Vintage USA Guitars Made in...KANSAS???
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- Опубліковано 17 чер 2024
- On a recent trip to the Dallas Guitar Show I ran across a line of vintage electric guitars I either never knew existed, or had forgotten existed - the Kustom K200 line. I had this video clip left over from my longer video of the event and decided these obscure and rare guitars deserved a bit of a deeper look...
The story of Kustom began in 1964 when Bud Ross began producing solid state amplifiers with the signature “tuck and roll” coverings in Chanute, Kansas. Along about 1966, so the story goes, Bud Ross designed a guitar that was to be manufactured by the Holman-Woodell Guitar Company, which had a factory just down the road in Neodesha, Kansas.
Though very short-lived, last from only 1965-1968, the Holman-Woodell factory is probably best remembered for their wildly-shaped Wurlitzer-branded guitars, which consisted of three models, the Cougar, the Wildcat, and the futuristic George Jetsonesque Gemini. After the Wurlitzer contract fell through in 1967, the Holman factory started producing a line of guitars with the Holman name on them. These were made in very limited quantities, and are almost never seen today. The chief designer for all the Holman-made guitars was a man named Doyle Reading. After the collapse of the Wurlitzer contract, sales declined at Holman, so Reading went to work for Kustom just up the road in Chanute. There he designed the K200 guitar lineup, with its Rickenbacker like cats eye sound hole and body shape. These guitars also seemed very Mosrite inspired with their zero fret and metal nut. The fret markers were unusual also, and depending on the exact model, could contain as many as FOUR dot inlays on the same fret space.
The like the Holman-Woodell guitars before them, the Kustom guitar line was very short-lived, lasting only from 1967 through 1969. The quality is very high, and these were by no stretch of the imagination beginner or budget guitars. Bud Ross himself speculated that as few as 2000-3000 Kustom guitars were ever made in total, while others have estimated it's likely even less than that. So the odds of seeing two Kustom K200 guitars from this era in guitar show booths mere feet from one another is very low, and probably a happy accident that will never happen again.
More reading:
kustomguitars.wordpress.com/2...
uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/201...
www.myrareguitars.com/1968-ku...
kustom.com/about-us/
www.vintageguitar.com/1953/ho...
www.namm.org/library/oral-his...
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#guitar #history #documentary - Наука та технологія
I know this was a short video, but there's a much longer repair series I'm starting over on The Fixologist channel. Join me over there later today to get started on a new repair project!
www.youtube.com/@Fixologist1
So happy you're sticking to gear and repairs. You have an awesome channel, better then ever.👍
Brad you've got the 'Telegramologist' scammer doing the rounds again. Just got a msg from it.
Brad, the production quality of your videos is absolutely first class. This presentation was not only interesting and informative, but thoroughly professional. I know this is not easy to do......and salute your fine efforts.
Thanks Doug! The editing takes time, as you know. Every minute of video runtime on something like this takes probably about 20 minutes.
If it were not for you two We would have never been able to make our own tube amp. Thanks guys.
Uncle Doug rules!!
I concur absolutely
Hi uncle Doug I love you content thanks
Kansas guy here. I had no idea about this. Chanute is such a tiny town, its wild that Kustom started there 😮
I'm my day I ran across a few Kustom guitars but I never knew the back story of their origin ...Thanks for that!!
Cool catalog ..looks familiar!! Cheers! And hope you had a great Father's day!
Thanks Don. This one was not from the hoard, but rather from an online reverb listing. I was thinking about that again the other day. Now that I have Locals, that might be a great place to go through that entire hoard.
Excellent vid Brad ! I’m glad you decided to continue to post vids for us to kick back and enjoy ! Thanks brother!
Got a much longer video series starting on The Fixologist channel later today! Come join me.
My neighbor has one of the blue kustom amp, I got to play out of it this summer. Never knew they made guitars, that ash looking one is a beauty.
Awesome video. I use a Kustom amp. I love it. Thanks, Brad.
Sweet. Thanks Brian!
As always, you crushed it brother.
I got to speak to both Bud Ross before he passed and Doyle Reading about the Kustom guitars. Lots of stories
Fascinating😁👍 !!!
I had that same Kustom catalogue as a kid! I still love those Kustom guitars and you're spot-on that they're somewhere between a Rickenbacker and a Mosrite!!
Wowwww !
Those guitar are beautiful 👌
Brad, that reminds me of the Acoustic Black Beauty Guitar you talk about in one of your previous videos. You had pictures of Jimi Hendrix playing one. Also nobody talks about Acoustic Amps anymore seems like they are rare to find as well. Thanks for all the great videos.
I enjoy these historical vids, hope you make some more, very interesting.
I had to come back and watch it again. My Dad had that K-200
I remember Carl's Music Center in Lexington Ky had one of the Ash bodied Kustoms.
They carried the Kustom amps back in the 60s too.
Those natural finishes and semi hollow bodies are wicked, would love a baritone version as my own custom kustom haha.
They made a bass too! It's got to be uber rare.
@@TheGuitologist The dark teal burst finish on their basses is awesome, would the FBI show up if I sanded one down to natural & stained it!?
Exactly why I watch. Love the oddballs. I am more a car/ firearm guy but the attraction to 'gizmos' is universal for me.
When I was a kid I had a guitar book that had one of those Kustoms in the natural ash looking wood/finish and I've wanted one ever since. I have never in my life seen one in person. They look so cool.
That pink Gemini guitar is really cool!
Killer shape for a guitar. I love it.
Awesome video. Thank you, Brad.
that blue burst? thing in the thumbnail is the most stoner-doom looking guitar i've ever seen
IKR!
That's awesome Brad 👍 Thanks for sharing. There's a reason I'm subscribed 🙂....
Neodesha: knee-OH-duh-Shay
My wife is from Chanute and I grew up in Fort Scott. In the 70’s and 80’s, lots of Kustom amps and PAs and a few guitars, but not many-at least from my memory. I was born in 1970. Kustom plant is still there but manufacturing it’s now Kustom Signals. Thanks for the shout-out to SEK (southeast Kansas)!
You're the second dude to correct me on that. Thanks! Interesting the plant is still there. I wonder if they have anything left of the time as an amp manufacturer in a closet.
@@TheGuitologist It’s not a common word outside the area. It’s Osage (main tribe in this area) word for where the water meets. Neosho (knee-OH-show) is another common word in the area. Hard telling if they have old stuff still around in storage… Pawn shops always seem to have SOMETHING Kustom.
I live about 40 min SE of Chanute ks. It's great to see something so recognizable from my area. Thank you so much for taking the time to showcase. Also for anyone out there, check out Odezza custom wound pickups out of Arma KS. John is a great guy and his pickups make some serious tones. His tele neck pickups are as smooth as silk!!!
'Lawman Guitars' demo'd one of those on youtube, a few years ago. Sounded really good.
I did find one demo on UA-cam but it wasn't Lawman. They guy was playing through a Kustom amp also, which didn't really give it a chance to sound its best, TBH.
Speaking of the Ross family, Andy Ross is the founder of Krossroad Guitars, another Kansas based company.
Hey Brad speaking of random vintage 60s USA guitars, you should check out Bartell guitars made in Riverside, CA. My first "real" electric was a Bartell strat style. Great guitar that got trashed when a speaker cab fell on it and lunched the body. I salvaged the neck for a homebuilt project. A Bartell fretless bass associated with the Beatles sold a few years ago for $250K or thereabouts.
They made the original Acoustic Black Widow.
Great stuff
Love that first guitar, the vibrato bar looks just like something I would pound into the ground with a rock to keep my tent anchored to the ground, aka a bent tent peg.
Very interesting. I've never seen or heard of these. Very familiar with the Wurlitzer guitars, not the Kustom badge.. Well done
I still have and use my charcoal 1968 Kustom 100 with 2 12" vertical cabinets with some very sweet Jensens. (one trick pony, great full clean tone, but awsome pedal platform) I tried the Kustom guitars but they wieghed a ton and didn't like the neck. So I bought an SG w/ P90s. Cool vdieo.👍
Still got my first geetar I found in my grandparents attic. Probably not American made but it's called a telestar, 3/4 size, zero fret and actually plays great! Single pup that you can talk into!!😅😅
This same crowd made LaBaye “2x4” guitar as made famous by DEVO
Never knew. Loved their amps!
Hi Brad, I'm a proud owner of a Kustom K-200, like the second one you showed. Purchased in 1986 for $200.00. I also have a bunch of Kustom Tuck n' roll amps. Thank you for showcasing these unusual guitars
These seem to be fetching a lot more now. They were reissued by Eastwood Guitars, as was the Wurlitzer Gemini.
@@TheGuitologist Yes, I’d say so! I just collect what I like, fortunately most have gone way up in value, just lucky for me! I have several Eastwood re-issues, some good, some not so good, but didn’t bite on this one. They also have an Acoustic Black Widow Reissue, I have a ‘70’s Japanese copy of one, but would love to have an original. Loved your video on the trade you made for that Black Widow too!
@@Blue_Ridge_Ranger Well, technically the 70s Japanese ones are original ones too. They just had three different makers of those.
@@TheGuitologist Mine is branded “Tokai “ probably made in the same factory as the Japanese version. Tokai made excellent copies of Strats too!
Great info Brad, Thanks for sharing.
Kustom owned Camco drums for a few years and made them in Chanute . i had a set and loved them
Damn I want one now
I love it when you do these history and road trip videos. You still thinking about that Eminence factory tour? Health and happiness to everyone here!
I would play that guitar in a band it looks so cool and the Dearmonds sound sweet.
Thanks for that. I haven't paid much attention to Kustom models, though I saw pics of probably a Green one.
Also, though chances are low in seeing 2 together, it's funny - when they do show up, sometimes they bunch together. I've seen 3 of a rare guitar show up on eBay all at about the same time in 2010 or 2011. It was a Mosrite 350 model. And as the guy compiling the serial numbers for that model, I haven't seen one above A0365 so far. Maybe only 375 or 400 exist. They rarely ever show up, it's an event when they do. They're not worth a gigantic amount, about $800 - $1,300 depending on condition, but I just love Mosrites a lot.
Similarly, I once saw a 1996 Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon parked, all while I was driving my 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis Station Wagon. So I parked right next to him. Maybe some guitars get put up for sale just because the owner's like "Oh yeah, seeing that one for sale, I also have one of those that I'm not playing" and then they put theirs up for sale too.
Mr brad. Kansas boy born and raised and while I’m plenty familiar with the amps, I think my dad still has one, the guitars are news to me. Nice to see the spotlight on them and what a happy accident to see 2 at the same show. Usually if I think Kansas made guitars I think of Mossman, worth a look too, so it’s nice to add another.
Nice one Brad, I'm happy I have 3 Kay guitars from the very late 60's and early '70s.... I love them to bits.
Nice catch mate!
DeArmond pickups are excellent, bit scooped...but still sound great.
Never knew Kustom made guitars.👍
Thanks for another great bit of information and great entertainment. I love learning as we go.
Hello from KCMO!
Hey from Carlisle, UK.
This is great thanks for sharing the info!
My pleasure!
I have a Wurlitzer Cougar with a Holman logo on the headstock. Took me a while to figure out what it was!
You should do a video overview of it!
This was a fun revisit on Kustom's humble beginnings & short life as a guitar manufacturer!!
My uncle next door has a few Kustom guitar amps and cabinets
I was born and bred in Kansas most of my life, never knew they were made here. Born in Topeka and 26 moves later, Liberal Kansas.
Very cool!
I owned a Black K200 in the early 70's along with a Kustom amp. My first real electric setup.
My Mossman acoustic was made in Kansas
Greetings from Olathe, Kansas! Man, it’s nice to see our Sunflower State getting some love for something NOT named Mahomes (the Chiefs are actually from Kansas City, Missouri!).
Kustom always made great gear, but the guitars always seemed to dwell in obscurity, overshadowed by the tuck-and-roll amplifiers that were made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival. If you want a welcome departure from the usual Guitar Center fare, and if you’re lucky enough to track one down, it’s a joy to play!
I played with a guy in the “Up With People” group in northwest PA that had a K200 in natural wood finish. Played it through a Fender Princeton with a Mosrite FUZZrite fuzz. Those guitars really looked good.
I remember them from my childhood
Neo-Da-Shay .... Its how it is pronouced. :). I had a K200 when I was a kid (lived in Wichita Kansas). It was a good axe but rather heavy. I wish I had kept it. I always loved the tuck and roll amps.....
Thanks for the correction.
That was Kool.
1500 is a great price for that! I've been searching for one of these for awhile now and generally they start at double that price on Reverb.
That one had some small issues...missing a few dot inlays and missing what looks like maybe a string retainer on the bridge. But yeah, great price.
I had one of these when I was a kid in the 90s, I never got a chance to play it because it needed severe fretwork and at the time I didn't know how to do it. I wish I still had it, I gave it to a friend. I wish I would have kept it or at least the pickups.
Too bad
Kind of like the Peavey T-60, too.
Hey Brad, since I'm a creature of habit, where are you seeing the most activity; content wise; on the free side? I enjoy your insight's and was curious.
Hey Brad. Thanks for this history. I happen to own a Wurlitzer Cougar model, and didn’t know the history on my guitar. The Cougar I own has the same burst color as the Wildcat you show on your video. The finish has a lot of checking on it. Plate has S/N - 410402 Made in Elkhart, Indiana USA. Had the same looking plate as the Holman Woodall Inc. 🎸👍
If you look closely, the plate probably doesn't say it's "made" in Elkhart. That was just where Wurlitzer HQ was based. Kind of like how many 80s Charvels say "Fort Worth, TX" but were made in Japan.
@@TheGuitologist Yep, you’re right. I says Elkhart, Indiana USA. When I saw USA, I thought it was Made in the U S of A.
Thanks for Brad
A fucking masterpiece!
I have a white K200 with trapeze tailpiece. Original case too.
I did not know that
My grandma played a Kustom guitar.
Nice video. I just wanted to say that Eastwood guitars makes copies of some of these babies. ❤
I like them.
I'm back in full support. My friend, And I have questions, sir. It's been a minute. Is there a way we might have dialog a little more privately?
You can email me at bradlinzy at gmail
Hey I made those silver Fuzz Faces for Charley’s Guitar! Sweet guitar. Givin me GAS.
Vintage guitar shows are so fun. Vintage the brand , not so much
Most of the Wurly branded guitars were actually made by Welson in Italy. They were also branded as Orpheum in the US.
Those came later. The first Wurlitzers were made by this Kansas company.
Thanks BOTR… I was trying to remember that “Weldon” brand name!
@@TheGuitologist Holman built the early solid bodies, yes. That's why I said most... but Holman sourced a lot of bits from Italy. The tremolo system and pups are modified Eko/Vox parts
I was hoping you'd take one home and tear it down.
Is The "Kustom" amp.with the padding the same as John Foggerty used in CCR with his Rickenbacker 320?
Hey dude I will be in the Louisville area in a few weeks and was wondering what the good shops to hit while I'm there. Thanks in advance
Our vintage store closed down. Maxwell's House of Music across the river bought them out. There is one good sized used store in town, but I refuse to shout them out ever again after the way they treated me during the pandemic.
I totally get it I got a few things at the Emporium years ago and at a place in a wearhouse district out by tattoo Charlies (can't remember the name) oh and a Ibanez Destroyer at the old location of Electric Lady Land. But like I said it's been a while since I have been there
Ive seen some wurlitzer guitars in shreveport I always thought they were japanese made.
I can see why you might think that
You know, after your post, guitar players are going to scour the Internet to try to find one. 😂
We have electricity too!
Crazy. I'm just finding this out.
How many hamsters? lol
@@tankthelord1178 Four. They are surprisingly efficient
@@TheGuitologist We don't like to brag
Brad 😎🎸🤘
I remember Kustom from when I was a pube
How's the court case?
Brad, how do I contact you regarding a potential project/job for you?
I was always a fan of Kustom equipment from the K200 all the way to the 800 Kasino. I owned and used about a half dozen amps and accessories by Kustom back in the 60's but never owned one of their guitars... Gibson stole my heart when it came to guitars, still does. Just wanted to let you know I'm still alive and kicking, video's coming again real soon.
We had a couple of Kustom amps in the music shop I used to work in in Carlisle, UK in the late '80s I wish I'd snapped them up but hey ho.
Billy! Hey man, I'm happy to see you. I feared you might be back in the hospital after I hadn't heard from you in a while. I was asking around about you and no one knew where you were.
@@TheGuitologist Thanks Brad, It's a long story but yes in the hospital and lost all my identity plus cellphone, it will make a good next video.
@@tankthelord1178yeah for sure. I think they also made Plush amps both are kind of rare but look identical with button tuck puffy upholstery
Im glad your back on topic with the amp stuff, or at least more amp repair stuff is popping up on my view list. Your channel is a nice escape from the world and when you flipped out there for a while you brought all your depressive stuff to the channel and i couldnt handle it. I dig the rpair things and your playing but the political stuff i get enough of on tv i have avoided your content for about 2 years because of it. I wish you had a different channel for the political stuff
Hey Brad, I have a Kustom 72 coupe I need to sell. Are you interested ?
Not in the market for any gear ATM.
Dust in the wind...
Guitars from Kansas are not weird. You know Mossman's were built in Kansas, right? Ever hear of Jim Triggs? From Kansas. How about Ralph Smith guitars? Kansas.
I don't understand. So you didn't know about these. OK? And? You make it sound like it's some big deal, as if you know about every American guitar manufacturer that ever existed but somehow missed this one.
Its the same thing when people comment about news articles "how did I not know about this?" well do you know about EVERYTHING that goes on EVERYWHERE at ALL TIMES?
Nope. You don't. So obviously there's gonna be stuff you didn't know about. Like these guitars.
Ever heard of Larson Brothers? Rainsong? Slingerland? There's countless American vintage guitar companies that you don't know of
I've heard of all those companies you mentioned.
You should do magnatone and Kapa. American forgotten guitar co.