This vintage 1968 Kustom K-200 Deluxe model is 100% original and has one of the best colors ever to roll off the assembly line: Translucent Turquoise with a Matching Headstock!!! The guitar has THE coolest vibe we've seen on one of these super-rare guitars, I'm talking about that killer line-checking in the finish. Just look at it! The guitar was made at the original Kustom faculty in Chanute Kansas, U.S.A. during late summer 1968. These guitars were only produced for a short time: 1968 & 1969 for sure with the possibility of some later subassemblies running into 1970. The guitar is super-solid and free of any breaks, cracks, repairs, rewound pickups or any other funny business. It has been professionally set up and is ready to go-it needs nothing.
The body is a semi-hollow double cutaway design crafted of Maple wood. There is some really nice figuring in the grain, including a "cat-eye knot" near the Cat-Eye sound hole as well as some flame here and there-see photos. The finish is really nice with a killer touch of patina. There is transverse line checking on the front and backside of the guitar-it really has a great vintage vibe. The color appears more blue in brighter light, and in lower light it leans towards Teal. The woodgrain glows from underneath the translucent stain. The finish has a nice vintage gloss to it-not too shiny like plastic but more of a reflective quality like a mirror-highlighted by the contours. There are nicks and pecks and other signs of light handling evidence-the guitar was pretty well-cares for overall. The neck joint is an excellent fitment and feels solid.
The neck itself is straight and smooth and has a nice vintage Slim-C profile. The neck measures 1.63" wide at the nut. The neck depth measures .683" at the 1st fret and .859" at the 12th fret. The original Kluson Deluxe tuners all function nicely and the guitar stays in tune perfectly. The headstock and logo display great. The rosewood fingerboard is clean and the cool Diamond-dot position markers look outstanding. The neck is bound with a white binding that really compliments the fingerboard well. The frets have been professionally leveled, crowned and polished and present near-new condition-see photos. The action is set low for an easy playing experience. The string height measures .010" at the 1st fret and .055" at the 12th fret. The guitar plays easily up and down the fingerboard. There are no dead spots whatsoever and fret buzz is minimal to zero. The guitar is a lot of fun to play.
The original DeArmond Dynasonic pickups are the same model as used on Gretsch guitars of the 1950's. They have an excellent signal and balance. They have the characteristic clear tone with shimmering brilliance and a full low-end. Some people say these sound like supercharged Telecaster pickups. The bridge position measures 11.44 ohms and the neck position measures 11.64 ohms. The controls and wiring harness are in excellent condition and everything works smoothly and quietly. The original potentiometers date to early 1968. Inside the control cavity, there is an employee hand-signed date of 8-24 (August 24th) which was a Saturday! The pickguard is nice and flat with no issues. The bridge is clean and fully functional. The original Bigsby vibrato tailpiece functions smoothly.
This guitar is VERY lightweight (6.90 lbs!) and therefore very comfortable. It feels great in your lap and especially on a strap. It is lots of fun to play and was a nice variety of tones. Comes complete with the original Kustom form-fit hardcase for protection, of course.
