Kalamazoo amps have a somewhat confusing history. The writing on the front face of the amps indicate they are a product of CMI Electronics Co. (Chicago Musical instrument Co.) in Lincolnwood, Illinois. CMI owned controlling interest in Gibson from 1944-1969 when they merged with another company and became Norlin. It is unclear whether these amps were made in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo or in Illinois under some other CMI contract. My guess is they were built in the Gibson Kalamazoo plant and marketed under CMI in order to not compete directly with existing Gibson dealers. They were built using similar construction techniques, components and layouts as their Gibson cousins. Along with their line of composite body bolt on neck guitars, the Kalamazoo line allowed Gibson (CMI) to try and be more competitive in the student guitar and amp market. In this two-part video series, we'll thoroughly explore this amp, inside and out, look at a schematic, and give it a complete service. Finally, we'll plug her in and give her a listen.