Guitars

1930 Kalamazoo Mandolin

Johnny acquired this very rare old mando during the making of the first Cracker CD, affectionately known to fans as "Brand." Kalamazoo was a subsidiary of Gibson known for very well made but less flashy depression-era instruments. The quality is all Gibson, but without all the fancy abalone inlays and logos. Somewhere in its long life the mando was outfitted with a D'Armand jazz guitar pickup, making it amplifiable for live performances.

Many Cracker fans will remember the mando from the "Travelling Apothecary" shows where Johnny played it on several of the Camper Van Beethoven songs. He also uses it extensively when playing live with "The All Thumbs Trio" along with the Taylor acoustic guitar.