In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
Gibson assembled these 30 1/2" scale Kalamazoo KB-1 basses in their electronics plant in Kalamazoo, MI - separate from the main Gibson plant. They used the same components and hardware as on the Gibson EB bass series; but with a pre-painted masonite body and a bolt-on maple neck; a very different construction to Gibson's usual output. Initially the KB bass had a Mustang-shaped body (see the 1966 Kalamazoo KB-1, left), which was soon redesigned with the classic SG shape (see the 1967 Kalamazoo KB-1, right). Have a listen to sound clips of this bass here.
Guitar: Both pickups, volume 10, tone 10. Played with a pick. Guitar: Neck pickup only, volume 10, tone 10. Played with a pick. Guitar: Neck pickup only, with the tone rolled down. Volume 10, tone 0. Played with a pick. Guitar: Bridge pickup only, volume 10, tone 10. Played with a pick.
Cranked amp: volume 10, treble 5, bass 5
Guitar: Both pickups, volume 10, tone10. Fingerstyle. Guitar: Neck pickup only, volume 10, tone 10. Played with a pick. Guitar: Bridge pickup only, volume 10, tone 10. Played with a pick. Guitar: Neck pickup only, with tone rolled down, volume 10, tone 0. Fingerstyle.
