Couple of interesting instruments on Nashville CL

[David]

"Rare Playable Mandola late 1800's - $600"

http://nashville.craigslist.org/msg/3428009898.html

Never heard of this company in relation to Gibson. Looks like a Gibson top, but weird that it's got the old teens-style bridge on a '30s instrument. Anyone know anything about these?

"1932 KEL-KROYDON A MODEL BUILT BY GIBSON DURING THE DEPRESSION - $700"

http://nashville.craigslist.org/msg/3431212410.html

[Jim Garber]

That mandola is certainly interesting and it sounds like the owner knows something.

Kel-Kroyden was a budget line of Gibson's used originally in the Depression times when they briefly made wooden toys under that name to get by financially.

[allenhopkins]

...Never heard of this company in relation to Gibson. Looks like a Gibson top, but weird that it's got the old teens-style bridge on a '30s instrument. Anyone know anything about these?...

"Kel Kroydon" -- no one seems to know where the name originates -- was the brand Gibson gave to a line of budget instruments in the early 1930's. Fighting the Depression, Gibson also put the name on a line of -- yes! -- toy sailboats which they manufactured, presumably from leftover instrument wood. Kel Kroydon instruments were sold by certain music stores, and reportedly also through large mail-order houses like Sears and Monkey Ward. Recently, a small banjo maker has resurrected the nameplate for his instruments; I guess Gibson's not interested in it any more.

Mostly I've seen Kel Kroydon banjos, and a few guitars; a Kroydon KK-1 guitar sold here for $3K Canadian. So even these "off brand" Gibsons can bring serious prices. This one sorta looks like the flat-top Kalamazoo mandolins -- another Gibson budget line. One of those went on eBay for under $300, but I've seen them in the mid-hundreds, so maybe the seller can get $700 for it. Perhaps more historical interest as a rarity, than player's value -- I dunno...

[JeffD]

Here is something I have had kicking around in my picture collection. Not sure where I got it.

[Jim Garber]

Here is something I have had kicking around in my picture collection. Not sure where I got it.

Yes, but how much were the toy boats?

[allenhopkins]

Yes, but how much were the toy boats?

No prices, but here's an antique toy collectors' guide article on Gibson's toys, under the Kalamazoo Playthings and Kel Kroydon labels.

[David]

Very interesting, thanks guys. I bet with an adjustable bridge and setup that Kel Kroydon could be a good little player for someone who wants an oval hole (I already have one or I might jump).