RollingWreath - Posted - 03/22/2016:  06:56:35

Just picked this little tenor up. It's the first Kalamazoo I've seen with a one piece flange. It is similar to a Recording King tenor that is on Greg Earnest webpage. Anyone else seen other Kalamazoo OPF examples?

bargrasspicker - Posted - 03/22/2016:  07:14:25

wow! looks like you might have got the best kalamozoo ever made. looks liek a full thickness rim and an opf. I'm guessing from the 30s or early 40s. get a nice flathead ring and five string neck on that you'll have a cannon on you hands.

revellfa - Posted - 03/22/2016:  10:10:09

I'm jealous! I considered bidding on that but I couldn't justify another banjo to the wifey. I think you got a steal. The OPF is worth $1,000 and the thick rim about $400.

revellfa - Posted - 03/22/2016:  14:05:11

Also, Kalamazoo tenors were made from 1933-1941. And, PLEASE don't convert it! It's a rare bird with the thick rim and OPF.  Also Kalamazoos only came with 16 hooks and nuts.

Edited by - revellfa on 03/22/2016 14:06:08

southerndrifter - Posted - 03/22/2016:  17:17:52

Looks like a style 00 with a Kalamazoo neck in it.

RioStat - Posted - 03/23/2016:  12:04:39

quote:

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Originally posted by southerndrifter

 

Looks like a style 00 with a Kalamazoo neck in it.

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Good observation Lynwood!

If the original poster, RollingWreath, ever gets back to this thread, maybe he could tell us if the resonator is "flat" (Kalamazoo) or curved (Style 00).

black flag - Posted - 03/23/2016:  17:39:45

It's a Kalamazoo flat-back resonator, another floor-sweep part, which doesn't detract at all from the banjo's coolness.

Chris

RollingWreath - Posted - 03/23/2016:  18:39:27

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to look at this banjo. It is a flat back resonator. I had never seen a Kalamazoo in this configuration and was lucky the auction went my way. The plan for now is just clean it up, put a new head and 5 string neck on it and play it. I don't see myself ever cutting the rim. I love the sound of woody or brass hoop banjo's and this is my first pre war rim, so I'm excited to hear it. I'll keep this thread updated with pictures and hopefully video/sound clips as well.

Thanks