Gibson Custom Shop Midtown Kalamazoo
The original Byrdland guitarunveiled from Gibson's Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory in 1955 was designed in consultation with two first-call Nashville session players, Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, and it incorporated several "advancements" that the two saw as beneficial to the player of the day. Its fast, slim neck profile and shorter 23 1/2" scale length were intended to boost soloing speed and ease complex jazz chording, while its thinline hollow body helped to minimize feedback yet retained traditional archtop tone.
The Midtown Kalamazoo offers all these classic Byrdland-inspired features, and tops them off with the elegant looks of the real deal from the mid '50s. Byrdland-style acrylic pearloid block fingerboard inlays, a multi-bound headstock with "flower pot" inlay, multi-ply body binding, gold hardware, and a high-gloss Vintage Sunburst finish in hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer all help to make this an exceptionally classy guitar that represents the zenith of the Midtown line.
In terms of tone, Gibson USA continues Midtown tradition by loading the guitar with an augmented dose of power and versatility. A pair of '57 Classic pickups present that hallowed PAF warmth and depth in standard mode, while four-conductor wiring allows split-coil sounds via push-pull switching on the tone knobs. Add it up, and the Midtown Kalamazoo is both an elegant celebration of the past achievements of Kalamazoo, and a superbly adaptable performer for today's jazz, rock, blues, or country guitarist.
Body and Neck
Much like the Byrdland guitar of 1955, the Midtown Kalamazoo has a thinline acoustic body made with a Grade-A maple top and a Grade-A mahogany back. Its Grade-A mahogany neck is carved to a fast profile that measures 0.818" at the 1st fret and 0.862" at the 12th, with a 23 1/2" scale length for enhanced speed and comfort. Its topped with a Grade-A rosewood fingerboard featuring acrylic pearloid block inlays, and crowned by a traditional multi-ply Byrdland headstock with "flower pot" inlay. The guitar looks exquisite in a high-gloss Vintage Sunburst finish in hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer.
Pickups and Electronics
Two '57 Classic humbuckers load the Midtown Kalamazoo with traditional PAF-style depth, richness, and clarity, while equipping it for the needs of todays more demanding guitarist. The four-knob control complement with three-way Switchcraft selector switch retains a classic look, but push-pull switching hidden within each pickups' individual tone control taps split-coil tones for a wide range of alternative voices, with a reverse-polarity bridge pickup for superior hum rejection in the middle "single coil" position.
Hardware
Grover locking keystone tuners lead off the Midtown Kalamazoo's elegant gold hardware, which also includes Gibson's legendary Tune-o-matic bridge for enhanced solidity and sustain, and a traditional zig-zag trapeze tailpiece. A bound fingerboard, multi-ply body and headstock binding, amber top-hat knobs, and a bound Tortoise pickguard complete this deluxe package.
Specs:
Bound multi-ply body with Maple top and f-holes
Mahogany neck with Byrdland profile
Pair of '57 Classic humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions
Gold plated Tune-o-matic bridge and 165-style tailpiece
Grover Locking Keystone tuners with 18:1 tuning ratio
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
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Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Midtown Kalamazoo | 404766 |
