Tell me about the Kel Kroydon kk1

[ndavis1971]

I have a 1936 l00 14 fret but need a Gibson 12 fret since I don’t own one. Looked at the 1929 l1 and was told too similar in sound. Then someone said the Kroydon sonically would be quite different. 12 frets and lighter. Sonically more nuanced. Like a l2 but cheaper. Don’t know much about these guitars. What’s a fair price? Any thoughts on them? I play fingerstyle blues mostly like Mississippi John Hurt, lightning, etc

[Cameleye]

Rare and highly regarded.

[oliverkollar]

IMO, a '29 L-1 will not sound anything like your L-00.
They are a considerably lighter build than your L-00 and the 12 frets puts the bridge in the sweet spot.
This is based off my experience playing many of these early Gibsons at Eric Schoenberg's shop.

Although the neck profiles can be very different, '29-'32 L-1, L-2, and Kel's are pretty much the same except the ornamentation and the Kel doesn't have a truss rod. The magic is the incredibly light bracing and the angle of the x. The tops are very thin and the bridge plates are as well.
These models can be as light as 2.5-3 pounds. they respond to the lightest touch, and aren't for everyone.

I'm not sure what the Kel's are going for these days, but I've seen L-1's in the 4.5-6K range and L-2's are ridiculous based on rarity.

Good luck in your search.....these are very cool and rare guitars!

[BluesKing777]

Waterloo do a close copy:

https://www.waterlooguitars.com/wl-k/

Here is a comparison - KK vs WLK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTEboTGyTlM


BluesKing777.

[Osage]

They are the lightest guitars I have ever played. My best friend has one that weighs nothing. It's shocking even if you're used to lightweight guitars. The sound is to die for from his. I owned one that was decent but not amazing and played 3 or 4 others that have ranged from good to great. I sold mine because it just wasn't a great guitar. I've thought of trying to find one like my friends but for me, they just aren't worth the high prices they sell for now and finding one that is actually in good original condition and that sounds great is fairly difficult.

Originally Posted by oliverkollar

IMO, a '29 L-1 will not sound anything like your L-00.
They are a considerably lighter build than your L-00 and the 12 frets puts the bridge in the sweet spot.

My modern reissue L-1 and L-00 sound nothing alike to my ears. YMMV.

[zombywoof]

I ran across a Kel Kroyden up for grabs on Shopgoodill last year. Oddly the site also had a Holzapfel that same month. Go figure.

You need to be careful with Kel Kroydens. You need to know what you are doing. While they all lack truss rods are are scarey light builds, later versions also tend to have wafer thin fingerboards and skimpier necks. While it might be great for sound it is not the best recipe for stability.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by BluesKing777

Waterloo do a close copy:

https://www.waterlooguitars.com/wl-k/

Here is a comparison - KK vs WLK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTEboTGyTlM


BluesKing777.

They sound close enough.

Go with the warranty.

HE

[JoeYouDon't]

I adore my WL-K, so I would expect the OG would likewise blow me away, but I've not had the opportunity.

The WL-K is the lightest guitar I've ever held, and it reverberates like no other. Single notes, chords, it doesn't matter, the whole thing resonates. Really special instrument.

[ndavis1971]

Thanks for all the replies. Got a Kroydon kk1 from 1930. Like Waterloo’s but wanted an original for just a bit more.

[JoeYouDon't]

Congratulations! It's not a NGD until there are pictures, you gotta show us!

I'd love to see what you wound up with.