Comments on: From the Temple of Doom (I): Koob, Albert, Patricia, and Adeline

By: Fred Burger

Fred Burger — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 01:32:43 +0000

I took lessons at the store I Silver Spring back in ’64 &’65. I loved those KAPA’s. But my dad was all about my big old Harmony. Now 50+ years later I own 4 KAPA’s, and I play them through an Ampeg geminay II and a Silvertone Twin 12. They sound great.

By: Jared

Jared — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:02:34 +0000

Nice post

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:13:09 +0000

Nice website!

By: Jerry Romer

Jerry Romer — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:46:18 +0000

I was amazed to find there was as site regarding KAPA guitars because I worked at the factory in 1965 to 1967. I worked as an assembler on the finished product line putting together the various parts of the guitar from the body to the neck to the electronics. As far as I can remember, almost all of the materials that we used were created and crafted in the factory from the raw wood to the finished bodies to the paint shop to the electronics assembly to all of the products in the neck, the frets – everything was all handmade there.
I always enjoyed walking around the factory when I wasn’t too busy on the assembly line to watch the various stations making the parts for the guitars. It was a very busy factory. We never had any real down time, we were constantly working, producing the guitars as fast as we could. I remember Mr. Veneman because he interviewed and hired me and always treated the employees like they were part of the extended family. I remember him bringing his two children to the factory and him showing them around and introducing them to the employees. Everyone who worked at the factory was quite capable of the position that Mr. Veneman had given them in the guitar-making process of producing a quality guitar. I especially remember the one and only painter who did such a spectacular job of bringing the raw wood to its finished beautiful state. I remember on occasion when my drill would slip while installing the face plate putting a dent into the beautiful paint job which I would then have to return to the painter to have him touch it up. He never got mad at me, just gave me a great big grin and laughed. But I secretly think that he quite often thought I did it on purpose so I could come back and watch him laugh. He was happy all the time. I asked him why he was happy all the time and he said, “Man, I just love painting these guitars.” And he was good at it.
I’ve always had fond memories of working at KAPA guitar, and I’m wondering if any of the other employees from the factory during that time period are still around. I’d love to hear from you. Jerry sromer118@verizon.net

By: martysacouticandelectricguitar

martysacouticandelectricguitar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:48:43 +0000

Bought me an electric Gibson SG years ago to play with a band. Got it at a pawn store for $300.00. A couple of months later I came home to that guitar and 2 others stolen from me. Anyway when I got the insurance money for it they gave me $900.00 reimbursement! I was amazed. Didn’t know it was worth that much! Miss the guitar though.

By: Bob W

Bob W — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:25:31 +0000

My first guitar was a Kapa Cobra purchased second hand in 1965 from The Guitar Shop in DC for $60. I replaced it with an abused 1962 Jazzmaster in 67, that I sold a year later for $90, (ouch), and purchased my first new guitar from Koob at his Bethesda, MD store, two years later, (a 68 SG Standard). Off to college in 70 where my SG and Twin Reverb were stolen from my apartment.

Back to DC from college in 75 with an architecture degree, and coincidentally became the local architect for Veneman music, designing their corporate headquarters office building and warehouse in Gaithersburg, MD.

Koob was a great guy to work with, warm and welcoming, and a true enthusiast!

Unbelievably, I found my original Kapa Cobra on eBay about 6 months ago, and it is again in my possession, (apparently it never really left the DC area).

By: DaveG

DaveG — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:38:08 +0000

wow. I live in NJ and always wanted to go there. but, pretty scary neighborhood back in the day! oddly, there were some other similar stores in northern NJ, and they all seemed to have a stash of Kapas… I still kick myself for not buying one.
Interesting about Veneman’s – always thought Kapas were made overseas. Used to go to the Venemans store in MD when I lived in DC – great store!
thanks for this!

By: Thom Opal

Thom Opal — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:45:18 +0000

I remember purchasing my first (of many) electric 12-string from Fat Dog, of Subway Guitars, in Berkeley: it was a Kapa Continental, in candy-apple red. It worked well enough, and the point about the thin necks is true – they’re very thin. That probably means you’re going to need to adjust the truss rod and perform a setup if you come upon one. As I recall, the thin stamped-metal bridge gave the guitar a sort of Danelectro-like vibe. Interesting pickups on those!

Thanks for a blast from the past.