Is this the guitar that inspired the EAGLE

[rockabilly69]

I wonder what Heritage guys helped build these...

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GIBSON-KALAMAZOO-AWARD-GUITAR-CITATION-STYLE-/190960660622

 

[FredZepp]

 

In 1978, Gibson craftsman Wilbur Fuller produced the company’s first hand-carved, tuned-by-ear custom guitar. The instrument, which in a blind sound-off with some of the best instruments of its era, won the hearts of Gibson brass, ultimately became the Kalamazoo Award.

Gruhn’s Guide to Vintage Guitars tells us that the Kalamazoo Award was a 17″ full-depth archtop with a rounded cutaway and solid carved top, solid maple sides, and carved maple back. Adding to its magnificence were an ebony bridge with pearl inlays, wood pickguard with abalone inlay, multi-bound top and back, bound f-holes, bound ebony fingerboard with abalone block inlays, multi-bound peghead with inlay matching the pickguard, and gold-plated hardware.

But all that aside, Fuller says the reason for the Award was his dream to build a guitar that drew its tone from a top, back, and braces that were all finely tuned – by his ear alone!

Though certain specs and accoutrements were borrowed from the Gibson Citation – which preceded and influenced Fuller’s design – the flying bird peghead/pickguard/tailpiece inlay is unique to the Award.

Production of the Award lasted until 1984, and there are about 85 of these precious beauties with Wilbur Fuller’s name and date on the label inside. Their appointments, tone, playability, and scarcity combine to make the Award a very sought after instrument; expect to pay upwards of $18,000 (in 2002 ... ) if you find one!

“Building the Gibson Kalamazoo Award was my proudest moment at Gibson,” said Fuller.

http://www.vintageguitar.com/1994/gibson-kalamazoo-award/

[Gitfiddler]

The original design likely came from the Gibson Citation. The Citation even had the cloud fret inlays that made their way to the Golden Eagle.

 

http://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-citation-1997-natural-1

 

 

However, the back story on the Kalamazoo Award is very interesting, and goes into detail how the original builder tap tuned it to pitch.

 

http://www.vintageguitar.com/1994/gibson-kalamazoo-award/

 

http://vintage-guitars.blogspot.com/2005/12/gibson-kalamazoo.html

[DetroitBlues]

Hmm... Production began in 1978 and ended in 1984. Sounds like it was right when they shut down the Kalamazoo plant... Prompted Heritage to take over. My guess it was made by Marv and crew originally.

[rockabilly69]

However, the back story on the Kalamazoo Award is very interesting, and goes into detail how the original builder tap tuned it to pitch.

 

http://www.vintagegu...alamazoo-award/

 

 

What a GREAT story, that Fuller guy wanted to get the job done:)

 

 

 

 

[Vanschoyck]

Rocky's caught the arch top bug. This could be trouble.

[rockabilly69]

No, not me!!!!! That guitar is way out of my reach! I just saw it in a Gibson catalog when researching L5s guitars, and it reminded me of some of the Eagles you guys have posted pictures of. Don't get me wrong I really think it would be fun to a carved top, tone tapped guitar, And maybe down the road I will find me a good used Heritage Sweet Sixteen, or something along those lines, but right now, I will be content with my ES330 for the hollow body vibe when I need it. I'm not really a good enough player to justify that kind of expense of an archtop. After all the guitars I've bought in the last few years it's time to figure out which ones give up the most goods, and sell off some of the herd that I won't use:)

[DC Ron]

Here's another thread with a side-by-side...

 

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/19543-heritage-golden-eagle-vs-gibson-citation/