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FEATURED ARTICLE: A Pioneering Lady, Kay Koster of "Koster Guitar Center"

moonweasel

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Jan 20, 2004
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Yo,

Always on the hunt for period LSLP literature, I found two separate auctions for a Gibson Retail Price Guide from September, 1969. I hadn't seen this particular piece before, so I tried to decided which one to bid on. One was flawless, more expensive, and probably had never been used. The other had "SAVE - Desk Copy" written on it in big letters. It also had a couple wrinkles and a stamp reading "Koster Guitar Center - 604 Seventh Street - Rockford, Illinois" on it. The auction description mentioned that this item was from a recent estate auction. A little Googling later, and I knew I had to bid on the second one!

Enter Kay Koster. Pioneer of the dedicated Guitar Store. Honored by NAMM in their Oral History Project. A cool lady, now gone. She would travel the Wisconsin country side teaching guitar lessons five days a week.... BY HERSELF IN THE 1930's !!!

She bought her store in 1940 and was one of the first Fender dealers in the country.

She is a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame as well.

Worth a read if you have the time.... I have embedded a video interview of her as well.

LINK --> http://www.latesixtieslespauls.com/article_koster.asp

koster1.jpg

 
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