Kl-Ko

made

info    updated 19/2/2013

Kleartone

1920s-30s

KlearTone guitars were made by some of the larger guitar manufacturers during the 1920s and 1930s including Regal, Gibson, Kay, and Harmony. Most KlearTone instruments are acoustic archtops, but other variations exist as well, and they were distributed by Grossman Brothers of Cleveland, Ohio, USA [Source and image: Premier Guitar]

Image Kleartone vintage strings ebay:

Edward Klein

2001 to present

"I am a designer and constructor of nylon and steel string guitars working from a studio located in Ontario, Canada.

Dating Edward Klein Guitars

I began serializing my instruments in 2001. The first two numbers after my initials EK in the serial number refer to the year, followed by the sequential number built in that year. For example, EK0703 refers to the third guitar produced in 2007, and EK0803 the third in 2008. This information is located on the label and also stamped into the upper bout block within view looking through the soundhole." [Edward Klein, Luthier, email 10/4/2008]

Steve Klein

1976 to present

Klein guitars 1976 to present. Steve Klein is based in Sonama north of San Francisco. In 1988 he added electric guitars to his line. The styles were quite unique.  In 1995 the electric business was sold to Lorenzo German.

Klein Electric Guitars

1988 - 2006

Klein Electric Guitars have been made since 1988. Since 1995 by Lorenzo German who bought the electric business from Steve Klein. At Nov 2008 the web site has not been active for a significant period so the following resources have been copied from the internet archive.

Klein Information 1999

Klein Electric Guitar Specification 1999

Klein Electric Bass Specification 2002

Klein Gallery 1999

Klein Koblenz

Found this guitar on eBay - asking $5,000 USD Buy it now.

Klein's raised fingerboard "floats" UNATTACHED to the sound-board, allowing it complete vibrational freedom, resulting in superior tone, volume, and sustain. Transcending Millennium criticisms, particularly those associated with "lack of soul," Klein, epitomizes German Artisan/Craftsmen by impeccably bringing this guitar to life. In doing so, he spared no expense acquiring the finest woods and materials:
Exquisite old growth Brazilian Rosewood back, sides, and heel cap...

Klemm and Brother

Found this brand on an old parlor guitar reportedly made in 1890-1900.

Klemm history

Example

Label says Klemm & Brother Importers, Manufacturers and Wholesalers Musical Instruments 275 Market Street Philadelphia

Image ebay April 2012

Klesh

2000 to present

"Klesh Custom Guitars began in 2004 when Shane Klesh graduated from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, AZ. Klesh has travelled the country apprenticing with many exceptional luthiers including Michael Tobias, Chris Hofschneider and Kelly Butler. The Klesh custom guitar shop currently is in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

Dating Klesh Guitars
Serial numbers are stamped into the control cavity ledge and are in Guitar/Day/Month/Year order. For example, 128051108 would be the 128th guitar built by Klesh Guitars, completed on November 05, 2008. The guitar production number is also handwritten (under finish) on the back of each peghead, along with the model and luthier's signature." [Source: Shane Klesh, email 29/7/2008 ]

Images courtesy of Shane Klesh:

Howard Klepper

2001 to present

Howard Klepper guitars from Berkeley USA

Klira

1887 - 1982

Founded by Johannes Klira in Schoenbach, Germany. Initially made violins and added guitars in the 1950s. Original models were original designs but around the 1970s they became copies of US guitars. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide ]

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/langenbahn.html

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/misc_de.html

http://www.musikkeller.com/d/klira.html

http://www.wietsesguitars.nl/pagina9a.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klira

http://www.vintageaudioberlin.de/vabframe/Gitarre.htm

Image Diamond Strings

KMG

1978-

Kenneth Michael Guitars

Knaggs

Knaggs Guitars was founded in 2009 by designer and luthier Joe Knaggs formerly of Paul Reed Smith and Branding/Marketing expert Peter Wolf. Made Greensborough, Maryland, USA.

Premier guitar article

All designs/creations are named after American Indian river names. Chesapeake line models Choptank, Severn, Potomac & Patuxent are named after tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay while the Influence line Kenai, Keya, Chena, Sheyenne are named after rivers in North America.

Dating Knaggs guitars

All of our models have their own serial number starting at #1 ... the first guitars were made from January 2010 - March 2010. Each model of our range has their own serial-number system ... so there is a Kenai # 34, a Keya # 34 etc ... it tells us exactly how many of the different models have been made at any given point in time. Date of manufacturing is not on the instrument but we keep track through an internal serial # data base"

Launch of the brand took place in Frankfurt, Germany in April 2010. We initially made 9 guitars for the Frankfurt show. Production started in May 2010 at our Greensboro, MD shop. We have made close to 1,000 guitars by now. [Source, images and 2012 Knaggs guitar pdf article Peter Wolf, email 11/1/2013]

Ian Kneipp

Ian Kneipp makes (or made) lattice braced guitars in Australia.

Image ebay

Knight

Knight Guitars are made in the United Kingdom

Copyright pictures 2000 Knight 445 Deluxe archtop courtesy www.archtop.com

C Knutsen

1890s-1920s.

Chris J Knutsen of Tacoma and Seattle Washington made Hawaiin and harp guitars. He moved to Los Angeles, California around 1916 and added steel strings and ukuleles. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide]

Knutsen made Hawaiin Guitars for Kona per review at Harmony Central

http://www.harpguitars.net/knutsen/knutsen_home.htm

There is a book dedicated to Knutsen: "Chris J. Knutsen: From Harp Guitars to the New Hawaiian Family by George Noe and Daniel Most -- "
Image 1905 Knutsen harp guitar  Vintage Instruments:

1979 to present

"I started building guitars, mandolins and other stringed instruments in 1979. I've built perhaps 300 instruments in all.

Dating Knutson guitars

My guitars and mandolin all have labels, and the date on the label is the serial number. My Messenger Upright Electric basses have dated labels, but also have a serial number stamped on the metal tailpiece." [Source: John Knutson, email 23/8/2008]

Kevin Ko

Kevin Ko guitars, Eugene Oregon, USA.

Carsten Kobs

1999-

Since 1999 Kobs has built guitars in Hamburg

Paul Kochendörfer

Paul Kochendörfer made violins and guitars. Stuttgart. circa 1914-1925 based on samples on www.

Images eBay:

Kodaira

The Japanese island of Kyushu is home not just to Asturias guitars but also to the instruments of the secondary brand Kodaira. Secondary? The guitars are built in the same plant, feature the same sublime build quality and the same notable Spanish character. Costs have been cut at a number of points in the production process and all adornments are shunned. This enables Kodaira guitars to be marketed at very competitive prices, even more competitive than comparable Asturias models. [Source: Casabenelly]

Kodh ? Design

Kodh or Kodhl Design guitars.  If anyone has information on this guitar brand please make contact.  It has been sent to me by a luthier who was attempting to repair the guitar.  It has a Warmoth replacement neck on it.  "It appears it could be from the UK or Skandia countries by the numeration Nr:4... the customer is Swedish born, but doesn't really know anything about the guitar body. [Source: Paul E Sundquist, USA]

Koerser-Brenner

Images eBay: Koerser-Brenner Smith Academy St. Louis double neck acoustic guitar

Masao Koga

Guitars made in Japan by Zen-On

Images Yahoo:

Kohno Guitars

Masaru Kohno (Kono)

1967 to present

Masaru Kohno or Kono (1926-1998) started building guitars in 1948. The first label below (courtesy of Trilogy Guitars) is from a guitar made by Masaru before he went to Spain to study in 1960.

"Our company established in 1967.

Dating Kohno guitars

The year guitar built is written on a label.

Serial number is stamped at the bottom of the neck inside the body." [Source: Masaki Sakurai, Kohno Guitar Manufacturing, Toshima-ku Tokyo,Japan]

Images Guitar Salon International, eBay:

see Orozco, Matsuoka

Koll Guitars

1986 to present

Koll Guitars, Long Beach, California, USA

"I started building guitars in the mid 80's. Maybe 1986. This has been with very few exceptions a one person operation.

My main business is solid and semi solid body electric guitars, but you will find stringed instruments of all sorts with the KOLL name.

Banjos, Ukes, acoustic guitars, mandolins, basses, etc.

There are also lots of traditional carved archtop jazz guitars out there. I still make half a dozen a year.

Dating Koll guitars

The serial numbers indicate the year of manufacture. The first two digits are the year, the following are the sequence. 07295, for example would be the 295th guitar, manufactured in '07. There are variations, especially the very early stuff. I'm happy to help date instruments if anyone needs that info.
Cliff Cultreri at Destroy all Guitars is my principal dealer....
[Source: Saul, Koll Guitars, email 24/3/2008]

Image Guitar Crazy

Kona

1910s-1920s

Hawaiian guitars sold by C.S. Delano and others. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide]

At least some were made by Weissenborn

http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=3174

Image Christies Labeled HAWAIIAN KONA GUITAR CORP. BY C.S. DELANO TRADEMARK REGISTERED:

Kona Acoustics

2001 to present

Made in China

"Kona Guitars - Started in 2001 - our main line of guitars - Acoustics and electrics.

Dating Kona Acoustics

Our serial number has the date made in it: K0612t0516 - this one was built in the 12th month of 2006." [Source: Mark W. Jabben, M&M Merchandisers, Inc, email 6/1/2009]

2005 Kona Catalog

Image eBay:

see M&M Merchandisers

Joe Konkoly

1982-

Guitars from Grand Ledge, Michigan

Guitarbench interview

Masaru Kono

see Kohno

Sam Koontz

1970 - late 1980s

Sam Koontz built his first guitar (a classical) in 1959. In 1966 he started building for Standel. In 1970 opened his own shop in Linden, New Jersey.

http://vintageguitarpro.com/koontz.shtml

see Eric Schulte, Harptone, Standel

Image Mandoweb (head) & G Base

Images of a rare Koontz acoustic guitar eBay:

Kopo Lutherie

1988 to present

Kopo guitars are made by Fred Pons

Kopo at myspace

Kopp String Instruments

1999 to present

Koop guitars are 100% hand crafted in the USA by Denny Kopp, in North West Ohio.  He has been making and repairing guitars professionally since 1999.

Dating Kopp String Instruments guitars

"Six Digit Serial Number.
First Two Digits...Production Run Number for that Year.
Second Two Digits...Number of Instrument in that Production Run (all production in small batches of 1-4 per run)
Last Two Digits...Year of Production.
Example...
020307, Third Instrument of the Second Production Run in 2007." [Source: Denny Kopp, email 18/6/2009]

Images eBay:

Kevin Kopp

Kevin Kopp makes guitars made in Bozeman, Montana USA. 

Image Greg Boyd

Willy Kostler

Willy Koestler

Antique old post-romantic guitar built in by Willy Kostler in Bohemian somewhere between 1915 and 1925. dating can me made by the style of the body, especially the lower bout of the body, typical of the era, and the darkness of the spruce top, as well as research of the builder and Graslitz, the town the guitar was built in. Source: ebay

Kovacik

1995 to present

I also serialize my guitars and that number is found on the label also. In addition to the neck block label I also sign and date the inside of the top prior to assembling the body. I generally also note who the guitar was built for on the inside of the top along with the signature and date." [Source: Steve Kovacik, Kovacik Guitars and fretted Instrument Repair email 18/3/2008]