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OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top

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Auriemma
Posted 2011-07-25 3:35 PM (#350028)
Subject: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		My mother found this a a flea market down near Tampa, FL. Its seems to be in decent shape. The seller said he was told it was a 1947 when he bought it. I'm leaning towards mid-50's to ealy 60's. It has "L1603 N-1" stamped faintly inside. I know Old Kraftsmans were made by Kay for Speigel catalog. She will be here in 3 weeks. FYI: I have been told there is a truss rod under the white bell cover.

Any ideas what around when it was really made?

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Beal
Posted 2011-07-25 3:49 PM (#350029 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch		looks kinda cool
I doubt the year will affect the value
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Auriemma
Posted 2011-07-26 7:24 AM (#350030 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		I'm not concerned with the value, I was curious as to its true age. I have scoured the internet, but nothing is accurate. Everything either says vintage or 50's to 60's.
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Beal
Posted 2011-07-26 8:14 AM (#350031 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch		Probably right.
look at other Kays for the same type of features, screws, rod covers, inlays, style of construction etc.
might be able to date it that way.
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Auriemma
Posted 2011-07-26 8:20 AM (#350032 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		I did. The L-XXXX numbers are all over the place and don't seem to corrolate to years. The N-X numbers vary too can be found on many archtops and flat tops.

Nothing to do but wait till she arrives.
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alpep
Posted 2011-07-27 8:19 AM (#350033 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ		there is a company that has reused the old kraftsman name so it may be a repro.
I am leaning towards that since it does not look like a kay to me
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Auriemma
Posted 2011-07-27 11:05 AM (#350034 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		The tuners are stamped KLUSON DELUXE. They a looking for a patent number on the casings. It looks all original. Notice the tuning posts and frets look to be brass.

Here are some more pics.







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Auriemma
Posted 2011-07-27 11:16 AM (#350035 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		Edit: Last image
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bvince
Posted 2011-07-27 6:08 PM (#350036 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top



Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618

Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :)		I once had a very old Old Kraftsman lapsteel guitar. I know... that has nothing to do with this thread, but I thought I'd mention I bought it at a yard sale for 10 bucks and sold it on Ebay for $225. (:
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ksdaddy
Posted 2011-07-28 8:35 AM (#350037 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top


Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608

Location: Caribou, ME		I think Kays and other Chicago based guitars went to adjustable truss rods around 1961 so that would narrow it down. The reddish brown stain on the headstock is also typical of Kays from that period. Around the time they went to adjustable truss rods they also changed the sunbursts on their archtops from a traditional tobacco sunburst to a reddish brown. Seems logical other models would have been sprayed with the same gun.
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alpep
Posted 2011-07-28 3:30 PM (#350038 - in reply to #350028)
Subject: Re: OT: Age of an Old Kraftsman Flat Top


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ		it is a kay
the klusons are worth more than the guitar
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