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Description

Offered for sale:

Mid-sixties KAPA Challenger.

This guitar is in very good condition. The neck and frets are fine. Cosmetically there are marks and nicks abounding on the body. The marks on the back of the neck could be from a chain guitar strap stored in the case with the guitar. The pickguard has some cracking. We reinforce those cracks from behind with copper shielding tape. The Hofner humbuckers have a midrange that’s warm in the neck position and has a midrange warmth that cuts in the lead. This guitar “broadcasts patina” and real “relic-ing”. If only it could tell the stories!

Much of the Kapa story has already been told:

KAPA Guitars was founded in 1963 by a Dutch immigrant named Koob Veneman who owned Veneman's Music Emporium in Silver Spring Maryland. The name KAPA is an anagram of his families first names: Koob, Albert, Patricia and Adeline.

In the early 1960’s Koob decided to build his own line of guitars with the intent to grab a piece of the guitar boom made even more popular by the British Invasion. Koob’s strategy was to order guitar parts from European suppliers and then assemble them in Edsmonston Maryland where he had the guitar bodies made.

The necks, pickups and electronics were said to have originally come from German manufacturer Hofner. Many of the tuners used were made by Schaller. Kapa made his own bridges and tremolo assemblies. Most KAPA guitars are equipped with the tremolo. It is also believed that during the company's later years they made their own pickups, which looked similar to Hofner units.

The Kapa necks were known to be very thin and the bodies were also thin in comparison to Fender or Gibson bodies. But this particular neck has more beef like a round mid '60s Strat. It measures .870" at the 1st fret and .990" at the 12th. ~25 ¼ scale with a ~12” radius and a 1 11/16” nut width. The controls are volume, tone, tone and a pickup selector switch. The overall weight is 6.8lbs.

This is a very interesting example of “a horse of another color” made in USA guitar albeit using European components. Play it! Collect it! Enjoy it!

“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”

Case not included. Cases and gig bags are available separately.

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.

*It is our policy to require a signature on delivery of all musical instruments. Please let us know if you prefer no signature required when ordering or we will automatically require a signature.

If you prefer your item to be sent without a required signature Imperial Guitar and the selected carrier can no longer be responsible for the security of the package once it has been delivered.

Imperial Guitar & Soundworks

Imperial Guitar & Soundworks

~1965
KAPA
Very Good
Sunburst
27 Years
Imperial Guitar & Soundworks
New Paltz, NY
10:37 AM
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tues. - Fri. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat. Mondays by appointment only

We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as certified checks and bank-to-bank wire transfers. Trades and consignments also welcome. Bank to bank wire transfers seem to work best on foreign orders.

All shipments made by us are fully insured. Also, all new products are fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty and used gear usually carries our 30 day mail order warranty. Most stringed instruments sold by IGS are shipped UPS Ground service for $50.00 to $100.00 for the 48 Contiguous states. (Overnight Red Label is also available). Please call on each item. GUITAR FREIGHT (Foreign) We ship instruments world wide. Our shipping department prides itself in its ability to safely deliver guitars anywhere in the world. We use Fex Ex Great Rates service, wherever possible. You are responsible for any import duties, V.A.T., etc. on delivery. It is advisable to consult with your local customs office.

48-hour approval on most items