KINGSTON

The Kingston brand name was used by U.S. importer Westheimer Importing Corporation of Chicago, IL. Jack Westheimer, who was one of the original guitar importers and distributors, also served as president of Cort Musical Instruments in Northbrook, IL. The Kingston trademark was used on a product line of amplifiers, acoustic and solid body electric guitars, electric bass guitars, banjos, and mandolins imported into the U.S. market during the 1960s. It has been estimated that 150,000 guitars were sold in the U.S. during the 1960s. Some of the earlier Kingston guitars were built in Japan by either the Teisco company or Guyatone. Source: Michael Wright, Guitar Stories, Volume One.