. The specifications, as we mentioned, are the same as an L-0 of that year, and include 14 3/4 inch body, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, bound top and back, pearloid fingerboard and peghead, art deco designs in fingerboard and painted on stencil with island scenes on top. We personally love the twin volcano over some of the other scenes that were available.
To keep the price down Gibson omitted the adjustable truss rod used on their house brand instruments; inside, they were braced as light as they could possibly have gotten by with, consequently the sound on some of these are unbelievably strong, and this one is outstanding! Unfortunately, due to the attractive price, they were often either put to work more vigorously and/or used more carelessly than most guitars, so few have survived unscathed. This one is no exception, with calamity evident on the lower bass side of the back and around the fingerboard extension. Repairs were made years ago when the art of guitar repair was still in its infancy, but the guitar is structurally sound and has been in service for years.
This guitar will have you swaying to these palm trees or with a little more vigor from the right hand, exploding like a volcano? This is a truly an exquisite vintage guitar for the discerning player, or the find of a lifetime for a serious collector. Available now for $7500 plus cost of shipping. Original chipboard case from 1929 included.
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